I'm a PC gamer and I wish I knew about these 5 Steam apps to boost my gaming setup
This article is part of Tom's Guide's inaugural Gaming Week, an entire week of content dedicated to all things gaming. From insights into the latest hardware, guides to the best games you can play today, to the essential accessories we can't play without. Tom's Guide Gaming Week will guide you through the world of video games in 2025.
There's more to PC gaming than just downloading one of the best PC games and plunging into hours of gameplay. I mean, that's what I've done for years, but there's frame rates, streaming, storage and an element of style to think about once you invest in a PC gaming setup.
There's more to Valve's essential Steam than just games, as there are many tools (free and paid) that will not only give your gaming laptop or PC a makeover, but will also help improve gaming performance, save precious space, make navigation around multitasking easier and even improve streaming capabilties — and that last one's for free.
We've gone through the hidden features on Steam you should know about, but what of the apps on Valve's popular gaming platform? Here are the tools you should check out if you're looking to give your gaming setup a boost.
If you haven't heard of Lossless Scaling before, now's the time to learn about it. Even though there are Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs with DLSS 4 and Multi Frame Gen, we've seen how those GPUs come at an awful high price. With this Steam app, however, you can essentially triple frame rates in PC games for less than $10/£10.
Using a variety of scaling options, Lossless Scaling can enhance your native PC gaming experience and bump up frame rates for much richer, smoother gameplay. We've noted that the app's frame gen isn't as fine-tuned as other big-brand companies like Nvidia's DLSS or AMD's FSR, but for single-player experiences in massive titles like Cypberpunk 2077, there is a negligible difference here.
We recommend using the 'LSFG 2.2.' frame generation option, then select the 'X2' option in the 'Mode' tab.
If you're looking to seriously upgrade your desktop's look, chances are PC buffs will point you straight to Wallpaper Engine. This isn't just some basic wallpaper app; it's a powerhouse backed by a massive community of artists churning out thousands of eye-popping themes and live wallpapers.
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Want to tweak them to perfection? Go right ahead. Plus, it's got all the bells and whistles to turn your favorite static pics into slick animated backdrops.
While it might not be the ultimate gaming companion compared to some others out there, for anyone who loves tricking out their PC with awesome visuals, Wallpaper Engine is the way to go.
If you're just getting started on streaming all the game you play, OBS Studio is a fantastic way to start. Why? Well, for livestreaming or video recording all the one-of-a-kind headshots you pull off, it's completely free.
Really, it's a great way to record gameplay videos to save to your hard drive to share with anyone, but it also offers a simple way to mix and match all your captured content and share it on multiple popular platforms, whether it be YouTube, Twitch, TikTok or whatever.
It's extremely versatile, with support for hardware encoders for different GPUs, audio and video mixers that can be used from multiple sources captured and it also boasts a simplistic interface to make getting to grips with it accessible for all.
Who said scrolling on your mouse was just for, well, scrolling? It may be the simplest app around, but JustScroll does everything it says it does, and that's to easily control your PC's volume but scrolling with your mouse. Simple, yet effective, no?
Whether you're gaming away or watching the latest shows and there's just a little too much noise coming from those speakers that your neighbours would be upset by, all you have to do is press the Windows Key and scroll. You can also hover over the Windows taskbar and scroll up or down to your heart's content.
That's it. There's a demo available, and while spending $2/£2 is a tad annoying just to have the feature active, all in all, it isn't much if you're looking for an easy way to adjust your volume with ease.
There's many a gaming laptop that doesn't have fast-reaching volume control buttons without pressing a function key or something of the like. But if you want to put your best gaming mouse of choice to good use, this app will do the trick.
This one's for the old-school gamers. Whether I'm running Return to Castle Wolfenstein or X-Men Legends, some games (understandably) aren't well optimized for modern systems. That's where Borderless Gaming comes in, as it forces games to deliver that borderless, fullscreen experience on your PC no matter what the application.
Yes, many modern games come with a fullscreen option, but not all the classics comes with this option. If in doubt, this app will help you out. It can even hide the irritating taskbar if classic titles don't get rid of it.
Plus, if you're a multitasker that often uses Alt + Tab, you can lock your mouse cursor to the game window just in case you accidentally press something outside the game. Even better, there's the option to mute games in the background while you go about scrolling through the web for guides (what I do) and more.
