To view GPU and CPU performance on the Steam Deck, press the three-dot button, go to the battery section, and enable the Performance Overlay. This will show FPS and performance data while gaming.
Using the Steam Deck’s GPU and CPU display has been really helpful for me. Turning on the Performance Overlay shows me how the device is doing while I play.
I can see FPS and how the CPU and GPU are working, which helps me adjust settings for smoother gameplay. It’s a great feature for making sure everything runs well while gaming!
what is a steam Deck?
The Steam Deck is a handheld gaming device by Valve that runs SteamOS, allowing you to play PC games on the go. It features a custom AMD CPU and GPU, a 7-inch touchscreen, and various control options like thumbsticks, buttons, and trackpads.
It supports Steam’s vast game library and can be docked to a TV or monitor. The device also offers expandable storage and the ability to install non-Steam software.
Viewing Steam Deck GPU and CPU Performance:
To get a better understanding of how your Steam Deck is performing while gaming, you can enable the Performance Overlay feature. This built-in tool gives you real-time data on the performance of the GPU and CPU, as well as the FPS (frames per second). Here’s how you can enable it:
- Press the Three Dots Button: Located at the bottom-right of the Steam Deck, press this physical button to open the menu.
- Go to the Battery Settings: Scroll down within the menu until you find the “Battery” section for power-related options.
- Turn on the Performance Overlay: Slide the “Performance Overlay” toggle to ON to enable real-time performance data.
Once activated, the overlay will display essential performance metrics, such as your FPS, GPU usage, and CPU usage while you’re playing games. This can help you identify any bottlenecks in your system, whether they are GPU-related, CPU-related, or a combination of both.
Tips to Increase FPS in CPU-Bound Games:
While GPU performance is often a focus when it comes to gaming, CPU-bound games can be more demanding on your Steam Deck’s processor. Here are some tips to increase FPS in CPU-bound games:
1. Lower the Game’s Resolution:
Reducing the resolution can ease the strain on the CPU. By running games at a lower resolution, your Steam Deck’s processor will have to handle fewer pixels, which can help boost FPS in CPU-intensive titles.
2. Adjust Graphics Settings:
Disable certain advanced graphical effects, such as anti-aliasing, shadow quality, or ambient occlusion. These features can add additional load on the CPU, so reducing or turning them off may improve performance.
3. Limit Background Processes:
Close any unnecessary apps or processes running in the background. This will free up CPU resources, allowing the Steam Deck’s processor to focus more on the game you’re playing.
4. Optimize Game Settings for CPU:
Some games allow you to adjust CPU-related settings, such as the number of threads or physics calculations. Try lowering the number of threads used by the game or disabling some advanced physics effects to alleviate pressure on the CPU.
5. Enable Performance Mode:
Steam Deck offers a performance mode that can help push the device’s hardware to deliver better FPS. Activating this mode ensures that the Steam Deck prioritizes performance over battery life, which can be crucial for CPU-heavy games.
How Does the CPU Affect Gaming Performance?
The CPU is important for gaming devices like the Steam Deck as it handles the game’s logic, physics, and AI. A powerful CPU helps games run smoothly, especially in complex genres like strategy, simulation, and open-world games.
Here are some specific ways the CPU impacts gaming performance:
1. Frame Processing:
The CPU helps process game logic between each frame. If the CPU isn’t fast enough, it can result in stutter or low FPS, as the game will struggle to keep up with the graphical rendering done by the GPU.
2. Physics and AI:
In games with complex physics or AI-driven interactions, the CPU is responsible for calculating and handling these aspects. If your CPU is not powerful enough, these elements may not run smoothly, leading to slower gameplay or poor performance.
3. CPU Bottlenecks:
In some cases, if your CPU is underperforming, it can bottleneck the GPU. This means that, even if your GPU is capable of rendering high-quality graphics, the CPU may limit overall performance by not being able to process the data quickly enough.
What Settings Can You Adjust to Improve FPS in Video Games?
If you’re looking to boost FPS in video games on your Steam Deck, here are some settings to consider adjusting:
1. Graphics Settings:
Reducing graphical settings can significantly improve FPS. Here are the key settings to focus on:
- Resolution: Lowering the resolution reduces the number of pixels your GPU has to render, which directly impacts performance.
- Texture Quality: Lowering the texture quality can relieve pressure on both the CPU and GPU, especially in larger open-world games.
- Anti-Aliasing: This smooths out jagged edges but is a GPU-heavy process. Lowering or turning it off can improve FPS.
- Shadows and Effects: Shadows can be very demanding on the CPU. Reducing shadow quality or turning off certain visual effects like reflections can boost FPS.
2. Power Settings:
- Battery Saver Mode: This setting helps conserve power and can limit the performance of the Steam Deck, especially in CPU-heavy games. Disabling battery saver mode ensures maximum performance.
- Refresh Rate: Lowering the display’s refresh rate can reduce the load on the GPU and CPU, resulting in better FPS.
3. Frame Rate Cap:
Some games have the option to cap the frame rate. If your Steam Deck is struggling to maintain a high frame rate, setting a frame rate cap may help stabilize performance. Limiting the FPS to a target that the system can consistently hit will prevent stuttering and help improve overall gameplay smoothness.
4. V-Sync and Frame Rate Synchronization:
- V-Sync: V-Sync ensures that the GPU’s output is synchronized with your display’s refresh rate, reducing screen tearing. However, it can sometimes lower FPS. If you’re experiencing a frame rate dip, turning V-Sync off may help improve FPS.
- Adaptive Sync: If your Steam Deck supports it, enabling Adaptive Sync can adjust the refresh rate dynamically based on the FPS, creating smoother gameplay.
5. Game-Specific Optimizations:
Many modern games come with preset performance settings optimized for specific hardware. These can be used to quickly set the right balance between visual fidelity and performance. It’s a good idea to experiment with these settings to find the right configuration for your Steam Deck.
FAQs:
1. How do I show CPU and GPU usage on my screen?
To show CPU and GPU usage, enable the Performance Overlay in the Steam Deck’s settings. Go to the “Battery” section and toggle the overlay switch to ON. This will display real-time performance data while you play.
2. How to check GPU on Steam Deck?
To check the GPU, press the three dots button on the bottom-right of the screen. Navigate to the “Battery” section in the menu and enable the Performance Overlay to view GPU usage while gaming.
3. How do I turn off the GPU overlay on my Steam Deck?
To turn off the GPU overlay, go to the settings and find the Performance Overlay section. Slide the toggle to OFF to stop showing GPU data on your screen.
4. How do I turn off the GPU display?
To turn off the GPU display, simply disable the **Performance Overlay from the settings menu. This will remove the GPU usage information from your screen while playing.
5. How to display CPU and GPU usage on Steam Deck (Windows 10)?
To display CPU and GPU usage on Windows 10, open the Steam app and go to settings. Enable the **Performance Overlay option in the “Battery” section, and it will show real-time CPU and GPU usage while playing games.
6. What is the Steam Deck GPU equivalent?
The Steam Deck uses a custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU. Its performance is roughly equivalent to a Radeon RX 5500M or RX 5700 XT, providing solid gaming performance for a handheld device.
Conclusion:
The Steam Deck is a powerful handheld gaming device that lets you play PC games on the go. By turning on the Performance Overlay, you can easily check the performance of your CPU and GPU while gaming. Adjusting settings like resolution and graphics can help boost your FPS and improve gameplay.