How Can I Display FPS, GPU, and CPU Usage on My PC?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Performance & Optimization

In today’s world of high-performance computing and immersive gaming, understanding how your system’s hardware is performing is more important than ever. Whether you’re a gamer striving for smooth gameplay, a content creator optimizing your workflow, or simply a tech enthusiast curious about your computer’s inner workings, knowing how to display FPS (frames per second) alongside GPU and CPU usage can provide invaluable insights. These metrics reveal how efficiently your system is running, helping you identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot issues, and make informed decisions about upgrades or settings adjustments.

Monitoring FPS gives you a real-time glimpse into the fluidity of your visual experience, while tracking GPU and CPU usage sheds light on how hard your graphics card and processor are working behind the scenes. Together, these statistics paint a comprehensive picture of your system’s performance, enabling you to balance visual quality with smooth operation. As hardware and software continue to evolve, having the right tools and knowledge to display these metrics becomes essential for maximizing your computer’s potential.

In the sections ahead, we’ll explore the various methods and tools available to help you easily display FPS, GPU, and CPU usage on your screen. Whether you prefer built-in software features or third-party applications, you’ll discover practical ways to keep an eye on your system’s health and performance in real

Using Software Tools to Monitor FPS, GPU, and CPU Usage

To effectively display FPS, GPU, and CPU usage, software tools are essential. These tools provide real-time metrics, allowing you to assess performance and troubleshoot bottlenecks. Below are some of the most widely used applications and their capabilities.

Popular Monitoring Software

  • MSI Afterburner: A versatile utility primarily for overclocking but also offers on-screen display (OSD) of FPS, GPU temperature, usage, and CPU usage. Compatible with most GPUs.
  • Rivatuner Statistics Server (RTSS): Often bundled with MSI Afterburner, RTSS enables customizable OSD overlays in games and benchmarks.
  • NVIDIA GeForce Experience: Provides an in-game overlay with FPS and GPU usage for NVIDIA GPU users, plus additional features like recording and streaming.
  • AMD Radeon Software: Offers performance monitoring tools for AMD GPUs, including FPS counters and detailed hardware usage.
  • Windows Task Manager: Basic monitoring for CPU and GPU usage, but without FPS display.
  • HWMonitor and HWiNFO: Detailed hardware monitoring tools but typically require external FPS counters.

Setting Up MSI Afterburner with RTSS for Real-Time Monitoring

  1. Download and install MSI Afterburner and RTSS.
  2. Launch MSI Afterburner and enable hardware monitoring for CPU and GPU metrics.
  3. In the “Monitoring” tab, select parameters such as GPU usage, GPU temperature, CPU usage, and frame rate.
  4. Enable the “Show in On-Screen Display” option for each parameter to see them in-game.
  5. Customize the overlay appearance via RTSS settings, including positioning, font size, and color.

This combination allows comprehensive real-time performance tracking without significant system overhead.

Interpreting FPS, GPU, and CPU Usage Data

Understanding the data displayed is crucial for diagnosing performance issues.

  • FPS (Frames Per Second): Indicates how many frames your system is rendering per second. A higher FPS means smoother gameplay or animation.
  • GPU Usage: Reflects the percentage of GPU resources currently being utilized. Consistently high usage near 100% suggests the GPU is the performance bottleneck.
  • CPU Usage: Shows how much processing power your CPU is using. If CPU usage is high while GPU usage is low, the CPU may be limiting performance.

Common Performance Scenarios

Scenario Possible Cause Suggested Action
Low FPS, GPU usage at 100% GPU bottleneck Lower graphics settings, upgrade GPU
Low FPS, CPU usage at 100% CPU bottleneck Close background apps, upgrade CPU
Low FPS, both CPU & GPU low Software or driver issue Update drivers, check for malware
High FPS, high CPU/GPU usage System is well balanced under load No action needed unless overheating

By analyzing these metrics together, you can pinpoint whether your hardware or software configuration is limiting performance and take appropriate measures.

Using Built-In Game or Application Overlays

Many modern games and applications include built-in overlays that display FPS and hardware usage without additional software. Enabling these features can be easier and more integrated.

