Steam performance monitor now shows frame generation impact
If you're wondering whether your games truly run at 60fps—or if that smoothness is thanks to AI-generated frames—Valve has an answer. The latest Steam update introduces a powerful new Steam performance monitor that shows how much of your frame rate comes from technologies like Nvidia DLSS or AMD FSR. This built-in tool finally lets PC gamers see the difference between real rendered frames and those generated to boost visual performance. It’s a game-changer for anyone tuning their setup or troubleshooting lag and stutters.
How the Steam performance monitor works
Unlike the old FPS counter, the new Steam performance monitor breaks down performance across four levels of detail. You can view basic FPS data or dive deep into metrics like CPU, GPU, and RAM usage. Most notably, it now separates generated frames from rendered ones, so you’ll know if your buttery-smooth 90fps experience is coming from actual power or smart upscaling tools. Valve says this is the first version, focused on Windows and the most common GPUs, but more updates are on the way.
Why frame generation data matters to gamers
Frame generation tools like Nvidia DLSS 3 and AMD FSR 3 can dramatically improve visual smoothness—but they don’t reduce input lag, which matters in competitive games. With the Steam performance monitor, players can identify situations where games look fluid but still feel sluggish. Valve’s new feature helps users understand the real performance beneath the visuals, which is especially important when using high refresh rate monitors or adjusting for power efficiency on devices like the Steam Deck.
What’s next for the Steam performance monitor
Valve isn't done refining this feature. The company plans to add more diagnostic tools, including alerts for common hardware bottlenecks and a larger overlay summary for in-game use via Shift+Tab. It’s part of Valve’s continued effort to make game diagnostics more accessible, following tools like MangoHud on Steam Deck. For PC gamers, this update turns Steam into not just a launcher, but a powerful tool for understanding and optimizing your hardware performance in real time.
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