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CPU temperature monitors enable you to monitor CPU temperature from one location. Monitoring the temperature allows you to identify when hardware devices are overheating and gives you a chance to fix the problem before any damage is done to the device – which is vitally important for network troubleshooting.
SolarWinds CPU Load Monitor EDITOR’S CHOICE Part of the Engineer’s Toolset, this monitoring tool spots when a server is being overused. Excessive use can lead to high CPU temperatures and alerts in the monitor trigger alarms when activity gets too intense. Start a 14-day free trial.
HWMonitor A hardware monitoring tool with temperature and fan speed monitoring. It is compatible with sensor chips including the ITE IT87 series and Winbond ICs.
Core Temp Temperature mentor that takes system information from the Digital Thermal Sensor (DTS) of computer processors. It has a Core Temp Monitor app for Windows and Android phones.
SpeedFan A piece of software that monitors the voltage, fan speed, and temperature of computers. It also allows the user to control fan speeds and reduce noise.
AIDA64 Extreme Hardware monitor with support for over 250 different types of sensors that can monitor temperature, voltage, fan speed, and power. It is available for all 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows.
Rainmeter Top CPU temperature monitor for Windows devices that monitors core temperatures, CPU, disk usage, and RAM. It includes customizable skins that you can use to build a unique monitoring environment.
In this section, we review the best CPU load & temperature monitors to help you stay on top of failing hardware on your network. We analyzed the following features of each tool:
The SolarWinds CPU Load Monitor is part of the Engineer’s Toolset, which is a bundle of more than 60 monitoring and entire system management utilities. The CPU Load Monitor can track the performance of network devices and watch to make sure their hardware doesn’t get overloaded.
SolarWinds CPU Load Monitor isn’t designed for just one device, but it can monitor the CPU load on all devices on a network. The tool includes an autodiscovery service that sets up the parameters of the monitoring tool for each device.
Network devices rarely include mechanisms to measure temperature. So, there just isn’t a temperature metric to pick up from switches or routers. However, heat is usually only generated by these devices when they get overworked and the electronic elements that will create heat when overloaded are the CPU and the interfaces. The CPU Load Monitor measures these components and tracks their activity live in the Engineer’s Toolset’s dashboard.
The CPU Load Monitor starts its service by searching the network for all connected devices and lists them in an inventory. Once that autodiscovery phase has been completed, each listed device will automatically be monitored and one of the tracked factors in the CPU load. The CPU load monitor also records interface statistics and memory utilization, so all of the elements inside a network device that could overheat are watched by the CPU Load Monitor.
The monitor automatically sets threshold levels on all of the performance statuses that it tracks. These can be adjusted manually. When a threshold is crossed, the CPU Load Monitor generates an alert. This alert is shown on the dashboard and is also sent out to key personnel as an email or SMS message. This facility means that technicians don’t have to sit watching the panel always for signs of overheating. The threshold levels should be set so that the warning gives staff enough time to take preventative measures before any physical damage or performance impairment occurs.
The CPU Load Monitor is most suitable for the administration of large networks. Although the managers of all sizes on networks need to watch over the CPU utilization of all routers and switches, that task becomes impossible to perform manually when you have many devices to watch.
The CPU Load Monitor is part of the Engineer’s Toolset, a one-stop-shop for all network troubleshooting needs. You can monitor multiple routers concurrently and set warnings and alarm thresholds with ease. One of the best options available today.
Paessler PRTG is an all-in-one infrastructure monitor that covers networks, servers, and applications. When looking for a temperature monitor, there are several different systems that you could choose. The PRTG service is a bundle of sensors and every customer gets shipped the full set. When starting up the software, the systems device manager has to decide which sensors to turn on and so is able to tailor the system to adjust the necessary monitors.
The Paessler PRTG CPU Monitoring tool will watch over the CPU utilization of all of the devices connected to your network, which includes endpoints, switches, and routers. A system of alerts means that you don’t even have to look at the console of the monitor in order to catch problems with CPU availability.
The PRTG package of sensors includes several monitors that can pick up temperature information either from servers or network devices. Temperature performance is one of the factors that can be reported through SNMP and PRTG has a sensor for that. However, not every hardware provider implements procedures to report on temperature by that method.
PRTG includes monitors that pick up CPU performance data on Windows servers through WMI. A sensor for Linux servers also monitors CPU performance managed by that operating system. PRTG has a total of nine different sensors that are capable of looking for temperature information gathered on servers and network devices. If none of your equipment has an actual thermometer inside, there is no way for any system monitor to collect temperature information. However, in those cases, monitoring CPU load on all devices acts as a proxy statistic for temperature statuses.
As with the SolarWinds tool, the PRTG CPU Monitoring service is a bidder help to the managers of large networks. However, the free tier of PRTG makes this assistance accessible to small businesses as well.
HWMonitor is a hardware monitoring tool for Windows that monitors computer temperatures, voltages, and fans. The software monitors the hard drive and video card GPU temperature. These metrics give you a strong indication of the overall health of a device.
The big advantage of HWMonitor is that it has a free version and the paid options are very cheap. You can centrally monitor the CPU availability of all of your hosts. A demerit of this system in comparison to higher-placed services on this list is that it doesn’t monitor network devices.
The free service is a good option for very small businesses and the paid editions are good options for SMBs that run a fleet of endpoints. Larger organizations would be better off with a system monitor that includes CPU monitoring along with server and network monitoring.
When using the PRO version you can monitor multiple PCs in a list view. Next to each device you can view the Value, Min, and Maxtemperatures of hardware components. The list perspective makes it easier to monitor multiple devices at once. You can download the program for free.
