If you have recently noticed numbers or overlays on your screen showing things like FPS, GPU, CPU and Lat, you might be wondering where they came from and what they mean. These technical readouts can seem confusing at first, especially if they appear unexpectedly during gaming or other high-performance tasks. However, they are usually harmless and are part of built-in or third-party monitoring tools designed to help users keep track of their computer’s performance.
In this article, we explain why your PC might be showing these statistics, what each one means and how you can control or remove the display if needed.
What Are FPS, GPU, CPU and Lat?
These abbreviations are common in the world of PC performance monitoring, especially for gamers and power users who want to track how well their system is running in real time.
FPS stands for frames per second. It measures how many images your PC can render and display each second while playing a game or running a visual application. A higher FPS generally means smoother gameplay.
GPU refers to the graphics processing unit, also known as the graphics card. It is responsible for rendering visuals, and its performance is key to gaming, video editing and other graphic-intensive tasks.
CPU stands for central processing unit. It handles the general processing tasks for the operating system and software. Monitoring CPU usage helps diagnose performance bottlenecks.
Lat is short for latency, which refers to the delay between an action and its response. In gaming, latency can refer to network lag or input lag, and keeping it low is essential for responsive play.
Why These Stats Might Appear
If you suddenly see these performance metrics on your screen, there are a few common reasons.
Xbox Game Bar Performance Overlay
Windows 10 and 11 include the Xbox Game Bar, which has a performance overlay that can show FPS, CPU, GPU and latency in real time. You may have activated this by pressing Windows + G, which opens the Game Bar interface.
Within this interface, there is a Performance widget that displays these stats. If you pinned it by mistake, it will continue to appear even after you close the Game Bar. To remove it, press Windows + G again, go to the Performance panel and uncheck the Pin icon.
Graphics Driver Tools (NVIDIA or AMD)
Both NVIDIA and AMD graphics drivers come with software that can display overlays showing performance statistics.
If you have an NVIDIA GPU, the GeForce Experience app includes an in-game overlay that can show FPS and other stats. You may have enabled this through a hotkey or during a driver update. To disable it, open GeForce Experience, go to Settings > In-Game Overlay, and turn the overlay off or adjust what is shown.
For AMD users, the Radeon Software has a similar performance monitoring tool. You can access it by pressing Alt + R. From there, you can disable the performance metrics overlay or adjust which stats are shown.
Third-Party Monitoring Software
Apps like MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner Statistics Server, HWMonitor and NZXT CAM are popular tools for tracking PC performance. These are often installed by gamers, enthusiasts or anyone trying to fine-tune their system.
If you have recently installed one of these, check the settings menu to see if an overlay is enabled. These apps typically allow full control over what is displayed and where, so you can turn off overlays or customise them to your preference.
Game-Specific Overlays
Some games have built-in support for performance monitoring. You might have enabled an FPS counter or debug mode without realising it. Go into the game’s settings and look for options under Display, Graphics or Developer Settings to turn off any built-in metrics.
Is It a Problem?
In most cases, the appearance of FPS, GPU, CPU and Lat metrics is not a sign of a problem. These stats are meant to help users evaluate system performance and can be especially useful when troubleshooting slowdowns, lag or graphical issues.
However, if you did not intend to enable them, they can be distracting or confusing. They may also slightly affect performance, especially if you are using older hardware or running multiple overlays at once.
How to Turn Off the Overlay
To remove these stats from your screen, start by identifying where they are coming from.
If you pressed Windows + G and saw the Xbox Game Bar, open it again and check the Performance widget. If it is pinned, unpin it to remove the stats.
If the overlay appears even outside of games, check your graphics card software. For NVIDIA, open GeForce Experience and disable the in-game overlay. For AMD, use Radeon Software and turn off the performance metrics.
If you have a third-party app installed like MSI Afterburner, open its settings and either disable the overlay completely or uncheck the specific stats you do not want to see.
In rare cases, the overlay may be controlled by a hotkey that you pressed accidentally. Check the app’s documentation or settings to find and change the hotkey combinations.
When Should You Keep the Stats On?
There are times when having these stats visible is helpful. If you are testing a new game or troubleshooting low performance, knowing your FPS and GPU load can help diagnose issues.
You might also use these stats if you are overclocking your GPU or CPU, adjusting fan curves or monitoring system temperatures under load. In these cases, seeing performance metrics in real time allows you to make better decisions and avoid hardware stress.
Final Thoughts
If your PC is showing FPS, GPU, CPU and Lat on screen, it is likely due to a performance overlay from Xbox Game Bar, graphics driver software or a third-party monitoring app. These tools are designed to help users track performance but can be turned off easily if they are no longer needed. By checking your system settings and identifying the source of the overlay, you can remove it quickly or customise it to better suit your needs.