What are some optimizations for the Steam Deck to make emulation even better?

These optimizations are entirely optional and but they can give you better performance on some more demanding emulators.

Increase the VRAM to 4GB

This increases the VRAM to 4GB in the BIOS, this can give you improvements in certain emulators.

Power off your Steam Deck completely
Hold the Power Button and Volume Up Button until you hear a chime/beep and release the buttons.
Click on Setup Utility
Click on Advanced
ChangeUMA Frame buffer Size to 4GB
Save and Exit

Setup a sudo password

This is a requirement for many optimizations and solutions, it also makes your Deck safer. It enables you to run commands/applications heighten sudo privileges.

Go to Desktop Mode
Open Konsole or another Terminal
Type passwd
You will now set your new sudo password
After you are done you can close the terminal

Install CryoUtilities

This requires that you have set up a sudo password.

This will create a 16GB SWAP file that can improve the performance for some emulators. Note that it will take up that extra space on your Steam Deck.

Go to Desktop Mode
Open a web browser and go to the CryoUtilities github page
Click on releases
Download the latewst cryo_utilities version and save to the Desktop or Home folder
Double click on the file and it will begin the installation
After installation is complete you will find a new desktop icon CryoUtilities
Click on CryoUtilities
Click on Recommended Settings
It should now be done

Install Decky Loader

Decky Loader is a homebrew plugin store for the Steam Deck. This requires that you have set up a sudo password.

Go to Desktop Mode
Open Konsole or another Terminal
Type curl -L https://github.com/SteamDeckHomebrew/decky-installer/releases/latest/download/install_release.sh | sh
Decky Loader should now be installed and you can go back into Game Mode.
To access Decky Loader you only need to press the Menu Button - (•••)

Decky Loader: Install Power Tools

Power Tools allows you to tweak various performance settings of the Steam Deck. What the best setting is differs per emulator or even per game. Decky Loader is a requirement.

In Game Mode:

Menu Button - (•••)
Go into Decky Loader
From the Store install Power Tools
This will add a 🔌 icon to the Menu Button - (•••) where you can access Power Tools.

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