NZXT CAM is a free onboard system monitoring tool that is provided by a self-build games PC components producer. It is possible to set up a login account for the tool but it isn’t necessary. You can use the system as the Guest account for free straightaway. CPU temperature, clock speed, and fan status are three of the metrics that are available on the PC Monitoring screen.
NZXT CAM has the most attractive interface of all of the CPU monitoring systems on this list. The first two tabs of the tool show useful system information and all of the subsequent tabs display advertisements for NZXT products. The advertising is not intrusive.
Not all of the statistics in the utility will have values. For example, if your PC doesn’t have a graphics processing unit, threw is a whole action of the screen that will be useless and very few fans include status reporting processes. However, you will get CPU temperature. The tool is only available for Windows and you can download it for free.
Open Hardware Monitor is an open-source hardware monitoring solution that monitors the temperature,fan speed, load, voltage, and clock speed of computers. The tool supports common hardware chips meaning it can be deployed in a range of environments. The user interface displays the data pulled from temperature sensors in a list format – making it easy to find mission-critical devices and maintain them.
Open Hardware Monitor tracks issues with the device that hosts it, so this isn’t a networked solution. However, its good points are that it monitors many hardware aspects, not just CPU, and that it is free of charge.
Open Hardware Monitoris recommended for those users who want to use a low-cost, open-source temperature monitoring platform. Open Hardware Monitor is available for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and Linux. You can download the program for free.
Core Temp is a temperature monitoring tool that can monitor Intel processors, AMD, and VIAprocessors in real-time. The program uses data taken from the Digital Thermal Sensor(DTS)of each processing core. The software collects the data and then displays it on the screen so the user can take an accurate temperature reading.
Core Temp is easy to install and it is free to use. The tool will warn you if your PC is getting to the point of overheating but it also provides a range of live hardware status reports.
There are multipleadd-ons available for Core Tempso the user can add additional capabilities. For example, the Core Temp Monitor appallows users to monitor devices on Windows and Android phones. The Core Temp Grapher plug-in creates a visual display that creates a graph for each processor core showing load percentage and core temperature.
Core Temp is a good tool for people who run older PCs that need closer monitoring than new computers that have sophisticated hardware monitors built into them. The tool is more appropriate for home use than for businesses.
Core Tempis available for Windows XP, Vista,7, 8,10, 2003 Server,2008 Server, 2012 Server, and 2016 Server. For commercial use, you have to purchase a commercial license. You can request a quote from the company directly. Download Core Temp for free.
HWiNFO is a real-time systemand temperature monitoring solutionfor Windows. With HWiNFO you can monitor hardware elements like CPUs, GPUs, drives, mainboards, and more to discover performance issues. The user interface is easy to navigate and you can view in-depth performance data by clicking through the infrastructure hierarchy.
HWiNFO is free for home use and it can monitor a range of hardware factors on Windows PCs, such as temperature, CPU activity, and RAM. The tool can be networked and when implemented in combination with Lansweeper can provide automated monitoring for a fleet of endpoints.
Customizable alertshelp to keep track of overheating and performance degradation. There are alsoadd-onsyou can use to augment the monitoring experience. For instance, the HWiNFOMonitor plugin adds a customizable sidebarwhich displays CPU performance with bars and graphs.
HWiNFO is ideal for enterprises that require a free CPU monitoring solution. The tool is availableHWiNFO32for Windows 32-bit and HWiNFO64 for Windows 64-bit. You can download the program for free.
Atera is a system that has been designed for use by managed service providers – although it is also available for use by in-house operations teams. In this package, which is called a Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) system, you get a collection of automated monitoring services that include CPU monitoring, so you get real value for money.
The device, endpoint, or server monitoring screens include a range of statuses, including CPU performance data. These categories of feedback are all live and they include CPU temperature, utilization, and capacity. Other factors shown in the screen include fan performance, memory usage, disk activity, and I/O throughput rates.
SpeedFan is a hardware monitor that monitors: temperature,fan speed, voltage, and hard disk temperatures. The software can also display S.M.A.R.T data from hard disks. With SpeedFan you can configure the program to change fan speeds remotely according to the system temperatures. For example, you can choose a minimum and maximum fan speed.
SpeedFan is a free system that not only monitors fan speed but it can also intervene and change it. This is a great help if you have an older PC that tends to overheat. The system also monitors CPU activity.
The user interface is simple to use, and the platform automatically detects temperature sensors so you don’t need to waste time creating extensive configurations. However, if you want to engage with more complex configurations you can do so on the Advanced page. Here you canoffset inaccurate temperature readingsandcontrol fan speed.
Similarly, if you want to view visual displays then you can do so through the Charts window. The Charts window displays performance chartsthat allow you to choose what metrics you want to monitor. Simply enter the start and end time of your reading, what elements you want to monitor, and the values you want to see.
AIDA64 Extreme is a device monitor that monitors temperature, voltage, fan speeds, and power. AIDA64 supportsover 250 different types of sensorsmeaning it works with most IT assets. The user interface is simple with a SensorPanel where you can build a custom panel to monitor temperature data and other information.
One feature that is particularly useful for enterprise users is external display support. You can view hardware data onover 50 external LCD/VFD screens, including smartphones and tablets. Display support makes sure that you can see all of the information that you need.
AIDA64 Extreme isavailable for all 32-bit and 64-bitversions of Windows. The tool is useful for users who want a low maintenance temperature monitor. You can purchase AIDA64 Extremefor home users from $39.95 (£30.87) for three PCs. You can download the 30-day free trial.