Are you always looking for extra space on your gaming PC? Well, if you play AAA gaming titles on the regular, you always will be. No matter your gaming PC and how big your storage is, there's only so much space to fit titles like Doom: The Dark Ages at 100GB, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at 55GB and The Last of Us Part II Remastered with 150GB.
That's where CompressorX comes in. This Steam app will compress gaming apps on Steam and shave off precious gigabytes on those large gaming files. I wrote about how the Steam app saved me 100GB of storage by compressing my gaming files (some better than others), but it's also come under scrutiny for just using New Technology File System (NTFS) compression that's already on Windows 11 (which is free to use).
I got in touch with the developer of the app, and this is what he told me:
"CompressorX is based on an earlier version of our LLM Compressor, which was developed at my AI lab in Tokyo. The model is specifically designed to minimize empirical risk across a large dataset while being lightweight enough to operate efficiently on a CPU.
"For transparent compression, we apply a 'hot patch' technique to modify parts of Windows, allowing us to replace functions within the existing compression layer. If CompressorX determines that its results would be inferior to a native algorithm like LZX, it defaults to using that instead. This is achieved by running both algorithms concurrently and comparing their outcomes. You can explore a database of these results here.
"An updated version of the model is currently in use by our enterprise clients for compressing data on their cloud storage. My goal is to release this improved model on Steam once I complete development of the background service functionality and add support for non-gaming applications, which I anticipate finalizing in Q3."
If you want to check out CompressorX, it will save you on storage space. However, there are other ways to achieve this for free, like using compressions tools on Windows or CompactGUI.
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Tom's Guide
4 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I used to think Nikons were only for grandpas — but the Z5II just converted me
Listen, I'm not a Nikon hater. In fact, I own two vintage Nikon film cameras (only one of which now works). I know as well as anyone that Nikon makes some of the best cameras, which produce lovely images. As it happens, we also use two Nikon Z7IIs for our product photography here in the Tom's Guide U.K. review studio. And that's precisely because of the imaging excellence — the 45MP sensor gives plenty of space for cropping, and Nikkor glass is sharp enough to meet professional standards. However, I've just never really felt compelled to buy a modern Nikon. I know this is subjective, but they're just, well… boring. The Z f aside, today's Nikons don't have the charm of Fujifilm, or the cool 'content creator' factor of Sony. I genuinely don't ever remember seeing a young person with a Nikon. When I think of Nikon cameras, I see the Toyota Corolla. Well made, competent at its job, prime taxi fodder. But hardly a buttock-clenching drive. A grandad car. It's really difficult to fault the Nikon Z5II, especially on value for money. While it doesn't offer some of the elite features of its bigger brother, the Z6III, there's still plenty of pro features on offer here at a surprisingly low price tag. This week, though, I may have finally shaken my Nikon prejudice. I've spent the last few days testing the Nikon Z5II for my upcoming review, and I'm really struggling to think of reasons why you wouldn't buy this camera. Maybe it's that I'm older now than I ever have been. Or maybe it's because the Z5II offers simply unbeatable value for money. We loved the Nikon Z6III when we tested it last year. It's a true professional hybrid, jam-packed full of pro features for both stills and video. I'm talking subject detection AF, 120fps drive, 6K internal RAW internal. It's a damned powerhouse. The Z5II is not that. But neither is it far off. My personal camera — currently a Fujifilm X-T5 — is used for architecture photography (my hobby) and location product photography (my work). I don't need all the features of the Z6III, but I do need beautiful images, dual card slots, IBIS, strong subject detection AF and excellent handling when shooting at pace. Like the $2,499 Z6III, the Z5II delivers all of those things, only at a much, much lower price tag of $1,699. If you're an enthusiast, semi-professional or even a pro photographer, the Z5II offers a hell of a lot for the money, and ought to be top of your shortlist. The closest non-Nikon competitor is the $2,199 Canon EOS R6 Mark II, which is very similarly specced. The Canon's AF is in a different league, but that's not to say the Z5II's is poor. And I'm not sure the delta between the two is worth the $500 Canon premium. Of course, there's the higher-res Sony A7 IV, the 33MP king of the mid-market full frame domain. But with an MSRP of $2,499, the Z5II likewise has the A7IV undercut so heavily that it's difficult to justify spending that much more for 8.5 more megapixels. Two days into testing, I took the Z5II on a press trip to Frankfurt, photographing a new product at a busy event full of other journalists and content creators. It was a bit of a scramble getting to the product, and when I did, I was usually at an odd angle. In those situations, a camera must handle intuitively — you don't have time to be messing around finding settings. The Z5II was one of the easiest cameras I've used on shoot. The grip is comfortable, the layout sensible. Almost all of the rear is remappable, and instead of locating Fn buttons along the top plate, as you'll find on many of the best mirrorless cameras, there are two Fn buttons inside the grip, near the lens — just like the Fujifilm GFX100 II. 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Poignantly, the camera world is currently in the midst of debating the Fujifilm X-E5, which costs $1,699 body only. As an X-E lover, that price tag has me sorely disappointed anyway, but especially so when considering how much camera you're getting for the same money with the Z5II. Counter to my age-related jibes earlier on, I actually think the Z5II is the ideal camera for young photographers, too. Straight out of a photography course, or upgrading to your first full frame mirrorless for commissions? What an incredible investment the Z5II would make to help your career blossom. Have I just become a Nikon shooter? I'm closer to 40 than 20 now, I guess, so it would make sense.
