Want to see your FPS, GPU temperature, GPU usage, CPU usage, RAM usage, and other performance stats while playing a game? MSI Afterburner makes it easy to put those numbers directly on your screen through an On-Screen Display (OSD).
Using MSI Afterburner to display FPS and performance statistics is a straightforward way to understand what your PC is doing while you game. The main process is to install MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server, open Settings > Monitoring, select your desired metrics, and enable Show in On-Screen Display.
After that, configure an OSD hotkey, launch your game, and press the shortcut to display your statistics. You can then use RTSS to adjust the overlay’s size and position.
In this guide, I’m going to explain everything in detail; you will be glad to read it!
Display FPS and Stats using MSI Afterburner [Easy Steps]
To display FPS and system stats:
- Install MSI Afterburner with RivaTuner Statistics Server and launch both programs.
- Open MSI Afterburner > Settings > Monitoring, then select the performance metrics you want to monitor.
- Select Framerate, GPU temperature, GPU usage, CPU usage, RAM usage, or other desired statistics and enable Show in On-Screen Display for each one.
- Open the On-Screen Display tab and assign a convenient hotkey for turning the overlay on and off.
- Click Apply, launch your game, and use the assigned hotkey to display the statistics on your screen.
- Use RivaTuner Statistics Server to adjust the overlay’s size, position, and other display settings if necessary.
Below, I’ve explained each step in detail!
Step 1: Install MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server
Before configuring anything, make sure MSI Afterburner is installed on your Windows PC. During installation, you should also install RivaTuner Statistics Server, commonly called RTSS. RTSS is important because MSI Afterburner uses it to put monitoring information directly over your game.
If you already have MSI Afterburner installed, open it and check whether RivaTuner Statistics Server is also running. You can usually see the RTSS icon in the Windows notification area near the clock. If it is missing, your installation may not include it.
When installing MSI Afterburner, pay attention to the installation options instead of repeatedly clicking Next. Make sure the option for RivaTuner Statistics Server is selected. MSI specifically notes that RTSS is required for displaying hardware monitoring information through the OSD.
Also, download MSI Afterburner only from a legitimate source. MSI warns about fake websites distributing modified installers, so avoid random download pages that claim to offer the application.
Step 2: Open MSI Afterburner Settings
Launch MSI Afterburner after installation. You will see the main Afterburner window with controls for your graphics card, but you do not need to change any overclocking settings just to display FPS.
Look for the Settings button, usually represented by a gear icon. Click Settings to open the MSI Afterburner Properties window.
This window contains several tabs. For this guide, the two most important ones are Monitoring and On-Screen Display.
The Monitoring tab determines which statistics MSI Afterburner tracks, while the On-Screen Display tab controls the keyboard shortcut used to show or hide those statistics in your games.
Step 3: Open the Monitoring Tab
Inside the Settings window, select the Monitoring tab.
You will see a section containing several hardware monitoring graphs. Depending on your computer and graphics hardware, the available options can include GPU temperature, GPU usage, GPU core clock, GPU memory usage, CPU usage, CPU temperature, RAM usage, Framerate, and Frametime.
Do not worry if you see a long list. You only need to select the statistics that actually matter to you.
For a basic gaming overlay, Framerate, GPU temperature, GPU usage, CPU usage, CPU temperature, and RAM usage are good starting choices. If you want more detailed performance information, you can also monitor GPU power, GPU memory usage, GPU core clock, CPU clock, and Frametime.
MSI’s own documentation confirms that you can select individual monitoring values and then enable them for the OSD.
Step 4: Select Framerate to Display FPS
Now find Framerate in the monitoring list.
Click Framerate once so it becomes selected. Look below the monitoring list for the option labeled Show in On-Screen Display.
Enable that option.
You should see an indication that the framerate statistic is now configured for the OSD. This is the setting that tells MSI Afterburner, “Track this value and send it to the in-game overlay.”
If your only goal is displaying FPS, you can stop here with the monitoring selections. However, displaying a few additional values can make the overlay much more useful.
For example, if your game suddenly drops from 120 FPS to 60 FPS, knowing your GPU usage and CPU usage at that exact moment can help you understand what is happening.
Add GPU and CPU Statistics
Stay in the Monitoring tab and select the other statistics you want to see.
For example, select GPU temperature, then enable Show in On-Screen Display. Repeat the same process for GPU usage.
Next, select CPU temperature and CPU usage, and enable the same OSD option for each statistic.
You can also add RAM usage if you want to monitor system memory while gaming.
A simple gaming overlay might therefore contain FPS, GPU temperature, GPU usage, CPU temperature, CPU usage, and RAM usage. That gives you a useful snapshot without covering too much of the game screen.
Remember that selecting a statistic in the Monitoring list does not automatically mean it will appear in the game. You need to enable Show in On-Screen Display for each statistic you want displayed.
Click Apply to Save the Monitoring Settings
After selecting your desired statistics, click Apply.
This saves the monitoring configuration.
