If you're looking to monitor your FPS and GPU temperature while gaming, the NVIDIA Performance Overlay is a built-in tool that provides real-time performance metrics. This guide will show you how to enable and customize the NVIDIA Performance Overlay to track FPS, GPU temperature, and other essential stats.
Step 1: Install or Update the NVIDIA App
NVIDIA recently replaced GeForce Experience with a new NVIDIA App, offering enhanced performance overlay features.
How to Update or Install:
Download the latest version from NVIDIA's official website.
Install and restart your PC to ensure all changes take effect.
Step 2: Open the NVIDIA Overlay
To access the overlay, use one of these methods:
Keyboard Shortcut: Press
Alt + Z.System Tray: Click on the NVIDIA icon and select "Performance Overlay."
Step 3: Enable the Performance Overlay
Open the NVIDIA Overlay (
Alt + Z).Click on the “Settings” (gear icon).
Navigate to HUD Layout > Performance.
Choose a mode:
Basic: Displays FPS only.
Advanced: Includes FPS, GPU temperature, and usage.
Select an overlay position (Top-left, Top-right, etc.).
Step 4: Customize the Overlay Settings
Metrics You Can Enable:
FPS Counter
GPU & Memory Usage
GPU Temperature
VRAM & CPU Load
How to Customize:
Navigate to Settings > Performance Overlay
Toggle the stats you want to display
Adjust the position and size of the overlay for better visibility
Step 5: Start Monitoring In-Game Performance
Launch your game and check the real-time stats.
Adjust settings in the Performance Overlay menu if needed.
For a visual walkthrough, you might find this tutorial helpful:
Common Issues & Fixes
Overlay not showing? Ensure the NVIDIA app is updated and the overlay is enabled in settings.
CPU temperature missing? NVIDIA does not support CPU monitoring. Use MSI Afterburner + RivaTuner for CPU temps.
FAQs
Why is my NVIDIA overlay not showing FPS?
Ensure that the Performance Overlay is enabled under HUD Layout > Performance. Restart your game after enabling it.
How do I check CPU temperature in NVIDIA overlay?
Currently, NVIDIA does not support CPU temperature monitoring. Use third-party tools like MSI Afterburner.
Can I change the overlay color and size?
Yes! Go to Performance Overlay > Customization to modify its appearance.
Conclusion
The NVIDIA Performance Overlay is a powerful tool to monitor FPS, GPU temperature, and system performance while gaming. By following these steps, you can optimize your gaming experience and troubleshoot performance issues efficiently.
Did you find this guide helpful? Let us know in the comments!
Additional Considerations
- Monitoring CPU Temperature: As of now, the NVIDIA Performance Overlay does not support CPU temperature monitoring. For comprehensive monitoring that includes CPU metrics, consider using third-party applications like MSI Afterburner combined with RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS). More details are in this post: How to Monitor CPU and GPU Temp While Gaming
By following these steps, you can effectively utilize NVIDIA's Performance Overlay to monitor and customize your gaming performance metrics.