This is a compact and simple utility for Windows that has long been the standard in the world of gamers and testers. The main task of the program is to display the current frames per second, take screenshots, and perform real-time video capture from applications running through DirectX and OpenGL. The main feature of Fraps is that the program is not overloaded with complex settings: all controls are based on hotkeys, which makes it convenient even for beginners.
Despite the fact that the development of Fraps has long been discontinued, the current version is still in demand, as it provides stable high-resolution recording, allows you to track the frame rate in real time, and save the results for performance analysis.
Key features
Real-time video capture — instant recording of what is happening on the screen without delay.
High resolution recording — the ability to save videos in high resolution, up to 4K.
Adjustable frame rate — range from 1 to 120 fps for smooth gameplay recording.
Benchmarking software — built-in FPS counter and saving results to reports.
Frame time logs — logging of frame rendering time to find bottlenecks.
Custom benchmarks — run your own tests in specific games.
Screen capture software — convenient screenshots with automatic naming and dating.
Proprietary codec — our own codec that guarantees quality without compression.
Loop recording — cyclical recording that allows you to save only the important moments.
Large AVI support — work with AVI files larger than 4 GB thanks to OpenDML.
Simple hotkeys — control via key combinations that don’t distract from the game.
Low-overhead performance — minimal system load during recording.
Free Download — Fraps 3.5.9
What’s new in the latest versions
Fraps 3.5.0
Improved loop recording performance, fixed audio and video synchronization errors.
Fraps 3.5.5
Support for writing to exFAT partitions has been added, and compatibility with OpenGL has been improved.
Fraps 3.5.7
Optimized RAM consumption during long-term real-time video capture.
Fraps 3.5.9 (latest version)
Added support for OpenDML/AVI for recording large AVI files (>4 GB)
Fixed bugs with FPS overlay display in Aero Desktop and DirectX 10 games
Improved loop recording stability
Improved reliability during high resolution recording and smooth gameplay recording
Pro tips
Customize hotkeys to suit your needs so you don’t waste time searching for buttons.
For long gaming sessions, limit the frame rate to 30–60 fps to reduce file size.
Use a fast SSD for high resolution recording — this reduces the risk of lag.
Save frame time logs if you want to identify the causes of performance drops.
Enable loop recording if you need to capture the best moment without filling up your entire disk.
Install additional decoders if you plan to share AVI files with other users.
Comparison with 3DP Chip and 3DMark Professional
3DP Chip is designed to search for and update drivers, not to record screens or perform FPS tests.
3DMark Professional is designed for serious synthetic benchmarking and hardware stress testing, but is not suitable for real-time video capture or screen capture software.
Fraps strikes a happy medium: a fast tool for smooth gameplay recording, FPS monitoring, and saving results without unnecessary features.
System requirements
OS: Windows XP, Vista, 7 (partially works on 8, but with limitations).
CPU: processor with SSE2 support.
RAM: 4 GB or higher.
Disk: NTFS or exFAT for working with large AVI files.
Graphics: any card with DirectX or OpenGL support.
Codec: a built-in proprietary codec or ffdshow is required to play files.
Conclusion
This is not an outdated program, but a time-tested tool that still performs its tasks better than many modern counterparts. Real-time high-resolution video capture, flexible frame rate settings, frame time logs, and convenient screen capture software make it indispensable for gamers and testers.
The current version 3.5.9 is especially valuable: it provides support for large AVI files, stability during loop recording, and correct display of FPS overlay. Unlike 3DP Chip, Fraps is specifically designed for gaming environments, and compared to 3DMark Professional, it provides a practical “here and now” tool that is not overloaded with unnecessary tests.
If you are looking for a reliable solution for smooth gameplay recording, performance analysis, and high-resolution recording, Fraps remains one of the best options.