Rainmeter is a free, open-source CPU temp monitorfor Windows. Rainmeter can monitor data on temperature, CPU, RAM, disk usage, and more. There is a range of skins that make this possible. Skins are essentially small tools that you can customize the layout of. The user can create monitoring skins, use one of the starter packs or install a plugin.
For example, the CoreTemp plugin allows the user topull information from the CoreTemp application. The advantage of doing this is that you can use skins to control how you see information on the screen.
CPU temperature monitors make it easier to monitor the heat of an entire network of devices. SolarWinds CPU Load Monitor (with ETS), PRTG, HWMonitor, and Open Hardware Monitor are all reliable solutions for monitoring CPU performance. Implementing regular hardware monitoring with CPU monitors will make sure your devices stay available year-round.
There isn’t a CPU temperature monitor in your operating system. In order to get information about CPU temperature, you would have to go down to the BIOS. It is much easier to install a monitoring tool. We recommend the SolarWinds CPU Load Monitor to check on heat-generating activities or the HWMonitor, which interprets BIOS data in a GUI interface.
A CPU temperature of 70 degrees Celsius is normal when the computer is very active. However, when idle, the CPU’s temperature should be around 45 degrees. A high temperature implies that the CPU is not really idle, but has a heavy workload put on it by background tasks and services. If the CPU monitor shows that this is not the case, then the high temperature could be a sign of a broken fan.
There are many factors to be taken into account when working out what is an acceptable CPU temperature. However, as a rule of thumb, for an Intel processor, a temperature of more than 40 degrees Celsius when it is inactive is worrying and a temperature of more than 85 degrees Celsius when it is under full load is a cause for concern.
For Intel processors, generally, the normal CPU temperature at full load is between 50 and 60 degrees Celsius. Intel Celeron processors run hotter at about 65 to 80 degrees Celsius under full load. AMD processors don’t have as much variability per model as Intel processors. They shouldn’t go above 70 degrees Celsius under full load.
If you are using a temperature monitor and it doesn’t give you a reading, the chances are that the program you chose is not compatible with the status output mechanism of your CPU temperature gauge. Picking a different temperature monitoring package might solve the problem.
There are a number of factors in the chain of activity that goes into temperature reporting and if one of them is faulty, you will get an incorrect report, so CPU temperature monitoring can go wrong. To work out whether the temperature monitor is giving incorrect reports, look for illogical results. For example, if your CPU registers no activity and the fan is working properly but the monitor says that the temperature is high, the monitor is probably wrong.
High server CPU loads result in applications or files hosted on that server having very long response times. This reduces productivity and increases the risk of network failures.
Monitoring CPU helps you to keep control of the loads that your servers and workstations have to withstand. If you know how high the loads are, you can distribute them more evenly, and increase network speed and performance.
In order to get a complete overview of a network and the loads that it is subject to, it is important to monitor parameters such as CPU and RAM load, disk usage, network traffic, and more. These factors help you to determine long time usage trends, prevent server overloads, and even to detect malware activity.
PRTG Network Monitor is Paessler"s powerful network and CPU temp monitor program. It checks the status and performance of network components, measures bandwidth usage, and alerts you if anything in your network requires your attention.
PRTG free CPU monitor can monitor CPU temperature, but it all depends on your hardware. For example, if your motherboard provides CPU temperature information via SNMP, you can set up a sensor to monitor temperatures. In this case, the PRTG Windows monitor CPU can be used as a CPU temperature monitor. Using the PRTG CPU temp monitor vista you can monitor vista computers.
You can try PRTG for 30 days for free and see by yourself how CPU temperature monitoring works. After that, you either buy the full version or you can use the PRTG freeware, which has the full feature set and is limited to 100 sensors.
Computer processors can get damaged or crash when they get overheated (e.g in a stress test). The following free tools (and 1 paid) allow you to avoid this problem by monitoring the CPU temperature in your Windows PC or laptop.
So, in this post we’ll go over some popular and reliable CPU temperature monitoring tools for windows computers. The list below is in no particular order.
Core Temp is a lightweight, easy-to-use temperature monitor for Windows computers. It works with most processors and displays the temperature for each individual core. You can also view other basic system information such as the processor model, platform, and frequency.
The application displays the temperature in real time and does not use a lot of resources. You can leave it running in the background without slowing down your other programs.
Besides the basic Core Temp program, users can install add-ons to increase its functionality. For example, there are several add-ons that allow you to remotely monitor the CPU temperature from another device.
Speed Fan offers convenient CPU temperature monitoring and several other useful features. Besides the CPU temperature, the program also displays the temperature of the system, graphics card, and individual cores in a multi-core processor.
With this application, you can view and control fan speeds for compatible processors and motherboards. You can reduce the speed of the fans until you no longer hear extra noise. When the program detects high CPU temperatures, it automatically raises the speed to 100%.
Advanced users will also find a variety of features and data for monitoring their systems, including access to SMART hard drive info and hard drive temperatures.
HWMonitor is a detailed hardware monitoring program from the developers of the popular CPU-Z freeware software. It works with both 32-bit and 64-bit processors and receives frequent updates for continued support with the latest CPUs.
The program reads the various health sensors inside your system. You can view the temperatures of the CPU, hard drives, motherboard, and graphics card. You can also monitor the voltage, fan speeds, and SMART info.
Real Temp provides a streamlined view of the CPU temperature, including the temperature for each individual core. However, it only supports Intel Core-based processors. It will not work with AMD processors or Pentium 4 processors.
Real Temp includes a few features for improved temperature monitoring. It logs the minimum and maximum CPU temperatures, uses test sensors, and includes a high-temperature alarm and shutdown feature.
