What are some optimizations for the Steam Deck to make emulation even better?
These optimizations are entirely optional and but they can give you better performance on some more demanding emulators.
Increase the VRAM to 4GB
This increases the VRAM to 4GB in the BIOS, this can give you improvements in certain emulators.
- Power off your Steam Deck completely
- Hold the
Power Button
andVolume Up Button
until you hear a chime/beep and release the buttons. - Click on
Setup Utility
- Click on
Advanced
- Change
UMA Frame buffer Size
to 4GB - Save and Exit
Setup a sudo password
This is a requirement for many optimizations and solutions, it also makes your Deck safer. It enables you to run commands/applications heighten sudo privileges.
- Go to
Desktop Mode
- Open
Konsole
or anotherTerminal
- Type
passwd
- You will now set your new sudo password
- After you are done you can close the terminal
Install CryoUtilities
This requires that you have set up a sudo password.
This will create a 16GB SWAP file that can improve the performance for some emulators. Note that it will take up that extra space on your Steam Deck.
- Go to
Desktop Mode
- Open a web browser and go to the CryoUtilities github page
- Click on releases
- Download the latewst
cryo_utilities
version and save to the Desktop or Home folder - Double click on the file and it will begin the installation
- After installation is complete you will find a new desktop icon
CryoUtilities
- Click on
CryoUtilities
- Click on
Recommended Settings
- It should now be done
Install Decky Loader
Decky Loader is a homebrew plugin store for the Steam Deck. This requires that you have set up a sudo password.
- Go to
Desktop Mode
- Open
Konsole
or anotherTerminal
- Type
curl -L https://github.com/SteamDeckHomebrew/decky-installer/releases/latest/download/install_release.sh | sh
- Decky Loader should now be installed and you can go back into
Game Mode
. - To access Decky Loader you only need to press the
Menu Button - (โขโขโข)
Decky Loader: Install Power Tools
Power Tools allows you to tweak various performance settings of the Steam Deck. What the best setting is differs per emulator or even per game.
In Game Mode:
Menu Button - (โขโขโข)
- Go into Decky Loader
- From the Store install Power Tools
- This will add a ๐ icon to the
Menu Button - (โขโขโข)
where you can access Power Tools.
Decky Loader: AutoFlatpaks
AutoFlatpaks allows you to manage and update flatpaks like RetroDECK directly from Game Mode
Menu Button - (โขโขโข)
- Go into Decky Loader
- From the Store install AutoFlatpaks