MSI Afterburner

Download Details

Version

4.6.6 (latest)

File size

40.48 MB

License

Free

Security scan

VirusTotal: 66 of 66 engines say OK (0 flagged)

SHA-256 checksum Copy

348e9690a638d84e30e32e9c7c2dd7aad9fd82d71eced1942c04c4c5620b0e1e

Developer

Micro-Star

Supported OS

Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 7

Installers

64-bit (x64), 32-bit (x86), Offline

Downloads

9706

Rating

4.7 out of 5 · 78 reviews

File name(s)

[Guru3D]-MSIAfterburnerSetup466Build16757.zip

Reviewed by Eman Sakr
Tested on Windows 11 and 10 · November 7, 2026 · How we review

Screenshots

Get this if you own a graphics card and want to see what it is really doing while you play, or squeeze out extra speed.

It covers NVIDIA and AMD cards on Windows, and you do not need an MSI card.

The standout is the in-game overlay: FPS, temperature and clocks on screen while you play. Skip it if you never open GPU settings.

What is MSI Afterburner?

MSI Afterburner is a free utility from MSI that gives you manual control over a graphics card’s clocks, power and fans. It also reads sensor data from the card and plots it live.

It started life alongside the RivaTuner tuning tool, and that partnership still shows in the overlay it uses today.

Core clock, memory clock and power limit sliders

The main window is built around a handful of sliders. Raise the core clock and memory clock for more frame rate, or raise the power limit so the card can hold its boost longer.

You can also go the other way and lower power draw to run quieter and cooler. Move one slider at a time and apply after each change.

Tip: if a game crashes or the screen glitches, drop the last change you made by a small step instead of resetting everything.

The curve editor for voltage and frequency

For finer control, the curve editor shows how much clock speed the card gets at each voltage step. Shifting the whole line up gives a gain, while flattening the top end can cut heat with little speed lost.

This is the more advanced route, and the voltage options depend on your card and driver. Some cards keep them locked.

Fan curves that follow GPU temperature

Instead of the default fan behavior, you can draw your own curve: slow fans at idle, faster fans as temperature climbs.

A steeper curve runs cooler but louder, so test it with a demanding game and adjust to the noise you accept.

RivaTuner and the in-game overlay for FPS and temperatures

Afterburner reads clock speed, temperature, usage, fan speed and memory use, and shows them as graphs inside its window.

With RivaTuner Statistics Server installed, the same readings can sit over your game. That makes it easy to spot thermal throttling or a frame rate drop without leaving the game.

Tip: pick only the readings you care about, such as FPS, GPU temperature and GPU usage, so the overlay stays readable.

Profile slots for different games and tasks

You can save a set of slider and fan values to a profile slot and load it with a click or a hotkey.

One slot can hold a quiet everyday setup and another a tuned gaming setup. Remember that a profile does not apply itself unless you enable the startup option.

Stability testing before you trust an overclock

Afterburner changes settings but does not prove they are stable. A tweak that works in one game can crash in another.

If you need confidence, run a GPU stress test such as MSI’s separate Kombustor tool and watch temperatures while it runs.

Is MSI Afterburner safe to install?

The installer on this page was checked with VirusTotal and came back clean.

The real risk is in how you use it: aggressive clock or voltage changes can cause crashes and extra heat. Small steps and temperature checks keep that risk low.

When you can skip MSI Afterburner

If you never change GPU settings and only want a quick frame rate counter, a game launcher or the graphics driver’s own overlay may be enough.

Radeon owners who only want basic tuning can also find it in AMD’s driver software.

How to Download & Install

Click the download button at the top of this page to get the installer, a standard EXE file.

Step 1: Open your Downloads folder and double-click the installer. Approve the Windows permission prompt if it appears.

Step 2: Click Next, accept the license agreement, then click Next again.

Step 3: Pick the install folder. The default location is fine for most people.

Step 4: Leave RivaTuner Statistics Server ticked if you want the on-screen overlay for FPS and temperatures. Untick it only if you just need sliders and fan control.

Step 5: Click Install, wait for the progress bar to finish, then click Finish.

Step 6: Launch MSI Afterburner from the Start menu. The main window shows sliders for core clock, memory clock and fan speed.

Which installer you get

• The main installer, usually 64-bit, for current Windows PCs.
• A 32-bit installer for older 32-bit systems.

System requirements

• Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows 7
• A graphics card from NVIDIA or AMD with current drivers
• Administrator rights during setup

How to update

Click the download button on this page for the latest version and run the installer over your current copy.

Close Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server first so the setup can replace running files.

Fixing common install and setup problems

• Overlay not showing in games: make sure RivaTuner Statistics Server is running, then enable the readings you want under the monitoring tab so they appear in the on-screen display.
• Voltage slider greyed out: open Settings, tick the option to unlock voltage control, and restart the app. Some cards do not allow voltage changes at all.
• Settings gone after a reboot: tick the option to apply overclocking at system startup, then save your tweak to a profile slot.

Pros & Cons

Best MSI Afterburner Alternatives

• 
  CCleaner

  It cleans junk, speeds up your PC, and keeps Windows running smooth.

• 
  PC Health Check

  Free compatibility checker that tells whether your PC qualifies for the upgrade.

• 
  Dell SupportAssist

  Free driver updates, hardware scans and support case creation for Dell PCs.

• 
  NVIDIA Control Panel

  Tweak NVIDIA graphics card settings, game profiles and multi-monitor layouts.

Conclusion

4.7★★★★★out of 5 · 78 user ratings

MSI Afterburner is the default choice for tuning almost any graphics card on Windows. It costs nothing and covers clocks, fans and live monitoring in one window.

Install it if you want an overlay or manual control. If you never touch GPU settings, you can leave it out.

• EVIGA Precision X1: a free option for NVIDIA owners who want a tool built for GeForce cards.
• AMD Software Adrenalin Edition: the better pick for Radeon owners who want basic tuning inside the driver they already have.
• ASUS GPU Tweak III: a free tool that suits ASUS card owners who prefer simplified modes.

FAQ

Found a problem with this download? Report an outdated version, broken link, suspicious installer or incorrect information.

Changelog - What's new in version 4.6.6

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