You can view the temperature of each component along with the memory read, write, and copy speeds. The program also displays detailed information for running applications, helping power users determine the best settings for overclocking.
Open Hardware Monitor provides a simple interface for monitoring temperature sensors, voltages, fan speeds, and the clock speeds of your computer. It also displays SMART hard drive info.
CPU Thermometer is a lightweight monitor that works with most Intel and AMD processors. It also supports 32-bit and 64-bit Windows operating systems including Vista, 2008, 7, and 10.
The latest version includes a basic list of the CPU cores and their temperatures along with the total CPU load capacity for each core. You may also choose to display the CPU temperature in the system tray instead of needing to leave the window open.
CPU Thermometer also provides a few basic options. You can set a maximum CPU temperature. When the temperature reaches the max value, you can choose to display a warning message, shut down the computer, or reboot the computer.
Speccy is a free PC monitoring program from the developers of CCleaner. It displays detailed system info related to the CPU, RAM, motherboard, operating system, graphics card, storage disks, and other hardware. You can also view the temperature for key components including the CPU and motherboard.
The tool can help you with tweaking a multitude of hardware and software components on your computer such as security, disk cleaner, defragment, registry cleaner etc. Among these features, it offers also system monitoring such as CPU temperature, CPU speed frequency, RAM information etc.
Last but not least is HWiNFO. This Freeware app will provide more information about your computer than you will ever need, including ofcourse temperature of your CPU.
It runs on all Windows operating system versions (from Windows 98 up to Windows 10) and supports monitoring of literally hundreds of different hardware components, from CPUs, Graphics cards and Chipsets.
With NZXT CAM, you get real-time temperature monitoring for your PC. This is perfect for gamers who plan for hours-long playtime or anyone who uses their PC extensively in one sitting.
Besides tracking CPU/GPU temperatures, NZXT CAM also monitors other areas such as CPU/GPU load, Current FPS, and time played. You can even customize with CAM, sync up with your lighting, or integrate with IFTTT for a smart home connection.
PAESSLER offers a free version of PRTG Network Monitor to help you keep track of your system’s performance. Based on the setup of your hardware, this can monitor CPU temperature for you with ease.
Even if your PC doesn’t allow for temperature monitoring exactly, this program can still keep you aware thanks to the fact that it monitors CPU memory load. Checking this will let you know if anything is overheating.
Other than your CPU, SIW helps you track areas like motherboards, memory, network adapters, video card, sound devices, operating systems, certificates, open ports, connections, and plenty more.
There are many ways to fix overheating problems. You can use simple techniques such as dusting the CPU fan, using a more powerful air cooler fan on your CPU or applying new thermal paste.
For instance, if you are using a 150W air cooler in a CPU that requires 200W, then the CPU will overheat and throttle. Besides liquid cooling, you can use any of the following simpler techniques to lower and maintain normal temperature for CPUs:
You cannot go wrong with any of these options. All of these programs are free (or offer free-trial) and easy to use on any Windows PC. Install one of these CPU monitors today to keep an eye on your CPU processor because it’s one component that its health is vital for your computer system.
Monitoring the temperature of the processor is essential because it can affect the performance of your PC. The processor houses many computer parts like motherboard, hard disk, etc. Heat can damage these components.
CPU temperature monitors tools help you to overcome this situation. These applications check computer system sensors like temperature, fan speed, voltage, and give you precise information. You can effortlessly detect problems with this data.
Following is a handpicked list of Top CPU Temperature Monitors tools, with their popular features and website links. The list contains both open source(free) and commercial(paid) software.
Paessler is a tool that enables you to monitor the temperature of CPU with ease. This application can be used to check the performance of routers, servers and switches.
Engineer’s Toolset is a CPU temperature monitoring tool that enables you to configure and manage logs with ease. This tool helps you to monitor network stress with ease.
Speccy is a CPU temperature monitoring software that runs on windows operating system. This tool shows user information related to the hardware and software of the PC. You can use this software to know the type and amount of RAM in your computer system.
HWMonitor is a program that reads PC systems sensors like temperature, fan speed, voltages, etc. It is one of the best CPU monitoring software which can be used on the Windows and Android operating systems. This tool can monitor PC or mobile using a TCP/IP connection.
Core Temp is a simple tool to check the CPU temp of an x86 based processor. It is one of the best CPU temp monitor that supports all manufactures like AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, and Intel,etc.).
SIW is a downloadable Windows-based software that offers functional and advanced system information for PC. It is one of the best CPU temperature monitor that can gather details about the system and display it in easy to understand format.
Real Temp is a temperature monitoring software specially designed for all Intel processors. It is one of the best computer temperature monitor tool which can individually adjust the temperature for each core of the CPU.
HWiNFO is a free software for windows. It is one of the best CPU temp monitor that gives you a quick overview as well as detailed information on hardware components. You can use this PC monitoring software and save custom or full reports on a portable device.
SpeedFan is a hardware monitoring tool that can monitors fan speeds, voltages, and temperatures in PC. This tool can change PC fan speed depends on the temperature of hardware components.
The Open Hardware Monitor is a free tool that monitors CPU temperature, fan, and clock speeds voltages of a PC. It is one of the best PC temp monitoring software that checks CPU temperature by reading sensors of AMD and Intel.
Monitoring the temperature of the processor is essential because it can affect the performance of your PC. The processor houses many computer parts like motherboard, hard disk, etc. Heat can damage these components.
CPU temperature monitoring tools check sensors like temperature, fan speed, voltage, and give you precise information. These applications help you to detect problems with this data effortlessly.
