I’m taking inspiration from this thread
As you know, the Mac platform has been exclusively ARM for quite some time. Cyberpunk 2077 was recently released for Switch 2, which is also an ARM-based platform. The release of Cyberpunk 2077 seems to be made possible because much of the game’s libraries and binaries have already been ported to ARM; by publishing on Mac (i.e., ARM), CD Projekt appears to be trying to recoup some of their investment. The point I want to raise is whether we’re approaching a paradigm shift where PC gaming genuinely opens up to RISC platforms.
For those unfamiliar, here’s the short version: at the moment, the fundamental pillars of PC gaming are called x86. Globally, only two companies have the right to define this standard: Intel and AMD. Furthermore, the standards that govern graphics (GPUs) on x86 are basically a triopoly: Intel and AMD, with Nvidia—by far the dominant force—added to the mix.
On the ARM side, we have over 10 companies developing CPUs and around 8 developing GPUs (Intel abstains because they profit more from x86, but that’s really an ideological reason).
What’s interesting is that Steam is already, in essence, an ARM store: there’s a native Steam client for ARM that distributes ARM games (for Mac). Valve has historically been slow to innovate consistently (just look at the long wait for Steam Deck/Index 2), but it’s undeniable that the foundations for a PC industry switch towards RISC (ARM or, hopefully, also RISC-V) are all in place. There are already Micro-ATX mainboards with ARM and RISC-V CPUs available on the market.
With Nvidia being “super-hyped” by CryptoCurrency and AI and not appearing interested in supporting the PC gaming industry… am I the only one who thinks that introducing 10–15 new companies into the development of core PC gaming tech (CPU and GPU) is exactly what we need?
hyphen ( “—” ) and shit were added by AI translation
What’s the difference between ARM and x86 other than proprietary?
How is steam an ARM store? (Genuine question not a disagreement)
What specific brands/companies/developers do you see becoming relevant in this context within the next year?
Will this translate to more budget friendly pc-gaming options?
I am a former pc-gamer. Built my last PC in 2009. Even then it was a budget build (AMD gfx).
ARM and x86 are both proprietary but ARM licenses ARM out willy nilly while x86 is Intel, AMD, and watever VIA does these days with their license.
Steam as an ARM store just means Valve built a version of Steam that runs on modern Mac machines which are all ARM processor based. So any game that releases natively for Steam on Mac now means the developer has support for building ARM versions of their video games
ARM companies. Qualcomm, Mediatek, Samsung, Xiaomi, Nvidia, Amazon, Alibaba, Broadcom, …, a bunch of companies
Budget PCs? Maybe. There’s a lot more ARM CPU vendors out there. Just if they decide it’s worth targeting the desktop/laptop/handheld PC market with proper software support. Your TV probably has an ARM chip in it.
What’s the difference between ARM and x86 other than proprietary?
Both ARM and x86 are proprietary, innovation is made differently tho.
Arm holding set new standard for the broader concept of innovation, trying to gather as many companies possible to further innovate in their own way and as many companies possible.
X86 is mostly ruled by Intel and the way Intel manufacture things; AMD is thrown in the mix both both need to be cautions around their business: it’s in their hope no third party interfere with what and how X86 are manufactured.
RiscV is the ultimate goal: a platform not owned by anyone, which anyone is free to innovate for their propose (like Linux’s kernel which power big Super Computers mainframes, desktop pc or table clock: there’s a root capability, then everything extend from there by its purpose.).
How is steam an ARM store? (Genuine question not a disagreement)
It’s not an ARM store in the sense they sell ARM hardware; but the store itself (also) runs on ARM CPU: to have a piece of software (such as Steam, as the steam client you download and install) run on different platform, you need some work to be done: CDProjekt did the job for CyberPunk 2077 (for the Nintendo Switch 2) as Valve did the job for Steam (for the MACs)
What specific brands/companies/developers do you see becoming relevant in this context within the next year?
Intel could come in to play, the reason they are not “seriously” in the RISC business is because the conflict of interest with “their” X86.
Both Nvidia and AMD are already in both ARM and RiscV business.
Any company in the smartphone business can join in: they just need ARM binaries (CPU) and full Vulkan support (GPU)
Will this translate to more budget friendly pc-gaming options?
You can buy a ARM Raspberry Pi Zero 2 (and alike) for about ~15$, add this a MicroSD, a K/M and a screen to attach to hdmi, and you have a fully fledged Linux PC with basic office capabilities.
I am a former pc-gamer. Built my last PC in 2009. Even then it was a budget build (AMD gfx).
A Raspberry Pi 4 B 2GB would cost about ~40€ (there are cheaper chinese variant) would match a 2009 Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB ram and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330. You can power it with a powerbank.
I am interested in ARM handheld PCs to see what they can manage in the sub 10w TDP range. Past that I’m even more interested in RISC-V devices. It’ll be many years for solid support though. ARM for Linux has been around for decades and ARM for Windows since at least Windows 8. It’s been a slow grind for high end ARM on desktop/portable PCs. My impression is on Linux box64/86 and FEX are pretty good and the MS one for Windows seems solid. Linux Qualcomm said they’d be fast on support and they’re definitely not AMD/Intel/Nvidia fast to support Linux machines
I’m sure RISC-V vendors will be better with Linux. ARM ones, Qualcomm has been mediocre. Mediatek+Nvidia, at least Nvidia is well experienced with Linux deliverables for hardware drivers.
That’s great to hear that Valve finally patched the steam client with arm support.
