Space Marine 2 has just been given a big patch, which not only upgrades resolution upscaling, but also adds frame generation for both Nvidia and AMD GPUs. The Warhammer 40K title has been a major hit, and the new update should massively improve frame rates on handhelds such as the Steam Deck too.
Even the best gaming handheld devices aren’t really capable of running Space Marine 2 at a steady pace. Valve’s Steam Deck gets the shortest end of the stick, with its weaker hardware. However, the newest update’s introduction of FSR 3 frame generation should smooth out the frame rate significantly, even if it’s not a recommended way to play.
On the Steam Deck, before the patch dropped, you’d be lucky to scrape 30fps on low settings with AMD’s FSR resolution upscaling. Those using handhelds based on the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme or Ryzen 7840U/8840U would have found that it fared far better, but that it still tanked during Space Marine 2’s intense swarming scenes.
After the update, reports are coming in that the Steam Deck performs much better than before. However, you might experience some latency in the controls. As FSR 3’s frame generation system works best with games that are already running at 60fps, Space Marine 2’s new 40fps-ish average might need you to readjust.
For those on more powerful systems, such as the GPDWin 4, you should actually see 60fps in the game, as shown in the video above from September 2024, which forces FSR 3 into the game. This means handhelds with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme or similar processor could now get a genuinely smooth experience.
This makes it a possibility that some of the upcoming best gaming mini PC designs could soon become mighty little consoles. Especially as Valve appears to be planning to bring SteamOS to more systems. While we don’t recommend you play Space Marine 2 at a muddy, jittery 45fps, the introduction of FSR 3 frame generation support is also good news for PC gamers who can now get smoother frame rates on their desktop rigs.