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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsProton is not a PS5 feature. Valve uses Proton on SteamOS to run many Windows games on the Steam Deck; PS5 compatibility is handled by Sony’s console software. That means the comparison is not between two ways of using Proton: it is between Steam Deck’s game-by-game Windows compatibility and PS5’s console-managed game support. Neither platform can be declared the universal performance winner without comparable tests of the same game under the same conditions.
Does the PS5 use Proton?
No. Proton is Valve’s compatibility layer for running many Windows games through SteamOS, the Linux-based operating system used by Steam Deck. It does not describe how PS5 runs games. Sony’s backward-compatibility information concerns PS4 games played on PS5, not Windows games or Proton. Sony’s PS5 backward-compatibility guidance says the overwhelming majority of more than 4,000 PS4 games are playable on PS5, while noting that some may show errors or behave unexpectedly.
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How compatibility differs
| Question | PS5 | Steam Deck |
|---|---|---|
| What is being made compatible? | Primarily supported PS4 games running on PS5 through Sony’s console compatibility features. | Individual Steam games, including Windows games run through SteamOS and Proton. |
| How do you check a game? | Check Sony’s PS5 backward-compatibility information and the game’s own support details. | Check the game’s current Steam Store compatibility information. Valve’s review considers whether the game and its middleware work through Proton and meet Steam Deck expectations. |
| What can change? | Some PS4 games may show errors or unexpected behavior. Sony says Game Boost may improve or smooth the frame rate for selected games. | Compatibility can change with game updates, new releases, middleware, Proton changes, and improvements to Steam Deck. |
Valve’s compatibility review is ongoing, so a Deck label is a useful guide, not a permanent guarantee for every update, launcher, or online service. A compatibility label also does not tell you what frame rate to expect. Valve’s Steam Deck compatibility page explains the review program.
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For a game that is not working as expected, Steam Support documents an optional per-game setting to force a particular Steam Play compatibility tool. This is a troubleshooting step, not a required setup for every game, and changing the tool does not guarantee a fix. Steam Support’s compatibility-tool instructions give the documented process:
#1 Best Overall
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
- In the Steam Deck Library, highlight the game you want to troubleshoot.
- Open the game’s menu and select Properties.
- Choose Compatibility.
- Enable the option to force a specific Steam Play compatibility tool, then select a tool from the available list.
If the game still fails, check its current Steam compatibility information and any game-specific requirements. A forced tool selection addresses compatibility-layer troubleshooting; it cannot remove a game’s requirement for an internet connection or an external service.
What performance can—and cannot—be compared
The official compatibility information cited here does not provide controlled, same-game PS5-versus-Deck performance benchmarks. It therefore cannot support a blanket claim that one platform always runs games faster or looks better. Valve’s review may account for Proton-specific blocking bugs or performance issues, but a compatibility rating is not a cross-platform frame-rate test.
Rank #2
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
A useful head-to-head comparison needs the same game and software version, comparable graphics settings and rendering conditions, and a clear account of the PS5 and Steam Deck models tested. It should also identify resolution, frame-rate target, and test method. Comparing a PS5 quality mode with a Deck performance-oriented setup, for example, would not establish which platform is faster under equivalent conditions.
The practical distinction is the experience each device is built around: PS5 is a console, while Steam Deck is a handheld PC running SteamOS. Choose based on the games you want to play and how you want to use the device; verify support for individual games rather than inferring performance from the platform name or a compatibility badge.
Rank #3
- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
Offline play and Remote Play are different cases
Valve says an installed Steam Deck game can be played offline unless that particular game requires an internet connection. A handheld device does not make every game self-contained: authentication, online services, or a game’s own requirements may still prevent offline play. See the Steam Deck FAQ.
PS5 Remote Play is different from running a Steam game locally through Proton. It streams from a PS5 over a network; the game is still running on the console. Sony recommends a high-speed connection and cites 15 Mbps for best performance in its Remote Play support material. That is general guidance, not a guarantee for every network or evidence of parity with native Steam Deck gameplay. See Sony’s Remote Play guidance.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
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