How Can You Easily Monitor PC Gaming Performance With RivaTuner? Simple Fix Guide

Is Your Gaming Lag Problem Solved by RTSS Monitoring? (Essential Steps for Stress-Free Play)

Choosing the right way to see what your computer is doing during games helps you keep everything running smooth. RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS), together with MSI Afterburner, is a handy tool for watching your PC’s key stats while you play. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide anyone can follow to get started and make the most of it.

What is RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS)?

RTSS is a free, simple program. It shows your computer’s inner numbers—like temperature or speed—on your game screen, in real-time.

With RTSS, you can check:

• GPU temperature
• GPU usage
• CPU temperature
• CPU usage
• Memory usage (VRAM)
• System memory (RAM)
• PCIe bus usage
• Core and memory clock speeds
• Power, temperature, and voltage limits
• Frames per second (FPS)

RTSS works best with a helper app. MSI Afterburner is the favorite, and you get RTSS included when you install it.

How to Install and Set Up RTSS

1. Download MSI Afterburner from the official site. Make sure to get the latest version. During installation, tick the box to also install RivaTuner Statistics Server.
2. Complete installation with default options.
3. Open MSI Afterburner. Don’t change the default settings if you don’t plan to overclock.

Setting Up Hardware Monitoring

1. Click the gear icon (Settings).
2. Go to the “Monitoring” tab.
3. You’ll see a long list of stats you can track.
   • Tick the box for each stat you want.
   • To make the number show up on your game screen, make sure you tick “Show in On-Screen Display”.
   • Repeat for every stat you care about.

Tips

• Too many stats can clutter your screen. Only pick the ones you often check.
• Want an alert if a value gets too high or too low? Set minimum and maximum alarms.
• When you are ready, hit “OK” to save.

When you launch your game, the numbers should show up at the edge of your screen.

Fine-Tuning RTSS: Customizing Your Display

Open RTSS from the Windows tray (small icons in the bottom-right). Here, you can:

1. Change where the info shows up on your screen (top-left, top-right, etc.).
2. Adjust text size, font, color, or background for best readability.
3. Choose to start RTSS with Windows, so it works every time you turn on your computer.
4. Add a special profile for each game:
   • Click “Add.”
   • Pick the game’s program file.
   • Set custom options just for that game, such as FPS cap or OSD layout.

If a game won’t work, or kicks you for “cheating,” try enabling “Stealth mode” in RTSS for anti-cheat compatibility.

Key Stats Worth Watching

• GPU Temperature: High numbers can mean your cooling isn’t enough. Clean your fan or change thermal paste if needed.
• CPU Temperature: Watch for spikes. High temps can slow down your computer to protect itself.
• CPU/GPU Usage: If CPU is always near 100%, it’s the bottleneck—your next upgrade should be the CPU. If GPU is always maxed, but you get bad FPS, your graphics card may need upgrading.
• VRAM Usage: When this fills up, games slow down a lot. Lower in-game texture settings to help.
• Bus Usage: High values can point to planner issues, like a loose graphics card or outdated drivers.
• Clocks: If the clock speed drops, your computer might lower power or get too hot. Watch for dips for clues about problems.
• Power/Temp/Voltage Limits: These stop your hardware from hurting itself, but hitting the limit too often means performance can drop.

Quick Troubleshooting Tips

• Too much info on screen? Show just a few stats.
• Not seeing anything? Both MSI Afterburner and RTSS need to be running.
• Some games hide the overlay. Try different display modes or make profiles for each game.

Why Hardware Monitoring Matters

• Spot issues before they become big problems.
• Improve FPS: Keep your system cool and avoid slowdowns.
• See if upgrades are working: Did new RAM or a better GPU help? The stats tell you.

Staying informed about your hardware keeps your PC healthy and your games happy. Catch problems early and play with peace of mind.