  • Steam Overlay: Steam offers an FPS counter that can be enabled in settings under “In-Game” options.
  • Battle.net and Epic Games: These launchers provide FPS counters and basic performance stats.
  • In-Game Developer Console: Some games (e.g., Valve titles) allow FPS display via console commands like `net_graph 1`.
  • DirectX and Vulkan Debug Layers: For developers, these APIs provide tools to monitor GPU and CPU usage during application development.

Using these built-in overlays is ideal for quick checks and casual monitoring without installing extra software.

Hardware Monitoring Devices and Advanced Solutions

For professionals and enthusiasts who require precise and persistent monitoring beyond software overlays, hardware monitoring devices and advanced setups are available.

  • External Displays and LCD Panels: Devices that connect to the motherboard or GPU to show real-time metrics.
  • Custom PC Dashboards: Systems built with microcontrollers and sensors to provide detailed readouts.
  • Logging and Benchmarking Software: Programs like OCAT or FRAPS can record FPS and usage data over time for detailed analysis.
  • Integrated Motherboard Software: Some high-end motherboards offer proprietary software with hardware monitoring capabilities.

These advanced solutions are typically used in benchmarking, overclocking, and system diagnostics where accuracy and data logging are crucial.

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Methods to Display FPS, GPU, and CPU Usage

Monitoring your system’s performance metrics such as Frames Per Second (FPS), GPU, and CPU usage is essential for optimizing gaming and application performance. Multiple tools and software solutions exist, ranging from built-in overlays to third-party applications, each offering various levels of detail and customization.

Here are the most effective methods to display these metrics:

  • Using In-Game or Platform Overlays
  • Third-Party Monitoring Software
  • Operating System Utilities

In-Game or Platform Overlays

Many modern games and platforms provide built-in FPS counters and hardware monitoring overlays. These are convenient because they have minimal impact on system performance and integrate seamlessly.

  • Steam Overlay:
    • Access via Steam Settings > In-Game > Enable FPS counter.
    • Displays FPS in one of four screen corners.
    • Does not show GPU or CPU usage.
  • Xbox Game Bar (Windows 10/11):
    • Open with Win + G.
    • Use the Performance widget to display FPS, CPU, GPU, RAM usage.
    • Customizable display and minimal resource usage.
  • NVIDIA GeForce Experience (NVIDIA GPUs):
    • Press Alt + R to bring up the overlay.
    • Enable FPS counter and GPU monitoring.
    • Supports temperature and usage stats.
  • AMD Radeon Software:
    • Open Radeon Software (usually Alt + R).
    • Enable Performance Metrics Overlay for GPU and FPS data.
    • Provides CPU usage if paired with AMD CPUs or through Windows tools.

Third-Party Monitoring Software

For detailed and customizable monitoring, third-party applications offer advanced features including logging, graphing, and extensive hardware information.

Tool/Method Displays FPS Displays GPU Usage Displays CPU Usage Ease of Use Best For
MSI Afterburner + RTSS Yes Yes Yes Moderate Gamers, Overclockers
NVIDIA GeForce Experience Yes Yes No (basic CPU info) Easy NVIDIA GPU Users
AMD Radeon Software Yes Yes No (basic CPU info) Easy AMD GPU Users
Steam Overlay Yes No No
Software FPS Display GPU Usage Monitoring CPU Usage Monitoring Additional Features
MSI Afterburner + RivaTuner Statistics Server Yes, customizable overlay Yes, detailed GPU stats Yes, per-core CPU usage Hardware monitoring, fan control, logging, custom UI
HWMonitor No (focuses on temps and usage) Yes, temperature and usage Yes, temperature and usage Simple interface, real-time hardware monitoring
Fraps Yes, FPS overlay and logging No No FPS benchmarking and recording
NZXT CAM Yes Yes Yes Detailed system monitoring, overlay, and custom alerts
Open Hardware Monitor No FPS, hardware stats only Yes Yes Open-source, temperature, voltage, and usage monitoring
  • MSI Afterburner is the most popular for gamers and enthusiasts due to its rich overlay customization and compatibility with most GPUs.
  • Fraps is limited to FPS counting and lacks CPU/GPU usage stats but is simple for quick FPS monitoring.
  • NZXT CAM offers a modern interface and comprehensive monitoring but may use more system resources.

