Valve has introduced a new performance monitor on Steam to help users understand the factors affecting a game’s smooth operation. This feature not only displays the game’s overall frame rate but also indicates how many frames were produced using technologies like Nvidia’s DLSS or AMD’s FSR.
The update to the Steam Client, which includes this new performance monitor, is now available. However, Valve specifies that this initial version is tailored for Windows users and the most common GPU hardware.
The performance monitor offers users up to four levels of detail, ranging from a single FPS value to comprehensive details on FPS, CPU and GPU utilization, and RAM usage. Users can choose the level of detail they want to view, with more detailed information occupying more screen space.
Previously, Steam only provided a basic FPS counter. The new performance monitor separates generated frames from those rendered by graphics cores, enabling users to better comprehend the differences between visual perception and actual game performance. Valve explains in a support document that while frame generation may enhance visual smoothness on high refresh rate monitors, it does not address factors like input latency crucial for competitive gaming.
By utilizing the performance monitor, users can determine if a game running at 30 fps actually feels smoother due to added “fake frames” by Nvidia and AMD technologies. Valve’s efforts to provide such insights extend to handheld gaming with tools like MangoHud on the Steam Deck and SteamOS, and now to desktop Steam for a wider audience.
Valve plans to enhance the performance overlay by adding more data points to detect common hardware performance issues and display a comprehensive summary of a game’s performance when users press shift-tab.
Overall, the new performance monitor on Steam offers valuable insights to optimize gaming experience and understand the intricacies of frame generation for a smoother gameplay experience.
