SysCubesSysCubes vs RivaTuner (RTSS)
SysCubes is a free Windows app that shows FPS in supported games plus available CPU, GPU and RAM readings as drag-and-drop widgets: in a game overlay, on your desktop or on a second screen. It does not need RTSS running in the background.
RTSS layouts are set with text, font and X/Y position settings, and its sensor values usually come from a separate app such as Afterburner or HWiNFO. SysCubes lets you drag, resize and lock FPS and temperature widgets directly over your game or on a second screen.
Select what matters most to your gaming HUD setup.
Quick answer
If you used RTSS to see FPS and temperatures, SysCubes gives you those readings as visual widgets without OSD coordinates, and adds per-app volume, music and replay controls. If you also cap your frame rate, keep RTSS for the cap with its OSD turned off, or use your game's or GPU driver's FPS limit.
Start with the job
Most people searching for an RTSS alternative want one of three things: a quick FPS number, a frame-rate cap, or a cleaner way to keep FPS and temperatures in view.
RivaTuner Statistics Server draws an on-screen display and includes a frame-rate limiter and scanline sync. Its sensor values usually come from a companion app such as MSI Afterburner or HWiNFO, and the layout is set with text and position settings.
Xbox Game Bar (Windows + G), Steam's in-game FPS counter and GPU driver overlays show FPS without installing anything new. They are a good first check when a number is all you need.
Drag FPS, CPU and GPU temperature, usage and RAM widgets into place, then add per-app volume, music, timers and a 5-40 second replay buffer to the same layout.
Side by side
Compare setup, readings, frame tools and the extras around them. Game and hardware support apply to both.
| Feature | SysCubes | RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS) |
|---|---|---|
| HUD setup | Drag, resize and lock widgets visually. | Text, font, color and X/Y position settings in RTSS and its companion app. |
| In-game FPS | Reported FPS for Overwolf-supported games; frame time shown as 1000 ÷ FPS. | Frame rate and frame time from its own on-screen display across a wide range of DirectX, OpenGL and Vulkan games. |
| CPU & GPU temperatures | Built in: GPU temperature where available, plus CPU temperature and clock after optional sensor setup. | Shown when a monitoring app such as Afterburner or HWiNFO provides the values. |
| Frame-rate limiter | Pairs with your game's or GPU driver's FPS limit, or with RTSS for capping. | Built-in frame-rate limiter and scanline sync. |
| Frame-pacing analysis | No 1% lows or per-frame trace. | Frametime graph in the OSD; benchmark statistics through the Afterburner workflow. |
| Per-app volume mixer | Yes. Game, Discord and music sliders. | No. |
| Gameplay clipping | Manual recording or a 5-40 second replay buffer. | No (Afterburner adds video capture). |
| Second screen & phone | Desktop dashboard on any monitor, plus a browser phone companion. | The OSD is drawn inside the game. |
| Price | Free via Overwolf. | Free. |
Visual setup
Choose an FPS badge, CPU and GPU temperature tiles, usage readings or audio sliders.
Move each widget to the corner you want and adjust opacity so it stays readable without covering the minimap or crosshair.
Lock the overlay so mouse clicks pass straight through to your game and never land on the HUD.
Make the move
You don't have to uninstall anything to try it. Run both, compare in the same game scene, then keep what works for you.
Download SysCubes free via Overwolf. No account is needed to start.
In RTSS, switch off the on-screen display so you don't see two HUDs. Leave RTSS running only if you use its frame-rate limiter.
Pick the readings you want. Unlock CPU temperature and clock with the optional sensor step if you need them.
Confirm FPS appears, then drag the widgets into place and lock them. Use the same scene to compare with your old setup.
Before you switch
SysCubes' in-game widgets use the Overwolf overlay, which appears in games that Overwolf supports. The desktop and second-screen dashboard works without a running game, so you can keep readings in view even where an in-game overlay isn't available.
RTSS draws its display by hooking into the game's graphics output, which lets it cover a broad range of titles. Some competitive games limit third-party software that interacts with the game, so check your game's support list and anti-cheat guidance before relying on any overlay in ranked play. The SysCubes system requirements list the Windows and game requirements.
Summary
Choose SysCubes if you want FPS and temperatures as visual widgets in the game or on a second screen, with volume, music and replay controls next to them.
Keep RTSS alongside it if you need frame-rate limiting, scanline sync or a per-frame frametime graph.
For a quick FPS number without installing anything, our Windows 11 FPS guide covers Game Bar, Steam and GPU driver overlays.
Documentation
The on-screen display, frame-rate limiting and scanline sync roles. Check the notes for your installed version.
How Afterburner feeds monitoring values to the RTSS on-screen display, plus frametime and benchmark statistics.
The built-in Windows + G overlay and its Performance widget.
Turning on Steam's built-in FPS counter for Steam games.
How the Overwolf in-game overlay works and where it is supported.
Your questions, answered
It depends on what else you want on screen. For a quick FPS number, built-in options such as Xbox Game Bar (Windows + G), Steam's in-game FPS counter or your GPU driver's overlay work without extra software. For FPS plus CPU and GPU temperatures as movable widgets, with volume, music and clip controls beside them, SysCubes is a free Windows option. None of these replace RTSS's frame-rate limiter.
No. SysCubes does not use RTSS for its performance widget. Desktop hardware readings come from its own telemetry path, and game FPS appears in Overwolf-supported games that SysCubes detects. CPU temperature may need the optional sensor access step.
Yes. You can keep RTSS running only for its frame-rate limiter, turn its on-screen display off, and use SysCubes widgets for your readings. If two overlays conflict in a game, test each app on its own and keep one in-game overlay at a time.
SysCubes focuses on monitoring, per-app audio, clipping and second-screen widgets. For capping, use your game's or GPU driver's FPS limit, or keep RTSS running just for its limiter while SysCubes shows the readings.
Yes, when your hardware exposes the sensors. GPU temperature appears where it is available; CPU temperature and clock speed need the optional sensor access step. In-game widgets also need a supported game, while the desktop and second-screen dashboard works without one.
SysCubes shows live sampled FPS with a frame-time value calculated as 1000 divided by FPS, enough to see the scale of a slowdown at a glance. RTSS records a per-frame trace and 1% lows, so keep it for frame-pacing analysis and benchmarks.
Yes. SysCubes works as a desktop dashboard as well as an in-game overlay. Place performance readings, the volume mixer and notes on a second monitor, or use the browser phone companion, and keep your game screen clear.
Yes. SysCubes for Windows is free to download via Overwolf, with no subscription fee and no account required.
Your PC. In your hands.
Get FPS, CPU and GPU temperatures, per-app volume and instant replay in one free Windows overlay and dashboard. Download SysCubes via Overwolf.
Free • No credit card or account needed • Instant 1-minute setup • Windows 10/11