Operating System Utilities

Operating systems include native tools that provide hardware usage stats, though FPS monitoring is generally absent.

  • Windows Task Manager:
    • Accessed via Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
    • Displays CPU, GPU, Memory, Disk usage in real time.
    • No FPS overlay, but useful for quick resource checks.
  • Windows Performance Monitor:
    • Advanced system monitoring via perfmon.
    • Customizable counters for CPU, GPU, and other metrics.
    • Not real-time overlay, more suited for diagnostics.
  • macOS Activity Monitor:

    Expert Perspectives on Displaying FPS, GPU, and CPU Usage

    Dr. Elena Martinez (Computer Hardware Engineer, TechCore Innovations). Monitoring FPS alongside GPU and CPU usage is essential for optimizing system performance. I recommend using overlay tools like MSI Afterburner combined with RivaTuner Statistics Server, which provide real-time, customizable displays without impacting game performance. Accurate visualization helps users identify bottlenecks and adjust settings accordingly.

    Jason Lee (Senior Software Developer, GameStream Solutions). Integrating FPS and hardware usage metrics into a single overlay enhances user experience by delivering critical performance data at a glance. Developers should prioritize lightweight, low-latency tools that minimize resource consumption while providing clear, actionable insights. This approach is especially valuable for competitive gaming and performance tuning.

    Sophia Nguyen (Systems Analyst, Performance Metrics Inc.). From a systems analysis perspective, displaying FPS alongside GPU and CPU usage allows for comprehensive diagnostics. Tools that combine these metrics help identify whether frame rate drops are due to CPU limitations, GPU overload, or thermal throttling. This holistic view is crucial for both gamers and IT professionals managing high-performance setups.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    How can I display FPS on my PC while gaming?
    You can display FPS by enabling the in-game performance overlay in many games or by using third-party software such as MSI Afterburner, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, or Steam’s built-in FPS counter.

    Which tools are best for monitoring GPU and CPU usage in real-time?
    MSI Afterburner, HWMonitor, and GPU-Z provide detailed real-time monitoring of GPU and CPU usage, temperatures, and clock speeds with customizable on-screen displays.

    Is it possible to display FPS, GPU, and CPU usage simultaneously?
    Yes, tools like MSI Afterburner combined with RivaTuner Statistics Server allow you to overlay FPS, GPU, and CPU usage data on-screen simultaneously during gameplay.

    Does enabling FPS and hardware usage overlays affect game performance?
    Minimal performance impact may occur, but modern monitoring tools are optimized to run efficiently without significantly affecting gameplay.

    How do I enable FPS display using NVIDIA GeForce Experience?
    Open GeForce Experience, go to Settings > In-Game Overlay > HUD Layout, and enable the FPS counter by selecting its preferred screen position.

    Can I customize the appearance of FPS and hardware usage overlays?
    Yes, most monitoring software allows customization of overlay size, color, position, and which metrics are displayed to suit user preferences.
    Displaying FPS (frames per second) alongside GPU and CPU usage is an essential practice for gamers, developers, and system enthusiasts who seek to monitor and optimize their system’s performance. Various software tools and utilities, such as MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS), and built-in game overlays like NVIDIA GeForce Experience and AMD Radeon Software, provide real-time monitoring capabilities. These tools enable users to visualize critical performance metrics on-screen, facilitating better understanding of how hardware resources are being utilized during gaming or intensive applications.

    Accurate monitoring of FPS, GPU, and CPU usage helps identify bottlenecks and performance issues, allowing users to make informed decisions about system upgrades, driver updates, or configuration adjustments. Additionally, many of these tools offer customizable overlays and logging features, which can be tailored to specific needs and preferences. This flexibility ensures that users can maintain optimal performance and troubleshoot effectively without interrupting their workflow or gaming experience.

    In summary, leveraging the right software to display FPS and hardware usage metrics is a fundamental step in performance monitoring and optimization. By consistently tracking these parameters, users gain valuable insights into system behavior, enabling proactive management of resources and enhanced overall system efficiency. Adopting these practices contributes to a smoother

    Author Profile

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    Harold Trujillo
    Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

    Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.