Whether you’re having problems with your computer and you’re looking for some hardware monitoring tools to help you diagnose the problem, or you want to stress test your newly-built PC to make sure everything is running properly, a program that can monitor your CPU’s operating temperatures is an important tool to have.
In this post, we’ve listed nine of the best CPU temp monitors currently available so that you can ensure that your CPU is operating at safe temperatures.
As long as you don’t need an extensive hardware monitoring program and you just want a lightweight and straightforward CPU temp monitor, then Core Temp is probably the best option for you. Core Temp provides you with real-time CPU temperature and load monitoring. If you have an Intel processor, Core Temp will show you the individual temperature and load for each of your CPU’s cores.
The program also gives you information like current operating frequency, power draw, and core voltage and it will tell you what processor you have in your system, what socket it uses, and what lithography the CPU is.
HWMonitor is a great tool if you’d like to monitor more than just your CPU. HWMonitor displays not only your CPU’s temperature, core voltage, operating frequency, and load, but it is also able to monitor your GPU, your fan speeds, your storage devices, and plenty more. So, if you need a CPU temp monitor that can do more than just monitor CPU temperatures, HWMonitor is worth a look.
Speed Fan is another CPU temperature monitoring program that you’ll want to consider. Like some of the other options on this list, Speed Fan can present you with real-time information on your CPU and other hardware. However, Speed Fan is also unique in that it will allow you to change your fan’s speed directly in the software.
If you’re looking for a lightweight program that will not only monitor your system’s CPU, but also most of the other hardware in your computer, then Open Hardware Monitor might be the right option for you. Not only does Open Hardware Monitor provide temperature, voltage, and frequency readings for your CPU, it also gives you the ability to monitor your memory, your fans, and your GPU temperature as well.
Real Temp is a lot like Core Temp in that it operates solely as a CPU temp monitor and that it has a simple and straightforward interface. The program will give you all of the vital information about your processor, including the current temperature and load. One unique feature that it will also display is how far away from the TJ Max your CPU is. TJ Max is the temperature that a CPU will start throttling at and so for users who aren’t sure how hot their CPU should be running at, this Real Temp feature is really nice to have.
AIDA64 Extreme has a ton of functionality, including hardware monitoring, benchmarking tools, stress testing capabilities, diagnostics, and more. It’s really a Swiss Army Knife for serious system builders. That being said, if all you need is a simple CPU temp monitoring program, AIDA64 Extreme is not only overkill, but, with plenty of free options out there, it will cost you money that you don’t need to spend
CPU Thermometer is another lightweight CPU temperature and load monitor that comes with a very straightforward user design. Like CPU Temp, CPU Thermometer will display your CPU’s temperatures and loads across individual cores. That’s about the extent of CPU Thermometer and If all you need is CPU temp and load info, it is fine to use.
If you need other functionality out of your hardware monitoring software (like how to check your PC’s specs), a multi-use tool like Speccy might be what your after. Not only can Speccy monitor the temperatures and loads of your CPU and GPU, or the operating frequency of your CPU, GPU, and RAM, it will also give you a thorough run down of the hardware inside your system. This probably isn’t necessary for people who built their own computer—you already know what is inside of it—but it can be a nice feature for users who aren’t sure of what is inside their system.
HWiNFO is another robust monitoring program that will give you a ton of information about the components inside of your computer. It will not only show you real-time temperatures/loads for your system’s key components, but it will also allow you to chart that data so that you can see how your system is performing over a given amount of time. HWiNFO is probably not the best CPU temp tool to use if you’re not very familiar with PC hardware. The user interface is packed with a ton of information and it might be overwhelming for novice users.
There are a ton of different CPU temperature monitor tools out there that can help you keep track of how your system is running. Whether you need a simple and straightforward program that will give you your CPU’s temperature and load, or you need a robust hardware monitoring program that will allow you to keep track of all of the components in your system, there is a tool out there for you. In this guide, we’ve provided a list of some of the best CPU temp monitors for you to try and one of the options above should get the job done for you.
The easiest way to check your CPU temp is to install a free CPU heat monitoring tool — such as Core Temp — and monitor the CPU temperature for spikes. You can also check your CPU Monitor using Windows’ built-in BIOS/UEFI tool.
Under Temperature Readings, monitor the temps for each CPU core. The example below shows the average CPU temp around 50°C for a Quad-Core Skylake laptop.
In the Max column you can monitor the highest processor temperatures recorded by Core Temp. And in the Loadcolumn, you can see the current CPU load of each core.
While the easiest and most straightforward computer temperature monitor is Core Temp, there is other good CPU monitoring software on the market. Here are a few to check out:
HWInfo provides an in-depth look at all technical aspects of your hardware — including an overall PC temperature monitor and an individual CPU heat monitor.
If you’re running Windows 11, Windows 10, or an earlier version, it includes its own temperature check built into the BIOS/UEFI. To access it, turn on your PC and press a specific key during startup — usually F12, ESC, F2, or DEL. Once BIOS/UEFI is open, it shows you the CPU temperature right on the main screen.
This thermometer feature is part of the core software of your motherboard. Unfortunately, it only allows you to check the currenttemperature of the PC. It does nothing to monitor the temperature over time as you use Windows, particularly when your PC or laptop is busy with heavy loads.
When you work with demanding applications — such as video editing or rendering software — or when you use your computer in direct heat or sunlight, you should keep a close eye on your CPU temperature. That’s when heat goes far beyond a good CPU temp.
Thankfully, Core Temp offers an easy way to monitor your CPU temperature at all times, across multiple cores. By default, the information stays hidden, but you can make the CPU temperature monitor visible. It’s easy to set it up like a mini thermometer that sits in your taskbar.
