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Do You Need a Gaming PC for Steam Link? The Definitive Answer

The short answer is yes, you absolutely need a capable PC to serve as the “brains” behind the Steam Link experience. Steam Link isn’t a standalone gaming platform; it’s a streaming device or app that mirrors the display and input of a PC running Steam onto another screen, like a TV, laptop, or even your phone. Therefore, the heavy lifting of running the game still falls on your PC. Without a PC powerful enough to handle the game, Steam Link is essentially a fancy paperweight. Let’s delve deeper into why and how this works.

Understanding Steam Link’s Role

Steam Link’s primary function is to stream video and audio from your PC to another display, while simultaneously transmitting your controller inputs back to the PC. Think of it as a remote desktop connection tailored specifically for gaming. The device or app itself has minimal processing power; it’s solely focused on encoding, transmitting, and decoding the stream. It’s important to understand the difference between the computing power needed to simply stream a game, and the computing power needed to run a game. That is where the gaming PC comes in.

PC Requirements for a Smooth Steam Link Experience

While Steam Link itself doesn’t demand much, the PC hosting the game needs to meet the minimum and recommended specifications of the games you want to play. This means a decent processor, sufficient RAM, and a capable graphics card. Here’s a breakdown:

Processor: A modern multi-core processor is essential. While the bare minimum might suffice for older or less demanding games, a more powerful CPU will ensure smoother performance and less stuttering, especially in graphically intensive titles.
RAM: 8GB of RAM is generally considered the minimum for modern gaming, but 16GB is highly recommended. Insufficient RAM can lead to frame drops and overall poor performance, even if your other components are up to par.
Graphics Card: This is arguably the most crucial component. The graphics card renders the game visuals, so a powerful GPU is essential for high resolutions, high frame rates, and graphical fidelity. Check the game’s recommended specs for the appropriate GPU tier.
Networking: A fast and stable network connection is paramount. While Wi-Fi can work, a wired Ethernet connection is strongly recommended for the best possible streaming experience. 5GHz Wi-Fi is preferable to 2.4GHz if you must use a wireless connection.
Operating System: Steam supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. Ensure your PC is running a supported operating system and that your drivers are up-to-date.

Optimizing Your PC for Steam Link

Even with a powerful gaming PC, there are steps you can take to further optimize your Steam Link experience:

Close Unnecessary Applications: Before streaming, close any programs that are consuming system resources, such as web browsers, video editors, or other games.
Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings: Lowering the graphics settings in the game can reduce the load on your PC and improve streaming performance. Experiment with different settings to find a balance between visual quality and smooth gameplay.
Update Drivers: Ensure your graphics card drivers and network drivers are up-to-date. Newer drivers often include performance optimizations and bug fixes.
Use Hardware Encoding: Enable hardware encoding in Steam’s streaming settings. This offloads the encoding task to your GPU, freeing up your CPU for other tasks.

Steam Link Beyond Gaming

While designed primarily for gaming, Steam Link can also be used to stream other applications from your PC, such as video streaming services or even your desktop environment. However, the performance will still be limited by the capabilities of your PC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about using Steam Link and the PC requirements involved:

1. Can I use a low-end PC with Steam Link?

No. Steam Link mirrors what is happening on the main PC. A low-end PC will struggle to run modern games effectively, resulting in poor performance and a laggy streaming experience. It is best to have a better performing PC to stream through Steam Link.

2. Does Steam Link improve my PC’s performance?

No, Steam Link doesn’t improve your PC’s performance. It just allows you to play games on a different screen than the one directly connected to your PC.

3. Can I stream games from a Mac to Steam Link?

Yes, Steam supports streaming from Macs running macOS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or newer. However, the Mac needs to be powerful enough to run the game you want to stream. Many games run better on PC.

4. What internet speed do I need for Steam Link?

For local streaming, your internet speed is less important than your local network speed. A fast and stable local network is crucial. Valve recommends a minimum of 100 Mbps for optimal performance. If you want to tune things exactly right for your setup, you can start at 3 Mbit/s and slowly increase the bandwidth until you start getting hitches and then drop it back down.

5. Can I use Steam Link over the internet?

Yes, you can use Steam Link over the internet, but the performance will be heavily dependent on your internet connection speed and latency. A fast and stable internet connection with low ping is essential for a good experience.

6. Is Steam Link discontinued?

The hardware Steam Link device has been discontinued, but the Steam Link app is still available for various platforms, including smartphones, tablets, and Android TV devices. The Steam Link app will no longer be available on Samsung TV after November, 30th, 2023.

7. Can I use Steam Link on a Chromebook?

Yes, you can use Steam Link on a Chromebook if it supports Android apps. Install the Steam Link app from the Google Play Store and connect to your PC. Ensure both devices are on the same network. Some methods for running Steam on Chromebook devices require native Linux apps or Android applications from the Google Play Store. Not all Chromebooks can handle Linux and Android apps, so you must ensure the one you will use to run Steam on Chromebook does.

8. What controllers are compatible with Steam Link?

Steam Link supports a wide range of controllers, including the Steam Controller, Xbox controllers, PlayStation controllers, and many generic Bluetooth controllers.

9. Can I use Steam Link to play non-Steam games?

Yes, you can add non-Steam games to your Steam library and then stream them using Steam Link. This allows you to play games from other platforms, such as Origin, Epic Games Store, or GOG, on your TV or other devices.

10. Does Steam Link support 4K streaming?

Yes, Steam Link supports 4K streaming, but you’ll need a powerful PC and a fast network connection to achieve smooth performance at that resolution. The Samsung TV Steam Link App is available for Samsung Smart TVs with model years 2016-2021. In addition to the standard 1080p, the application supports full 4K streaming starting with 2017 TV models.

11. Is Steam Link good for fighting games?

Yes, if the PC and network conditions are right, Steam Link can be used to stream fighting games with minimal lag, especially with wired connections. The Link offers practically lag-free gaming in crisp 1080p, 60 fps, and is reliable enough to play Twitch-tastic games like Nidhogg, Duck Game, and Speedrunners, not to mention competitive fighting games, so long as your router can handle it.

12. Can Steam Link wake up my PC?

Yes, Steam Link can wake up your PC using the Wake on LAN (WOL) feature, but your PC needs to be properly configured for WOL in the BIOS and operating system settings.

13. Why is my Steam Link laggy?

Lag can be caused by several factors, including a weak PC, a slow network connection, interference on your Wi-Fi network, or outdated drivers. Troubleshoot these factors to identify and resolve the issue. An unstable network connection is the main reason for Steam Link audio lag. To avoid this situation, we recommend you connect to a wired network using an Ethernet cable, which can help you get good performance for game streaming. Note: Make sure that you connect to a faster and newer router.

14. How do I improve my Steam Link performance?

Use a wired Ethernet connection.
Lower in-game graphics settings.
Close unnecessary applications.
Update your drivers.
Enable hardware encoding.
Ensure your PC meets the game’s minimum and recommended specifications.

15. Can I use Steam Link to play VR games?

Steam Link itself doesn’t directly support VR. For VR streaming, you’ll need a dedicated VR streaming solution like Virtual Desktop or ALVR.

The Bottom Line

Steam Link is a fantastic tool for streaming games from your PC to other devices, but it’s not a replacement for a powerful gaming PC. You still need a capable PC to run the games, and Steam Link simply facilitates the streaming process. By understanding the PC requirements and optimizing your setup, you can enjoy a smooth and immersive gaming experience on any screen in your home. Don’t forget to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights on the intersection of games and learning!

Do you need a gaming PC for Steam Link?