Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
To display FPS and hardware statistics in a game, install MSI Afterburner with RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS), select the metrics in Settings → Monitoring, enable Show in On-Screen Display, and apply the changes. Afterburner collects the readings; RTSS draws them over the game. Both programs must remain running while you play. You can show live framerate, frametime, GPU and CPU load, temperatures, power, clocks, memory use, and RAM use. Average FPS and 1% low FPS are separate benchmark metrics that appear only while Afterburner’s benchmark recording is active.
How do I show FPS and stats in MSI Afterburner?
The complete setup takes place in Afterburner’s Monitoring and On-Screen Display tabs, followed by a check that RTSS is running. Use this sequence:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Recommended Free Tools
- Install MSI Afterburner and include RivaTuner Statistics Server.
- Open Afterburner, click the gear icon, and choose Settings.
- Open Monitoring, select each metric you want, and enable Show in On-Screen Display for it.
- Click Apply, then open the On-Screen Display tab and assign a toggle key such as Scroll Lock.
- Close the Settings window, leave both Afterburner and RTSS running, and launch the game.
Selecting a metric only adds it to Afterburner’s monitoring list. It will not appear over a game until its On-Screen Display option is enabled.
What do MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server each do?
Afterburner is the monitoring and configuration interface. It samples the GPU, CPU, memory and frame data you choose. RTSS is the overlay renderer: it places those readings on top of a running game and provides the controls for size, position, color, fill and graph presentation.
Popular on Amazon
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
MSI’s support guide states that RTSS is required to display hardware monitoring data. Its setup guidance also warns that both applications must run in the background for monitoring data to be visible in games. If Afterburner is open but RTSS is not, the monitoring graphs may update in the desktop window while the in-game overlay remains absent.
“To display hardware monitoring data, you need to have ‘RivaTuner Statistics Server’ installed.”
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
How should I install Afterburner and RTSS safely?
Download the installer only from MSI.com or Guru3D. MSI warns that modified installers on phishing sites can steal data, so avoid download mirrors, “cracked” packages and installers offered through unsolicited pop-ups. Install the latest graphics-card driver before testing a newly installed card, and use the current Afterburner release available from one of those two sources.
- Run the Afterburner installer.
- When the component list appears, keep RivaTuner Statistics Server selected. Without it, the overlay component is missing.
- Finish installation and allow both applications to start if the installer offers that option.
- Restart Windows after installing a new graphics-card driver if the card is not recognized.
A second monitor can make the settings window and a game easier to view at the same time, but it is a convenience rather than a requirement.
Which metrics can I put on the overlay?
Choose only the readings that answer the question you are investigating. A compact set is easier to read during play; a longer list is useful when diagnosing heat, power or frame-pacing problems.
| Metric | What it tells you | Typical reason to enable it |
|---|---|---|
| Framerate | Current frames per second | Checking live performance |
| Frametime | Time taken to render each frame | Finding uneven frame pacing when FPS looks acceptable |
| GPU usage | How heavily the graphics processor is being used | Distinguishing a GPU-limited scene from an underused GPU |
| GPU temperature | Current graphics-card temperature | Watching heat during long sessions |
| GPU Power | Graphics-card power draw reported by the card | Seeing whether a workload is reaching the card’s power limit |
| GPU memory usage | Video-memory consumption | Checking whether texture or resolution settings are consuming VRAM |
| GPU memory clock | Current video-memory frequency | Confirming that memory clocks respond to load |
| CPU usage | Processor utilization | Identifying a processor-limited scene |
| CPU clock | Current processor frequency | Checking clock behavior while a game is running |
| CPU temperature | Reported processor temperature | Monitoring processor heat |
| RAM usage | System-memory consumption | Checking whether other applications are consuming available memory |
| Framerate Avg | Average FPS accumulated during benchmark recording | Comparing a repeatable run |
| Framerate 1% Low | A benchmark summary of the slowest one-percent portion of recorded frames | Spotting poor sustained smoothness that an average hides |
How do I select a metric and make it appear in-game?
Afterburner has two separate controls for every monitored item. The checkmark in the Monitoring list tells Afterburner to collect the value. Show in On-Screen Display tells it to send that value to RTSS for drawing over a game. You need both.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Click the gear icon in the main Afterburner window.
- Select the Monitoring tab.
- In the hardware-monitoring graph list, click the item you want, such as Framerate or GPU temperature.