If the four numbers are too crowded, you can display only the highest temperature of any of the cores. Within the Core Temp app, click Options > Settings and navigate to the Notification Area. Switch the view to Highest temperature per processor.
When you play a game in full-screen mode, you can’t see your taskbar. Realistically, ALT+TAB is more trouble than it’s worth just to check a computer temp. Thankfully, gamers use a good CPU temperature monitor for gaming — RivaTuner. The RivaTuner CPU temp monitor comes bundled with the CPU overclocking utility MSI Afterburner.
You can also monitor other stats while you’re gaming. Open the Monitoring tab in MSI Afterburner and select GPU temps, RAM memory, or usage stats. These numbers will also sit near the CPU thermometer in the top-left corner of your screen while gaming.
Your computing processing unit (CPU) performs millions of operations per second, which can cause the processor to become very hot. If it gets toohot without you realizing it, you might experience system stability issues, crashes, and computing slowdowns, or even create long-term damage.
If you are pushing your GPU beyond its limits by overclocking, its temperature will definitely increase. As an overclocker or a gaming PC builder, monitoring your temperatures should be at the top of your to-do list.
Ultrabooks are very thin, giving your laptop little space for proper cooling. If you overwork your computer — with gaming or graphics rendering — or if you live in a hotter climate, keep a close eye on processor temperatures.
Over time, dust can gather inside the computer chassis, which can slow down or even block its fans. It’s smart to check for high PC temperatures, as high CPU temps are an indicator that it’s time to clean out dust bunnies or replace fans. Cleaning the physical components of your PC is the first step in fixing your overheating PC and can even stop a Mac from overheating.
Perhaps you already use a PC optimization tool to fend off performance hogs. Maybe you’ve followed guides to speed up your PC and clean up your computer. If things still slow down to a crawl, the CPU might be forced to throttle itself when it reaches critical temperatures.
A normal CPU temperature depends on which CPU you use. Generally, anything between 40–65°C (or 104–149°F) is considered a safe heat range for a normal workload. While running more intensive apps or games, the normal CPU temp range can increase to between 70–80°C (158–176°F).
On a desktop gaming PC with plenty of cooling and a high-end CPU, it’s normal to see CPU temperatures around 50°C without running anything too demanding. On an Ultrabook — a very tight space for a powerful CPU — it’s normal for core temps to hover around 75°C during a normal workday.
At the highest loads, your average CPU temps can go up to 80–85°C, but consider this the absolute limit. Sustained CPU temps above 80°C can do long-term damage to the CPU and its silicon. If your CPU goes higher than 90°C for several hours, it will likely reduce the lifespan of your processor.
A good CPU temp while gaming is between 65-85°C. While average temperatures above 85°C are fine for a few minutes of gameplay or other intense CPU use, it isn’t a good idea for an extended period of time — even if your system is optimized for gaming.
Vacuum your PC:Get the dust bunnies out of the CPU fans. If you have a laptop (especially an older one), open it up and clean out the fans. Alternatively, if you’re nervous about taking the cover off, you can use compressed air dusters to unclog the inner workings of your PC and the CPU fan.
Use a laptop stand:A handful of laptop stands on the market either lift the computer or place it vertically to allow for more air flow. Laptop stands have other usability benefits too, so you don’t have to keep checking your computer temp.
Replace your cooling fan: If the fans inside your PC aren’t up to their tasks, replace them with a more powerful cooler or install a water cooling solution. While you’re replacing the fan, you should also remove the CPU and refresh the thermal paste or even replace it with a better one.
Keep it malware-free:Some viruses produce constant 100% CPU usage, drastically increasing the core load and temperature. That’s why you should regularly run a malware scan, which can detect and remove malware on your PC.
Turn off background applications and close programs:Use a dedicated tune-up tool like Avast Cleanup. Its built-in Sleep Mode automatically puts resource-draining apps and programs to sleep, reducing the load on your system and lowering CPU temperatures. Avast Cleanup will also clear unnecessary junk from your PC, keeping your system running like new. Try Avast Cleanup for free today.
Checking your PC"s CPU temperature is similar to checking your car"s oil: You don"t need to do it daily, but you"ll need to check your processor"s temperatures every few months. This is especially true if you regularly strain your system with heavy loads like you"ll do with the Best CPUs for gaming, or if you"re an enthusiast that overclocks your CPU. Ultimately, keeping your CPU temperatures under control improves performance and reliability.
Luckily, checking your CPU temperature is simple and doesn"t require you to open up your PC and stick a thermometer inside. Instead, every CPU comes with built-in digital temperature sensors, so all you need is a bit of software to read the measurements in Windows 10, Windows 11, and other operating systems.
Below we"ll break down how to check your CPU temperature, what a safe range of temperatures is for a CPU, and what to do if your CPU"s temperatures are too high.
Checking your CPU temperature is as easy as installing and using monitoring software and then reading the value. The same techniques apply to Windows 10 and Windows 11, and even the new Windows 11 22H2 update.
There are multiple programs to choose from, with the best tools for checking CPU temperature, including Core Temp(opens in new tab), NZXT"s CAM(opens in new tab), AIDA64, HWiINFO, or HWMonitor. For more advanced users, or 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.
These are just a few examples of many, but we"ll show you how NZXT"s CAM and Core Temp work because we have found that these two are the easiest to install and use. CAM is developed by PC case(opens in new tab), power supply(opens in new tab), and CPU cooler(opens in new tab)manufacturer NZXT. You can download it here(opens in new tab). While CAM is intended to be used with the company"s products, it works really well as a casual monitoring tool in Windows 10 or Windows 11, 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.
