Steam Link Benchmarking Suite

[TheCaptain53]

So I bought the Steam Link and have been doing some testing on it, and I have to say, first impressions are good. 

I want to try and push this technology to see where its limits lie in terms of the picture quality, performance, but specifically latency.

I was using Batman: Arkham Knight as my initial test scenario, but decided against this for several reasons:

1. I would often get stuttering for some reason, I believe my CPU or RAM is getting maxed out. This is more gaming locally.
2. Even with a controller connected directly to my rig and playing locally, there is a slight delay from my input to any action on the display, something I don't experience to the same degree in other games.

Any ideas for a couple of games?

First impressions are here: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/482578-valves-steam-link-first-impressions/

[PlayStation 2]

CSGO

any racing game, preferably grid autosport

tf2

a call of duty?

driver san francisco

gta 5

mad max

the phantom pain

fallout 4

[TheCaptain53]

CSGO

any racing game, preferably grid autosport

tf2

a call of duty?

driver san francisco

gta 5

mad max

the phantom pain

fallout 4

I don't think I'll use CS:GO. Too twitchy, it'll feel horrible to play.

GTA V is a good idea, hadn't thought of that.

A racing game is also a good idea, I'll probably use DiRT 3 or DiRT Rally.

I don't have Mad Max, but I could look at getting it.

I'll probably also use Rocket League as my latency benchmark.

So:

• GTA V
• DiRT 3/Rally
• Rocket League
• Possibly Mad Max

Any other ideas?

[PlayStation 2]

I don't think I'll use CS:GO. Too twitchy, it'll feel horrible to play.

GTA V is a good idea, hadn't thought of that.

A racing game is also a good idea, I'll probably use DiRT 3 or DiRT Rally.

I don't have Mad Max, but I could look at getting it.

I'll probably also use Rocket League as my latency benchmark.

So:

• GTA V
• DiRT 3/Rally
• Rocket League
• Possibly Mad Max

Any other ideas?

I was saying CSGO to see how it holds up under the Steam Link :3

Uh... other than that, not really.

[TheCaptain53]

I was saying CSGO to see how it holds up under the Steam Link :3

Uh... other than that, not really.

I'm a little undecided on CS:GO, purely because the idea of the Steam Link is to game on the couch (at least that's how I see it).

I'm pretty certain that trying CS:GO would anger me.

Any other latency dependant game? Preferably an offline game. Maybe Super Meat Boy?

[PlayStation 2]

I'm a little undecided on CS:GO, purely because the idea of the Steam Link is to game on the couch (at least that's how I see it).

I'm pretty certain that trying CS:GO would anger me.

Any other latency dependant game? Preferably an offline game. Maybe Super Meat Boy?

Maybe, but maybe TF2?

[WereCat]

Super Meat Boy (to test latency)

Trine 2 (to test colors)

Serious Sam HD The Second Encounter (latency and picture quality - try last level on Serious difficulty)

[Murdoch]

Was thinking I'd much rather see a review of the Steam Link, than Steam Machines from Linus. I'll probably get one tbh.

 

In terms of games to test probably stick to "couch gaming friendly" titles.

[WereCat]

Was thinking I'd much rather see a review of the Steam Link, than Steam Machines from Linus. I'll probably get one tbh.

In terms of games to test probably stick to "couch gaming friendly" titles.

Pretty much any game can be played on couch with Steam Controller.

[TheCaptain53]

Super Meat Boy (to test latency)

Trine 2 (to test colors)

Serious Sam HD The Second Encounter (latency and picture quality - try last level on Serious difficulty)

Can agree with Super Meat Boy, that'll be a good game to use.

I'm not so sure about Trine 2, purely because the colour reproduction on the lounge TV is really bad, I'll have to dial it in before using a game like Trine 2. If it was a decent, high end TV, then definitely.

Serious Sam HD? Really? Interesting suggestion.

 

Was thinking I'd much rather see a review of the Steam Link, than Steam Machines from Linus. I'll probably get one tbh.

 

In terms of games to test probably stick to "couch gaming friendly" titles.

Steam Link is (obviously) better for people who already own decent gaming rigs, like you and I.

I agree on the couch friendly titles.

 

Pretty much any game can be played on couch with Steam Controller.

I don't own a Steam Controller - I use my PS4 controller.

[Murdoch]

Pretty much any game can be played on couch with Steam Controller.

 

Couple of things, I don't think the OP has the controller.

 

I also have no interest in getting a Steam Controller, personally it looks like garbage to me. When using Steam link, I want to be playing couch friendly games. I have no interest in wrestling with a Steam Controller to try and play SC2 in my living room. Mouse / keyboard / desk wins out in that scenario.

[TheCaptain53]

Couple of things, I don't think the OP has the controller.

 

I also have no interest in getting a Steam Controller, personally it looks like garbage to me. When using Steam link, I want to be playing couch friendly games. I have no interest in wrestling with a Steam Controller to try and play SC2 in my living room. Mouse / keyboard / desk wins out in that scenario.

Can confirm - I don't own a Steam Controller. I totally agree with you, the Steam Controller does not interest me in the slightest. If I wanted mouse and keyboard precision, I'd sit at my desk and use a mouse and keyboard. They costed me enough, may as well use them.

[WereCat]

@TheCaptain53

@aesrock

You misunderstood.

It doesn't matter if you have steam controller or not. I was referring to request "controller friendly games" because not everyone is going to play only controller friendly games. Steam Link purpose is to bring PC games into living room for which regular controller may not suffice so you will have to use mouse with keyboard or steam controller.

That's why I also suggested Serious Sam which is not really controller friendly as there is countless of enemies coming at you at the same time and you have to move really fast, aim fast and dodge fast. Since you move a lot you are also quickly changing scenes which mostly have a lot of colors which I though would be good for latency and image quality testing at the same time.