- Enable Show in On-Screen Display for that selected item.
- Repeat for every GPU, CPU, memory or frame metric you need.
- Click Apply and then OK or close the Settings window.
For a first test, select Framerate, Frametime, GPU usage and GPU temperature. Add power, memory, clocks, CPU readings or RAM only when they answer a specific troubleshooting question; otherwise the overlay can become difficult to scan.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How do I assign a key to show or hide the overlay?
The toggle key is configured separately from the metrics. Open the gear icon, choose Settings → On-Screen Display, click the hotkey field, press Scroll Lock (or another unused key), and apply the change.
Close the Settings window before testing the key in a game. MSI notes that global hotkeys do not function while the Settings window is open, which can make a correctly assigned key appear broken. Once Settings is closed, pressing the assigned key should show or hide the RTSS overlay while the game is running.
How do I record average FPS and 1% low FPS?
Framerate Avg and Framerate 1% Low are not continuously displayed live like the ordinary Framerate counter. They update during Afterburner’s benchmark recording mode.
- Open the gear icon and choose Settings → Benchmark.
- Assign F9 to Begin recording.
- Assign Shift+F9 to End recording.
- Make sure Framerate Avg and Framerate 1% Low are selected in the Monitoring tab and have Show in On-Screen Display enabled.
- Launch the game or benchmark and press F9 at the point where you want measurement to begin.
- Play the same route or run the same test for each comparison.
- Press Shift+F9 to stop recording. The values pause at the end of the run.
- Press F9 again to start a fresh measurement.
Use the same scene, graphics settings and run length when comparing two settings. The displayed figures describe the frames captured during that recording; they are not population statistics or a guarantee of performance in every part of a game.
How can I make the overlay easier to read?
Click the More button in Afterburner’s On-Screen Display tab to open RTSS. RTSS handles the visual presentation independently of which metrics Afterburner collects.
Choose a corner or precise position
RTSS can place the overlay in a corner or at a position you choose. A corner placement keeps it out of the center of the action; a movable position is useful when a game’s HUD occupies a corner or when subtitles overlap the readings.
Increase size and contrast
Use RTSS’s zoom or size control when text is too small at your game’s resolution. Enable a fill behind the text and adjust fill opacity when bright scenes make the readings disappear. A semitransparent background usually preserves more of the game image than an opaque block.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Switch between text and graph modes
Each metric’s OSD mode can be changed from text to text, graph. Text mode is the most compact choice for a simple FPS counter. Text-plus-graph mode adds a visual history that makes short frame-time spikes or utilization changes easier to notice, but it consumes more screen space.
Group and rename entries
GPU and CPU entries can be grouped or renamed with Override group name. Grouping keeps related readings together, while a short custom label can make a multi-GPU or multi-sensor layout easier to understand.
Which overlay layout should I choose?
The best layout depends on whether you need a quick glance or a diagnostic record. These choices are complementary rather than mutually exclusive.
| Goal | Recommended presentation | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Check FPS while playing | Framerate in text mode, placed in an unused corner | Shows the current rate but not its recent history |
| Investigate stutter | Framerate and Frametime in text-plus-graph mode | Uses more space and needs a readable size |
| Watch temperatures | GPU temperature, CPU temperature and usage grouped by device | More entries require careful positioning |
| Compare two settings | Framerate plus benchmark Avg and 1% Low, recorded with the same route | Requires starting and stopping a benchmark run |
| Avoid a crowded HUD | Compact text in a free corner with modest zoom | Less visual context than a graph |
Why is the MSI Afterburner OSD not showing?
Work through the checks in order. Most failures come from a missing RTSS installation, an unselected display option or a hotkey tested at the wrong time.
No overlay appears at all
- Confirm that RivaTuner Statistics Server was installed alongside Afterburner.
- Check that both Afterburner and RTSS are running in the background before launching the game.
- Return to Settings → Monitoring, select the metric and verify both the monitoring checkmark and Show in On-Screen Display.
- Apply the changes, close Settings, and relaunch the game if necessary.
The toggle key does nothing
Close the Settings window before pressing the global hotkey. MSI specifically notes that global hotkeys are inactive while that window is open. If the key still conflicts with the game, return to the On-Screen Display tab and assign another unused key.
Average FPS or 1% low is blank
Those fields remain blank or unchanged until benchmark recording starts. Press the assigned begin-recording key, F9 in MSI’s example, then stop with Shift+F9 to pause the completed values.
