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Keeping an eye on your CPU temperature is key to making sure your computer runs smoothly and doesn’t overheat. If your CPU gets too hot, it can cause your system to slow down, crash, or even damage your hardware.
We’ll walk you through easy ways to check your CPU temperature, no matter what system you’re using, and share tips to keep it cool and running smoothly.
Key Takeaways
- CPU temperature must be monitored to prevent overheating and hardware damage.
- Use BIOS/UEFI or tools like Core Temp to check CPU temps on Windows.
- Mac users can check CPU temps with iStat Menus or Terminal.
- High CPU temps are often caused by poor airflow, dust, or overclocking.
- Keep CPU temps between 40°C and 70°C to avoid performance issues and extend lifespan.
What is CPU Temp?
CPU temperature is the heat generated by your computer’s central processing unit during operation. The CPU temperature is measured in degrees Celsius (°C) using built-in sensors. Monitoring CPU temperature is important because excessive heat can cause performance issues, system instability, or permanent hardware damage.
If the CPU gets too hot, it may throttle performance to prevent overheating, slowing down your system. Prolonged high temperatures can reduce the CPU’s lifespan or cause a crash. Keeping the temperature in check helps keep stable and efficient system performance.
How to Monitor CPU Temperature
You can monitor your processor’s temperature using built-in system tools or with third-party software, depending on your platform.
On Windows, you can check your CPU temperature by accessing the BIOS/UEFI settings during startup or by using third-party applications. These tools can provide real-time temperature readings and additional information about your CPU’s performance.
For Mac users, there are no native tools to monitor CPU temperature directly. However, you can use the Terminal with specific commands or third-party apps to check the CPU temperature.
Linux users can use command-line tools such as lm-sensors to monitor CPU temperature.
It’s always important to know how hot your PC is.
How to Check CPU Temp
Checking your CPU temperature is important for keeping your system running smoothly. Different methods are available depending on your operating system (OS), and most involve simple tools that provide real-time temperature readings.
Here’s how to see the temperature of your CPU.
How to Check CPU Temp on Windows 10 & Windows 11
On Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can check your CPU temperature using the BIOS/UEFI settings or third-party tools.
How to Check PC Temp in the BIOS/UEFI
Restart your computer and press the designated key (usually F2, Delete, or Esc, but this depends on your computer’s manufacturer) to enter BIOS or UEFI during boot.
Once inside, you’ll find the Hardware Monitoring (or System Health) section displaying the CPU temperature.
While this method works, it doesn’t provide real-time readings while you’re using Windows.
How to Check CPU Temp Without BIOS
If you don’t want to access the BIOS, you can check your CPU temperature using third-party tools that provide real-time monitoring while you use your system.
Here are some popular options:
How to Check CPU Temp on Mac
If you’re a Mac user, you can check your CPU temp by using the Terminal or, as with Windows, third-party tools.
How to Check Mac’s CPU Temp With Terminal
If you’re using a Mac with an Intel chip, you can use a Terminal command to check your CPU temp.
STEPS
Open Terminal.
Next, run the following command:
sudo powermetrics –samplers smc |grep -i “CPU die temperature”
The Terminal will then allow you to view your CPU temp.
Note that this command only works for Macs using an Intel chip. If you’re using the M1 or M2 chip, the command doesn’t work. Instead, you’ll need to use a third-party tool.
How to Check Mac’s CPU Temp With Third-Party Tools
If you prefer not to use Terminal (or have an M1 or M2 Mac), there are several reliable third-party tools that make it easy to monitor your Mac’s CPU temperature.
Here are some popular CPU temp checker options:
- iStat Menus: A powerful tool that provides real-time monitoring of your Mac’s CPU temperature, along with other system stats like memory usage, fan speed, and network activity.
- Mac Fan Control: While primarily designed for controlling fan speeds, this tool also displays CPU temperature, making it useful for both PC temperature monitoring and managing cooling.
6 Reasons Your CPU Temp is High
High CPU temperatures can occur for several reasons. Here are some of the most common causes:
What’s the Best Temp For Your CPU?
The ideal operating temperature for most CPUs is between 40°C and 70°C during normal use. Under heavy load, like gaming or video editing, temperatures can rise, but they should stay below 85°C to avoid overheating.
Keeping your CPU within this range is important because higher temperatures can cause your system to slow down (thermal throttling) to prevent damage.
Consistently running your CPU at high temperatures can reduce its lifespan and potentially lead to hardware failure.
How to Lower Your CPU Temperatures
Need to get those numbers down? Here are some tips.
7 Tips for Keeping Your CPU Temp Down
If your CPU temperature is too high, there are several effective ways to bring it down and keep your system running efficiently.
Make sure your PC has good airflow. Keep it in an open space and consider adding extra case fans to improve air circulation.
Regularly clean dust from your system, especially around the fans and air vents, to prevent blockages and improve cooling efficiency.
If your thermal paste is old or worn, reapplying it between the CPU and cooler can improve heat transfer.
If you’re using a stock cooler, upgrading to a more efficient air or liquid cooler can help lower temperatures.
Reducing the voltage supplied to your CPU can lower its power consumption and heat output without affecting performance in many cases.
Use fan control software to adjust your fan speeds based on temperature. Running fans faster when your CPU is under load helps keep temps down.
Close unnecessary programs that may be putting extra load on your CPU, especially when running resource-heavy applications.
The Bottom Line
Keeping an eye on your CPU temperature is really important for keeping your computer happy and healthy. By regularly checking your temps with the tools we’ve mentioned, you can make sure everything stays in the safe temp for a CPU and avoid any overheating issues.
Simple steps like boosting airflow, cleaning out dust bunnies, and applying fresh thermal paste can go a long way. Stay proactive about your CPU’s temperature, and you’ll enjoy a smoother-running system that lasts longer without the stress of unexpected shutdowns or slowdowns.
Now you know how to know your CPU temp!
FAQs
How do I see my CPU temperature?
How can I check my CPU temperature in Windows 11?
How do I know if my CPU is hot?
How do I check my CPU temperature using CMD?
What is a normal CPU temperature?
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Can you check the CPU temp in Task Manager?
What are the fastest and easiest ways to check your CPU temp?
References
- Core Temp (Alcpu)
- HWMONITOR | Softwares | CPUID (Cpuid)
- Download Speccy | Find your computer specs, free! (Ccleaner)
- iStat Menus (Bjango)
- Macs Fan Control – control fans on Apple computers, also on Windows via Boot Camp (Crystalidea)
