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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Yes—but not as native 90-FPS rendering. In a reported Cyberpunk 2077 demonstration, the HelixSR upscaler pushed the Steam Deck’s rendered performance to just over 40 FPS. With the separate MAKO frame-generation layer enabled, the displayed counter reached approximately 80–90 FPS. Those extra frames are generated, so they can make motion look smoother without doubling the game’s simulation or input-processing rate.
Only the Steam Deck OLED can present a 90-FPS output at the panel’s full refresh rate. Valve says the LCD model is capped at 60Hz, while the OLED model supports up to 90Hz. The result is therefore best described as an 80–90-FPS generated-frame experience on compatible OLED hardware, not a universal native-90-FPS Cyberpunk mode.
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What the Cyberpunk demonstration actually achieved
The headline number combines two different measurements:
| Measurement | Reported result | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Base game rendering | Just above 40 FPS | The game is producing roughly this many real frames, with its simulation and input updates tied to that workload. |
| Displayed output with MAKO frame generation | Approximately 80–90 FPS | Additional frames are synthesized between rendered frames, increasing the counter and perceived smoothness. |
The figure comes from a community demonstration reported by Notebookcheck, not a controlled laboratory benchmark. It should not be read as a guaranteed result for every Cyberpunk scene, Steam Deck model, software version or graphics configuration.
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How HelixSR brings DLSS-style upscaling to an AMD Steam Deck
Steam Deck uses AMD graphics hardware, whereas NVIDIA’s DLSS neural upscaler is designed for NVIDIA GPUs. HelixSR is a community project that runs DLSS’s network on AMD hardware. Its project description calls it a drop-in FSR 3.1 upscaler for Direct3D 12, with Linux and Steam Deck support.
In practical terms, HelixSR supplies the upscaling path: the game renders internally at a lower resolution, then the neural upscaler reconstructs an image for the display. That can reduce the GPU work required for a target output resolution. HelixSR does not, by itself, create the second set of frames that produced the 80–90-FPS counter in the demonstration.
What HelixSR does not replace
The project documentation says NVIDIA-only options such as NVIDIA Reflex and DLSS Frame Generation do not work through HelixSR and should remain disabled. A separate Linux frame-generation layer is therefore required for the reported high displayed rate.
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- 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)
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What MAKO adds
MAKO is a Vulkan-powered graphics layer for Linux gaming. Its stated purpose is to provide frame generation and scaling for Steam Deck, Steam Machine and desktop Linux. In this case, MAKO is the component generating additional displayed frames after the game has rendered its base frames.
That distinction matters for latency. The game is still responding to input and advancing its simulation at roughly the underlying rendered rate. Generated frames can improve motion continuity, but they do not provide the same responsiveness as raising the game’s native rendered FPS.
Can your Steam Deck display 90 FPS?
| Steam Deck display | Panel limit | Implication for this mod |
|---|---|---|
| LCD model | 60Hz maximum | A counter may report generated frames above 60 FPS, but the built-in panel cannot refresh at 90Hz. |
| OLED model | Up to 90Hz | Can display a 90-FPS output at the panel’s maximum refresh rate, subject to scene performance and frame pacing. |
Valve’s Steam Support wording is explicit: “the Steam Deck LCD display is capped at a 60Hz refresh rate, and the Steam Deck OLED display is capped at 90Hz refresh rate.” A 90-FPS target therefore makes the OLED model the relevant hardware; it does not turn an LCD Deck into a 90Hz device.
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- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
HelixSR Steam Deck setup: what is involved
This is community software rather than a built-in SteamOS option. Versions, game compatibility and installation details can change as HelixSR and MAKO are developed.
- Use a Steam Deck running Linux/SteamOS and make sure you can recover or remove community graphics layers if a game stops launching.
- Obtain the HelixSR release and follow its Linux/Steam Deck documentation. The documented setup entry point is
./helixsr-setup.sh. - Configure the game to use the supported upscaling path. Leave NVIDIA-only options, including NVIDIA Reflex and DLSS Frame Generation, turned off as the HelixSR documentation instructs.
- Install and configure MAKO separately if you want generated frames. HelixSR alone is not the source of the reported 80–90-FPS output.
- Test first in a repeatable Cyberpunk location. Watch the native rendered rate, generated/displayed rate, frame pacing and input feel rather than relying on one counter.
The supplied demonstration does not establish one universal preset, resolution, power limit or SteamOS version. Copying another user’s settings may therefore produce a different result.
What to evaluate beyond the headline FPS
| Factor | Why it matters | What is established here |
|---|---|---|
| Native rendered FPS | Controls simulation cadence and is the strongest indicator of baseline responsiveness. | Just above 40 FPS was reported in the demonstration. |
| Generated FPS | Can make camera motion look smoother between real frames. | Approximately 80–90 FPS was reported with MAKO. |
| Latency and frame pacing | Uneven pacing or added latency can offset the visual benefit. | No controlled independent latency measurement is provided. |
| Image quality | Upscaling quality varies with motion, detail and internal resolution. | No universal image-quality guarantee is established. |
| Compatibility | Graphics layers can behave differently across games, patches and Proton/SteamOS versions. | HelixSR and MAKO are actively developed community projects. |
| Power and battery | Extra processing can change power draw and play time. | No specific battery-life or power-use figure is established. |
Is 90 FPS in Cyberpunk on Steam Deck worth trying?
For an OLED owner who is comfortable troubleshooting Linux gaming layers, the combination is an intriguing way to trade some setup complexity for smoother-looking motion. The sensible expectation is a roughly 40-FPS native game with an 80–90-FPS generated display, not the responsiveness of a game natively rendering at 90 FPS.
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- 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.
LCD owners can still experiment with upscaling or frame generation, but the internal 60Hz ceiling means the built-in screen cannot show a 90Hz result. Anyone prioritizing competitive responsiveness, predictable latency or maximum battery life should compare the modded setup with a simpler native-FPS configuration before keeping it enabled.
Why the claim needs careful wording
“90 FPS in Cyberpunk on Steam Deck” is accurate only when it is clear that the number refers to displayed/generated frames in the reported demonstration. Saying that the Deck renders Cyberpunk natively at 90 FPS would overstate the evidence. The underlying result was just above 40 FPS, and both projects may change as new versions are released.
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