This new Steam feature could soon make buying games a lot easier — and it’ll be a great addition for the Steam Machine and custom PCs

• Valve's latest Steam Client references a 'Framerate 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 the Steam Machine

Valve is continuously looking at new ways to provide a better experience for Steam gamers, whether that's Windows users running the Steam client, or those on SteamOS, and a fresh discovery suggests a smart new feature is on the way.

Nothing official has been announced by Valve, but as TechSpot noticed, a post on the ResetEra forum pointed out a reference to a 'Framerate Estimator' in the latest Steam Client update.

A text string explains that you will be able to "select an app and a PC config to get a chart of estimated framerates, based on the framerates of other Steam users".

This comes a month after Valve began asking users to share frame rate data (anonymously) on 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 pipeline — and it's already left Reddit users rejoicing at the idea.

Comment from r/Games

Comment from r/Games

Full steam ahead

It seems as though Valve is going all-out with its Steam Machine preparation, as this will directly benefit the console-like PC. It'll help users to make an informed decision on a game's likely performance level on their hardware before committing to buy.

The same applies to the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go S, and all other SteamOS-based handhelds (running alongside the Deck Verified check system Valve already has in place).

However, and arguably more importantly, the addition of a performance estimator will significantly help desktop PC owners, regardless of whether SteamOS or Windows is installed.

There's a massive array of different PC configurations, of course, and the Framerate Estimator would help any PC owner easily see how a game might run on their particular system.

Furthermore, those looking at buying a PC would be able to gauge the hardware components they'd require based on the games they want to play. Ultimately, that should make it easier to budget and buy the right PC for their needs, avoiding overspending (or underspending for that matter).

It's possible this new feature will be brought in for the release of the Steam Machine — and we can only hope that launch happens soon.

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