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Steam Deck: Optimizations & Addons

These optimizations are entirely optional, but they can provide improved performance for certain more demanding components and applications on the Steam Deck.

Increasing VRAM to 4 GB

Adjusting the VRAM allocation to 4 GB through the BIOS can improve performance in certain components by providing additional memory to the integrated GPU.

Installation Steps

  1. Power off your Steam Deck completely.
  2. Press and hold the Power Button and Volume Up Button simultaneously until you hear a chime/beep, then release both buttons.
  3. In the boot menu, select Setup Utility.
  4. Navigate to the Advanced tab.
  5. Locate the UMA Frame Buffer Size setting and change it to 4 GB.
  6. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.

Your Steam Deck will now boot with the updated VRAM allocation.

Setting a Sudo Password

Configuring a sudo password is required for many optimizations and system-level tasks. It also enhances the security of your Steam Deck by enabling authenticated access to elevated privileges.

Installation Steps

  1. Switch to Desktop Mode on your Steam Deck.
  2. Open Konsole or another terminal application.
  3. Enter the command: passwd
  4. You will now set your new sudo password.
  5. After you are done you can close the terminal.

Installing Decky Loader

Prerequisite: A configured sudo password is required before installation.

Decky Loader is a Homebrew Plugin Store for the Steam Deck.

Installation Steps

  1. Switch to Desktop Mode on your Steam Deck.
  2. Open Konsole or another terminal application.
  3. Run the following command: curl -L https://github.com/SteamDeckHomebrew/decky-installer/releases/latest/download/install_release.sh | sh
  4. Decky Loader will install automatically.
  5. Once the installation is complete, return to Game Mode.

You can access Decky Loader at any time by pressing the Menu Button (•••).

Decky Loader: Installing Power Tools

Power Tools provides advanced performance-tuning options for the Steam Deck.
Optimal settings depend on the specific hardware component and may vary between games.

Installation Steps (in Game Mode)

  1. Press the Menu Button (•••).
  2. Open Decky Loader.
  3. Navigate to the Store and install Power Tools.
  4. After installation, a new 🔌 Power Tools icon will appear within the Menu Button (•••) menu, giving you quick access to the plugin.

Decky Loader: AutoFlatpaks

AutoFlatpaks allows you to manage and update Flatpak applications-such as RetroDECK-directly from Game Mode.

Installation Steps (in Game Mode)

  1. Press the Menu Button (•••).
  2. Open Decky Loader.
  3. From the Store, install AutoFlatpaks.

AutoFlatpaks will now be accessible through the Decky Loader menu for convenient Flatpak management.