Having this gaming subscription looks like a secret weapon, and now it is accessible on Steam OS

In case you have a Steam Deck or are contemplating getting one as a substitute of a Nintendo Switch 2, it has simply gained considerably extra functionality because of Nvidia.

Nvidia has announced that its cloud gaming app, GeForce Now, is now accessible for the Steam Deck. At CES 2025, Nvidia acknowledged this was in growth, and only a week earlier than the Swap 2’s launch, it has formally launched it for all Steam Deck house owners.

This can be a main announcement as a result of it means Steam Deck customers can now stream over 2,000 video games at 4K 60FPS by GeForce Now, from numerous PC platforms, together with Steam, Epic Video games, Xbox, and extra.

Here is all the things it is advisable learn about GeForce Now and the related caveats.

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What’s Nvidia GeForce Now?

It allows you to stream video games from the cloud utilizing highly effective Nvidia {hardware}

If you happen to’re not accustomed to Nvidia GeForce Now, it is a cloud gaming platform that allows gamers to stream video games from the cloud utilizing Nvidia’s high-end PC {hardware} on their units.

Which means that a Steam Deck (or every other supported device) will be reworked into a strong gaming PC utilizing cloud know-how. In consequence, video games on GeForce Now can run at as much as 4K 60 FPS, whatever the gadget’s energy, since all processing is dealt with within the cloud by a digital PC, moderately than natively on the gadget.

Whereas the Steam Deck is a succesful moveable gaming handheld, it struggles to run among the newest video games, like Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle, at increased settings and respectable body charges on account of its restricted {hardware}. That is why a service like GeForce Now will be useful, because it eliminates these obstacles and permits individuals to play any sport they need on their gadget, with out being constrained by {hardware} limitations.

By operating GeForce Now in your Steam Deck, it does all of the work by the cloud and outputs it to your Steam Deck’s show, with out the Deck’s {hardware} being overly utilized. Nvidia claims due to this, Steam Deck customers will expertise “50 % longer battery life when streaming from an RTX gaming rig within the cloud.” One main caveat to all that is that you simply want a powerful web connection to stream video games from GeForce Now. If you happen to’re taking part in at residence, this will not be an issue, however in the event you’re out and about or touring, it could actually simply turn out to be one.

Moreover, it’s value noting that if you need the best possible expertise from Nvidia GeForce Now, you will have to pay.

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Should you get an LCD or OLED Steam Deck?

It is principally a query of price range and the way diehard you wish to be.

You possibly can play GeForce Now totally free at 1080p

1440p and 4K will price you

Nvidia

GeForce Now has three totally different plans accessible to gamers: Free, Efficiency, and Final.

The Free plan, because the identify suggests, does not price something and permits customers to check out GeForce Now. Nevertheless, being free comes with some vital limitations, resembling a decision restrict of 1080P at 60 FPS, the presence of commercials, and a session period of just one hour earlier than it resets. The digital PC that runs the video games additionally lacks energy in comparison with the higher-tier choices.

The Efficiency Plan, which prices $10 a month or $50 each six months, is the mid-tier choice and presents higher efficiency than the free plan, permitting customers to play video games at as much as 1440p at 60 FPS with out adverts. This plan additionally helps ultra-wide screens and RTX ray tracing in video games. Customers obtain 100 hours of playtime per thirty days with this plan, together with six hours of playtime per session.

Nvidia / Bethesda

The very best-tier plan Nvidia presents for GeForce Now is named Final, and it options essentially the most highly effective digital PC, geared up with an RTX 4080 and a 16-core CPU, for $20 a month or $100 each six months. It may well run video games at as much as 4K at 240 FPS, showcasing all of Nvidia’s graphical constancy and efficiency enhancements, resembling DLSS Body Era, Nvidia Reflex, and Nvidia G-Sync. In case your show helps it, this plan additionally offers HDR and HDR10 assist. Much like the Efficiency Plan, it permits for 100 hours of playtime per thirty days, however with eight hours of playtime accessible per session.

Relying on the plan you select, it could actually doubtlessly improve your Steam Deck into a way more highly effective moveable gaming gadget. Nevertheless, as I discussed earlier, web connection is important to attain the very best expertise with cloud gaming, so preserve that in thoughts. If you happen to steadily use your Steam Deck at residence, then GeForce Now could also be value contemplating. Nevertheless, in the event you’re usually away from residence together with your Steam Deck and should not have entry to a powerful web connection, it may not carry out optimally.

If you wish to give GeForce Expertise a attempt in your Steam Deck, you possibly can obtain it from Nvidia’s website and take a look at any of the video games you personal on it. Simply make sure you choose the Steam Deck choice and comply with the on-screen directions once you go to put in it. I like to recommend watching the video beneath, because it offers an excellent overview of the way to set it up accurately. If you do not have a Steam Deck, GeForce Now’s accessible to attempt on Home windows, Mac, and Android. You may also play it on iOS, however solely by the Safari browser, not its devoted app.

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