Steam's performance monitor in the latest beta now provides more accurate GPU utilization data compared to Task Manager, according to Valve, a development that delights PC enthusiasts.
In the world of gaming, keeping track of hardware performance is crucial. Recently, Valve, the developers behind Steam, introduced an update to their client beta that promised more accurate GPU monitoring. However, the rollout of this feature has been met with some challenges.
The update initially claimed to offer GPU utilization monitoring that surpasses Windows Task Manager, particularly for games that spawn multiple processes. Steam's overlay aggregates usage across all game-related processes, addressing Task Manager's tendency to under-report GPU usage due to its per-process measurement method. Valve stated this new method aligned Steam's usage readings closer to trusted third-party tools like MSI Afterburner[1][2][3].
However, shortly after the beta release, Valve pulled this update and rolled back the GPU monitoring changes, citing that the feature "needs more testing." This rollback implies that, in practice, the Steam overlay's new GPU monitoring was found to be unstable or not reliably accurate across all scenarios[1][2][5].
As a result, as of late August 2025, the Steam Client beta's GPU utilization monitoring is promising but not yet reliably accurate or stable. Task Manager, while less accurate in certain cases, remains the default tool for monitoring CPU resource allocation. MSI Afterburner, a third-party tool known for its detailed GPU monitoring, continues to be a trusted solution[1][2][5].
Meanwhile, in the realm of graphics cards, several options stand out for various budgets and performance needs. The Best budget graphics card is the Intel Arc B570, while the Best value can be found in the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB. The Best overall performance is delivered by the AMD Radeon RX 9070. For those seeking a mid-range option, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is a solid choice. The Best high-end graphics card is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090[6].
Users who are part of the Steam Client Beta program can now monitor their GPU usage in-game, along with CPU temperatures[4]. The updated GPU monitoring methodology is more accurate in situations where processes launched after the game process use GPU outside of the primary game process[3]. In certain situations, the updated GPU monitoring will now report higher overall GPU utilization compared to previous implementations[3].
As the testing continues, we eagerly await the day when Steam's GPU monitoring becomes a reliable tool for gamers, offering accurate and stable readings. Until then, MSI Afterburner remains the safest choice for precise GPU utilization.
[1] Valve Corporation. (2025). Steam Client Beta Update Introduces GPU Utilization Monitoring. Retrieved from https://store.steampowered.com/news/ [2] MSI. (2025). MSI Afterburner: The Go-To Tool for Detailed GPU Monitoring. Retrieved from https://www.msi.com/Landing/afterburner [3] PC Gamer. (2025). Steam Client Beta's GPU Monitoring: A Promising but Unstable Feature. Retrieved from https://www.pcgamer.com/ [4] PC Gamer. (2025). Steam Client Beta Now Offers In-Game GPU and CPU Monitoring. Retrieved from https://www.pcgamer.com/ [5] PC Gamer. (2025). Valve Rolls Back Steam Client Beta's GPU Monitoring Update. Retrieved from https://www.pcgamer.com/ [6] Tom's Hardware. (2025). Best Graphics Cards of 2025: Top GPUs for Gaming. Retrieved from https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-cards,6066.html
- In the world of gaming, maintaining the performance of smartphones and other gadgets, as well as keeping up with the latest fashion-and-beauty trends, are significant aspects of the gaming lifestyle.
- Despite the challenges faced in its rollout, Valve's update to the Steam Client Beta’s GPU monitoring remains promising, offering potential improvements compared to tools like Microsoft's Task Manager.
- Amidst the uncertainty regarding Steam's GPU monitoring feature, third-party tools like MSI Afterburner continue to be trusted solutions for precise GPU utilization and monitoring in games.
- Regarding graphics cards in the 2025 season, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti stands out as a solid mid-range option, while the best overall performance can be found in the AMD Radeon RX 9070.
- The updated GPU monitoring methodology in the Steam Client Beta now reports higher overall GPU utilization compared to previous implementations in certain situations, providing gamers with a potentially more accurate overview of their system's performance.
