Valve has pushed version 3.9.6 to the SteamOS beta channel, focusing on improvements to VRR, frame rate limiting, high refresh rate displays, and HDR output. These changes are currently available only on the beta channel and do not yet represent a full deployment to the stable channel.
When VRR and the frame rate limiter are enabled simultaneously, the new version offers improved frame time performance. Even without VRR, using the frame rate limiter alone can yield improvements, especially in games with built-in frame rate caps. The system also enhances CPU performance consistency after waking from deep idle states, reducing fluctuations before and after wake-up.
Regarding high refresh rate displays, this update fixes an issue where some games capable of running at high refresh rates incorrectly defaulted to lower refresh rates on 240Hz monitors. Issues with Remote Play on NVIDIA GPUs have also been addressed in this patch.
The new version also addresses abnormal SDR color saturation when non-wide-gamut monitors output via HDR10. These adjustments may affect visual smoothness and color presentation, though actual results will vary depending on hardware and game settings.