SteamOS 3.9.6 beta improves frame timing and high refresh rate support

Valve released SteamOS 3.9.6 for the Beta and Preview channels. Players can access the update through Settings, System, and System Update Channel.

Image: TechPowerUp

The update includes improved frame timing when using a framerate limiter with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) or without VRR. Valve says these changes also improve frame timing for games with capped frame rates and provide more consistent performance after CPUs wake from deep idle states. Games capable of high refresh rates will no longer run at low refresh rates on 240 Hz displays.

Valve also fixed a green screen issue with Steam Remote Play on NVIDIA GPUs and an SDR saturation issue with HDR10 output on non-wide gamut displays. Other fixes include a black screen in certain RPG Maker games and compatibility improvements for Elden Ring, Dark Souls III, and Forza Horizon 6. The update also includes improvements for Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Legion Go 2.

The broader SteamOS 3.9 update uses an updated Arch Linux base, a Linux 7.2 kernel rebase, and KDE Plasma 6.7.3 for Desktop Mode. While Valve compared the update to SteamOS 3.8 in its announcement, SteamOS 3.9.5 is the current stable version.

Background On October 24, Valve released SteamOS 3.9.5 as the first stable version in the 3.9 series. Our earlier story