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Head-to-head · GPU Overclocking Software

MSI Afterburner vs Arc Power

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score MSI Afterburner #1 in GPU Overclocking Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Try MSI Afterburner
Arc Power #3 in GPU Overclocking Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Arc Power

MSI Afterburner leads on 0 checks, Arc Power on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMSI Afterburner · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth

MSI Afterburner scores higher on our rubric for gpu overclocking software: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

MSI Afterburner is the better fit for most Windows GPU overclockers. Arc Power is the better fit for intel Arc users on Windows.

  • MSI Afterburner fits best

    Most Windows GPU overclockers

  • Arc Power fits best

    Intel Arc users on Windows

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Side by side

Feature MSI Afterburner 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Arc Power 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.9
Ranking #1 in GPU Overclocking Software #3 in GPU Overclocking Software
Best for Most Windows GPU overclockers Intel Arc users on Windows
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Support Docs, Tickets Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features MSI Afterburner 5/5 · Arc Power 5/5
Custom voltage control ✓ ✓
Fan curve control ✓ ✓
Power limit control ✓ ✓
Tuning profiles ✓ ✓
On-screen overlay ✓ ✓
Specs
GPU vendor support Multi-vendor Multi-vendor
Operating systems Windows Windows
Our review
Pros
  • Supports manual tuning, OC Scanner overclocking, and undervolting
  • Includes fan curves, power limits, profiles, monitoring, and an OSD
  • Free plan includes GPU tuning, monitoring, fan control, and on-screen display
  • Overclocking, undervolting, power limits, and fan curves
  • Profiles, telemetry graphs, overlays, and graphics settings
  • Free, open-source Windows builds with RTSS, LHM, and OBS integration
Cons
  • Windows only
  • Some overlay and monitoring functions require RivaTuner Statistics Server
  • Laptop fan curves may be unavailable when firmware locks fan behavior
  • Intel Arc is required for tuning controls
  • AMD and NVIDIA support is limited to telemetry
  • The latest release notes say the installer is currently broken
Our verdict

MSI Afterburner is a free Windows utility for tuning and monitoring graphics cards from MSI and other manufacturers. It is aimed at users who want control over GPU core and memory settings, voltage, power limits, temperature limits, fan…

Read the review →

Arc Power is a free, open-source Windows desktop utility for tuning and monitoring Intel Arc graphics cards. It is aimed at Arc Alchemist and Battlemage users who want more control over clocks, voltage offsets, power and temperature…

Read the review →
  1. MSI AfterburnerGPU Overclocking Software 9.4Free plan
  2. Arc PowerGPU Overclocking Software 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • MSI Afterburner — where it wins

    • Supports manual tuning, OC Scanner overclocking, and undervolting
    • Includes fan curves, power limits, profiles, monitoring, and an OSD
    • Free plan includes GPU tuning, monitoring, fan control, and on-screen display

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows only
    • Some overlay and monitoring functions require RivaTuner Statistics Server
    • Laptop fan curves may be unavailable when firmware locks fan behavior
  • Arc Power — where it wins

    • Overclocking, undervolting, power limits, and fan curves
    • Profiles, telemetry graphs, overlays, and graphics settings
    • Free, open-source Windows builds with RTSS, LHM, and OBS integration

    Where it doesn't

    • Intel Arc is required for tuning controls
    • AMD and NVIDIA support is limited to telemetry
    • The latest release notes say the installer is currently broken

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update