SteamOS Adds Display Configuration and VRR Support for Asus ROG Ally and ROG Ally X

Valve’s SteamOS just took a significant step forward with the integration of display configuration scripts tailored for the Asus ROG Ally and ROG Ally X. These updates have been added to the master branch of Valve’s SteamOS Gamescope compositor on GitHub. Now, Gamescope can handle the complete 48-120 Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) range available on these flagship gaming handhelds from Asus. This move not only fuels anticipation about SteamOS becoming more widely available for different PCs soon, but it’s also crucial as Asus continues to push the limits with their ROG Ally devices.

For those not entirely versed in VRR technology, you might know it better under its Nvidia guise, G-Sync, or AMD’s take, FreeSync. Essentially, VRR tech allows your display’s refresh rate to align with the game’s or a 3D application’s frame rate in real-time. The result? A much smoother visual experience with no pesky screen-tearing, keeping everything seamless within that VRR range. While many displays cap their VRR range around 40 Hz, the ROG Ally handhelds shine by offering a nice breadth of flexibility, especially given how challenging it is to sustain 120 Hz on a handheld device.

This isn’t where the SteamOS buzz ends. Recently, an update to the SteamOS input layer introduced support for the buttons on Asus ROG Ally and ROG Ally X. This development comes roughly eight months after Valve hinted at its handheld-first strategy regarding broader SteamOS rollout plans. With Valve’s reputation for operating on “Valve Time,” it’s anyone’s guess when they’ll officially launch this meticulously hyped-up release. Nonetheless, given the community’s initiatives with projects like Bazzite and HoloISO, Valve doesn’t appear to be racing against the clock to push its version out just yet.

It’s worth noting that while the Asus ROG Ally enjoys VRR support, Valve’s Steam Deck devices, including the Steam Deck OLED with its HDR capabilities at up to 1000 nits, currently don’t. However, with VRR support now part of SteamOS’ Gamescope compositor for both external and competing internal displays, there’s certainly hope that Valve might integrate VRR into a future iteration of the Steam Deck. Here’s to hoping the Steam Deck 2 brings even more innovations whenever it rolls around.