If you only read numbers
Lightweight monitors can suffice. Afterburner remains valid, but reduce surface area if you never open the tuner tab.
If you need a vendor-only switch
Use the vendor tool for that knob and keep Afterburner for overlays if allowed. Document which app owns fans versus clocks.
If the OEM owns policy
Laptops may gate writes regardless of enthusiasm. Monitoring may still be informative even when apply is blocked.
If anti-cheat is the boss
Follow title rules. External capture or post-session analysis beats risking an account flag for a frametime graph.
Close the loop
Choose a primary tuner, export stable profiles, and keep the FAQ open in another tab while you iterate.