If you close the Settings window without applying your changes, you may not get the results you expect. So whenever you finish changing the monitoring options, make Apply your final click before moving on.
At this point, MSI Afterburner knows which information you want to monitor. The next step is configuring how you turn the OSD on and off while playing.
Set an OSD Hotkey
Open the On-Screen Display tab in the same Settings window.
Look for the section that allows you to assign a shortcut for Toggle On-Screen Display.
Click inside the hotkey field and press a key or key combination that you do not normally use while gaming. For example, you might choose a function key or another convenient shortcut.
MSI’s guide demonstrates assigning a keyboard shortcut to toggle the OSD and notes that global hotkeys work after the Settings window has been closed.
After choosing your shortcut, click Apply and then OK.
Your basic OSD configuration is now ready.
Launch Your Game and Turn On the OSD
Start the game where you want to monitor performance.
Once the game has loaded, press the OSD hotkey you configured in MSI Afterburner.
If everything is working correctly, your selected statistics should appear somewhere on the game screen. You should see your FPS along with any other metrics you selected.
For example, the overlay might show your framerate alongside GPU usage, GPU temperature, CPU usage, and RAM usage.
Do not be concerned if the overlay initially appears in a corner that you do not like. Its position and appearance can be adjusted through RivaTuner Statistics Server.
Adjust the OSD Position and Size with RTSS
If the overlay is too large, too small, or positioned awkwardly, open RivaTuner Statistics Server.
You can also reach RTSS through MSI Afterburner’s OSD settings by using the More option when available.
RTSS provides controls for changing the OSD size and position. MSI explains that its Zoom control can be used to adjust the size of the overlay, while the display position can be changed as needed.
Try placing the statistics in a relatively empty corner of the game screen. The upper-left or upper-right corner often works well, but the best position depends on the game.
Avoid making the text unnecessarily large. A compact overlay lets you monitor performance without distracting you from gameplay.
Test the Statistics During Gameplay
Now play for a few minutes and watch the numbers.
Your FPS tells you how many frames your system is producing. GPU usage shows how heavily your graphics processor is being used, while GPU temperature tells you how warm the graphics card is running.
Similarly, CPU usage and CPU temperature can help identify processor-related performance limitations.
You can also watch Frametime if you want a better understanding of smoothness. FPS tells you the average number of frames being produced at a given moment, while frametime represents how long each frame takes to render.
If your FPS looks high but gameplay still feels uneven, monitoring Frametime can provide additional information.
Customize the Overlay for Easier Reading
Once the basic overlay works, you can make it easier to read.
Open RTSS and adjust the OSD size using its available controls. You can also change its position so that it does not interfere with important game information.
MSI’s documentation also explains that RTSS can be used for additional OSD customization, including display sizing and positioning.
Keep the overlay simple when you’re first getting started. Adding every available statistic can quickly turn your screen into a wall of numbers. Start with FPS, GPU usage, GPU temperature, CPU usage, and CPU temperature, then add other metrics only when you actually need them.
Keep MSI Afterburner and RTSS Running
For the OSD to work during gameplay, MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server need to be running in the background.
If the overlay suddenly disappears, first check the Windows notification area and make sure both applications are still running.
If you want the monitoring tools available automatically after Windows starts, MSI provides an option to have Afterburner start with Windows. RTSS also needs to remain available for the OSD functionality.
Faqs
Can MSI Afterburner show FPS without overclocking?
Yes. You can use MSI Afterburner purely for monitoring. You do not need to change your GPU clock, voltage, or fan settings simply to display FPS.
Why is my FPS not showing in MSI Afterburner?
First, open MSI Afterburner > Settings > Monitoring and select Framerate. Make sure Show in On-Screen Display is enabled. Then check that RivaTuner Statistics Server is installed and running. Finally, verify that your OSD toggle hotkey is configured correctly.
Do I need RivaTuner Statistics Server?
Yes, for MSI Afterburner’s in-game OSD functionality, RivaTuner Statistics Server is required. MSI specifically states that RTSS is needed to display hardware monitoring data in games.
Can I display GPU temperature and usage along with FPS?
Yes. Go to Settings > Monitoring, select GPU temperature and GPU usage, and enable Show in On-Screen Display for both. You can repeat the process for CPU, RAM, frametime, clocks, and other available metrics.
Can I change where the FPS counter appears?
Yes. RivaTuner Statistics Server provides controls for changing the OSD’s position and size. This lets you move the overlay to a less distracting part of the screen.
Why does the overlay not appear in some games?
Some games or rendering configurations may interfere with OSD detection. If the overlay works in one game but not another, make sure Afterburner and RTSS are updated, both are running, and RTSS is configured correctly. MSI has also documented cases where specific games required updated RTSS support.
Can I show 1% low FPS with MSI Afterburner?
Yes. MSI Afterburner supports Framerate Avg and Framerate 1% Low monitoring. However, these benchmark-related values require benchmark recording to collect the relevant measurements rather than simply displaying the current FPS.