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Steam Overlay Performance Monitor: Yes, It Exists

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Steam Overlay Performance Monitor: Yes, It Exists

Yes, Steam now has a built-in performance monitor that can be displayed via the in-game overlay. It shows your FPS, frame timing, CPU usage, GPU usage, memory usage, and more, without needing third-party tools like MSI Afterburner or FRAPS. The feature was added in a 2023 Steam Client update and is available in the Steam Overlay settings.

What the Overlay Performance Monitor Shows

The Steam overlay performance monitor displays a small, semi-transparent panel in the corner of your screen while you play any game that uses the Steam Overlay. The data it shows includes:

  • FPS (frames per second) – how many frames your GPU renders each second.
  • Frame time – the time in milliseconds each frame takes to render; lower is better.
  • CPU usage – the percentage of your processor’s capacity being used.
  • GPU usage – the percentage of your graphics card’s capacity being used.
  • Memory usage – how much system RAM the game is using, in gigabytes.
  • GPU memory usage – how much VRAM the game is using, in gigabytes.
  • Frame rate limit – if you have set a custom frame rate limit in Steam, it shows the target.

The monitor is designed to be unobtrusive: it appears as a small panel that you can move around, and it disappears when you close the overlay. You can also choose to show only the metrics you care about, hiding the rest.

How to Enable the Performance Monitor

Enabling the performance monitor takes about 30 seconds. Here are the steps:

  1. Open Steam and click Steam in the top-left corner, then select Settings.
  2. In the Settings window, go to the In Game tab.
  3. Look for the section labeled In-Game FPS Counter – this is the older, simpler FPS counter that has existed for years.
  4. Below that, you’ll find Performance Monitor with a dropdown menu. Select Show to enable the full monitor.
  5. Choose which metrics you want to display by checking or unchecking the boxes next to each item (FPS, CPU, GPU, etc.).
  6. Click OK to save your changes.

Once enabled, launch any game that supports the Steam Overlay (most Steam games do). Press Shift + Tab to open the overlay, and you’ll see the performance monitor panel. You can drag it to any corner of the screen, and it will stay in that position for future sessions.

Why Valve Added This Feature

For years, PC gamers relied on third-party tools to monitor performance. Programs like MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner Statistics Server, and NVIDIA’s GeForce Experience overlay all provide similar data. But these tools require separate installation, configuration, and sometimes even a bit of technical know-how. Valve’s built-in monitor eliminates that barrier for casual players who just want to see their FPS or check if their GPU is maxed out.

The feature also integrates with the Steam Deck, Valve’s handheld gaming PC. On the Steam Deck, the performance monitor is accessible via the quick access menu, and it offers even more detailed controls like TDP limits and refresh rate settings. The desktop Steam client received the same overlay monitor as part of a unified update, bringing the functionality to all PC players.

How It Compares to Third-Party Tools

The Steam overlay performance monitor is not as feature-rich as dedicated tools like MSI Afterburner or HWiNFO. Those programs can show dozens of metrics, graph them over time, log to files, and even control fan curves. The Steam monitor is intentionally simple: it shows the essentials and nothing more.

However, for most players, the Steam monitor is more than enough. It covers the five most common questions:

  • Is my FPS stable? (FPS and frame time)
  • Is my CPU or GPU the bottleneck? (CPU% vs GPU%)
  • Am I running out of memory? (RAM and VRAM usage)

One advantage the Steam monitor has over many third-party tools is that it works without administrator privileges and doesn’t require a separate service running in the background. It’s also less likely to trigger anti-cheat software, which sometimes flags overlay tools as suspicious. If you play competitive multiplayer games, using Steam’s built-in monitor is the safest option.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Some users report that the performance monitor doesn’t appear or doesn’t work in certain games. Here are common causes and fixes:

  • The game doesn’t support the Steam Overlay. Some games (especially older ones, or those with anti-cheat) disable the overlay. To check, open Steam Settings > In Game and ensure Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game is checked. If it already is, try launching the game with overlay disabled and re-enabling it.
  • The monitor shows but is blank. This can happen if you’re using a Vulkan or DirectX 12 game that the monitor can’t read. Try updating your graphics drivers and Steam client to the latest version.
  • The monitor covers too much of the screen. You can move it by dragging the panel while the overlay is open. You can also uncheck metrics you don’t need in Settings.
  • It doesn’t show on a secondary monitor. The Steam overlay performance monitor only appears on the primary display. If you’re playing on a secondary monitor, try making it the primary display in Windows settings.

If the monitor still doesn’t work, check for a Steam client update. Valve regularly adds support for new games and fixes bugs in the overlay.

How to Read the Metrics (and What to Do About Them)

The performance monitor is only useful if you know what the numbers mean. Here’s a quick guide:

  • FPS: Higher is better. If your FPS is below your monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., below 60 on a 60Hz monitor), you’ll notice stuttering.
  • Frame time: This is the inverse of FPS. A frame time of 16.7ms equals 60 FPS. If frame time spikes, you’ll see hitches even if the average FPS looks fine.
  • CPU usage: If this is near 100% while GPU usage is low, your CPU is the bottleneck. Try lowering CPU-heavy settings like draw distance or physics.
  • GPU usage: If this is near 100%, your graphics card is working as hard as it can. Lowering resolution or graphics quality will help.
  • Memory usage: If this is close to your system RAM capacity, the game may stutter when loading new areas. Closing background programs can help.
  • GPU memory usage: If this exceeds your VRAM, the game will use system RAM, causing major stutters. Lower texture quality.

For example, if you see CPU at 95% and GPU at 60%, your CPU is limiting performance. If both are near 100%, your system is well-balanced. If neither is near 100%, the game might be limited by something else, like storage speed or network latency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Steam performance monitor with non-Steam games? Yes, but only if you add the game to your Steam library as a non-Steam game. Right-click the game in your library, select Properties, and enable the Steam Overlay. The performance monitor will work just like it does for Steam games.

Does the performance monitor affect game performance? The overhead is minimal – it reads data from the system and draws a small panel. In most cases, you’ll see a 0-2% FPS drop, which is negligible. If you’re on a very low-end system, you can disable it when not needed.

Why doesn’t my performance monitor show GPU usage? GPU usage requires that your graphics driver exposes that information. If you have an older GPU or driver, this metric may not be available. Update your drivers to the latest version.

Can I customize the position of the performance monitor? Yes, while the overlay is open (Shift+Tab), you can drag the performance monitor panel to any corner of the screen. Steam remembers the position for each game.

Is the Steam performance monitor available on macOS or Linux? Yes, the feature is available on all platforms that support the Steam client. However, GPU usage may not be available on macOS due to driver limitations.

Does the Steam Deck have the same performance monitor? The Steam Deck has a similar but more advanced performance monitor, accessible via the quick access menu (the … button). It includes additional controls like TDP and refresh rate limits.

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