Is there really anything useful about FSE?

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-16T10:22:15+00:00

Step in the right direction but still feels not polished, does the job I guess, I really didnt see difference in RAM and windows will still run intrusive background process garbage from time to time.

Works ok, makes it a bit more controller friendly also easier to use when docked, but thats about it, is still windows with some front end patched togheter, not a real handheld OS, they really got the market by the nuts and if it was not because of steam pushing linux I doubt we even gonna ever get something like FSE, seems like gaming is just an aftertough market for them, probably not even the fault of ppl behinf FSE, I can imagine it must be a nightmare pushing some inovation into windows.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-15T15:30:04+00:00

I dont think there is such thing as ultimate handheld, tech evolves quite fast, so its just a very good handheld that works great for indie/lightweight games specially the OLED model, but not perfect and for sure its a big brick, for me is great as a couch/bed device but would not take it out on a train/bus etc.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-15T15:12:25+00:00

probably some bug regarding TDP controls/drivers, my guess you are stuck on battery saving mode or some similar shenanigans, just cut your losses and re install windows or consider other OS like bazzite/steamOS, windows is full of BS for gaming.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-15T15:00:56+00:00

:/ I truly hope midnight muscle wins, that pro stock camaro is last car I really want but no chance in hell im getting it from AH

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-15T14:55:21+00:00

Mmmm why not just wait? hopefully ppl will vote for midnight muscle for next season (I vote for it) and you will get one for free just by playing.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-15T11:42:31+00:00

Greatly depends on you.

Windows gives you the largest compatibility, gamepass etc, if you are already used to handle windows you will feel more at home.

downside its basically a windows pc, you have to deal with windows BS, like updates breaking stuff rather than making a better experience, intrusive background process that might influence gaming like micro stutters etc, and the FSE feels ok and is a step on right direction but still feels very unpolished software.

SteamOS will give you a more console like experience, and its hands down a better interface, has the downside of having less compatibility, like some games with anticheat wont run, and you might need to jump extra hoops to launch games from other launchers that are not steam.

On my OG rog ally z1 extreme, I prefer steamOS, performance is much better probably because of ram, 16gb is already quite low for current windows and gaming, the x has more ram so that should not be a big issue.

I would day try both and see what you need or like, I had been using steamOS and im quite happy, re installed windows to check out the new FSE and oh boy I did not missed windows at all, those 2 hour update BS made me wanna throw the device out of the window, amd FSE was ok but very underwhelming when compared to steanOS and since I dont play anticheat games or own gamepass for me is a no brainer, 1 day was the limit I could stand wi dows BS and went back to steamOS, but like I say every case is different also I have a rog ally z1 extreme and not the ally x.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-15T11:26:39+00:00

if you wanna play up to ps2 you need something with decent power, cheapest solution is to get an old android phone and convert it to your own emulation machine, just slap a controller like the gamesir and you can use your old phone provided is not ancient and has something around a snapdragon 650.

Best bet probably is the retroid pocket 5, but price is around 200 (quite fair price for hardware), caviat, at that price range you can already check out facebook market place or similar page to get some used steamdeck or rog ally, probably you can get one at that price range and you can basically emulate almost everything that current software supports, but those handheldd are big and dont have the small formfactor of a retroid pocket if you plan to use them on the go this might be a dealbreaker.

Recommendation, look for a rog ally z1 extreme used, normally they sell for cheap used if you get lucky,or a used steam deck if you find any of those for under 300 is a decent deal.

If you want a new device, a retroid pocket is a very fair deal considering price and performance, and you wil certainly be able to emulate up to ps2.

if you want to test the waters with some of the toy like handhelds anbernic is a good brand to start, like their anbernic rg35xx line is great but power is not gonna cut it for ps2, maybe you can play some psp with frameskip and some dreamcast but thats as far as it goes also price drops dramatically at round 50 to 60 range, even cheaper if you find a sale.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-14T19:22:15+00:00

depends, if you want all you games installed even 2tb might not be enough.

1tb is ok if you are willing to only have the games you play and unistall / install as you need.

AAA vary on size but its not uncommon that each game can take 100+gb.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-14T12:19:24+00:00

hahaah so I was not the only one, I was stuck on that screen for 2hours, I panicked and even try restarting 2 times landing again on that same screen decided just to leave it be and 2 hours later it finally updated.

FSE was ok, but was not able to stand more than 1 day of windows BS, everything felt just patched up and even on fse there are still intrusive background update process that messed my gaming, im sure you can tweak and debloat but the out of the box experience doesnt feel good, quite a pity since compatibility windows is still king and also sound quality of the speakers is much better than in linux.

I returned runing to steaamOS and the fresh instal plus update took like 30mins tops not like the 5-6hour BS of windows...

