- Windows 11 Xbox Mode uses less RAM than standard desktop, but doesn’t improve gaming performance
- This is the conclusion based on a battery of tests carried out by a popular YouTube channel.
- Gaming performance on Valve’s SteamOS is even better as Microsoft tries to catch up
Microsoft’s push to improve gaming on Windows 11 remains an ongoing process, particularly with its Xbox Mode providing a console-style UI, but it apparently isn’t doing much to improve gaming performance.
As highlighted by Notebookcheck, Windows 11’s Xbox mode results in lower RAM usage compared to the standard desktop, but more importantly it doesn’t improve actual gaming performance, or that’s the conclusion of recent tests conducted by Linus Tech Tips (LTT).
By trying things like Forza Horizon 5 At 1080p with maximum graphics settings and no upscaling on two PCs with the same specs, there was no difference in frame rate between standard desktop and Xbox mode. The same thing happened with a resolution of 1440p and with other games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom: The Middle Ageswhere LTT found the same frame rates or a negligible difference.
It’s important to note that both PCs in the LTT tests show memory usage at lower levels when using Xbox mode compared to the standard desktop, but this had no impact on performance.
I should note that this is just a set of benchmarks and of course results will likely vary depending on the exact tests and system configurations involved. However, the LTT tests here are a pretty strong indication of disappointing overall performance for Windows 11’s Xbox Mode as-is.
Look
It’s no secret that Valve’s SteamOS offers better gaming performance than Windows 11, with more optimal RAM usage, and doesn’t include any of the unwanted bloatware that Windows 11 comes loaded with. While SteamOS has its own desktop mode, it’s a Linux distro designed for background gaming.
It seems like something is wrong with Xbox mode and Microsoft is struggling with optimization here. On top of that, the implementation of Xbox mode is not fully complete, which acts as another weak point for Windows 11 users looking for a simple console-like gaming experience.
Frankly, the longer it takes for all users to access Xbox mode and achieve performance improvements, the harder it will be for Microsoft to catch up to Valve.
While Windows is still by far the dominant operating system for PC gamers, if it improves anti-cheat support on Linux, that will spell big trouble for Microsoft as more users are likely to migrate to SteamOS.
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