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MSI Afterburner VS HWMonitor

Compare MSI Afterburner VS HWMonitor and see what are their differences

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MSI Afterburner logo MSI Afterburner

Tool to manage video cards. Shows video card stats (temp, GPU usage, etc.).

HWMonitor logo HWMonitor

HWMonitor is a hardware monitoring program that reads PC systems main health sensors : voltages, temperatures, fans speed.
  • MSI Afterburner Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-29
  • HWMonitor Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-07

MSI Afterburner features and specs

  • Comprehensive Overclocking Tools
    MSI Afterburner offers a robust set of features for overclocking your GPU, including core voltage control, power limit adjustments, and custom fan profiles.
  • Real-Time Hardware Monitoring
    The software provides real-time monitoring graphs for various GPU metrics like temperature, usage, clock speed, and voltage, allowing users to track performance and make adjustments as needed.
  • Custom Fan Profiles
    Users can create custom fan profiles to adjust fan speeds according to temperature thresholds, enabling better thermal management and reducing noise levels.
  • Compatibility
    MSI Afterburner is compatible with a wide range of graphics cards from different manufacturers, not just MSI branded ones.
  • In-Game Overlay
    The software includes an in-game overlay feature, providing real-time performance data displayed during gameplay without the need for a second monitor.
  • Screen Capture and Video Recording
    MSI Afterburner includes tools for screen capturing and video recording, adding value for gamers and content creators.

Possible disadvantages of MSI Afterburner

  • Complexity for Beginners
    The variety of features and settings can be overwhelming for beginners, making it challenging to use effectively without some prior knowledge of overclocking and hardware monitoring.
  • Risk of Hardware Damage
    Improper use of overclocking features can potentially damage the graphics card or other system components, especially if voltage and temperature limits are not adhered to.
  • System Stability Issues
    Altering GPU settings can sometimes lead to system instability, crashes, or compatibility issues with certain games and applications.
  • User Interface
    While functional, the user interface of MSI Afterburner may not be as intuitive or visually appealing as some newer or more streamlined overclocking tools.
  • Software Conflicts
    MSI Afterburner may conflict with other system utilities or monitoring tools, requiring users to troubleshoot and resolve conflicts for smooth functionality.

HWMonitor features and specs

  • Comprehensive Sensor Monitoring
    HWMonitor provides a detailed view of various system sensors, including CPU, GPU, and motherboard temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds, helping users to monitor their hardware performance accurately.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software features a straightforward and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced users to monitor their system's health.
  • Lightweight
    HWMonitor is a lightweight application that consumes minimal system resources, ensuring that it doesn't impact system performance while running in the background.
  • Regular Updates
    The software receives regular updates, which ensures compatibility with new hardware and offers improvements to existing features.
  • Free Version Available
    A version of HWMonitor is available for free, providing a cost-effective solution for users looking to monitor their system hardware without financial investment.

Possible disadvantages of HWMonitor

  • Limited Advanced Features
    The free version of HWMonitor lacks some advanced features offered by competing hardware monitoring tools, which may be a drawback for users seeking more comprehensive functionality.
  • Reporting Limitations
    The software offers limited reporting capabilities, which can make it difficult for users to export or analyze historical data extensively.
  • No Cross-Platform Support
    HWMonitor is only available for Windows, which means it cannot be used on macOS or Linux systems.
  • No Active Alerts
    The application does not have built-in alert mechanisms to notify users about critical system thresholds being breached in real-time.
  • Static Interface
    The interface design is relatively static and lacks modern visual enhancements, which might not appeal to users who prefer more visually engaging software tools.

MSI Afterburner videos

+ Add

MSI Afterburner - How to setup On-Screen Display

More videos:

  • Tutorial - MSI Afterburner Complete Guide & Tutorial 2019
  • Review - MSI Afterburner! GPU Overclocking for Beginners.

