Tech Desk 
Jul 01, 2025
PC gamers often wonder why a game looks smooth but still feels laggy, and now, Steam’s new performance monitor might have the answer.
Valve has rolled out a new update for the Steam Client that lets you track exactly how your games are running, including how many frames are real and how many are “generated” using tools like Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR.
For those unfamiliar, DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) are popular graphics technologies that create “extra frames” to boost smooth visuals.
While they can make a game look like it's running at a higher frame rate, they don’t always reduce lag or improve responsiveness, something significant for competitive gamers.
This new Steam performance overlay lets players choose from four levels of detail. You can just see your FPS or dive deeper into GPU, CPU, and RAM usage and how much of the FPS is real versus generated. It’s a big step forward from the basic FPS counter Steam offered before.
Valve says this feature is currently focused on Windows users with common graphics cards. It builds on what the company already offers on the Steam Deck via MangoHud, a tool that handheld gamers use to monitor performance and battery life.
