Valve has introduced a new feature for the Steam Deck that provides anonymized frame rate data for thousands of games, offering players detailed insights into how titles perform on the device. This data is sourced from users who opt in to share performance metrics and is filtered to reflect gameplay under default settings, such as 90 frames per second for the OLED model and 60 frames per second for the LCD model. By focusing on consistent parameters, Valve ensures that the data remains both practical and reliable, according to NerdNest.
Explore how this feature helps players evaluate game performance through histograms, averages, and comparisons between the OLED and LCD models. You’ll also gain insight into how frame rate adjustments, such as VSync on the OLED display, impact gameplay smoothness and visual fidelity. Additionally, the analysis considers broader implications for Valve’s ecosystem, including potential future applications beyond the Steam Deck.
Valve introduces frame rate data for the Steam Deck
TL;DR Key Takeaways :
- Valve has introduced a new feature for the Steam Deck that provides anonymized frame rate data for games, collected from users who opt in to share performance metrics, to help players make more informed decisions about game compatibility and performance.
- The frame rate data includes averages and histograms filtered to Steam Decks on the default frame limit of 90 FPS for the OLED model and 60 FPS for the LCD model, with idle time and invalid samples removed; custom in-game settings are not accounted for.
- Performance insights show variations between the OLED and LCD models, with the OLED offering smoother frame transitions due to its higher refresh rate, while the LCD generally maintains a steady 60 FPS with occasional drops during demanding gameplay.
- Valve’s frame rate data aims to address inconsistencies in the Steam Deck’s verified program by providing players with detailed performance breakdowns, helping them better understand what defines a “playable” experience for different games.
- The feature is currently exclusive to the Steam Deck, but the host speculates that Valve might expand it to other platforms like the Steam Machine or custom Steam OS boxes, though challenges with hardware diversity and low sales of the Steam Machine could limit this expansion.
Valve has launched a new feature for the Steam Deck that provides anonymized frame rate data for games, offering players clearer insights into how titles perform on the handheld device. This data, collected from users who opt in to share performance metrics, is available for both the Steam Deck OLED and LCD models. It aims to help players make more informed decisions about game compatibility and performance.
How the frame rate data works
The frame rate data comes from players who have enabled data sharing, focusing on games tested for Steam Deck compatibility. Currently, there are thousands of games with available frame rate data, and this number is expected to grow as more information is collected. Players can view the data on each game’s Steam Store page and within the Steam library if they are part of the Steam client beta.
To keep the data practical and reliable, Valve applies several filters. Frame rate averages and histograms only include samples from Steam Decks set to default frame limits, 90 frames per second for the OLED model and 60 frames per second for the LCD model. Valve says it does not account for custom in-game settings, but found that the frame rate data still consolidates around relatively narrow ranges; idle time and invalid samples are filtered out.
By focusing on these default performance ranges, Valve aims to provide consistent and accurate insights. Multiple samples are collected from each gameplay session to improve reliability.
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Performance insights from the data
The feature provides detailed performance breakdowns for specific games, including histograms showing frame rate distributions. For example, on the Steam Deck OLED, Skyrim achieves 90 frames per second for 35% of the time and 45 frames per second for 63% of the time. The remaining 1% of samples, which drop to 30 frames per second, are linked to stuttering or hitching.
On the Steam Deck LCD, Skyrim maintains 60 frames per second for 90% of the time, with occasional drops to 30 frames per second (8% of samples) and rare dips to 20 frames per second (1%).
These variations are attributed to mismatches between a game’s frame rate and the display’s refresh rate. On the OLED model, VSync adjusts frame rates to avoid graphical glitches, doubling frames when necessary to maintain smoother visuals. For instance, when a game cannot sustain 90 frames per second, it drops to 45 frames per second, half the display’s refresh rate, for consistency.
The Steam Deck LCD typically holds steady at 60 frames per second but may drop to 30 frames per second during demanding scenarios.
Other games show different performance profiles. Expedition 33 averages 38 frames per second, with 38% of frames running at 45 frames per second and 40% at 30 frames per second. Its histogram also shows occasional spikes to 90 frames per second alongside frequent stuttering. In contrast, Mega Bonk performs exceptionally well, averaging 87 frames per second with a stability rate of 96%, indicating minimal frame rate drops or stuttering.
Addressing player expectations
This feature aims to address the varying expectations players have for what defines a “playable” experience. The Steam Deck’s verified program has faced criticism for inconsistencies, with some unsupported games running smoothly while certain verified titles underperform. By providing average frame rate data, Valve offers players a more nuanced understanding of game performance on the device, helping them make better-informed purchasing decisions.
The histograms and averages also highlight differences between the OLED and LCD models. The OLED’s higher refresh rate allows for smoother frame transitions, while the LCD generally maintains a steady 60 frames per second, with occasional drops to 30 frames per second during demanding gameplay. This data helps players weigh their preferences for higher frame rates versus consistent performance.
Future possibilities and limitations
Although the frame rate data is currently exclusive to the Steam Deck, the host speculates that Valve might expand this feature to other platforms, such as the Steam Machine or custom Steam OS boxes. However, the low sales of the Steam Machine, partly due to its high launch price, pose challenges for gathering sufficient performance data.
Similarly, collecting data for custom-built machines may be difficult because of the wide range of hardware configurations. The host, who built a custom Steam OS box, hopes Valve will eventually include such machines in its data collection efforts, though they acknowledge the complexities involved.
Valve has reportedly sold at least 5 million Steam Decks as of a few years ago, and the host estimates that this number has now exceeded 10 million. With such a large user base, the Steam Deck provides a robust dataset for refining performance metrics and improving the gaming experience for its users.
Broader context for Valve’s ecosystem
The introduction of frame rate data aligns with Valve’s broader efforts to improve the gaming experience across its platforms. The Steam Machine, Steam OS and Steam Frame sections of the store page carry no frame rate data yet; all of it is coming through the Steam Deck first. The Steam Machine did not sell well because it was expensive at launch, and its limited numbers will make the same data harder for Valve to gather.
This new feature represents a meaningful step forward for the Steam Deck, addressing long-standing concerns about game compatibility and performance. By offering detailed, curated insights, Valve gives players the tools to make more informed decisions, whether they prioritize higher frame rates or consistent visual fidelity. While still in its early stages, the feature shows clear potential to improve the gaming experience on the Steam Deck.
Media Credit: NerdNest
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