Once installed, CAM offers an easy-to-use user interface (UI). The first block (PC Monitoring) tells you the CPU"s status, which shows the load, temperature, clock speed, and cooler fan speed. You can click on this block to access further details, as shown in the second image in the album above.
CAM also has an overlay, which automatically turns on when you enter a game when CAM is running. This overlay can show you your CPU"s status while in-game, providing you with temperature measurements during your favorite game.
You can also use the Core Temp tool, one of the best CPU temperature tools for Windows, to monitor the temperatures (download here). This is a simpler tool that works with a more basic UI. Just be sure to untick the freeware option during installation.
Core Temp provides temperature measurements for every core in your CPU. 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. 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 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.
If you want to check your PC"s CPU temperature during normal use, you can leave Core Temp running while you perform common tasks. 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) in Windows 10 or Windows 11. Just be aware that this program puts an extremely heavy load on your PC.
The best way to monitor your temperature while gaming is to just have a good session and then check back in with the program to see the maximum recorded temperature. You should be concerned if this figure is at or beyond 95C. Anything between 80C and 95C may have room for improvement.
You can check your CPU temperature in the system BIOS or UEFI, but be aware that this will only show your CPU temperature at idle. That means you will see much higher use when you are booted into Windows or another operating system.
It"s pretty simple to enter the BIOS to check your CPU temperature. On the majority of platforms, you simply reboot the system and click delete or F2 repeatedly as it restarts. Not all motherboards list the CPU temperature, but nearly all enthusiast or DIY motherboards do. Once you"re in the BIOS, you will see the temperature listed in the Hardware Monitor section, which can also be named PC Health Status or Status, among other similar names. Again, only use this as an indication of idle CPU temperatures — you should also check from within Windows 10 or Windows 11 to get a better idea of CPU temperatures when you"re using the PC (see below).
When the CPU is idle, a safe temperature is anything under or around 50C. Under higher load, such as when playing a game, rendering a video, or other intensive tasks, your CPU consumes more power and, thus, runs at a higher temperature. This "load temperature" is more important than idle temperatures (assuming idle temps are fine), so you"ll want to periodically monitor your CPU temperature under load to ensure it"s adequately cooled.
Under load, you want your CPU to ideally stay under 80C, though some CPUs may run hotter when they"re in ultrabooks(opens in new tab), gaming laptops(opens in new tab), or small-form-factor (SFF) computers.
Additionally, AMD"s Ryzen 5000 processors are designed to operate at up to 95C with a stock cooler, while the Ryzen 7000 series is also designed to run at 95C even with a watercooler. Meanwhile, Intel"s highest-end Core i9 Alder Lake processors will run up to 100C during normal operation, and the 13th-Gen Raptor Lake chips are no different. These temperatures are within spec and expected for these specific processors.
As such, while the 80C threshold serves as a good general indicator, it is important to ensure that your processor doesn"t exceed its "TJ Max" (Temperature Junction Maximum) temperature, which is the safe limit for any given processor. The TJ Max varies by chip, but most monitoring software lists the value. Additionally, you can check the chip"s specifications on the manufacturer"s page.
For older chips, you have some wiggle room to creep past 80C, but anything above 95C is typically critical. At this point, some CPUs will begin throttling, meaning the chip will reduce its clock speed(opens in new tab) and slow down to ensure it doesn"t overheat, and your PC may turn off.
More advanced users who want the utmost confidence that their CPU can handle aggressive workloads should stress test their CPU(opens in new tab) to 100% using a program like Prime95(opens in new tab)or AIDA64(opens in new tab). When running such a stress test, keep a close eye on the temperatures, using the tools mentioned below, and back off once they reach too high (above 95C). We consider an ideal stress test to be one hour long, though your maximum temperature will likely level off after 10-15 minutes.
If your CPU temperature exceeds 80C under load, you should check your system to ensure the CPU"s cooling is adequate. Here"s a checklist of things to look for:Is your PC clean and free of dust (including the radiator and intake fans/filters)?
When was the last time you applied fresh thermal paste between your CPU and CPU cooler? If it"s been over three years, consider re-applying the thermal paste.
If you are using a full-size gaming PC(opens in new tab), however, and think your cooling should be adequate, you may want to re-apply thermal paste to your CPU(opens in new tab). Most thermal paste"s performance seriously degrades after about three years. Applying fresh paste (here"s a list of the best thermal pastes) and cleaning the system from dust can offer much better cooling power and significantly better performance. This applies both to pre-built and custom-built PCs(opens in new tab).
Additionally, as part of any PC tune-up, you"ll want to make sure that your cooler is adequate. Many of the stock CPU coolers that come either bundled with the CPU or installed in pre-built systems aren"t adequate to give you the full performance of the chip. This often applies to Intel CPU coolers on Core i5 and above processors. You"ll need to follow the stress testing steps outlined above to check CPU temperatures under load in Windows 10 or Windows 11 to ensure that the cooler doesn"t get overwhelmed by the CPU when it is under heavy load.
Whether you’re using an old quadcore or a new monster chip to power your games, it’s important to check on your temps from time to time. A number of factors influence CPU temperature, including program intensity, clock speed, and cooling. If it gets too hot, it can cause permanent damage to the chip and motherboard.
There are multiple free programs to check your CPU temperature during normal use. Windows also has a built-in way to see your temps without connecting to the internet.
The gold standard for CPU temperature monitoring software is Core Temp. The program is a free download for personal users with a file size of only a couple of kilobytes It’s not the most modern-looking program, but it allows users to monitor the temperature of every CPU core continuously and simultaneously. This makes it ideal for monitoring overclocks while gaming or using other intense applications.
