What is the Steam Deck Performance Overlay?
If you want to get the most out of your Steam Deck, it's advisable to enable the Performance Overlay - a graphical overlay that sits over your current image and displays information . It gives you the ability to see real-time information such as frame rate and other relevant data, allowing you to adjust your settings for optimal performance.
Console performance insights
The Performance Overlay is an information window that can be displayed over a running game to provide insight into the console's performance settings. For example, adjusting the Steam Deck's adaptive brightness can help extend battery life and allow you to play for longer. Monitoring CPU and GPU temperatures is also possible - if these are worryingly high, it might be worth investing in accessories to cool down the Steam Deck.
Activating the performance overlay
Easy access via the quick access menu
Enabling the Performance Overlay is a simple process accessible via the console's hotkey. Here's how to view a game's performance metrics:
- Press the shortcut key located on the right side of the screen below the touchpad.
- Scroll to the battery icon and press A to open the menu.
- At the very bottom you will find the item " Show performance overlay on Steam."
- Then you will find the option "Performance Overlay Level" below the battery level counter. Press A to continue.
- Choose between five different levels of information by moving the slider.
Different levels of performance overlay
There are five levels of overlay in total, including the option to turn it off. Levels start simply with an FPS counter and build up to the most comprehensive display, which offers information like GPU performance, CPU performance, and more.
Effective use of the overlay
Advanced settings
By clicking on "Advanced View" you will get additional setting options. Here you can set the frame rate limit, the refresh rate and other options. You can also specify whether an individual profile should be used for each game.
Recommendations for a balanced performance
- Enabled game-related profiles.
- FPS limit set to 60.
- Halving of shading activated.
- Scaling filter set to Linear.
Keep in mind that while the Steam Deck is powerful, the 7-inch screen can only offer so much detail. Some settings are simply too demanding for gaming on the Steam Deck compared to a PC.
Optimize the performance of your Steam Deck
The Steam Deck is an extremely powerful handheld console with its own limitations. Using the Performance Overlay is a great way to understand the device's limitations for each game you play, while also preserving its relatively short battery life.
If you want to push your games to the limit or simply add a few precious minutes of gameplay, the Performance Overlay is a must-have.