FRAPS

Well, if you've never heard of Fraps before, you sir, are missing out. Fraps does everything you always wished your video games did, and more. The application itself runs in the background (namely the system tray) and unless you play around with the Fraps control panel, you probably won't even notice it until you fire up a game. Even when the game is on the loading screen, you will notice an bright yellow number in the top left (default corner) corner of your screen. This can be modified in the FRAPS control panel or by hitting the F12 hotkey in-game. The number itself constantly displays your current FPS, or frames per second. Also, Fraps can write an average of your FPS when you hit F11, the benchmarking hotkey. This is useful for those who want to take in-game benchmarks of their PCs (for bragging rights, of course!).

FRAPS is also great for video developers and people who just love screenshots. For the inspired movie makers, a video game is a great developing ground for some movies, even comedies. Therefore, using Fraps, you too can make another copy of Monty Python's sketch "How Not to Be Seen." For example here is one of my favorite ones presumably done using either Halo: Combat Evolved for the PC or the original Halo for the XBOX.


In my opinion, Fraps is a very useful tool, consumes little memory, and is great for the everyday gamer who wants to ensure a quality gaming experience and for the Indy movie developer alike. Who knows? You might create something interesting.

Verdict: 10 out of 10
Pros: Displays FPS, allows movie capture while in games, allows one to take screenshots while in a game that doesn't have a built in screenshots feature. Light on memory.
Cons: No foreseeable problems here. Carry on.