HWMonitor videos

+ Add

HWMonitor Tutorial and Explanation, Awesome System Health Software [1080, Voice]

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Introduction to CPUID HWMonitor | Track CPU GPU Temperature Tutorial

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MSI Afterburner and HWMonitor)

MSI Afterburner

HWMonitor

Device Management
57 57%
Device Management
43% 43
Monitoring Tools
49 49%
Monitoring Tools
51% 51
Gaming
100 100%
Gaming
0% 0
System Information
47 47%
System Information
53% 53

User comments

Share your experience with using MSI Afterburner and HWMonitor. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare MSI Afterburner and HWMonitor

MSI Afterburner Reviews

Top 8 BEST NZXT CAM ALTERNATIVES
MSI Afterburner is a program similar to Nzxt CAM that monitors and enhances the performance of your computer. It has a lesser FPS impact than Fraps while yet offering the same capabilities. Along with the video capture, the beta versions feature audio streaming. The software is responsible for monitoring the performance of a component’s Graphics Processing Unit. You can use...
Source: gisuser.com
10 Best Nzxt CAM Alternatives
One advantage MSI Afterburner has over Nzxt CAM is the OC Scanner, which detects the optimal overclocking settings for your computer’s graphics card. This way, you don’t have to manually adjust the graphics card settings.
Source: conbackpackers.com
11 Best CPU Temperature Monitor For Windows PC To Check Accurate CPU Temp Readings
MSI Afterburner is the world’s most famous graphics card overclocking software that is used by millions of users even in 2021. If you want to overclock your CPU or GPU then you can download MSI Afterburner. You can also check CPU temp and GPU temp, monitor CPU fan speed, CPU frequency, load.
Source: www.softlay.com
Top 10 Best Game Booster Software Windows 2020
Last yet not the least in the rundown of best Game Booster programming for Windows, MSI Afterburner is an incredible sponsor for Windows 10. This is one of only a handful couple of programming like GameBoost which offers overclocking alternatives. Aside from the typical capacities, it gives the client a chance to tweak the fan speed, benchmark video record, and screen. It...
Source: techigem.com
11 Best Game Optimizers and Boosters for Windows PC
Meet the best game booster software, MSI Afterburner for your Windows 10 machine. This is one of the few solutions which offer overclocking options. Apart from the usual functions that every top game speed boosting tool provides, it lets the user customize the fan speed, benchmark video record, and monitor. It offers full control over the GPU voltage and frequency. You can...
Source: blogs.systweak.com

HWMonitor Reviews

HWMonitor Review & Alternatives for 2023
Beyond the technical abilities of HWMonitor the low price point is another reason to consider the tool. The standard version of HWMonitor is available for free, putting it in the reach of SME’s and larger organizations. However, there is a Hardware Monitor Pro version that includes additional logging capabilities, remote operation, and graphing. The price of HWMonitor Pro is...
Source: www.comparitech.com
7 Best Speedfan Alternatives for 2023
HWMonitor is the last of my Speedfan alternatives and the good news is that it’s another free application. It’s a very popular hardware utility that works with all versions of Windows. HWMonitor is a really lightweight application and when I used it, I noticed a very small impact on my system resources.
Source: www.technize.com
11 Best CPU Temperature Monitor For Windows PC To Check Accurate CPU Temp Readings
For the ease of users, HWMonitor is available to download in two different versions either download HWMonitor portable or HWMonitor setup. Upon minimizing this tool doesn’t add up in the system tray so to check readings you need to open it up manually.
Source: www.softlay.com
20 Programs to Analyze and Benchmark Your Hardware
HWmonitor is for Windows PCs only, but it's free, and as a tool for keeping an eye on temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages, it fits the role perfectly. There is a program called HWMonitor for Mac, and the name suggests that it's a platform port of this tool -- unfortunately it's not.
Source: www.techspot.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing MSI Afterburner and HWMonitor, you can also consider the following products

Open Hardware Monitor - Monitors temperature sensors, fan speeds, voltages, load and clock speeds, with optional graph.

Guru3D - Guru of 3D: PC Hardware Reviews and tests

SpeedFan - Hardware monitor for Windows that can access digital temperature sensors located on several 2-wire SMBus Serial Bus. Can access voltages and fan speeds and control fan speeds. Includes technical articles and docs.

Geforce Experience - GeForce Experience is a new application from NVIDIA that optimizes your PC in two key ways.

HWiNFO - Professional System Information and Diagnostics. Comprehensive Hardware Analysis, Monitoring and Reporting for Windows and DOS. FREEWARE. download. Advertisements.

EVGA Precision - This program allows you to fine tune your EVGA graphics card for the maximum performance possible...

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