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Proton runs on Steam Deck, not PS5. Valve uses Proton to help Windows games run through the Deck’s Linux-based SteamOS. PS5 handles supported games through Sony’s own console compatibility features. Which games work—and how well—depends on the title; neither platform has a universal compatibility or performance advantage established by the available evidence.
Does PS5 use Proton?
No. Proton is Valve’s compatibility layer for running many Windows games through SteamOS, the Linux-based operating system on Steam Deck. It is not a PS5 feature. Valve describes Proton in its Steam Deck FAQ, and describes SteamOS as Linux-based.
PS5 backward compatibility is separate: Sony says the overwhelming majority of more than 4,000 PS4 games are playable on PS5. Sony also notes that some titles may show errors or behave unexpectedly; Game Boost can provide a higher or smoother frame rate for selected games. These points concern PS4 games played on PS5, not Windows games or Proton. See Sony’s PS5 backward-compatibility guidance.
How compatibility differs
| Question | PS5 | Steam Deck |
|---|---|---|
| What compatibility is being discussed? | Playing supported PS4 games on PS5 through Sony’s console compatibility feature. | Running supported Windows games through SteamOS with Proton, alongside games that work natively on SteamOS. |
| How should you check a specific game? | Check whether that PS4 title is supported; Sony notes that some games may have errors or unexpected behavior. | Check the game’s current Steam Store compatibility section and rating. Valve’s review includes Proton and middleware behavior. |
| Is compatibility guaranteed forever? | No: Sony notes possible errors or unexpected behavior for some titles. | No: Valve’s review is ongoing, and game updates, new releases, and changes to Deck capabilities can affect results. |
Valve’s compatibility review is a practical guide to how a game works on Deck, not a frame-rate score or a permanent guarantee. A game’s launcher, middleware, online services, or later updates can affect the experience. Valve explains its Steam Deck compatibility review.
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- 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
How to force a Proton compatibility tool for one Deck game
Changing the compatibility tool is an optional troubleshooting step when a game is not working as expected; it is not a required setup step and may not fix the problem. Steam Support documents this per-game setting:
- Open the game in your Steam Deck Library.
- Open the game’s menu and select Properties.
- Select Compatibility.
- Enable the option to force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool, then choose a tool from the list.
Try this for the individual game rather than assuming one tool is best for every title. Steam Support’s compatibility-tool instructions cover the setting.
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
What can be said about performance?
The compatibility information above does not establish whether PS5 or Steam Deck runs a given game faster or looks better. There is no controlled, same-game PS5-versus-Deck benchmark in the cited sources, so a general winner—or specific FPS figures—would be unsupported.
A useful comparison for a particular game needs to identify the game and version, PS5 and Deck models, graphics settings, resolution, frame-rate target, and test conditions. It also needs to compare equivalent modes: a PS5 quality mode and a Deck performance-focused setting are not like-for-like just because both run the same title. Valve’s compatibility review can flag Proton-related blocking bugs or performance issues, but that is not a cross-platform benchmark.
Rank #3
- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
Offline play, portability, and Remote Play
An installed Steam Deck game can be played offline unless that particular game requires an internet connection. A title may still require online authentication or access to its services, so portability does not guarantee offline access for every game. Steam Support explains offline play.
PS5 Remote Play is different from running a Steam game through Proton: it streams gameplay from a PS5 over a network rather than running that game locally on a Deck. Sony recommends a high-speed connection and cites 15 Mbps for best performance in its Remote Play support material; that is guidance, not a guarantee for every network. See Sony’s Remote Play requirements and recommendations.
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.
Which setup fits your use?
- Choose PS5 compatibility when: you want to play a supported PS4 game on your PS5. Check the individual title rather than assuming every PS4 game behaves identically.
- Use Steam Deck compatibility checks when: you want to play a particular Steam game on SteamOS. Review its current Store compatibility information, then consider per-game tool selection only if troubleshooting is needed.
- Consider Remote Play when: you want to stream from your PS5 to another supported device over a network. This is network streaming, not Proton or native Steam Deck execution.
- Compare performance only when: you have results for the same game and version under clearly described, comparable settings and test conditions.
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