- Valve’s latest Steam client references a ‘frame rate estimator’
- This feature apparently gives you a projected frame rate based on how a game runs for other Steam users.
- It could go live with the launch of Steam Machine.
Valve is continually looking for new ways to provide a better experience for Steam players, whether they’re Windows users running the Steam client or those on SteamOS, and a new discovery suggests that a smart new feature is on the way.
Nothing official has been announced by Valve, but as TechSpot noted, a post on the ResetEra forum pointed out a reference to a ‘Frame Rate Estimator’ in the latest Steam client update.
A text string explains that you’ll be able to “select an app and PC configuration to get an estimated frames per second graph, based on other Steam users’ frames per second.”
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This comes a month after Valve started asking users to share frame rate data (anonymously) in the games they play (which was also highlighted on ResetEra). And that definitely makes it seem more likely that this rumored Framerate Estimator is a feature that’s in the works, and it’s already left Reddit users rejoicing at the idea.
Full steam ahead
It seems like Valve is going all out with its preparation for the Steam Machine, as this will directly benefit the console-style PC. It will help users make an informed decision about the possible performance level of a game on their hardware before committing to purchasing it.
The same applies to the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go S, and all other SteamOS-based portable devices (which run alongside the Deck Verified verification system that Valve already has in place).
However, and possibly most importantly, the addition of a performance estimator will significantly help desktop PC owners, regardless of whether SteamOS or Windows are installed.
Of course, there are a wide variety of different PC configurations, and the Framerate Estimator would help any PC owner easily see how a game could run on their particular system.
Additionally, those thinking about purchasing a PC will be able to evaluate the hardware components they will need based on the games they want to play. Ultimately, that should make it easier to budget and buy the right PC for your needs, avoiding overspending (or underspending).
This new feature may be included for the launch of the Steam Machine, and we can only hope that the launch happens soon.
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