Why Is My PC Showing FPS GPU CPU and Latency?

If you’ve noticed that your PC is displaying information like FPS (frames per second), GPU usage, CPU usage, and latency on your screen you might be wondering why this data is showing and what it means. These metrics provide valuable real-time insights into your computer’s performance, especially during gaming or demanding tasks.

What Do These Metrics Mean?

FPS, or frames per second, measures how many individual images your PC renders each second during gaming or video playback. Higher FPS generally means smoother motion and better visual performance.

GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit. The GPU usage percentage shows how much of your graphics card’s capacity is being utilised. This is important for rendering images, videos and 3D graphics.

CPU refers to the Central Processing Unit. CPU usage indicates how much of your processor’s power is currently in use. High CPU usage means your processor is working hard to manage tasks.

Latency measures the delay or lag between your input and the response on the screen, often crucial in online gaming. Lower latency means faster and more responsive gameplay.

Why Is This Information Displayed?

Many gaming platforms and software include performance overlays to help users monitor their system. This data helps identify bottlenecks or performance issues such as frame drops, overheating or network lag.

Gamers and enthusiasts use these metrics to optimise settings and improve gaming experiences. For example if your FPS is low you might reduce graphics quality to improve smoothness.

Developers and tech support professionals also rely on these readings for diagnosing hardware or software problems.

How Is This Data Shown on Your Screen?

Performance metrics can appear via built-in tools like Windows Game Bar or through third-party software such as MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience. Many games also include native overlays that display these stats.

Sometimes these overlays are enabled accidentally or by default and can be turned off if not needed.

Can I Disable These Overlays?

Yes most performance overlays can be disabled in the settings of the respective software or game. For example Windows Game Bar can be turned off via Windows settings under Gaming. Third-party tools have options to hide overlays or disable monitoring features.

Conclusion

Seeing FPS GPU CPU and latency stats on your PC is typically related to performance monitoring tools designed to provide insight into system and game performance. These metrics help optimise and troubleshoot your PC for the best possible experience. If you find the overlays distracting they can usually be turned off easily.