Context: I am using the OG Steam Deck LCD version. 256GB.
As soon as I updated the SD using the stable 3.5 version, without changing any of the settings, I noticed that there were changes especially in the screen, it moves smoother and appears sharper. I booted up my game (playing Judgement currently) and somehow the FPS increased from 40s to near 60s! I checked all the other games, (NBA2k24, Hogwarts, and Nier Automata) and I am super sure the visuals have been subtly upgraded and the fps bumped up a bit. I’m amazed and it made my Steam Deck feel like new! :)
Got the update yesterday and love the new visuals. The new color-options made decky plugin Vibrantdeck obsolete in mine opinion.
GTA4 (a very grey and dull looking game sometimes) looks warmer and sharper, got a cap on 40 FPS so don’t know if fps is boosted after the update.
TMNT shredders Revenge looks also so much better, colors are so much warmer and cleaner.
Feels indeed as a brand new SteamDeck!
The stable update to 3.5.5 included some driver updates that probably increased performance. They also changed a lot of stuff with the screen and colour management. What you’ve noticed was valves hard work over the past month or so come together in the best update in months.
I noticed the performance difference immediately since I mostly game at 30-45 fps when docked mode. But now It runs from 60-70fps. Pictures a lot sharp too by default w/o scaling. I leave it on fsr mode when docked prior to updating. I am getting an issue when upscaling, it caps fps to 15fps that I have to turn off refresh rate limit (even though its saying 60fps)
Exactly! When i booted up my SD post update, i was super surprised. It’s probably my first time experiencing an upgrade in visuals for a handheld console via update. That alone is ok with me. But upgrade in visuals + performance update? That’s S tier. ❤️