The Pros and Cons of Lossless Scaling on the Steam Deck OLED

Hey everyone, this is ETA Prime. Today, we will explore the realm of frame creation on the Steam Deck OLED and lossless scaling. Assuming you have been following along, you are aware that this feature works with both the LCD and OLED Steam Decks and is accessible on Windows. This is an explanation of the benefits of lossless scaling along with the drawbacks of implementing it on the Steam Deck OLED.

What is Lossless Scaling?

Utilizing frame creation and upscaling techniques, Lossless Scaling is a Steam program that improves performance. It’s especially helpful for devices like the Steam Deck that have less powerful GPUs. This application can now be accessed and used on the Steam Deck OLED thanks to a recent Windows 11 drivers update.

Pros of Using Lossless Scaling

1. Increased Frame Rates:
   • Your frame rates can be considerably increased with lossless scaling. For instance, in experiments using Red Dead 2, when lossless scaling was enabled, frame rates increased from about 47 FPS to the ’90s. Your frame rate is practically doubled with this enhancement, which can significantly improve your gaming experience.
2. Better Performance on Lower-End Hardware:
   • With an iGPU as low-end as the one found in the Steam Deck OLED, Lossless Scaling can significantly improve performance. This implies that even with games that would ordinarily be taxing on the technology, you can experience more fluid gaming.
3. Customizable Scaling Options:
   • The program provides a number of scaling options, such as the built-in scaler for lossless scaling (LS1) and FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution). You can play about with these parameters to see what strikes the greatest combination of visual quality and performance.
4. Frame Generation:
   • By producing more frames, frame generation—which can be enabled with Lossless Scaling—helps to raise the effective frame rate. This function can significantly improve games, giving players a more seamless and fluid gameplay experience.
5. Versatile Usage:
   • The advantages of Lossless Scaling are not exclusive to any one game or application, despite the fact that it is presently only compatible with Windows. It works with many different Windows-based games and operating systems. 

Cons of Using Lossless Scaling

1. Limited to Windows:
   • Lossless Scaling is currently limited to Windows 11 and the Steam Deck OLED. This functionality will not work if your Steam Deck is running Linux, which restricts its usefulness for people who prefer or need Linux.
2. Increased Latency:
   • Input latency may increase if frame creation and scaling are enabled. This is especially apparent in competitive or fast-paced games where every millisecond matters. This might not be as big of a problem for single-player games, but it’s still something to think about.
3. Additional Cost:
   • On Steam, Lossless Scaling costs about $7. Although the performance advantages it provides may make this a fair price, it’s still another expense to consider. 
4. Potential Compatibility Issues:
   • Certain games and applications may not operate flawlessly with Lossless Scaling or may necessitate particular configurations for their operation. This can need more time for setup or problems.
5. Higher Power Consumption:
   • Fragment formation and scaling can draw more power, which could shorten the life of the battery, particularly when using the Steam Deck OLED for mobile gaming.

Performance Overview

Frame Rate Improvements:

• Without Frame Generation: The average frame rate is 45 frames per second. We may begin to comprehend the performance implications of enabling Lossless Scaling with the help of this baseline.
• Frame Generation: Turning on frame generation can greatly increase frame rate. The frame rate increased to about 91 FPS during testing. This almost doubles performance, resulting in a significantly more fluid gaming experience.

Latency Considerations:

• Users of Mouse and Keyboard: You may experience some additional latency if you use a mouse and keyboard. In fast-paced situations, the system’s ability to store up to three frames ahead of time can be very apparent.
• Controller Users: The additional latency is less noticeable for users who are using a controller, internal or external. In single-player games, the effect is negligible, which makes this function more practical for controller users. 

Game-Specific Performance

1. Hogwarts Legacy:
   • Native FPS: Approximately 34 FPS with settings at 720p low.
   • With Lossless Scaling: Around 62 FPS. There is, however, a noteworthy problem where fast motions might result in visual anomalies, including hats that vanish. This implies that there may be compatibility or rendering problems with some game components. 
2. Elden Ring:
   • Native FPS: About 33 FPS at 720p low settings.
   • With Lossless Scaling: In crowded spaces, FPS can go to as high as 85 FPS on average. It’s important to remember that not all game genres will benefit from frame creation, especially ones that demand quick reflexes.
3. Forza Horizon 5:
   • Native FPS: At 720p medium settings without FSR, average FPS is around 43.
   • With Lossless Scaling: The frame rate rises to roughly 76 frames per second. Though it might not be required at this resolution, keep in mind that although performance gets better, scaling up or down considerably more could push this even further.
4. Red Dead Redemption 2:
   • Native Settings: The Steam Deck has trouble maintaining a steady 60 frames per second while operating at the lowest settings and with FSR set to Performance.
   • When Lossless Scaling is used, the average frame rate increases to about 86, which greatly improves gameplay enjoyment. The increased frame rate makes a big difference in the game’s open sections.

Drawbacks and Future Potential

• Operating System Restrictions: At the moment, Windows 11 is the only operating system that supports Lossless Scaling for the Steam Deck OLED. This restriction is a major letdown for people who need or prefer SteamOS. The best option would be a native Linux program.
• Game Compatibility: As seen by Hogwarts Legacy, certain games may have bugs or display rendering difficulties. Not every title will work flawlessly with frame creation, and some graphical components might not render correctly.
• Extra Configuration Needed: Using SteamOS provides a more simplified and integrated experience than installing Windows and setting Lossless Scaling.

Conclusion

Without Loss For those who want to get the most out of their gaming experience on the Steam Deck OLED, scaling offers significant performance gains. Although it functions effectively in most situations, there are some noticeable drawbacks, especially when it comes to game compatibility and the requirement to install Windows. It’s worth trying with for people who don’t mind the extra setup. But a native SteamOS solution would be revolutionary, providing the same advantages without requiring extra software or dual-booting.

I’ll include links to the Lossless Scaling Steam app and Valve’s official website for the most recent Windows 11 drivers for the Steam Deck OLED if you choose to give it a shot. As always, thanks for reading, and feel free to share your experiences in the comments section!

Lossless Scaling on the Steam Deck OLED