Steam has introduced an exciting new update that equips players with tools to monitor their system performance during gaming sessions. While similar features are available through various third-party applications, this integrated solution from Valve simplifies the gaming experience by reducing the number of programs users need to run alongside their games. In late 2024, Steam also added video recording options for both its PC platform and the Steam Deck.
Players welcomed this built-in feature, as it allows them to capture gameplay without relying on external software. This move not only streamlines the user experience but can also enhance overall gaming performance by minimizing background resource usage. The latest update, rolled out in June 2025, addresses several issues while introducing convenient enhancements to the platform.
One notable addition is the performance monitor, designed to overlay directly onto the player’s game screen. This tool provides real-time information on frames per second (FPS), as well as CPU, GPU, and system RAM usage. Users can also customize the performance monitor by adjusting the display’s color saturation, text size, and opacity, ensuring that it remains visible yet unobtrusive.
To activate the new performance monitor, players need to enable it in their Steam settings. They can access this feature by navigating to the In-Game category in the settings menu and selecting their preferred overlay position, like the top-left or bottom-right corner. Additionally, a toggle key can be configured for easy access without repeatedly navigating through settings.
Valve is committed to refining the performance monitor, with plans to add more troubleshooting data and detailed analysis within the Steam overlay. While currently aimed at Windows users with common GPU hardware, the feature is expected to expand support for older systems and non-Windows platforms in the future. User feedback has been positive, indicating a promising start for this new feature.