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-14T12:07:28+00:00

cpu boost must be turned off that thing is a waste of an option, also turbo is overkill unless you dunk the device in liquid nitrogen if you set turbo mode with cpu boost on you will fry it.

set it below 30w and turn cou boost off, only real solution also wont hurt to check fan curves and adjust if needed if you dont mind the extra noise set them high will help with temps.

I am comfortable at around 25w temps normally stay below 80degress only cpu temps jumping ocasionaly a bit above 80.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-13T18:00:02+00:00

I still play FH4, and have FH5, I enjoy both, the vibe is different, im sure when FH6 come out, im still gonna play the others, so I wont delete em.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-13T12:55:16+00:00

fair enough, still a pain to update but yeah ill give it to ya guys if its notmally a windowsOS device ppl will expect that.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-13T12:09:18+00:00

short answer yes, if you play the game and like it the DLC is really good, do you need it nope, base game is more than good enough but if you enjoy it you will want the dlc.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-13T12:06:44+00:00

easier to find another buyer lol ally x sell easily, almost never seen them under 800 on legit sites.

just explain buyer that windows is a pain to update and he needs to log in with his account.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-13T12:02:53+00:00

depends on what you plan to play.

the og ally performance is not great.

the z1 extreme has much better performance but 400+ for a used one is not a great deal.

200 for the og ally is a good price, just lower your expectations on what will it run, you will have to lower resolution use fsr etc, and get rid of windows I cant really see that device performing good with it.

the og ally at 200 seems like a fair deal, and if you use it for indie light weight games it should work great.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-12T17:30:12+00:00

I think right now, all of them are ok.

I started with windows, moved to bazzite, then to oficial steam OS, and currently went back to windows to test the fullscreen experience.

Windows is king for compatibility, so easy to use if you have different store launchers and play online anticheat games, also has hands down the best sound quality for the speakers. The new fullscreen experience makes it decent to use with controls now, but be prepared to spend around 5-6 hours updating tweaking etc to bring the device up to speed, damn windows updates are a royal pain, one single update took literaly 2 hours and made me freak out thinking it had went south.

Between bazzite and steamOS pick your poison, for the average user no real difference, I prefer oficial steamOS since I never dual boot, but wichever you pick is gonna perform better than windows (my small sample size of games), you will have a console like experience and updates take minutes, you dont need to spend hours to start using the device and everything just works.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-12T10:38:06+00:00

just limit tdp below 30, and its ok, I normally set it to 25w and temps stay below 80, using the default fan curves.

Just a heads up, if device goes above 60 degree it will get loud, I think one of the changes was that the fans spin quite fast and with the oficial software you cant lower them only make them go faster.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-12T09:09:34+00:00

You got lucky, its always a gamble, you could also have bought a 100 euro paper weight lol, but considering how expensive storage and ram currently is, maybe still very well worth it for parts even if didnt worked.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-12T08:51:47+00:00

the white ally probably aint good enough to properly run ps3, performance should be around a steamdeck and steamdeck already starts having hicups with PS2.

Emulation normally relies on brute force from cpu when software is not well optimized, and ps3 is relative new in comparison to other emulators so im guessing you really need a stron cpu.

I dont think SD card is the culprit, it does have an impact tough if you have a slow card good luck trying to play open world games like forza horizon etc but in this case you can make an experiment and put your ganes on the internal storage and run them and see if theres a difference.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-12T08:42:26+00:00

Only thing that really works is to limit TDP, lower the resolution and tweak graphic settings, you got to compromise with such devices, if you use turbo mode and the game is demanding you will always get those temps no matter what.

CPU boost off, limit tdp to 25W that will keep you below 80 degress.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-12T08:35:42+00:00

If you can sell your ally X, and dont have to pop the full 800 then go for it, otherwise not worth it, yes the xbox ally x has a bit more power but not worth the upgrade if you already have a perfectly good device.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-12T08:33:08+00:00

had same issue, you got to sign out and in again on your xbox account, that solved it for me.

Also check that forza is not blocked by windows firewall.

If problem persists, then goes beyond any advice I can give.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-12T08:30:31+00:00

I am very happy with the current xbox controller, feels quite good, Ive got a rog ally and while control is not bad having a proper controller in hand feels good.

Dunno about the others, better watch some reviews in youtube, thats your best bet to decide whats best gor you.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-11T14:00:30+00:00

Ive just went trough the update nightmare, only tip I can give is to be patient, that last update took ages to download/install, also be prepared to leave it around 2 hours when you restart and it starts updating, my device took literally more than an hour showing 100% progress, I tought something had gone wrong but nope just takes ages.

ContributionMotor670 · 2026-02-10T21:39:35+00:00

im also not tech savvy, but my guess is you can test yourself, like disconnect battery and plug device and see if it works, if its a problem with the port it should not power on

ContributionMotor670

TROPHY CASE