Tom's Guide
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Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge vs. Shark HydroVac Floor Cleaner — which one wins?
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As Homes editor at Tom's Guide, I've tested my fair share of wet and dry vacuums, including the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge and Shark HydroVac MessMaster 3-in-1 Floor cleaner on my hard floors. And while these are both popular brands on the market, which wet-and-dry vacuum is better? In fact, choosing between the two will all depend on your needs and budget. And despite only having a $100 price difference, you'll find that both have unique functions. The Bissell stands out for having a separate vacuum-only mode, while the Shark HydroVac MessMaster has odor neutralizer technology. Both have self-cleaning functions which are always handy for hygiene, convenience and long-term maintenance. To help you decide which wet-and-dry cleaner is right for your home however, here's our Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge vs. Shark HydroVac Floor Cleaner verdict. The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge cleaner is available for $399 on Amazon. In contrast, the Shark HydroVac Messmaster currently costs $249 on Amazon and on Shark's website. That's not a huge price difference, however, so you'll need to consider both specs, and types of flooring. Also, look out for deals, as these models are often on sale. Shark HydroVac Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge Price $299 $399 Weight 8 pounds 10 pounds Water tank capacity 0.38 quarts 1 quart Battery runtime Up to 35 minutes Up to 30 minutes The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge has a sleek, slimline design and smallish floorhead. It comes with a motorized wet/dry roller heads that pick up liquids and debris. The handle is easy to grip, with four push buttons that include the power, dry-vac mode, hydration mode and self-cleaning cycle. There's also an intuitive LCD screen that gives you real-time information about when to fill the water tank, levels of hydration and battery indicator. Perhaps, the only downsides are that the CrossWave OmniForce Edge doesn't come with extra accessories, such as a spare brush roller —just a charging pad. And it doesn't have any smart features. However, this isn't a real deal breaker. Despite its slim appearance though, Bissell's vacuum is heavier than the Shark HydroVac, weighing in at 10 pounds. On the other hand, the Shark HydroVac cleaner has a more attractive, sturdy design with a nice rose-gold color. It also comes with two, antibacterial brush rollers, and there's an odor neutralizer feature to banish lingering odors. Like all wet-and-dry vacs, both come with a two-tank system — one for clean water and the dirty water canister. Bissell's tank is noticeably larger than the Shark's, which you might want to consider if you have a lot of heavy-duty cleaning to do. What's more, they both have a self-rinse system, that ensures the vacuums remain clean and always in top-notch condition. This also means you'll never have to get your hands messy, when handling dirty water. In addition, it's simple to detach the brush rollers should you need to deep clean or replace. In terms of who wins, however, the Shark HydroVac MessMaster floor cleaner is certainly more eye-catching, and appealing. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster Setting up the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge was super easy, and took just minutes. You simply detach the water canister from the vacuum body, fill to the line with clean water, and add the cleaning solution that is provided. The power button on the handle turns on the LCD display that gives you basic indicators like the battery indicator, hydration levels and when to fill or empty the water tanks. It also took me by surprise with its signature "chime," as you power it on and off. Unlike the Shark floor cleaner, the clear, dirty tank is located at the front of the cleaner, and it's easy to detach the tank and empty out after use. The Shark HydroVac is also easy to set up with a simple click-and-lock. Bear in mind the water tank is located at the front of the cleaner, and it also comes with Shark's own multi-surface solution to add. Similarly, the power button on the handle turns on the LCD display's handy indicators like the battery level, but lacks any advanced settings like hydration levels or Max mode in comparison. What's more, the Shark HydroVac felt more comfortable to handle and tilt back with ease. Perhaps, my favorite feature is the HydroVac's self-propelled function, that gives it a little "boost," making it easier to push across hard floors. The Shark HydroVac is also lighter to carry around the home compared to the Bissell — which is ideal for those with stairs. