Podcast Summary: Hands-On Windows 163 – Gaming on ARM PCs

Podcast: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio)
Episode: Hands-On Windows 163: Gaming on ARM PCs
Host: Paul Thurrott
Date: October 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of Hands-On Windows, Paul Thurrott offers an in-depth look at the current state of gaming on Windows 11 ARM PCs, with a particular focus on the progress made since the platform’s mid-2024 debut. Paul evaluates both the hardware and software improvements, demonstrates how a range of games perform on low-end Snapdragon X powered laptops, and discusses the challenges and future possibilities for AAA gaming on ARM-based Windows devices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of Windows 11 on ARM for Gaming

• Initial Perceptions:
  • Microsoft and Qualcomm didn't market Windows 11 on ARM as a gaming platform, yet did showcase some gaming capabilities.
  • There are still few AAA games running natively on ARM, leading to a “mixed” gaming experience.
• Industry Collaboration:
  • Microsoft and Qualcomm are “working with the video game industry to help them understand what they need to do to port these things over so they run even better.” (Paul Thurrott, 02:33)

2. Qualcomm Hardware – Snapdragon X Chip Breakdown

• Paul's test environment:
  • Using low-end SnapDragon X Plus and an HP OmniBook 5 with the entry-level SKU.
  • “The computer I'm recording this on is not a high-end gaming PC...it's kind of an interesting experience.” (03:46)
• Overview of CPU boost distinctions:
  • Plus versions: Single core boost.
  • Elite versions: Dual core boost (primarily).
  • Low-end models: Less or no boost frequency.

3. The Xbox App Experience on ARM

• Progress in App Support:

  • Previously, ARM PC users could only access cloud-streamed games; now local library access is enabled. (08:09)
  • The expectation was the library would filter for playable games, but that's still in development.

• Third-Party Store Integration:

  • Steam and other stores (Epic, GOG) now display games in the Xbox app library.
  • Most of these are “x86 games running through emulation.”
  • Example: Borderlands—updates done to improve emulated performance.

• Game Bar & Compact Mode:

  • Features like Game Bar, Game Assist mini web browser, gaming Copilot integration, and controller-friendly compact UI modes are supported.

4. Game Demonstrations and Performance

a. Heretic & Hexen (Remastered)

• “Released in late August 2024... remastered version of the original game from 30 years ago.”
  • Upgraded music, new UI, modern mouse look.
  • “This works really, really well actually on these computers, even this one, which is...fairly low end. So that's cool.” (10:44)

b. Black Mesa (Half-Life 2 Mod)

• Launched through the Xbox app via Steam (emulated x86).
• “Graphic settings...mostly to high...looks very, very good, actually.” (13:45)

c. Borderlands 3

• Modern title that works decently through emulation.

  • “AutoSR, which is auto super resolution has kicked in. So even though this might be running at a lower resolution than the actual screen, it looks great...” (16:18)
  • Performance is medium to low but remains visually appealing.
  • “This is on a computer that gets between 10 and 12 hours of battery life. There is a fan. It doesn't usually kick in...” (17:56)

• AAA Gaming Caveat:

  • “The newest games, you're not gonna be playing those on these computers, just to be clear.” (11:47)
  • Trial and error still necessary to find compatible titles.

5. Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) and System Settings

• Auto SR available to enhance performance on compatible hardware.
• “If you go into your display settings, you'll usually see an Auto SR option here...you can set up specific profiles for whatever games.” (18:53)

6. General Observations and Future Outlook

• Finding compatible titles still requires user research:
  • "The trick actually to me is just finding games that work and that's going to be some trial and error..." (18:17)
  • Native ARM game library is longer than expected but light on blockbusters.
• The gaming situation “has always been a little iffy. It still is, but it's better than it was.”
• Anticipation for next-gen Snapdragon hardware and more native ports via industry collaboration.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “There are still not that many games that are native on Windows on ARM, especially...blockbuster type games. So the experience has been mixed to date.”
  (Paul Thurrott, 02:15)

• “The computer I'm recording this on is not a high-end gaming PC...It's kind of an interesting experience.”
  (Paul Thurrott, 03:46)

• “Before, fairly recently, you couldn't access your library inside of an ARM-based PC. All you could do...was access this cloud computing option and then find the games that you could stream over the Internet. But they've enabled it on ARM PCs as well.”
  (Paul Thurrott, 08:06)

• “Heretic and Hexen...this works really, really well actually on these computers, even this one, which is, you know, fairly low end. So that's cool.”
  (Paul Thurrott, 10:44)

• “AAA games, newest games, you're not gonna get, you're not gonna be playing those on these computers, just to be clear.”
  (Paul Thurrott, 11:47)

• “Borderlands 3...In this case AutoSR...has kicked in. So even though this might be running at a lower resolution than the actual screen...the performance is very good.”
  (Paul Thurrott, 16:18)

• “This is on a computer that gets between 10 and 12 hours of battery life. There is a fan. It doesn't usually kick in..."
  (Paul Thurrott, 17:56)

• “It's been about a year and a half since Windows 11 on ARM debuted...the game story has always been a little iffy. It still is, but it's better than it was. And I think this next gen is going to make it even better.”
  (Paul Thurrott, 19:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:15] – Introduction to Windows 11 on ARM gaming challenges and state of support
• [03:46] – Snapdragon X hardware differences; performance context for the demo
• [08:00] – Xbox App on ARM: new support, store integrations, features
• [10:44] – Heretic & Hexen remaster demo and performance
• [13:45] – Black Mesa (Half-Life 2 mod) demo and impressions
• [16:18] – Borderlands 3 demo, AutoSR capabilities, and battery life/student experience
• [18:53] – Display settings, AutoSR, and compact mode for controllers
• [19:50] – Outlook on ARM gaming progress and hopes for more native games

Conclusion

Paul Thurrott’s hands-on exploration of Windows 11 on ARM PCs shows meaningful progress in game compatibility and performance—even on lower-end Snapdragon devices. Native ARM support for games is still limited, leaving most AAA experiences to x86 emulation with tools like Prism and hardware innovations like AutoSR mitigating the gap. While the platform isn't yet a go-to for serious PC gamers, the improvements are notable, and future hardware and software optimizations show promise for mainstream ARM gaming.

For listeners wanting to dive deeper into technical details or specific steps for enabling features, Paul provides practical tips and honest assessments throughout, maintaining his engaging and conversational tone.