How to Boost Your Steam Deck’s Performance with UMA Buffer Size

How to Boost Your Steam Deck’s Performance with UMA Buffer Size

Imagine having a handheld gaming device as powerful as the PS4. That’s the Steam Deck for you! It already handles top-tier games super well. But what if I told you there’s a way to make it even better? Let’s dive into how you can boost its power for an even cooler gaming session.

It’s all about upping the UMA frame buffer size. Doing this can make your games run smoother. The best thing? It’s not a tricky thing to do, and if you want, you can switch back anytime.

What’s This UMA Frame Buffer Thing?

Okay, so Steam Deck has this all-in-one chip system. Both the CPU and GPU use the same RAM. Out of the box, it sets aside a minimum of 1 GB of RAM just for the GPU, always ready for action. Sometimes, if a game asks for more, the Deck gives it more RAM.

But if you set the buffer to 4GB, it means there’s always 4GB of RAM ready for any game you’re playing. More RAM = better frame rates and a smoother ride, especially when the device adjusts the VRAM on its own.

Should You Bump Up the UMA Frame Buffer Size?

Most of the time? Totally! Upping the buffer size usually only has upsides. The Steam Deck has a massive 16 GB of RAM. So, your CPU will hardly feel left out. Sure, a few games that lean heavily on the CPU might not love it, but most games rely more on the GPU. So, for the majority of games, this tweak is a win-win.

If you dream of gaming at those fancy higher resolutions, having a bigger frame buffer can only help, especially when using the dock.

Where to Tweak UMA Frame Buffer Size on Your Steam Deck

Want to give it a go? Here’s how to adjust the UMA frame buffer:

1. Turn off your Steam Deck.
2. Hold down both the power and the plus (+) button until you hear a beep.
3. In the menu that pops up, pick “Setup Utility.”
4. Head to the “Advanced” section.
5. Find the “UMA Frame Buffer Size” option in the list.
6. Tap the A button to pick it, and then choose the 4G setting.
7. Press the screenshot button to save and head out.

And just like that, you’re all set! Your games can now use up to 4GB of VRAM. No more waiting for the system to adjust. Your games will run smoother, and your Steam Deck will be living its best life. Dive in and experience super-charged gameplay like never before!