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To check CPU and GPU temperatures while gaming, use an on-screen display (OSD) that shows sensor readings over the game. For a configurable display of both, MSI Afterburner works with RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS): select the available temperature sensors in Afterburner’s Monitoring settings and enable each one for the OSD. AMD Radeon and NVIDIA’s GeForce overlay can show GPU temperature, but their cited metric lists do not promise CPU temperature.
Choose an overlay that matches what you need
| Option | Best for | Temperature readings documented | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSI Afterburner + RTSS | A configurable in-game display with CPU and GPU statistics, where the sensors are exposed | MSI says both CPU and GPU statistics can be shown; the exact sensors available depend on the system | Select sensors in Settings > Monitoring, enable each for the OSD, and run RTSS |
| AMD Radeon Overlay | A quick built-in performance display on Radeon systems | GPU temperature is listed; CPU utilization is listed, but CPU temperature is not listed in AMD’s documented metrics | Open the overlay with Alt+R and select metrics in Performance Monitoring |
| NVIDIA App Overlay | A quick built-in performance display on GeForce systems | GPU temperature is listed; NVIDIA’s cited page does not claim a CPU temperature metric | Enable In-Game Overlay; use Alt+R to toggle it or Alt+Z > Statistics > Configure heads up display to configure it |
The vendor overlay instructions cited here are for Windows. They do not establish support for every game or every PC configuration.
Show CPU and GPU temperatures with MSI Afterburner
For a flexible combined OSD, MSI documents Afterburner with RTSS. MSI says Afterburner supports nearly all GPUs, including cards from other manufacturers. Download the software from MSI or from Guru3D, the two sources MSI names. The in-game display requires RTSS; keep both Afterburner and RTSS running in the background.
- Open the monitoring settings: In MSI Afterburner, open Settings and select the Monitoring tab.
- Choose available sensors: Select a CPU temperature entry and a GPU temperature entry if they appear. You can also select useful context such as GPU load, CPU use, clock speed, or frame rate.
- Enable each reading for the OSD: For every selected value you want to see in the game, enable “Show in On-Screen Display.” Apply the settings.
- Start the game: Leave Afterburner and RTSS running, launch the game, and check that the selected readings appear.
Sensor names and availability vary by system. If Afterburner does not expose a CPU temperature reading, the documented setup does not guarantee a universal sensor label or a workaround for every processor.
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Use the Radeon overlay for GPU temperature
AMD documents Performance Monitoring OSD for 3D gameplay. Press Alt+R to open Radeon Overlay by default, then choose the performance monitoring options and select the metrics you want displayed. The documented list includes GPU temperature, FPS, GPU utilization, GPU power, fan speed, CPU utilization, and memory metrics. It does not list CPU temperature, so use another utility if you need that reading.
AMD also supports CSV performance logging, with a sampling interval adjustable from one to ten seconds. This is a setting for collecting readings, not a universal temperature guideline.
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Use the NVIDIA overlay for GPU temperature
NVIDIA’s instructions cover GeForce RTX and GTX 600-series-and-newer desktop and laptop systems. First enable In-Game Overlay in NVIDIA App Settings > Features. Alt+R is the default shortcut for toggling the overlay. To configure the display, press Alt+Z, then open Statistics > Configure heads up display. NVIDIA lists frame rates, clocks, GPU temperature, and more; the cited page does not claim that this overlay displays CPU temperature.
Check readings under a representative gaming load
Keep the OSD visible during a game session that reflects how you normally use the PC. A reading taken while idle or after closing the game answers a different question from the temperature reached under the workload you want to understand. If you are diagnosing a change, note the sensor name along with relevant values such as clock speed and load so the readings have context.
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Temperature labels do not always refer to the same measurement. A CPU package reading, an individual core reading, a GPU edge reading, and a GPU hotspot reading can describe different sensors; do not treat them as directly comparable.
Troubleshoot a missing in-game display
- No OSD at all: Confirm that both Afterburner and RTSS are running, and that each metric you want was individually marked “Show in On-Screen Display.”
- GPU is missing: MSI advises installing the graphics drivers and restarting.
- A reading is missing: Check whether the relevant sensor is exposed by your hardware and utility. Not every system offers the same set of readings.
- The display fails only in a particular game: An overlay may be disabled, blocked, or in conflict with that game. Compatibility can vary, and the cited vendor instructions do not provide a complete game-by-game list.
How to judge whether a temperature is too high
There is no single “safe gaming temperature” established for every CPU and GPU. Look up the temperature limits for the exact processor and graphics card model in the manufacturer’s documentation, and compare the appropriate sensor reading with the limit specified for that component. A number without its sensor name and hardware model is not enough to establish whether it is within specification.
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Sources
- MSI Afterburner OSD setup and troubleshooting
- MSI Afterburner download page
- AMD Radeon Overlay and performance monitoring
- NVIDIA App overlay guidance
- AMD performance logging and sampling interval
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