SysCubes: clips beside your controls
A 5-40 second replay next to per-app volume, temperatures, brightness and timers, on your desktop, a second monitor or over a supported game.
SysCubes vs NVIDIA ShadowPlay
A ShadowPlay alternative for short clips beside your PC controls.
NVIDIA's Instant Replay, formerly ShadowPlay, is free on GeForce cards and can keep up to 20 minutes. SysCubes keeps a short replay next to per-app volume, temperatures and other widgets, and does not need an NVIDIA card. Compare what each one is best at.
Free Windows AppNo Account Needed100% Virus-Free (Overwolf Verified)
- No NVIDIA card needed
- Replay with Alt+S
- Volume & temps beside clips
Explore the interactive preview
Choose your clipping workflowDecision aid
- 01Enable Replay
- 02Play the match
- 03Save with Alt+S
Save the last 5-40 seconds.
Enable SysCubes Replay before playing and press Alt+S after the moment. It keeps 30 seconds by default. For longer history, up to 20 minutes, the NVIDIA App's Instant Replay is the better fit.
Choose your priority to compare the clipping and control workflow.
Quick answer
SysCubes keeps your clips beside your controls, on any graphics card.
SysCubes keeps 5 to 40 seconds next to app volume, temperatures and notes in one overlay or dashboard, and runs without an NVIDIA card. On a GeForce PC, the NVIDIA App's Instant Replay keeps up to 20 minutes. Use one replay recorder at a time.
Core Philosophy
A graphics card's capture tool and a gaming dashboard.
NVIDIA App: built for GeForce
Free Instant Replay of up to 20 minutes, manual recording with quality settings and Highlights in supported games, for PCs with an NVIDIA GeForce card. Login is optional.
Both save local files
Each tool saves normal video files to a folder on your PC that you choose, ready to play, share or edit.
Detailed Breakdown
SysCubes vs NVIDIA Instant Replay: feature comparison.
Compare requirements, replay length, recording options and the controls around each tool.
| Capability | SysCubes | NVIDIA App |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics card | No specific brand required; needs Windows and Overwolf. | NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards. |
| Sign-in | No SysCubes account. | Optional NVIDIA login. |
| Replay length | 5-40 seconds, 30 by default. | Up to 20 minutes. |
| Manual recording | Start and stop recording; not at the same time as Replay. | Manual recording with quality settings. |
| Recording quality | Presets from 720p to 4K at 30 or 60 fps; automatic bitrate. | Adjustable resolution, frame rate and bitrate. |
| Audio in the clip | Game sound filtered to the game; microphone when turned on. | Game and microphone audio, with an option for a separate microphone track. |
| Volume control while playing | Per-app sliders for game, Discord and music. | No per-app volume mixer. |
| Readings and widgets | CPU and GPU usage and temperature, RAM, FPS, timers, notes; second screen and phone. | Statistics overlay with selectable metrics. |
Instant Replay
Save the moment that just happened.
Enable Replay before the match
Select Enable Replay in Screenshot & Record. From then on, SysCubes keeps the last 5-40 seconds ready to save.
Press your shortcut after the play
Alt+S saves the replay in new game profiles. Check the key in the game's profile if you changed it.
Check the clip
Open the Videos folder from Capture settings and play the file to confirm its picture and sound.
Audio & Chat
Adjust what you hear while you play.
The SysCubes Volume Mixer lets you lower a loud Discord call, raise game sound or adjust music from the overlay, without leaving the match. A game profile remembers those app levels for next time.
These sliders change what you hear. The saved clip records game sound and, when you turn it on, your microphone; Discord is not included. For a recording with Discord, follow the game and Discord audio guide.
Summary
Making the right choice for your PC.
Choose SysCubes if you want short clips next to per-app volume, temperatures and other widgets, on a second monitor or your phone, on any graphics card.
Keep the NVIDIA App if you have a GeForce card and want replays of several minutes or Highlights in supported games.
Documentation
Official references and specifications.
- NVIDIA App overview
Instant Replay, recording and the statistics overlay for GeForce graphics cards.
- NVIDIA App release notes
NVIDIA's description of the app, including optional login.
- Overwolf: recording minimum requirements
Hardware requirements for recording in Overwolf apps.
Your questions, answered
SysCubes vs NVIDIA ShadowPlay FAQ
When should I choose SysCubes as a ShadowPlay alternative?
Choose SysCubes when you want short replay clips next to per-app volume, temperatures and other widgets, on your desktop, a second monitor or your phone, or when your PC has no NVIDIA graphics card. Keep the NVIDIA App if you want replays of several minutes or NVIDIA Highlights in supported games.
Does SysCubes require an NVIDIA graphics card to clip games?
No. SysCubes needs Windows 10 1809 or later, or Windows 11, and Overwolf, rather than a specific graphics brand. Capture depends on the game's Overwolf support and your hardware, so make a short test clip first.
Do I need to sign in to save clips?
No. SysCubes needs no SysCubes account. The NVIDIA App also works without signing in; NVIDIA describes its login as optional.
Can SysCubes record Discord voice together with game audio?
SysCubes records clean game sound, filtered to the game, plus your microphone when you turn it on, so other apps stay out of the clip. Its volume mixer lets you balance the game, Discord and music you hear while you play. To plan a recording that includes a Discord call, see the game and Discord audio guide.
How much replay history does SysCubes keep?
SysCubes keeps 5 to 40 seconds, 30 by default. Press Alt+S in new game profiles to save it. NVIDIA Instant Replay can keep up to 20 minutes.
Does SysCubes affect gaming frame rates?
Any recording uses some resources while it runs. The effect depends on your hardware, the game and what else is recording. Compare the same game scene with each tool active, one at a time.
Where are captured video files stored?
SysCubes saves to the Videos folder chosen in its Capture settings, as normal video files you can play, share or edit.
Your PC. In your hands.
Keep clips, volume and temperatures together.
Get a replay control, local video saves and PC controls in one Windows dashboard. Download SysCubes via Overwolf.
Download SysCubes for Windows
Free • No credit card or account needed • Instant 1-minute setup • Windows 10/11