A higher frame rate is not always the answer to smoother gameplay. Sometimes, the biggest difference comes from how a screen displays each frame. Valve is addressing precisely that with SteamOS 3.10, alongside several improvements for different graphics architectures.
On November 14, 2026, the company released its first Preview build through the Steam Deck testing channel. Valve shared the official update notes on Steam. This version introduces display improvements, hardware compatibility changes and a refreshed Linux foundation.
SteamOS 3.10 makes gameplay smoother without chasing higher frame rates
One of the most interesting changes concerns variable refresh rate (VRR). This technology allows compatible displays to adapt their refresh rate to the frames produced by a game. Consequently, fluctuations in performance can become less noticeable during gameplay.
Valve has improved frame timing when combining VRR with the system’s framerate limiter. Additionally, screen flickering should occur less frequently when navigating the Steam interface or leaving it idle.
Cursor movement also benefits from these adjustments. Above 30 FPS, the cursor should follow the game’s frame rate. It should also stop pushing the display to its maximum refresh rate.
Meanwhile, HDR receives attention through a scaling correction that addresses excessive brightness in games such as Control. Valve has also resolved flickering and outdated frames affecting UBOAT and The Fruit of Grisaia in Game Mode.
Software improvements are becoming increasingly important across gaming platforms. Another recent example is the expansion of QSSR technology to more PS5 games. Although both technologies serve different purposes, they illustrate how updates can improve the experience on existing hardware.
AMD and NVIDIA graphics gain new capabilities
External display connectivity represents another important part of this release. SteamOS 3.10 introduces HDMI 2.1 VRR, FRL and ALLM support for AMD graphics, expanding the available display features.
FRL, or Fixed Rate Link, enables higher-bandwidth data transmission through HDMI. In contrast, ALLM stands for Auto Low Latency Mode. It allows compatible displays to automatically select a mode designed to reduce input latency.
However, compatibility is not yet perfect. Valve identifies a known issue involving the Dell G3223Q monitor, which may display a blank screen.
NVIDIA graphics also receive general performance and stability improvements. Furthermore, Turing and newer architectures gain support for Mesh Shaders. This graphics technology gives developers more flexibility when processing complex geometry.
Rendering problems in Shadow of the Tomb Raider and The Surge 2 have also been addressed.
SteamOS 3.10 introduces changes beyond gaming performance
Not every improvement involves graphics or frame rates. Valve has refreshed the underlying Arch Linux base and upgraded Desktop Mode from KDE Plasma 6.7.3 to 6.8.2.
These changes are particularly relevant given the growing interest in Linux gaming. Independent developers have even managed to bring Valve’s operating system to Apple Silicon Macs through an unofficial project.
For a clearer overview, these are the main changes in the first SteamOS 3.10 Preview build:
- VRR: Improved frame timing, cursor movement and display stability.
- HDR: Corrected scaling issues causing excessive brightness in certain games.
- AMD graphics: Added HDMI 2.1 VRR, FRL and ALLM support.
- NVIDIA graphics: Improved stability and performance, with Mesh Shader support for Turing and newer GPUs.
- Vulkan: Added support for the VK_EXT_present_timing extension, which provides greater control over frame presentation timing.
- ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X20: Added HDR support and brightness controls.
- Desktop Mode: Upgraded to KDE Plasma 6.8.2.
- Charging: Fixed an incorrectly displayed slow charger warning.
- Bluetooth: Resolved audio disconnections when switching between Game Mode and Desktop Mode.
- Time zones: Updated data for Cuba, Manitoba and Canada’s Northwest Territories.
- System maintenance: Introduced numerous security and stability improvements.
- Linux kernel: Rebased the system kernel on Linux 7.3.
Valve also explains that its release notes provide an overview. Therefore, additional changes introduced since the stable 3.9 release may not appear in the announcement.
Players can test the update through the Preview channel
SteamOS 3.10 is currently an optional update rather than a general stable release. Anyone interested in testing these features can join the Preview channel directly from their Steam Deck.
The process involves following a few simple steps:
- Open the Steam Deck Settings menu.
- Navigate to the System section.
- Locate System Update Channel.
- Select Preview.
Nevertheless, Valve warns that early builds may contain bugs and stability issues. Players encountering problems are encouraged to report them through the official SteamOS issue tracker.
For those who prioritize reliability, remaining on the stable channel may be the better option for now.
Ultimately, SteamOS 3.10 focuses on improving how games look, feel and interact with compatible hardware. Its first Preview build offers several reasons for enthusiasts to experiment, provided they accept the risks of unfinished software.
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