MSI laptops aren’t just simple laptops – they are built for serious gamers. If you're looking to capture flawless and stutter-free gameplay on MSI laptops for your next montage, you’ll need a reliable game recorder. The game recorder you pick should include the ability to record at least 15 or 30 seconds and stream your live gameplay to the world on Twitch or YouTube. How to screen record on MSI laptop? Here are 4 robust game recorders for MSI laptops, from simple, lightweight tools to feature-rich software.
Part 1. Gameplay Recordings on MSI Laptops
High-performance hardware in MSI laptops makes gaming smooth and helps record with the laptop camera. When recording gaming clips, the following key factors influence the recording performance and output video quality on MSI laptops.
1. FPS Fluctuation
Frames per second (FPS) directly impact both gameplay smoothness and recording quality. If FPS fluctuates significantly, the captured video may appear choppy or inconsistent.
2. Resolution
The resolution of a gaming clip determines its visual clarity. Higher resolutions, such as 1080p or 4K, produce sharper images but require more processing power.
3. Mbps (Bitrate)
Bitrate (measured in Mbps) affects the quality and file size of recorded videos. A higher bitrate preserves details and reduces compression artifacts but requires more storage and processing power.
4. Gameplay Stuttering
Stuttering occurs when the system struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, leading to uneven motion in recordings. MSI laptops combat this with top-tier CPUs and GPUs, ensuring smooth gameplay and stutter-free recordings.
If you want to record yourself during gameplay on MSI laptops, refer to how to record myself on my laptop.
Part 2. How to Screen Record on MSI Laptop with MSI Afterburner?
MSI laptops with MSI graphics cards come with a built-in screen recording feature in MSI Afterburner. This free utility is primarily known for overclocking but also includes a simple screen capture tool. Compared to dedicated game screen recording software on the list, MSI Afterburner's recording features are relatively basic.
Here’s how to record your screen using MSI Afterburner. Note that some of the Afterburners recording features are reliant on the RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS). If that software is not configured correctly or is not running, recording issues can arise when you follow the guide on how to record gameplay on PC.
Step 1. Download and install MSI Afterburner from the official MSI website. Also remember to install the RivaTuner Statistics Server, as it enables the screen recording function within Afterburner.
Step 2. Open MSI Afterburner and go to Settings. Navigate to the Video Capture tab, where you can set your preferred recording hotkey, format, quality, and frame rate.
Step 3. In the same Video Capture settings, select the video codec (MJPG or H.264) and configure audio sources to capture system sounds or microphone input.
Step 4. How to screen record in laptop? Just press the assigned hotkey to start recording. A small indicator may appear showing that the recording is active. Press the hotkey again to stop recording.
Part 3. How to Screen Record on MSI Laptop with A Game Recorder?
Gamers and MSI laptop users will love iTop Screen Recorder - it's free and has powerful game recording mode. It helps you record your gameplay on the MSI laptop in 4K UHD 120fps, 1080P FHD smoothly, thanks to the support for hardware acceleration of NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel. With its lightweight performance, customizable settings, and built-in video editor, the free screen recorder for MSI laptops ensures an effortless recording experience.
Learn how to screen record on MSI laptop smoothly in high quality with iTop Screen Recorder.
Step 1. Download iTop Screen Recorder and install it on your MSI laptop. Launch the recorder after installation.
Step 2. Click “Game” to select the game recording mode from the main interface. Gameplay recording is optimized in this mode.
Step 3. Customize the recording settings, such as resolution, frame rate, and audio input (microphone or system sound). You can also enable the webcam overlay if needed.
Step 4. Press the REC button or use the hotkey (Ctrl + F9) to start recording. When finished, press the stop button or use the hotkey again. The recorded video will be saved automatically in the selected output folder.
iTop Screen Recorder has built-in screenshot features, learn how to screenshot on laptop.
Part 4. How to Screen Record on MSI Laptop with Xbox Game Bar?
How to screen record on MSI laptop with built-in tools? The Xbox Game Bar makes it easy. Xbox Game Bar is a handy screen recorder. It's free and comes with Windows, so MSI laptop owners can easily use it. It's also pretty cool that you can record the last 30 seconds of action, so you won't miss a highlight. Below is how to screen record on MSI laptop using the Xbox Game Bar.
Step 1. Open the Xbox Game Bar. You can use the MSI screen record shortcut Win + G to open the Xbox Game Bar. If prompted, confirm that this is a game by clicking “Yes, this is a game.”
Step 2. Go to Settings > Gaming > Captures and enable “Record in the background while I’m playing a game” to activate the last 30 seconds recording function.
Step 3. Whenever something noteworthy happens, press the MSI screen record shortcut Win + Alt + G to instantly save the last 30 seconds of your screen activity.
Step 4. Click “See my captures” to locate your saved clips.
Also read: how to record your screen on a laptop >>
Part 5. How to Screen Record on MSI Laptop with OBS Studio?
OBS Studio turns your MSI laptop into a powerhouse for both live streaming and high-quality gameplay recording (up to 8K). OBS screen recorder supports live streaming and broadcasting your gaming to the world. Its robust features let you control your stream to Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live, and capture gameplay smoothly on MSI laptops. Here's a quick tutorial on how to screen record on MSI laptop.
Step 1. Download OBS Studio from its official website and complete the installation.
Step 2. Launch OBS Studio. In the "Sources" panel, click the "+" icon. Select "Game Capture" for gameplay or "Display Capture" for your entire screen.
Step 3. Go to "Settings" then "Output." Choose your recording path, format (MP4 is recommended), and quality. For live streaming, input your stream key from Twitch or YouTube in the "Stream" tab, and set your bitrate and resolution.
Step 4. Click "Start Recording" to capture gameplay or "Start Streaming" to broadcast live. Use the "Scene Transitions" and "Audio Mixer" for a professional MSI screen recording.
If OBS fails to work, check troubleshooting tips for OBS not capturing game.
Part 6. Compare 4 Screen Recorders - Parameters, Pros and Cons
Below is a comparison of the 4 free screen recorders—Afterburner, iTop Screen Recorder, Xbox Game Bar, and OBS Studio—evaluating their FPS support, resolution, key features, etc. To help you learn how to screen record on MSI laptop without further ado, pick the ideal tool.
Tools |
FPS |
Resolution |
Record Last Seconds |
Live Stream Function |
Game Mode |
Produce GIF |
Screenshot |
Afterburner |
Up to 144 |
Up to 4K |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
iTop Screen Recorder |
Up to 120 |
Up to 4K |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Xbox Game Bar |
Up to 60 |
1080p |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
OBS Studio |
No strict limit |
Up to 8K |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Part 7. Conclusion
Knowing how to screen record on MSI laptop is necessary if you want to save sweet gaming wins. While Xbox Game Bar is built for casual gaming, and MSI Afterburner provides hardware-centric recording, they often come with limitations in features and performance. Pro results? You'll need a dedicated screen recorder like iTop Screen Recorder. Download iTop Screen Recorder now and capture any gameplay on your MSI laptop in 4K UHD with no lags.