Today I’m taking another look at F-Sync versus NTSync on the Steam Deck, this time using Splinter Cell: Conviction. NTSync is a newer synchronization driver in the Linux kernel that’s meant to improve how Windows games handle CPU thread synchronization through Proton, so in theory it can reduce CPU bottlenecks in the right titles. I picked Conviction on purpose because it was one of those games that had a rough time on SteamOS when the Deck first launched, and even now it still has some issues that feel very CPU/sync-related. I tested multiple scenes, including normal gameplay and scripted moments where I don’t control the camera, so the comparisons are more consistent. At first, NTSync looked like it had a noticeable edge—sometimes even 5–7 FPS—but after replaying the same sections several times, the results weren’t consistent. Most of the time the performance is basically the same, with either side pulling ahead by a couple FPS here and there. Where NTSync can help occasionally is frame time consistency, but again, it’s not a guaranteed win. My takeaway: NTSync isn’t a miracle fix, and it won’t automatically improve every game. Still, there’s basically no downside to running the latest GE-Proton on your Deck, because even beyond NTSync you’re getting newer fixes and compatibility improvements.