Here is a detailed guide on how to check the temperature of your PC or Laptop (CPU, GPU, SSD) on Windows 11.
Indeed, managing temperature is crucial to ensure the performance and longevity of a laptop’s components. Each component has an optimal temperature range defined by the manufacturers.
Processor (CPU)
The processor is generally the component that heats up the most in a laptop.
- Normal use: 40-65°C
- Under heavy load: up to 70-80°C
- Maximum temperature: 80-85°C
Beyond 85°C, the processor may suffer long-term damage.
Graphics Card (GPU)
Graphics cards tend to operate at higher temperatures than processors.
- Ideal temperature: 65-85°C
- Maximum temperature: 100-105°C
The motherboard is less prone to overheating than the CPU or GPU, but its temperature is still important to monitor.
- Ideal temperature: 40-60°C
- Maximum temperature: 80°C
Hard Drives and SSDs
Storage drives are sensitive to heat and require lower temperatures:
- Hard Drives (HDD): 25-40°C
- SSD: 30-50°C
Method 1: Using HWMonitor
HWMonitor is a hardware monitoring software that reads information from the main sensors in your computer: fan speeds, voltages, temperatures, processor frequencies, graphics card, motherboard, and drives.
To check your PC’s temperatures with HWMonitor, open the software and simply view the Temperatures section under each component.
In the screenshot below, we have the temperatures of the processor (67°C), SSD (40°C), and graphics card (54°C).
Method 2: Using Core Temp
Core Temp is a lightweight software that monitors the processor’s temperature as well as other vital information like frequency, usage rate, or power consumption. Core Temp can display the temperature of each core of each processor in the system.
The main feature of Core Temp is that it can display the CPU temperature in real-time in the notification area (systray), perfect for monitoring!
In the above screenshot, the following are displayed (from left to right): processor temperature (56°C), frequency (0.9 GHz), usage rate (6%), RAM used (61%), and power consumption (22 W).
Method 3: Using Speccy
Speccy is a lightweight and free system diagnostic software that shows a detailed list of all the hardware and software components of your computer.
On the main page, Speccy displays the temperature of each PC component: processor, graphics card, motherboard, and drives.
In the above screenshot, we have the temperature of the processor (52°C) and graphics card (51°C).
Finally, to avoid overheating your computer, follow these tips:
- Ensure good ventilation by placing the laptop on a hard, flat surface.
- Regularly clean the ventilation grills and fans to prevent dust buildup.
- Use temperature monitoring software like HWMonitor or Core Temp.
- Avoid using your laptop on soft surfaces that can block airflow.
- Consider using a cooling pad for your laptop if the temperatures are consistently high.
By monitoring and maintaining the temperatures of your components within these optimal ranges, you can ensure the best performance and longevity of your PC or laptop.
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