Monitoring FPS in games on a PC helps you evaluate performance, pinpoint issues, and optimize your gaming experience. FPS (frames per second) is a metric that shows how smoothly a game runs, reflecting both hardware capabilities and game settings. This guide outlines simple methods and tools like Xbox Game Bar, Nvidia Afterburner, Steam Overlay, Radeon Overlay, etc for checking FPS on a gaming PC.
How to Monitor FPS While Gaming on a PC?
Below are the most effective ways to track FPS in games:
- Xbox Game Bar
- Steam Overlay
- MSI Afterburner
- Nvidia GeForce Experience In-Game Overlay
- Radeon Overlay
1: Using Xbox Game Bar (Best Method)
One of the easiest ways to check the FPS on a PC is through the Xbox Game Bar. For example, if you are running Windows 10 or Windows 11, then press the Windows Key + G. This will open a small bar at the top of your screen as shown in the image below:
Once the bar opens, you must navigate to the “Performance” tab mentioned with the “Monitor” icon in the middle of the bar.
Once you click the icon, it will ask you to toggle between tasks like monitoring CPU, GPU, RAM, frames rate per second, etc.
You can use this method while running the game to know how many FPS you get on average.
2: Using Steam Overlay
You can now check average FPS in games via the In-Game FPS Counter in the Steam app. But you manually activate this option via the “Settings” panel.
To turn on the FPS Counter option, go to the Settings panel and search for “In-Game” settings on the left side panel as shown in the image below.
Now navigate to the “FPS Counter” on the right-side panel, and select the “Top-Right” corner option (the location where you want the FPS counter to show up on your screen).
Don’t forget to check the “High contrast color” to make the FPS counter stand out on your screen.
3: Using MSI Afterburner
MSI Afterburner is mostly used for tweaking your GPU to get more performance. However, you can also use MSI Afterburner to track FPS in gaming.
Monitoring FPS using MSI Afterburner takes more effort than the Xbox Game Bar and Steam Overlay utility.
Assuming that you have already downloaded the MSI Afterburner program, you have to install the RivaTuner Statistics, a program known for framerate monitoring and capturing the on-screen display.
RivaTuner Statistics comes bundled with the MSI Afterburner software as seen in the image below:
Once the MSI Afterburner is installed run it and click on the “Gear” icon to access the monitoring menu.
Once the menu opens, you will see a long list of options. Here you will have to navigate to the “Monitoring” option.
You will find the “Framerate” option under the “Monitoring” tab as shown in the image above. Once there, all you need is to check all the main options like “Framerates” and “Show in On-Screen Display“.
Select “OK” and you will see the FPS in the top left corner of the screen while playing games.
4: Using Nvidia GeForce Experience In-Game Overlay
This method is for gamers with Nvidia graphics cards installed in their machine. First download and install the Nvidia GeForce Experience software on your computer.
Once the program is installed, open it up and click the “Gear” icon on the top-right corner.
Once the new tab opens, click the “In-Game Overlay” tab on the left-side panel. Now click on “Settings” and multiple options show on your screen.
Once inside the Settings menu, click on the “HUD Layout” section.
Now click on the “Performance” tab
Now click on the “FPS” button and choose the location where you want the FPS to show on your screen while playing games.
The fps will show up in the green color on the portion of the screen where you have selected them to appear.
5: Using Radeon Overlay
For AMD users, there is an “Overlay” option to monitor the metrics like FPS in gaming. All you need to do is turn on this option through the AMD Radeon software installed on your system.
Open the AMD Radeon software and click the “Performance” tab at the top bar. Here you will see options (including the FPS) that you can turn on or off.
Enable the FPS option and then close the program.
Now play any game and you will see the FPS popping on one side of the screen.
The Final Lines
So these were some of the most reliable options to track your FPS while playing games on a PC. I highly recommend you stick with the Xbox Game Bar or Steam Overlay, as both are easy to set up. I use MSI Afterburner which provides insights into metrics like FPS, GPU usage, temperature, and fan speed.
Mosaab Jamal Ahmed is a seasoned technology enthusiast with a passion for gaming and PC upgrades. His journey began in 1998 with a Pentium 1 PC, igniting his lifelong fascination with computer hardware.
Over the years, Mosaab has honed his skills in upgrading and optimizing PCs with the latest components, ensuring peak performance for gaming and other demanding applications.
Through his insightful articles, Mosaab shares his extensive knowledge on building and enhancing gaming PCs.