A new graphics card is not recognized
Install the graphics-card driver and restart Windows. MSI says Afterburner should recognize the card after the driver installation and restart. If it still does not appear, verify that you installed a current Afterburner version from MSI.com or Guru3D rather than a modified package.
Also popular on Amazon
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
A particular game blocks the overlay
Some games do not display the RTSS overlay. Use Windows Game Bar as a fallback: open the Game Bar, choose Widget Menu → Performance, pin the Performance widget, and return to the game. MSI also mentions HWiNFO as another monitoring option when the normal OSD path is unavailable.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe readings are present but hard to read
Open RTSS with Afterburner’s More button. Move the overlay away from the game’s HUD, increase zoom or size, and enable a fill with adjusted opacity. If a graph is overwhelming the screen, switch the affected metric back to text mode.
What is the difference between live FPS and benchmark FPS?
The ordinary Framerate metric is a live reading that changes as the scene changes. It is useful for checking the immediate effect of a setting, a crowded area or a sudden hitch.
Framerate Avg and Framerate 1% Low summarize a defined recording interval. They are useful when you repeat the same route or benchmark and need a single comparison, but they do not replace the live counter: a run can have a reasonable average while still containing noticeable frame-time spikes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should I use frametime, GPU usage and CPU usage together?
FPS alone tells you how many frames arrive per second; Frametime shows the time spacing between frames. Displaying both can reveal uneven delivery that an FPS number smooths over.
- High GPU usage alongside a lower framerate usually indicates that the graphics processor is carrying the workload. Resolution, quality settings or a frame-rate target are the next settings to examine.
- Low GPU usage with high CPU usage can indicate a processor-limited scene, a simulation-heavy area or another process competing for CPU time.
- Temperature and power readings add context: a clock or utilization change is easier to interpret when you can see whether heat or reported GPU Power changed at the same time.
- GPU memory usage and RAM usage show different pools. Video-memory consumption concerns the graphics card; RAM usage concerns system memory.
These readings describe what the selected sensors report during your run. They do not by themselves prove which game setting caused a limitation, so change one setting at a time and repeat the same test route.
Can Windows Game Bar replace RTSS?
Game Bar’s Performance widget is a practical fallback when a specific game does not show the RTSS overlay. Pin the widget from Widget Menu → Performance so its readings remain visible.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
It is not the same configuration path as Afterburner and RTSS: the Game Bar widget is separate, while RTSS offers the detailed placement, zoom, fill, opacity and text-versus-graph controls described above. Use Game Bar when compatibility is the priority; use RTSS when you need a customized overlay and Afterburner’s full metric selection.
What is the most reliable setup for comparing game settings?
- Choose a repeatable scene, route or built-in benchmark.
- Keep the game resolution, quality settings, driver version and background applications unchanged between runs.
- Display Framerate and Frametime for immediate feedback.
- Enable Framerate Avg and Framerate 1% Low, start recording with F9 and stop with Shift+F9.
- Record each setting for the same duration, then compare the completed values.
- Use GPU, CPU, temperature, power and memory readings to explain why the figures changed, rather than treating one number as a complete diagnosis.
Starting a fresh F9 recording resets the measurement for the next run. This keeps one test from contaminating the next comparison.
What should remain running while I play?
Keep MSI Afterburner and RTSS running in the background for the entire period in which you want an in-game overlay. Closing either application removes the collection or rendering part of the pipeline. You can close them after leaving the game when you no longer need the overlay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the overlay without recording a benchmark?
Yes. Framerate, Frametime, utilization, temperatures, power, clocks and memory readings work as live metrics without benchmark recording. Only the Avg and 1% Low benchmark fields require you to start a recording.
Does switching to graph mode change the measured FPS?
No. Graph mode changes how RTSS presents a selected metric; it does not turn the metric into a different measurement. If the graph makes the overlay too large, keep the same metric in text mode.
Why do my benchmark numbers change between two runs of the same game?
The values describe the frames captured during each recording interval, so a different route, scene, background load or run length changes what is summarized. Start and stop each run at comparable points and keep other conditions unchanged.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Can I use a different key instead of Scroll Lock and F9?
Yes. The keys in MSI’s example are assignments, not requirements. Choose unused keys in the On-Screen Display and Benchmark tabs, then close Settings before testing global hotkeys.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
