However, if you want to measure the maximum possible temperature, you can check by running a Prime95 stress test for about 30 minutes ( download here) on Windows 10 or Windows 11. If you want to check your PC's CPU temperature during normal use, you can leave Core Temp running while you perform common tasks. So, for example, the CPU in the above image has had a minimum temperature of 32C and a maximum of 51C and is, therefore, running at a normal temperature. But we're more interested in the Min and Max columns, which show the absolute minimum and the absolute peak temperature recorded while the program runs. The left-hand side of the measurements shows the real-time temperature of each CPU core, and you can also see the measurements in the taskbar.
Just be sure to untick the freeware option during installation.Ĭore Temp provides temperature measurements for every core in your CPU. This is a simpler tool that works with a more basic UI. You can also use the Core Temp tool, one of the best CPU temperature tools for Windows 11 and Windows 10, to monitor the temperatures ( download here). While CAM is intended to be used with NZXT's products, it works really well as a casual monitoring tool in Windows 11 or Windows 10, even if you don't have any NZXT hardware. You can use the software in Guest Mode to avoid creating a user account, and you can also disable the program from starting automatically with Windows if you don't plan on using it often. These are just a few examples of many, but we'll show you how NZXT's CAM and Core Temp work because our testing found that these two are the easiest to install and use. If you're overclocking your CPU and want more in-depth measurements, Intel's eXtreme Tuning Utility (XTU) and AMD's Ryzen Master software are designed by the chipmakers and also offer expansive options. There are multiple CPU temperature monitoring programs to choose from, with the best tools for checking CPU temperature, including Core Temp, NZXT's CAM, AIDA64, HWiINFO, or HWMonitor. When he isn't working on a computer or DIY project, he is most likely to be found camping, backpacking, or canoeing.How to Check Your CPU Temperature in Windows 10 and 11Ĭhecking your CPU temperature is as easy as installing and using monitoring software and then reading the output, and you can use the same techniques to check your CPU temperature in Windows 10 and Windows 11. He has designed crossovers for homemade speakers all the way from the basic design to the PCB. He regularly repairs and repurposes old computers and hardware for whatever new project is at hand. He enjoys DIY projects, especially if they involve technology. He also uses Proxmox to self-host a variety of services, including a Jellyfin Media Server, an Airsonic music server, a handful of game servers, NextCloud, and two Windows virtual machines. He has been running video game servers from home for more than 10 years using Windows, Ubuntu, or Raspberry Pi OS. Nick's love of tinkering with computers extends beyond work. In college, Nick made extensive use of Fortran while pursuing a physics degree. Before How-To Geek, he used Python and C++ as a freelance programmer. He has been using computers for 20 years - tinkering with everything from the UI to the Windows registry to device firmware. Nick Lewis is a staff writer for How-To Geek. Monitor your GPU temperatures to ensure that temperatures are staying within acceptable ranges. The solution could be as simple as giving your computer a thorough cleaning or figuring out what cooling and airflow setup is optimal for your PC, but you have to notice the issue first. Should a GPU reach a critical temperature, it may even trigger a shutdown to protect itself from damage.įortunately, a GPU that runs too hot is often fixable. A hot GPU also places greater wear and tear on the fans in your GPU cooler, making them more prone to failure.
If it gets too hot, your GPU may experience thermal throttling, which will reduce your performance dramatically. There are numerous ways to monitor your GPU's temperature - find out more about some different options here. High temperatures reduce the performance of your GPU and may even cause your system to shut down. Third-party tools like MSI Afterburner, EVGA Precision X1, and HWiNFO64 offer additional features such as overclocking and logging temperature data, giving users more customization options for monitoring and optimizing GPU performance.Windows Task Manager, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, and AMD Radeon Software all provide built-in temperature monitoring for GPUs, allowing users to track their temperature and other performance statistics.Monitoring GPU temperature is crucial to ensure it stays within acceptable ranges. High GPU temperatures can reduce performance and even cause system shutdowns.