How to Enable FPS Counter In MSI Afterburner?: Easy Guide 2024

How to Enable FPS Counter In MSI Afterburner? In the realm of optimizing your gaming experience, monitoring your GPU and CPU statistics is crucial. MSI Afterburner, coupled with RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS), provides a powerful toolset for tracking performance metrics while gaming. Here’s a step-by-step guide on enabling the FPS counter in MSI Afterburner for a seamless and insightful gaming experience.

How to Enable FPS Counter In MSI Afterburner?

Initial Setup

1. Latest Drivers and MSI Afterburner Version Ensure your GPU drivers are up-to-date. Download and install the latest version of MSI Afterburner, bundled with RivaTuner Statistics Server.
2. Dealing with Installation Issues If installation issues arise due to a running MSI Afterburner, disable the “Start with Windows” option in the Settings menu. Restart your PC and proceed with the installation.
3. Stability Testing with FurMark Use FurMark as a stability testing tool, especially after installing a new GPU. Restart your PC if necessary to recognize the GPU in MSI Afterburner.

OSD / On Screen Display Configuration

4. Selecting and Displaying GPU Statistics In the Settings or by pressing Ctrl+S, navigate to the Monitoring tab. Choose GPU statistics such as usage, core clock, temperature, power, memory usage, and memory clock. Enable monitoring and show in the OSD.
5. Identifying Your GPU If GPU1 and GPU2 are listed, close the window, click the Info button or press Ctrl+I to identify your GPU. Intel CPUs (excluding those with “F”) and older AMD CPUs (with “G” at the end) have integrated graphics.
6. Customizing Framerate Entries Modify Framerate, Frametime, Framerate Avg, and Framerate 1% Low positions. Enable monitoring and show them in the OSD.
7. Activating the On Screen Display In the On Screen Display tab, set a global hotkey (e.g., Scroll Lock) to toggle the OSD on and off.
8. Benchmark Mode for Framerate Avg and 1% Low In Settings, assign F9 and Shift+F9 as global hotkeys for benchmark mode. Start and stop recording to display Framerate Avg and 1% Low.

On Screen Display: RTSS Configuration

9. Adjusting RTSS Settings Click the More button to open the RTSS window. Adjust the OSD size, position, and color for better visibility.
10. Checking Benchmark Mode in RTSS In the RTSS Settings, ensure Benchmark Mode is enabled by clicking Setup. The keys F9 and Shift+F9 toggle this mode.
11. Utilizing OverlayEditor Double-click on the OverlayEditor in the Plugins tab to configure OSD settings in real-time.

Hardware Monitoring with MSI Afterburner

12. Accessing Hardware Monitoring Press Ctrl+M or click the heartbeat monitor icon to open the hardware monitor window. Customize displayed entries by checking or unchecking them.
13. Enhancing Graphs Adjust graph columns to accommodate additional entries. Drag entries to reposition them, and customize their appearance for optimal monitoring.
14. Combining Graphs for Comprehensive Insights Combine related graphs for a cohesive monitoring experience. Right-clicking on graphs allows you to access properties for further customization.
15. Second Monitor Configuration Consider using a second monitor for Afterburner configuration and graph monitoring, ensuring a seamless gaming experience even at higher refresh rates.

By following these meticulous steps, you can unlock the full potential of MSI Afterburner, providing you with real-time insights into your GPU and CPU performance, ultimately enhancing your gaming experience.

Also read: What’s the difference between Intel U and H processors?: Easy Guide 2024

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Q: How can I troubleshoot installation issues with MSI Afterburner?

A: If MSI Afterburner encounters installation problems due to a running instance, disable the “Start with Windows” option in the Settings menu. Restart your PC and proceed with the installation.

2. Q: What should I do if my GPU is not recognized in MSI Afterburner after installing a new GPU?

A: After installing a new GPU, your PC may need to install drivers and might require a restart. If the GPU is still not recognized, restart your PC again and check MSI Afterburner.

3. Q: How do I identify my GPU in MSI Afterburner?

A: Close the GPU monitoring window, click the Info button or press Ctrl+I. Scroll down in the Information window to identify your GPU, distinguishing between integrated and dedicated graphics.

4. Q: Can I customize the appearance and position of the OSD in RTSS?

A: Yes, in the RTSS window, use the Zoom slider to adjust the OSD size, change the display corner, and drag the position around. Additionally, explore the Display Fill option for better visibility.

5. Q: What should I do if the OSD is missing or not updating the framerate average and 1% low?

A: Ensure that benchmark mode is recording. In Settings, assign F9 and Shift+F9 as global hotkeys for benchmark mode. Start and stop recording to display the framerate average and 1% low.

6. Q: Can I use MSI Afterburner with games that don’t display the OSD?

A: Some games may not show the OSD; in such cases, try using Windows Game Bar by pressing Win+G. Alternatively, explore other tools like HWInfo to check if they can display stats during gameplay.

7. Q: How can I add more entries to the hardware monitor in MSI Afterburner?

A: Press Ctrl+M to open the hardware monitor window. Click the checkmark on the left side of the entry to add more entries. Adjust graph columns to accommodate additional stats.

8. Q: Can I customize the text color and group names in the OSD?

A: Yes, in the Show in OSD line, click on the three dots button next to text. Modify text color groups for GPU, CPU, and system stats. You can also override group names for personalized display.

9. Q: What should I do if my game screen is blocked by the OSD during gameplay?

A: Consider having a second monitor for Afterburner configuration and graph monitoring. This ensures real-time monitoring without obstructing the main game screen.