How To Monitor Your PC's CPU Temperature

Monitoring your PC's CPU temperature is important to ensure that it isn't overheating, which could lead to performance throttling or damage. Here's how you can do it:

1. Use Built-in Software (BIOS/UEFI)

Most modern motherboards have a feature to monitor CPU temperatures directly in the BIOS/UEFI firmware.

Steps:

1. Restart your PC.
2. Press the key to enter BIOS/UEFI settings (commonly F2, DEL, or ESC; it will be displayed on your screen during boot).
3. Navigate to the "Hardware Monitor" or "PC Health" tab (this depends on your motherboard).
4. Look for the CPU Temperature reading. You can check your CPU temperature here, but it’s only available while your PC is powered on and in BIOS.

2. Use Third-Party Software

For more detailed monitoring, especially when using your system, you can install third-party software that tracks the temperature in real-time.

Here are a few popular ones:

Core Temp

• A lightweight and easy-to-use tool that shows the temperature of each core of your CPU.
• How to use:
  1. Download and install Core Temp.
  2. Run the program, and you'll see the temperature of each CPU core in real-time.

HWMonitor

• A comprehensive system monitoring tool that shows a variety of temperatures, voltages, fan speeds, and more.
• How to use:
  1. Download and install HWMonitor.
  2. Open it, and under the "Temperatures" section, find your CPU temperature.

MSI Afterburner

• Mainly used for GPU monitoring, but also tracks CPU temperature.
• How to use:
  1. Download and install MSI Afterburner.
  2. Open the software, and enable monitoring in the settings.

Open Hardware Monitor

• Another free tool that tracks a wide range of system temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages.
• How to use:
  1. Download and install Open Hardware Monitor.
  2. Open the software, and you'll see the CPU temperature displayed.

3. Use Task Manager (Windows 10/11)

For Windows 11 and later, Task Manager includes a CPU temperature monitor in its Performance tab.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Performance tab.
3. Select CPU on the left.
4. You’ll find temperature data in some modern systems, but it may not be available in older ones. (Note: This feature may depend on your CPU manufacturer and system configuration.)

4. Use System Tray Tools (Windows)

Some third-party tools, like Speccy or NZXT CAM, can add a small icon in your system tray that displays real-time temperatures.

Steps:

1. Download and install Speccy or NZXT CAM.
2. After installation, run the software, and you'll see the CPU temperature on the main screen or in the system tray.

5. Use Linux Command Line Tools (For Linux Users)

For Linux users, several tools allow you to monitor CPU temperature via the terminal:

Using lm-sensors

1. Install lm-sensors (if not already installed):

   sudo apt-get install lm-sensors  

2. Run the sensors command:

   sensors  

This will show the current CPU temperature and other relevant data.

Ideal CPU Temperature Ranges

• Idle: 30°C to 40°C (86°F to 104°F).
• Under load (gaming, rendering, etc.): 60°C to 75°C (140°F to 167°F).
• Critical temperatures (to avoid): Over 90°C (194°F). If it reaches this point, the CPU will throttle its speed to avoid damage, and prolonged exposure to high temperatures may shorten its lifespan.

Tips to Maintain Safe Temperatures

• Ensure good airflow: Keep your PC case well-ventilated with intake and exhaust fans.
• Clean dust regularly: Dust can block airflow and trap heat. Clean your PC every few months.
• Use thermal paste: Ensure that your CPU cooler is properly seated with fresh thermal paste.
• Upgrade cooling systems: Consider better CPU coolers, case fans, or even liquid cooling solutions for higher-performance systems.

Monitoring your CPU temperature helps you identify potential overheating issues and take action before they become serious.