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Valve have today put out a stable Steam Client update pulling in lots of changes from the previous beta version, it's a good one too.

In terms of what's changed for Linux specifically:

  • Added a 2X-scaling mode with high-res text and graphics when running the Steam client in desktop mode on 4k-resolution monitors. You can also force 2X scaling with the "GDK_SCALE=2" environment variable, or disable it with "GDK_SCALE=1".
  • Improved window-resizing interactions with the window manager
  • Fixed an issue where the Steam client could prevent some desktop sessions from shutting down

Some seriously welcome stuff there from Valve—good work. The bug about preventing shut downs was a particular nuisance I'm really glad to see the back of.

They also worked to reduce CPU use when the mouse is moved back and forth over part of the Library view, fixed a problem with corrupted Workshop items endlessly re-downloading and they fixed a strange issue where some games wouldn't launch in offline mode if Steam had previously started or scheduled an update.

On top of that, there's numerous fixes and improvements to Steam Input, for interacting with the Steam Controller and various other gamepads.

See the full update notes here.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Steam
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chriskringel84 Mar 23, 2018
Arrgh, CPU usage is insanely high after this update.

Never had CPU usage issues with Steam before though. It's between 50% and 100% all the time in top. Killing steamwebhelper doesn't help. Switching to minimal mode also doesn't help. Ubuntu 18.04 witn intel driver.
Lembritt Mar 31, 2018
QuoteAdded a 2X-scaling mode with high-res text and graphics when running the Steam client in desktop mode on 4k-resolution monitors. You can also force 2X scaling with the "GDK_SCALE=2" environment variable, or disable it with "GDK_SCALE=1".

How do i set the environment variable? Tried some googling and couldn't find any good answer?
I'm running Steam in my living room on a 60" 1080p TV, running KDE Neon.
g000h Mar 31, 2018
Quoting: Lembritt
QuoteAdded a 2X-scaling mode with high-res text and graphics when running the Steam client in desktop mode on 4k-resolution monitors. You can also force 2X scaling with the "GDK_SCALE=2" environment variable, or disable it with "GDK_SCALE=1".

How do i set the environment variable? Tried some googling and couldn't find any good answer?
I'm running Steam in my living room on a 60" 1080p TV, running KDE Neon.

Well, it's not ideal, but the way I'm currently doing it is this:

Open terminal, and type:

export GDK_SCALE=1
steam

Of course, you could put that in a bash script and use a menu or desktop shortcut instead. Noting that the steam binary is in /usr/games and has been added to the PATH.
Eike Mar 31, 2018
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Note that people reported the environment variable doesn't work anymore for them. There's an option in the preferences, though.
Lembritt Mar 31, 2018
Quoting: g000h
Quoting: Lembritt
QuoteAdded a 2X-scaling mode with high-res text and graphics when running the Steam client in desktop mode on 4k-resolution monitors. You can also force 2X scaling with the "GDK_SCALE=2" environment variable, or disable it with "GDK_SCALE=1".

How do i set the environment variable? Tried some googling and couldn't find any good answer?
I'm running Steam in my living room on a 60" 1080p TV, running KDE Neon.

Well, it's not ideal, but the way I'm currently doing it is this:

Open terminal, and type:

export GDK_SCALE=1
steam

Of course, you could put that in a bash script and use a menu or desktop shortcut instead. Noting that the steam binary is in /usr/games and has been added to the PATH.

Tried this and when Steam launches, it's the same scaling as before.
Tried also the setting in preferences, no change.

Is it because I'm running on a 1080p display?
g000h Mar 31, 2018
Quoting: EikeNote that people reported the environment variable doesn't work anymore for them. There's an option in the preferences, though.

Yes, Valve has got around to putting it as a menu item now. I have just tested Steam from my regular menu shortcut and it is *now* going into 1x scaling. I then entered the Settings, Interface, and found "Enlarge Text and Icons" tick-box, which if ticked performs the 2x scaling and if unticked performs the 1x scaling. Perfect, just what I wanted.

@Lembritt - Maybe, or maybe just use the Settings option instead.
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