[TheCaptain53]

@TheCaptain53

@aesrock

You misunderstood.

It doesn't matter if you have steam controller or not. I was referring to request "controller friendly games" because not everyone is going to play only controller friendly games. Steam Link purpose is to bring PC games into living room for which regular controller may not suffice so you will have to use mouse with keyboard or steam controller.

That's why I also suggested Serious Sam which is not really controller friendly as there is countless of enemies coming at you at the same time and you have to move really fast, aim fast and dodge fast. Since you move a lot you are also quickly changing scenes which mostly have a lot of colors which I though would be good for latency and image quality testing at the same time.

The game's pretty cheap, so I'll consider including it in my test suite. A keyboard and mouse game isn't a bad idea, I suppose.

The test would be more valid if I had a half decent wireless mouse and keyboard, but alas, I do not.

[Murdoch]

@TheCaptain53

@aesrock

You misunderstood.

It doesn't matter if you have steam controller or not. I was referring to request "controller friendly games" because not everyone is going to play only controller friendly games. Steam Link purpose is to bring PC games into living room for which regular controller may not suffice so you will have to use mouse with keyboard or steam controller.

That's why I also suggested Serious Sam which is not really controller friendly as there is countless of enemies coming at you at the same time and you have to move really fast, aim fast and dodge fast. Since you move a lot you are also quickly changing scenes which mostly have a lot of colors which I though would be good for latency and image quality testing at the same time.

 

I wouldn't say that's the purpose of the Steam Link. The steam Link's purpose is to stream to your living room TV from your main PC.

 

The purpose of the Steam Controller is what you describe.

[WereCat]

The game's pretty cheap, so I'll consider including it in my test suite. A keyboard and mouse game isn't a bad idea, I suppose.

The test would be more valid if I had a half decent wireless mouse and keyboard, but alas, I do not.

I am on phone now so I am lazy to check but that game is often on fake for almost free. You may want to take a look on g2a if it is cheaper there.

[WereCat]

I wouldn't say that's the purpose of the Steam Link. The steam Link's purpose is to stream to your living room TV from your main PC.

The purpose of the Steam Controller is what you describe.

If you are streaming games from PC then you are streaming PC games.

Steam controller is tool to allow you play games for which you would otherwise need mouse and keyboard.

[Murdoch]

If you are streaming games from PC then you are streaming PC games.

Steam controller is tool to allow you play games for which you would otherwise need mouse and keyboard.

 

Well we agree on that.

 

Guess it comes down to whether people will actually play on the couch with either a Mouse & Keyboard or a Steam Controller. My previous point was, he should stick to couch friendly gaming cause we already know it's shit gaming on a Mouse & Keyboard in the living room (and he doesn't have a Steam Controller).

[TheCaptain53]

Well we agree on that.

 

Guess it comes down to whether people will actually play on the couch with either a Mouse & Keyboard or a Steam Controller. My previous point was, he should stick to couch friendly gaming cause we already know it's shit gaming on a Mouse & Keyboard in the living room (and he doesn't have a Steam Controller).

Remember that the idea of using a keyboard and mouse in one of the games isn't to show that using a mouse and keyboard in the living room is feasible, it's just that games that benefit from the keyboard and mouse are also highly dependant on latency. It's more of a showcase than a demonstration.

[Murdoch]

Remember that the idea of using a keyboard and mouse in one of the games isn't to show that using a mouse and keyboard in the living room is feasible, it's just that games that benefit from the keyboard and mouse are also highly dependant on latency. It's more of a showcase than a demonstration.

 

Aye, I get that

 

I guess you can show how badly the latency & input lag affects gameplay, besides just the inconvenience of trying to use a mouse + keyboard in that environment. 

 

Gotta say, having used Steam In home streaming quite a bit, the latency and input lag across a decent network is totally acceptable for most casual gameplay.

[TheCaptain53]

Aye, I get that

 

I guess you can show how badly the latency & input lag affects gameplay, besides just the inconvenience of trying to use a mouse + keyboard in that environment. 

 

Gotta say, having used Steam In home streaming quite a bit, the latency and input lag across a decent network is totally acceptable for most casual gameplay.

I agree - I just want to quantify the experience and share my opinion on what games I think this works well with and what doesn't.

[skywake]

The problem with your tests is that performance is heavily dependent on your network setup. You're using powerline which means that when you say there's a bit of input lag it's hard to know how much is coming from where. Making most of your impressions fairly useless for someone who has full Gigabit between PC and TV.

 

On the Steam Link in general, I'm sold on the idea. My setup is almost textbook perfect for a scenario where you'd use Steam Link. If the thing works just as well as in-home streaming does but without the clunky setup of having to plug your laptop into your TV? Then it's worth every cent.

[TheCaptain53]

The problem with your tests is that performance is heavily dependent on your network setup. You're using powerline which means that when you say there's a bit of input lag it's hard to know how much is coming from where. Making most of your impressions fairly useless for someone who has full Gigabit between PC and TV.

 

On the Steam Link in general, I'm sold on the idea. My setup is almost textbook perfect for a scenario where you'd use Steam Link. If the thing works just as well as in-home streaming does but without the clunky setup of having to plug your laptop into your TV? Then it's worth every cent.

If anything, I'd say that my scenario is a fairly reasonable one. Most people do not have structured cabling in their homes (at least in the UK they don't), which means for most people, this would be the best case scenario. If I'm having a good experience, which I am, then anyone with pure gigabit networking (also, the Steam Link has a 100M interface) will have a better experience.

I agree, when I first heard of the Steam Link, I was super excited. Why have two boxes when you can have a super powerful PC and an awesome streaming client?