It is also possible to check your CPU temperature through the BIOS menu. Accessing the BIOS is typically done by inputting the F2, ESC, Delete, or F12 buttons as the computer turns on, so check your motherboard or look for a prompt during startup. These programs usually display CPU temperature front and center, but you may need to navigate to a CPU or hardware section. The BIOS version can only show your CPU temperature right as the computer turns on, but it doesn’t require a download and is faster to access immediately.
Ideal temperatures can vary by cooling and workload, but it’s normal for a CPU to idle around 40 degrees or lower while shooting into the 70+ range during intense processes. The vast majority of CPUs have internal measures to shut themselves down CoreTemp will display that value as the processor’s Tj. Max value. If a CPU were to reach this temperature, it could throttle its performance or even shut down entirely. Idling below 25 degrees is perfectly fine, though difficult to achieve without extensive cooling.
If you’ve just learned that your CPU is running hot, there are a few things you can do to improve it. The most straightforward is adding more cooling. This can be done by adding more case fans or replacing the CPU cooler itself. The issue could also be physical. Be sure to dust out your computer and move it to a roomier spot near your desk if possible. Misapplied thermal paste or an uneven seal on the CPU cooler are also occasional culprits for high CPU temperatures.
Overclocking is raising the clock speed of a processing unit by intentionally feeding it more power than it requires. As overclockers increase the wattage running through the CPU, it’s normal for it to heat up faster than at its factory speed. Idle temps aren’t as important to monitor, but it’s vital to make sure the chip isn’t breaking 80 degrees at peak performance. Look up your exact CPU’s manufacturer recommendations whenever you mess with temps.
The Open Hardware Monitor is a free open source software that monitors temperature sensors, fan speeds, voltages, load and clock speeds of a computer.
The Open Hardware Monitor supports most hardware monitoring chips found on todays mainboards. The CPU temperature can be monitored by reading the core temperature sensors of Intel and AMD processors. The sensors of ATI and Nvidia video cards as well as SMART hard drive temperature can be displayed. The monitored values can be displayed in the main window, in a customizable desktop gadget, or in the system tray. The free Open Hardware Monitor software runs on 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 and any x86 based Linux operating systems without installation.
You don’t need to get into the nitty-gritty of UEFI/BIOS to measure your CPU’s temperature. Monitoring applications use the same physical temperature sensors in your system as your UEFI/BIOS, but make it accessible right through Windows. That means you can check it without a restart and you can also force your CPU to do something difficult so you can see how warm it gets when it’s working hard.
There are a number of first- and third-party apps out there that you can use to get quick and easy access to your CPU’s temperature, as well as a lot more information. Some of them can be a little overwhelming, but if you’re just looking to find out how to check your CPU temperature, our favorites listed below will see you right.
Step 1: To find out how hot your CPU is when running it, download the program from Intel’s download centerand install it like you would any application.
Step 2: While booting it up, you’ll be presented with a lot of information, but in the lower panel of the main screen, you’ll see a few pieces of key information about your CPU. Most important for this particular guide is the package temperature and associated graph. That’s your CPU temperature.
Step 3: You can also see how hard your CPU is working by its CPU Utilization percentage. The higher that is, the more your CPU is having to do. If you want to see how it does under stress, you can use XTU’s built-in CPU benchmark under the relevant left-hand tab.
Step 2: Alongside its core clock-tweaking abilities, it also has a CPU temperature monitor you can view on the left-hand side. Like the XTU, there’s also a graph that can plot your CPU’s temperature over time, even breaking it down by the core, so you can see if individual cores are getting warmer than others.
Step 3: The Ryzen Master tool can also give you average and peak readings, so you can see how hot your CPU gets over a long period, which is great for those concerned about time of day or outside forces affecting CPU temperature.
A classic PC-monitoring solution, HWMonitor can tell you everything about the various components in your system, from the voltages they require to the temperatures they run. It doesn’t feature any sort of overclocking tools, and its interface is bare-bones, but it’s clean, lightweight, and easy to parse at a glance. Download it here.
The HWMmonitor Pro version, which is available for free with ads, has expanded capabilities and allows you to monitor up to 10 devices, including Android devices. That makes it an ideal pick if you want to monitor temperatures on everything you use (and avoid accidentally damaging your smartphone battery with too much heat).
If none of the above methods are quite what you’re looking for when it comes to checking your CPU temperature, you could always opt for a hardware monitor. These typically come as part of fan controllers that slot into one of the optical drive ports on desktop systems. They sometimes use your onboard temperature sensors, but many come with their own wired thermometers to give you additional information about how hot your CPU is getting.
Buy at Amazon Thermaltake Commander FT ($40): The Thermaltake Commander FT is a touchscreen fan controller that provides you with temperature readouts for multiple channels on a 5.5-inch display screen. You can control multiple fans to keep your system from overheating and lets you monitor your CPU closely.
Buy at Amazon Kingwin Performance FPX-007 ($35): Although we price this controller at $35, you can usually get it cheaper. The Kingwin fan controller lets you monitor up to five temperatures, including CPU, simultaneously and control five different fans. We especially like the feature that sounds an alarm so you know if your CPU is getting too hot. This alert gives you time to power down your computer before it overheats.
Aerocool Fan V12XT Fan and Temperature Controller ($37): Aerocool’s monitor lets you control as many as four sets of temperature readings and fans with its LCD touchscreen. You’re able to keep the CPU’s temperature displayed on your screen so you can monitor it and easily control the settings for the fans. You can set the alarm to alert you of dangerously high internal temperatures as well.