How to Check Your CPU Temperature

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The working temperature of the CPU is one of the main characteristics for conducting computer diagnostics. Below, we’ll explain how to see CPU temp and discuss what CPU temperatures are considered normal.

How to check temperature of PC using software

The most popular monitoring tool is MSI Afterburner. It has a wide range of features and, in addition to temperatures, allows you to display a lot of other useful information for diagnosing computer performance.

We highly recommend MSI Afterburner, although you can use any other program at your discretion. Today, many have been developed: HWMonitor, Core Temp, AIDA64, NZXT CAM, MangoHUD, and so on. In this article, we will only talk about MSI Afterburner and will further explain how to install and configure it.

PC temperature checker MSI Afterburner installation and setup

Go to the official MSI website and download the Afterburner program for Windows. The main thing is not to install the utility from third-party sources, otherwise, unwanted or malicious software may be downloaded to your PC. Remember: any software for the computer should only be downloaded from official developer sites.

When the file is downloaded to your PC, open it. This will be an archive. Unzip it to any convenient location on your computer, even to the desktop, and run the installation program. Just click "Next" and finally install the "RivaTuner" utility. With its help, monitoring data will be displayed on the screen directly during gameplay or while working in the program. So you won't need to minimize the game or program to check the temperature of the PC.

Open MSI Afterburner and click on the "Settings" button. It looks like a small gear. A window with many different settings will appear. Open the "Monitoring" tab and look at the "Active Hardware Monitoring Graphs" window. This is where you need to enable the parameters so that they are displayed during gameplay or program operation.

Find the "CPU temperature" option and check the box to the left. Then check the "Show in OSD" menu. MSI Afterburner setup is now complete.

Launch the game or program and evaluate the computer temperatures. Next, we’ll discuss which readings are considered normal and which are critical.

Checking temperature PC in games

The critical temperatures for modern central processors are 95-100°C. This means your CPU should heat up to less than these values. Then it will be fine.

Excellent temperature readings in games and programs are considered to be up to 75 degrees for the CPU. If your processor heats within these values, congratulations. Your cooling system is working great. If the temperatures are higher than these values, you might consider upgrading the cooling system or undervolting.

13th and 14th generation Intel Core processors, as well as AMD Ryzen 7000 processors, run very hot. Even at idle, with a custom liquid cooling system, they can heat up to 90°C. There’s no need to worry about these values. Intel and AMD have assured that these temperatures are perfectly normal.

How to reduce CPU temp in games

To reduce CPU temperatures in games, you can do the following:

Lock the FPS;
Undervolt the CPU;
Service the computer;
Upgrade the cooling system.

Cooling down Intel Core 13th and 14th generation processors, as well as AMD Ryzen 7000 processors, can only be done through undervolting or setting a maximum temperature limit in the motherboard BIOS. Upgrading the cooling system, cleaning the computer from dust, and fixing the FPS in games won’t help.

PC temperature checker

You can lock FPS using the RivaTuner program, which is installed with MSI Afterburner. Open RivaTuner, click the "Add" button, select the game shortcut, and enter the desired frame rate value in the "Framerate limit" field.

For example, your computer renders 90 FPS in Dying Light 2. To cool the CPU, enter 60 in the Framerate limit field. Now the game’s frame rate won’t rise above 60. This will reduce the load on the CPU by a third, allowing it to cool down.

In many modern games, you can set the FPS limit directly in the graphics settings, so you won’t need to use RivaTuner.

Undervolting the CPU

Undervolting refers to lowering the central processor's voltage. The lower the voltage, the less it heats up. Undervolting is done in the motherboard BIOS menu.

Check temperature of PC during computer maintenance

Computer system unit maintenance includes:

Replacing thermal paste;
Fully cleaning components from dust;

If you’ve never disassembled computer components, don’t take the risk. It’s better to take the system unit for professional maintenance. Many service centers offer such services, and they are usually inexpensive.

Upgrading the cooling system

Upgrading the central processor cooling system is easy—find out your CPU socket and buy a more powerful air cooler or liquid cooling system. It also won’t hurt to install a few additional case fans for intake and exhaust air.

Checking temperature PC: Final Thoughts

Download and install MSI Afterburner, then do the following:

Download and install MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner;
Go to the settings and open the "Monitoring" tab;
Find the "CPU temperature" parameters and check the boxes to the left;
Enable the "Show in OSD" option.

Remember that excellent temperatures in games and programs for a processor are considered to be up to 75°C. If the temperature is higher, it’s worth considering undervolting, servicing your PC, or upgrading the cooling system. You can also limit the frame rate by locking it in the game’s graphics settings or with the RivaTuner utility.

13th and 14th generation Intel Core processors, as well as AMD Ryzen 7000 processors, can only be cooled with undervolting or setting a maximum temperature limit in BIOS.

Computer temperatures in HYPERPC systems

When creating computers, we pay great attention to their cooling. Our PCs are designed to create ideal temperature conditions for component operation.

We install graphics cards with large metal heatsinks, powerful tower coolers, and multi-section liquid cooling systems in the system units. Our cases are always equipped with multiple fans for air intake and exhaust. RAM modules, VRM elements, motherboard, and SSD are also covered with metal heatsinks.

All this helps to extend the lifespan of computer components, increase the reliability of system units, and minimize the risk of failure.

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