Valve is experimenting with a new feature that adds more context to user reviews on Steam: optional PC hardware details. The update, currently available in the Steam beta client, allows reviewers to attach system specifications to their game reviews, helping readers understand how performance may vary across different machines.
Game reviews can often swing wildly depending on the hardware used. A title that runs smoothly on a high-end gaming rig may struggle on older or lower-powered devices. With the new feature, reviewers can include automated system information instead of manually listing their specs, offering readers clearer insight into performance expectations.
The hardware-spec option is disabled by default and entirely optional. Valve appears mindful of privacy concerns, as sharing detailed system information could contribute to digital fingerprinting. Users can also save multiple hardware configurations, which may be useful for those who play across devices such as gaming PCs, laptops, and handheld systems like the Steam Deck.
At the moment, while users in the beta can attach their specs when writing reviews, those details are not yet visible to readers. Early testing suggests the data is being saved behind the scenes, with public visibility likely to be added once the feature exits beta testing and rolls out more widely.
The feature is currently live only in the Steam beta build. Users on the standard client can try it by opting into the beta through Steam’s settings menu under the Interface section and enabling Client Beta Participation.