Facebook Borrows the Linux Scheduler From the Steam Deck to Help Run its Data Centers
Meta is using the SCX-LAVD Linux scheduler from Valve’s Steam Deck to fix data center latency. Discover how gaming tech is scaling hyperscale servers.
Matilda
Facebook Borrows the Linux Scheduler From the Steam Deck to Help Run its Data Centers Why Meta is Using Steam Deck Tech for Data Centers In a move that highlights the narrowing gap between consumer hardware and hyperscale infrastructure, Meta has begun deploying a Linux CPU scheduler originally designed for Valve’s Steam Deck across its production server fleet. This unexpected crossover centers on SCX-LAVD , a specialized scheduler created to minimize latency in handheld gaming, which Meta engineers found surprisingly effective at solving complex bottlenecks in massive server environments. By leveraging technology meant to keep frame rates smooth on a portable console, Meta is addressing persistent inefficiencies in how modern servers manage hundreds of CPU cores simultaneously. This integration answers a critical question for the industry: Can gaming-grade latency optimizations actually stabilize the world’s largest social media and AI workloads? The answer appears to be a definitive yes, as Meta transitions from traditional Linux scheduling to more agile, behavior-base…
