Every PC I’ve ever used automatically detects and adjusts resolution to the display you connect to it. Even Nintendo Switch will detect when it’s docked and automatically adjust the display resolution. But on Steam Deck you literally have to adjust the display resolution for every game, every time you switch displays.
Since getting the SD I have shoved my PC into another room to displace the heat (until I get a mini-split) and I just stream from it to the Deck, whether docked at my desk or on the couch or on the big screen. But this really complicates that process unnecessarily.
This has also not been fixed in Nobara or Chimera.
What’s the limitation there?
That’s dumb. What if I’m playing a 2D game like Hollow Knight? It can easily run this game at 4k/60. Or what if I’m streaming from the desktop? Or cloud gaming?
They could at least have it as an option…
E: If anyone wants to actually answer the question instead of downvoting and disappearing, I’d be grateful.
I mean, what’s the point in rendering a game in 4K if the display is only 1080p? It seems like it would mostly be a waste of computing resources.
What’s the point in rendering a game in 4K if the display is only 1080p?
That would be stupid and I never suggested anything of the sort.
So based on arbitrary categorization of specific games it should know when to display in max resolution when plugged in to an external monitor?
That’s tough to manage and not worth the headache
This actually is an option!
I’ve used it to play games from the Deck at native 1080p on my TV.
I’m not at my Steam Deck right now, but I remember it’s in the settings. I think if you go to the game’s settings, look for something like “native” display. You have to go into the settings for each game you want at a larger resolution on an external monitor in game mode and select “native”.
I don’t remember if it needs to first be enabled on the system settings in the display area. (I think it does the right thing for system settings by default in most cases.)
IIRC, desktop mode also automatically supports the native resolution, but game mode is nice and console-like. Desktop mode might be a bit clunkier than what you’d want for couch gaming. Setting the option in game mode for the game is likely your best option.
Yes I mentioned that in my OP. The problem is I have to do that for each game individually, instead of just a global setting…
Its linux. Then either get in the config yourself and change the value or quit bitching.
Can’t always expect everyone to hand solve all of your problems for you, no matter how hard you complain
Edit to explain myself a bit, what I have an issue with is that this is a problem with a solution (not in the config), BUT that solution just isn’t easy enough for OP.
They want steam to test and maintain ANOTHER database of all their games for which ones most likely won’t lag in higher resolutions than the one they designed the entire system around.
This ain’t no linux elitism, its just that steam is focusing its efforts on making much more important things usable than simplifying this one specific workflow, which I 100% believe is justified (look how far proton has come solely thanks to steam)
Because if it defaults to the highest level on some games it might lock up the hardware, whereas if you start low you can bump it up until you find the optimal setting
