Unveiling the Hidden Secret: How to Display FPS on Your PC Screen
In the world of gaming and performance-heavy applications, FPS (frames per second) is one of the most critical factors that determine how smooth and responsive your system performs. If you’re a gamer or someone who works with graphics-intensive applications, knowing how to display FPS on your PC screen can greatly enhance your experience. This article will guide you step-by-step on how to easily display FPS on your PC screen and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter.
What is FPS and Why is it Important?
FPS, or frames per second, is a measure of how many unique consecutive images (frames) your computer can display every second. The higher the FPS, the smoother the graphics and the better the visual experience. For gamers, an FPS rate of 60 or more is considered optimal, as it provides a smooth and fluid gameplay experience. However, many gamers aim for 144 FPS or even 240 FPS, especially if they use a high-refresh-rate monitor, to gain a competitive edge.
Understanding your FPS is crucial because it helps in assessing your system’s performance. If you’re experiencing lag, stuttering, or low responsiveness, checking your FPS can give you a clue as to whether your hardware is struggling to keep up with the game or application you’re running.
How to Display FPS on Your PC Screen
Displaying FPS on your PC screen is surprisingly simple, thanks to built-in tools and third-party software that allow you to monitor your system’s performance. Below is a step-by-step guide for both methods.
Method 1: Using Built-in Tools
Many popular game clients and graphics software come with built-in FPS counters that allow you to display FPS on your screen. Here’s how to use them:
- Steam: Steam offers an easy way to display FPS for any game you play. Follow these steps:
- Open Steam and go to Settings.
- Under the “In-Game” tab, find the option that says “In-Game FPS Counter.”
- Choose a location on the screen where you want the FPS counter to appear (top-right, top-left, etc.).
- Click “OK” to confirm your settings. Now, whenever you play a game via Steam, your FPS will be visible.
- Windows 10 Game Bar: Windows 10 comes with the built-in Xbox Game Bar that includes an FPS counter. To enable it:
- Press the Windows Key + G to open the Game Bar.
- Click the settings icon and navigate to “Gaming Features” where you can enable the FPS counter.
- Choose the position on the screen to display the FPS.
- Once set, your FPS will appear when you run games or apps with the Game Bar active.
Method 2: Using Third-Party Software
If you want more advanced monitoring options or need FPS display on games not supported by the above methods, third-party software is a great alternative. Popular tools include:
- MSI Afterburner: This is a powerful overclocking and monitoring tool that can display FPS along with other performance metrics such as GPU and CPU usage. Here’s how to use it:
- Download and install MSI Afterburner from the official website.
- Launch MSI Afterburner and go to the settings.
- Navigate to the “Monitoring” tab and check the “Framerate” option.
- Under the “On-Screen Display” section, choose the FPS display settings.
- Click OK, and MSI Afterburner will show FPS while you’re gaming.
- Razer Cortex: Razer Cortex offers FPS monitoring and optimization tools. To display FPS:
- Download and install Razer Cortex.
- Open Razer Cortex and go to the “System Booster” tab.
- Enable the FPS counter from the “Game Optimization” tab.
- Razer Cortex will now show your FPS in any game you play.
Method 3: Using Overlays from Game Clients
Many game clients such as NVIDIA GeForce Experience also offer performance monitoring tools with FPS counters. If you’re using an NVIDIA graphics card, you can enable the FPS overlay through GeForce Experience:
- Open GeForce Experience and navigate to the “Settings” menu.
- Under the “General” tab, enable the “In-Game Overlay” option.
- Once enabled, press Alt+Z to open the overlay and choose “Performance” from the menu.
- Enable the FPS counter, and it will appear in the corner of your screen while gaming.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips
Sometimes, enabling FPS on your PC screen can run into a few issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
- FPS Counter Not Appearing: If the FPS counter isn’t showing up, make sure the correct software or in-game settings are enabled. Ensure that the FPS counter is active in the settings, and double-check the on-screen display location.
- Performance Drop: If enabling the FPS counter causes lag or a performance drop, try disabling unnecessary background applications or lowering the settings for the FPS counter. Tools like MSI Afterburner allow you to adjust the overlay’s performance impact.
- FPS Not Accurate: If your FPS is showing incorrect or inconsistent values, check for driver updates for your GPU. Also, ensure that your game is running at the desired settings, as lowering graphical settings can improve FPS performance.
Conclusion
Displaying FPS on your PC screen is an easy way to monitor the performance of your system while gaming or running demanding applications. Whether you’re using built-in tools like Steam or Windows 10’s Game Bar, or third-party software like MSI Afterburner, the methods outlined above will help you keep track of your FPS. Understanding FPS is crucial to optimizing your gaming experience, ensuring smooth performance, and troubleshooting potential hardware or software issues. With these tools and tips, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about upgrading or adjusting your system for the best performance.
If you’re looking for more tips on system performance or gaming optimization, check out this guide on improving PC performance!
This article is in the category Guides & Tutorials and created by GameMasterHub Team