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster I'll admit, this was a close call, as both models had sufficient power to clean my hardwood and tiled floors. However, which cleaner ultimately out-performed the other? Firstly, the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge has the edge (no pun intended) of including an option to dry-vacuum only, which is a good selling point for me. This meant that I could use it for sucking up heavy-duty messes (without making a sopping mess), before deep washing the floors. While I was impressed that the CrossWave OmniForce was able to remove light dust, dirt and minor marks, it struggled to remove stubborn stains like dried mud from the yard,or even a coffee stain. I found that I often needed to go over these areas a few times to ensure they were spotless. In any case, its "Zero Gap" edge cleaning, tackled the edges of baseboards and along kitchen units better than expected. Plus, the cleaner didn't leave behind any dirty streaks. Perhaps the only caveats are that the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge lacked a swivel head mechanism, and struggled getting into awkward angles. And it's noisier than the Shark HydroVac (and louder on Max mode). For that reason, you might have to consider the time and household members before cleaning your floors. On the other hand, the Shark HydroVac swivel head and self-propelled feature made it far easier to maneuver across floors, easily tackling marks and dirt with minimal effort. In comparison, it seemed to give a quicker clean, removing dirt and stubborn stains in less time. In just one or two sweeps, my white tiles were looking spotless and brand new. Again, the Shark HydroVac didn't leave behind any dirty streaks, and floors were dry in less than a minute. Another feature I liked was that the Shark HydroVac comes with odor neutralizers and an antibacterial roller to eliminate germs, and musty lingering odors in the air. I also preferred the model's "refresh" mode to clean my bathroom rug thoroughly, without soaking it. That makes it a convenient feature, especially if your rugs are not machine washable. Since both have self-cleaning features, this process takes about a minute. However, the Shark HydroVac's was noisier while in operation — so it's best to refrain from having a conversation! Still, it's a small sacrifice to make for refreshed floors. Overall, I was impressed by the Shark HydroVac cleaner's performance and versatility at tackling heavy-duty dirt on all types of flooring. As for drying time, both didn't leave behind wet streaks or patches, and floors seemed to dry fast. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster For those with mainly hard flooring, both of these wet-and-dry vacuum cleaners prove to be great contenders. The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Edge scores top marks for its pick-up power, dry-vacuum mode, and versatility. But while it did a decent job for light clean-ups, it struggled with heavy-duty mess and tricky corners/angles. However, the Shark HydroVac impressed me with its power and speed at quickly removing stubborn, sticky stains. It could also handle ridged tiles with ease, and did a great job at cleaning area rugs. What's more, it is lighter to carry around the home, and looks stylish, too. Bear in mind that neither floor cleaner comes with an app or smart features. But if these are things you're after, the Tineco Floor One S5 Extreme is a good option. However, if you're simply after a powerful clean, and fuss-free operation, I'd recommend the Shark HydroVac Floor floor cleaner to get the job done well. Winner: Shark HydroVac MessMaster
Gizmodo
a day ago
- Gizmodo
This Case Forced Me to Completely Rethink How I Handle the Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 is currently the featherweight champion of gaming handhelds—though largely because nobody can enter its weight class. No other device of its size—whether it's a handheld PC or another retro device—can slip so easily into a backpack without weighing you down, like you're lugging a sack of bricks around through every train station and airport terminal. That slim design comes with its own heap of drawbacks. The Switch 2 is a thin device with narrow edges that tends to dig into your palms. I've tried a smorgasbord of various cases with the Switch 2, but only Dbrand's Killswitch case has reinvented the console's ergonomics and kept it usable. The case tacks on extra bulk to Nintendo's design, making it extra comfortable and extra heavy. Until better alternatives come along, the Killswitch is how I plan to game with my Switch 2 going forward, even if my arms and back will complain later. Dbrand Killswitch Case for Switch 2 The Killswitch case is the best we've used to change the Switch 2 ergonomics, but at the expense of easy docking to a TV. Pros Cons Dbrand's Killswitch was one of the more popular covers for devices like Steam Deck. Valve's handheld is a more ergonomic device than Nintendo's, and the Killswitch merely extends the grips for larger hands while protecting the device's back and side plates. The version made for Switch 2 upends the look, weight, and feel of Nintendo's new handheld. Once you wrap the case around the Switch 2's screen and each individual Joy-Con 2, the handheld