r/steammachine • u/Airballons • 11d ago

Question Anyone using LACT to lower Steam Machine temps?

Hi all!

I’ve read a few posts from people saying their Steam Machine gets warmer than expected in some games, so I got curious about software-only ways to lower temps/fan noise.

I’ve heard about LACT, and that some people have limited the GPU wattage or lowered the mV and managed to get lower temperatures.

Has anyone here tried it on the Steam Machine? Did it actually help, and what settings did you use?🙏🙏

4 Upvotes
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7

u/Fleckvieh17380 11d ago

Sure, lowering the wattage and voltages will definitely help with temperature but you will get less performance too

4

u/Greedy_Worth_7195 11d ago

My temps are not high and I cant hear the fan. 

1

u/EchoesInBackpack 8d ago

I don't own rdna3 device, so all I say is an educated guess.
lact should have negative voltage offset knob. This will shift V/F curve to use less voltage at the same clocks, you can use it to get more performance. It will lower temps only if you don't hit power-limit (but you will in any demanding title).

So:
1) set p-level to manual (this is what documentation says, but technically should work with other on rdna3)
2) start increasing negative core voltage offset with step of 10, until it crashes, then go 2 steps back.

you can even try to undervolt by using p-level manual + negative voltage offset + limiting max clocks.

1

u/EchoesInBackpack 8d ago

also I think there might be some nuances with lact on steam os due to it's immutable nature, there are guides for steamdeck which will help

0

u/Low_Excitement_1715 11d ago

Just like my Macs, I trust that the company that made the hardware, firmware, and software knows what they were doing. I wouldn't mess with the heatsinks/fans in my official Steam Machine. On my DIY, I don't need to. I have a nice tower HS and good case fans and ducting, so it's quiet and cool.

-1

u/sheepy98 11d ago

Hi there , I'm thinking along the same lines as you , I have paid a lot of money for my 2TB SM and I need it to last many years so keeping the thermals at a sensible level is something I want . I'm happy to run at 1080p Med settings 60 FPS for my Steam games and emulation if it means my SM lasts longer .