January 9, 2026
Sync and shout
Latest SteamOS Beta Now Includes Ntsync Kernel Driver
Steam Deck gets smoother Windows games, but fans want a browser
TLDR: Valve’s SteamOS 3.7.20 beta turns on NTSYNC, a system helper that should make Windows games run smoother on the Steam Deck and sets up Proton/Wine 11 support. Comments split between performance hype (hello, Cyberpunk) and loud pleas for a built‑in browser plus an easy, kid‑level explanation.
Valve just dropped the SteamOS 3.7.20 beta and flipped on NTSYNC, a behind‑the‑scenes helper that lets the Deck handle Windows‑style “timing” so games stutter less. Think of it as better traffic control for game threads. It’s lining up with Wine 11.0 (the Windows‑to‑Linux translator) and Proton 11.0 (Valve’s game magic), and could beat the old FSYNC route. The module now loads by default, so your Deck is basically prepped for smoother Windows games without you doing anything.
But the comments? Pure chaos. p10a barges in with “explain like I’m five,” and half the thread fires back with kindergarten‑level analogies. saidinesh5 derails the hype train: forget kernel drivers—“give us a real browser so I can log into YouTube and Netflix.” Meanwhile, shmerl flexes: Cyberpunk 2077 runs better with ntsync than the older method, turning the thread into a performance victory lap. CodesInChaos drops an arcane link like the Dead Sea Scrolls, and cyberax insists this isn’t just for gamers—it can make Linux apps cancel tasks more sanely. The mood swings between “teach me” and “ship features,” with memes about “WaitForMultipleTabs” and jokes that Valve shipped a kernel upgrade but not the Netflix button. Peak Deck drama.
Key Points
- •Valve released SteamOS 3.7.20 beta with the NTSYNC kernel driver built and loaded by default.
- •NTSYNC has been stable for about a year and targets Windows NT synchronization primitives for performance.
- •Wine 10.16 added support for NTSYNC, and Wine 11.0 (due this month) will include it.
- •Proton 11.0 will gain NTSYNC support when re-based on Wine 11.0; Proton already uses FSYNC.
- •Most Linux distributions already build the NTSYNC module, though loading approaches vary.