Steam Deck's OS 3.2 update lessens its fan noise, which its players have complained about being loud and high-pitched even while playing light games and merely browsing the menu.
Valve's SteamOS 3.2 software update also introduces new features, such as what is aptly named Remote Play Together and more controls for its refresh rate.
Steam Deck's Fan Noise
The fan noise of the Steam Deck gaming console is one of its biggest drawbacks. It should make sense for titles with extremely high graphics, but it is unnecessary in lightweight games.
As per a story by PC Gamer, the whining sound of the fans of the Steam Deck is as loud as what we typically hear with gaming laptops. It further states that the noise level is somewhat similar to a group of people talking to each other.
In fact, iFixit, the repair parts retailer, already came to the rescue, releasing a fan replacement for the handheld console of Steam.
However, it swiftly got sold out. It even did not last a week on the shelves before stocks ran out.
SteamOS Update and Fan Noise
All that said, Valve, the firm behind Steam Deck, appears to hear out players of the gaming console. It brings a new software update to address the annoying fan noise in light uses.
According to a recent report by The Verge, the all-new SteamOS 3.2 introduces a new feature that vows to tame the Steam Deck fan noise. It should bring down the loud whining when running games that do not require intensive power.
Valve is now using SteamOS to control the behavior of its fan to prevent unnecessary noise in light uses.
Steam says in its release notes that the fan behavior improvement is now "smarter and more responsive to what's happening on and inside Steam Deck." Most importantly, it makes it quieter in light games and tasks.
The Verge vouches that the latest software update does the job of taming the fan noise when playing games like Rogue Legacy 2 and Vampire Survivors. Not to mention that the whining is no longer audible when browsing the menu screen--as it should be in the first place.
Steam Deck Refresh Rate Controls
Besides making the Steam Deck a little less noisy, the SteamOS 3.2 also brings new handy refresh rate options. It allows players to lower it down to variations like 10fps, 20fps, and 40fps, along with the previous choices of 15fps, 30fps, and the default 60fps.
On top of these new features, 3.2 also includes slight improvements on its audio, and the max volume now goes higher.
That's not all: the latest update also rolls out alongside Remote Play Together, letting players enjoy games with their
friends even if they are miles away from each other.