What is the CPU Equivalent of Steam Deck? Specs and Comparison

Valve’s Steam Deck is another leap into portable gaming, and here is the equivalent processor packing the same efficiency as the console.

Steam Deck revolutionized the gaming world with a handheld gaming console with its gun gadget and compatibility of connecting with Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5 controllers. This console unlocked the possibility of experiencing high-end gaming while on the go.

The portability and technology packed in this handheld device are worth appreciating. But what type of gaming experience does it give, and what type of processing power does it match with a PC? In this article, we will discuss the CPU equivalent of Steam Deck by discussing the specifications of the console and its capabilities in comparison to a PC processor.

What are the Specifications of the Steam Deck Console?

Steam Deck has an AMD APU, the Zen 2 w/ 4-cores/8-threads (with L1 Cache of 64 KB per core) processor that gives a clock speed ranging from 2.4 to 3.5 GHz. This hardware can get you 3D graphics quality at 1200×800 screen resolution at 30-60 Hz in the handheld mode.

While in the docked mode, the output capability can amp up to 60 Hz in 4K resolution. Such hardware output is impressive, especially when the console only consumes 4-15 Watts. Packed with 16 gigs of DDR5 RAM, the console can do something that sounds more than what its size gives.

Also Read: Here’s How to Choose the Best Resolution for PC Gaming

Equivalent CPU to Steam Deck

Almost every gaming console gets a custom hardware job regarding CPUs and GPUs. Similarly, Steam Deck seems like a compact version of a fully prepared gaming PC with the following processors equivalent to the console.

Intel CPU Equivalent of Steam Deck

Steam Deck Intel CPU Alternative Core i5

The best alternative for Steam Deck AMD APU in the Intel line would be the Intel Core i5-9400F 6 cores/6 threads processor with a clock speed of 2.90GHz. This processor is pretty famous if you’re building a gaming PC on a budget, and you can get decent frame rates at 1080p if you have the right GPU backed up to it.

AMD CPU Equivalent of Steam Deck

AMD Ryzen 3 CPU Alternative for Steam Deck

AMD manufactures the actual processor of the Steam Deck, and the best alternative for this hardware would be an underclocked version of the Ryzen 3 3100 with 4 cores and 8 threads at a boost clock of 3.9 GHz. The CPU performs well on the benchmarks for gaming, editing, streaming, and rendering.

Also Read: Check your Steam Deck battery health instantly

Final Words

Building a gaming PC is all about getting the right hardware to satisfy your gaming experience while having compatibility. Handheld consoles like Stream Deck are only revolutionizing this concept with portability support. Sure, you can build a gaming PC that performs as well as the Steam Deck, but you won’t be able to carry it everywhere.

FAQ

Is it Cheaper to Build a Gaming PC Equivalent to Steam Deck?

Buying or building a gaming PC that performs equally well as the Steam Deck can be a pretty expensive option as the GPU, Motherboard, and the CPU alone may cost around the console price. Getting all the components for the complete build can get expensive and not worth it.

What is the Console Equivalent of Steam Deck?

Steam Deck is almost as capable as the Nintendo Switch console, a handheld gaming device launched in 2017. However, if we compare Steam Deck with ROG Ally, the console may not stand a chance in terms of performance.