suddenly feels like something you'll actually want to hold. The case lets your ring fingers sit on a shelf while your pointer digits handle the trigger and bumper buttons. The texture for each rubberized Joy-Con 2 cover keeps your hands from slipping off. With the Joy-Con 2 controllers detached, I didn't need to wrap my finger lengthwise around the SR button or mouse sensor like I typically do without the case. The only downside is that the Joy-Con 2 covers don't sit completely flush with the controllers. Since the controllers are more side-heavy, you'll want the covers to make easy use of mouse controls. The Joy-Con 2's slim design doesn't allow for a comfortable, ergonomic feel in mouse mode. With the grips on the Killswitch, my fingers found a much more amenable position whether I was swiping on my couch's armrest or the end table in front of me. By itself, the $60 Killswitch case makes the Switch 2 much bulkier than it is normally. It's so big, it won't fit into the official dock. The kit comes with an extra dock adapter you slip over the dock's USB-C port. To hook the Switch 2 up to a TV, you need to hover the handheld's exposed USB port over the male USB-C end and eyeball your unit until you can line it up correctly. It's an awkward way to fix a problem created by the case itself. You can keep the main plate off the Switch 2 if you intend to dock as you would normally. If you do, make sure you don't adhere the kickstand protector to the handheld. Even that small piece of plastic makes the Switch 2 too thick to fit into the dock. That also means if you plan to be traveling with the dock to a friend's house, you need to take the dock adapter, too. If you are going to be running around with the Switch 2, you'll also want to opt for the $80 Travel version of the case that comes with a large plastic cover and magnetically attached game card holder. The cover uses a bungee cord to wrap around the Killswitch case to hold everything in place, though you'll need to unlatch it to access the Switch 2's bottom USB-C port. The game card bandolier held onto my cards no matter how much it tumbled around in my backpack, though the magnets may be almost too strong, as it takes finger-straining force to remove it from the cover. All together, the Killswitch case makes the Switch 2 feel more comfortable to hold for longer. It also makes the device feel heavier, more than if you had merely stuck your device into a slim, felt-lined case. I haven't had the opportunity to check out Nintendo's official $40 Carry Case & Screen Protector or the company's $85 All-In-One case. As of writing this page, in order to get one, you have to register your interest with Nintendo, then hope you get called up to be the first to go hands-on. Thankfully, you have so many options if you would prefer something lighter. I've received $20 cases from both Snakebyte and Power-A for testing. If you can find them in stock, either one will serve you well with sturdy covers. Each has enough space for 10 game cards apiece. If it weren't for the need for a dock adapter, the Killswitch would be an easy case to recommend. The dock has caused havoc with other accessory makers' case designs. Genki also sent me its $50 Attack Vector case and grips, which could have made Nintendo's new console more ergonomic without needing a case. In that time, both I and other early users quickly identified an issue where the Attack Vector fits too snug inside the dock. This could potentially damage the screen if you force it down too hard into the slot. In an email, Genki related this to 'production-related issues' and said it was working on a new version to address those problems. We'll have to revisit Genki's alternative another time. If you're truly keen to protect your device, you'll also need a screen cover. Nintendo's Switch 2 comes stock with a thin plastic film over the glass screen. While this is designed to prevent your Switch 2's display from shattering into a thousand tiny pieces, it also leaves the device more scratch-prone than other, similar devices. It was the same problem with the display on the Switch OLED, which also used this plastic film. You're better off finding a screen protector for your Switch 2, and I've already tried several so you can get an idea which one is best. Genki sent along its $20 Aegis Shield protector, while Dbrand provided us with its $35 Prism 2.0 ($20 if you buy it alongside the Killswitch). Both offer very similar plastic plates to help you line up the screen protector with the Switch 2 display. You only need to clean the screen with a microfiber cloth and alcohol wipes, plant the plastic piece over the console, and then pull the slip of plastic film back to reveal the actual screen protector. Both work well enough, but depending on how straight you pull back on the internal protector, you may still be left with air bubbles you need to manually squeegee out. High-end accessories inevitably make the $450 Switch 2 cost more. Just remember, cheaper cases aren't necessarily worse. If you want a lightweight console, you'll want a case that's more mundane.
