Steam introduces integrated performance monitoring
Steam is quietly becoming the only tool PC gamers really need.
I’ve been playing on PC long enough to know that the fewer background apps you run, the smoother your game tends to play. That’s why I noticed when Steam quietly started adding more built-in tools.
First came the integrated video recording in late 2024, which let players capture gameplay on both desktop and Steam Deck without installing extra programs. Now, Valve, developer of Steam and the Steam Deck, is doing the same for performance monitoring.
With its latest update, Steam has added a full-fledged performance overlay that does more than just display your frame rate. It breaks down system usage across your CPU, GPU, and RAM, and even distinguishes between “real” frames rendered by your hardware and “fake” ones generated through upscaling tech like Nvidia’s DLSS or AMD’s FSR.
For competitive players or anyone trying to troubleshoot stutter and lag, that kind of transparency is incredibly useful.
This feature puts Steam in closer competition with tools baked into GPUs and operating systems, like Nvidia’s GeForce Experience, MSI Afterburner, and Windows Game Bar. But it also sets a higher bar for other digital storefronts.
While the Epic Games Store has gradually added quality-of-life features like achievements, cloud saves, and a download manager, it still doesn’t offer a native performance monitoring feature. Steam’s move highlights just how far ahead Valve is in turning its platform into a self-contained gaming hub.
So, unlike third-party tools that require extra installs and setup, Steam’s performance monitor can be toggled from the settings menu and customized in terms of layout, opacity, and text size. It’s accessible, lightweight, and tightly connected to the way people already use the platform.
The update might not be flashy, but it’s functional. It also reflects a shift in how game platforms are evolving. Steam is no longer just where you launch games; it’s starting to act more like a central command centre for your PC gaming experience. And with fewer outside programs needed, it’s a cleaner one, too.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
