How to Check and Monitor CPU Temperature on Your Windows 10/11 PC?

Modern CPUs, or central processing units, perform billions of operations per second. Combine this with our growing love for multitasking (who doesn’t like to run a YouTube video in the background while browsing) and PC games becoming more and more demanding, and it’s no wonder why they still tend to overheat.

While CPUs operate within safe temperature ranges most of the time, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to system instability and, in most extreme cases, even physical damage. That’s why it’s also important to know how to monitor the CPU temperature in real time—to know your system better and be able to take timely measures to prevent overheating.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to check the temperature of your CPU, talk about the reasons that can lead to your CPU running hot, and compare the CPU temperature monitoring tools so that you can choose one that fits your needs. And trust me, it’s not that hard.

Signs That Your PC’s CPU Is Overheating

Before anything else,how do you tell if your CPU is operating outside its normal temperature? Here are a few common symptoms of an overheating computer:

• Lags and performance issues: If you notice a sudden decrease in your system’s performance, frequent lags, or delays in executing tasks, it could be a sign of CPU overheating.
• Unexpected shutdowns: Overheating may trigger your PC to shut down unexpectedly as a protective measure to prevent damage. If your computer regularly powers off without warning, overheating could be the cause.
• Loud fan noises: When the CPU temperature rises, cooling fans start working harder to dissipate heat. Unusually loud or continuous fan noises may indicate that your system is struggling to maintain a safe temperature.

While some of those may as well be signs of malware, chances are that your processor needs help. Ok, that’s clear, but what is considered a normal CPU temp? We’re about to find out.

What Is a Normal CPU Temperature?

Well, it depends on the processor model and the tasks you’re throwing at it. A safe, optimal CPU temperature range for most Intel and AMD processors is between 40°C (104°F) and 70°C (158°F) under normal workloads. However, more intensive tasks, like gaming or video rendering, may push this range to 70°C–80°C (158°F–176°F).

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Not sure what CPU you have? Check out this guide: How to Check What CPU Do I Have on My Windows PC?

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When under load, Intel processors tend to run hotter, as they are known for pushing higher clock speeds and consuming more power. Their maximum operating temperatures (Tjmax) can reach up to 100°C (212°F). 

AMD processors, designed for better power efficiency, typically run cooler, with temperatures generally peaking at around 95°C (203°F). These figures can vary based on specific models and cooling setups, so monitoring your CPU temperature is key.

What is a good CPU temp by processor family?

Upon reaching and passing Tjmax, CPU throttling occurs, reducing the voltage on your processor to lower the temperature and prevent overheating. Also remember that prolonged operation at temperatures over 80°C–85°C (176°F–185°F) can affect your CPU lifespan, degrade performance, and lead to system instability.

Before Anything Else

The CPU is the powerhouse behind your computer’s operations. Even if you’re not mining crypto or making it perform endless AI-related calculations per second, there are still a number of more conventional ways to warm up your processor; one of them is gaming.

Although modern games generally rely more heavily on the GPU than the CPU, there are a few, such as Star Citizen, Total War: Warhammer 2, and Cyberpunk 2077, which, along with video editing and decoding software, are among the most CPU-intensive tasks for your PC.

With that in mind, it’s important to know how to check the temperature of your CPU when running resource-demanding operations or hearing loud fan noises and monitor it to ensure your processor performs well and stays within safe temperature ranges.

But before anything else, it’s worth checking if high CPU temperature is caused by increased processor workload in Task Manager.

It’s quite easy; simply follow these steps:

• Right-click anywhere on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
• Go to the Performance tab and select CPU.

Now, look at the figures under the graph. If you notice sustained CPU utilization of 90% and higher, it could well be the reason for increased heat generation. Consider stopping unnecessary apps from running in the background to reduce the load on your processor. 

Now, let’s explore how to check your PC temperature using the BIOS and how to monitor it using more feature-rich solutions.

How to Check the CPU Temperature in the BIOS

If you want to see the CPU temp in Windows 11 or 10 without installing any apps, you can do that in the BIOS. Here’s how:

• Save any ongoing work and restart your computer.
• During the boot-up process, press the designated key to enter the BIOS. Depending on your computer’s manufacturer, it would commonly be F2, F10, F12, ESC, or DEL.
• Once inside the BIOS interface, navigate to the section that contains hardware information. This is often labeled as Hardware Monitor, PC Health, or similar, depending on your motherboard manufacturer.
• Look for the CPU temperature reading labeled as CPU Temperature or something similar.

How to Check and Monitor the Temperature of the CPU Using First-party Apps

Unlike the BIOS, specialized applications allow you to not only check the current temperature of your CPU but to keep track of it in real-time. Some of them offer additional metrics, such as fan speed, GPU temperature, and system voltages.

For starters, two major CPU manufacturers, Intel and AMD, have their own software tools that allow for checking and monitoring CPU temperature. So let’s first see what both companies have to offer.

First of all, you need to identify your processor manufacturer. Here’s how to do it:

• Type “about” in the taskbar search box and select About your PC.

• Look for Processor under Device specifications on the right side to identify your CPU model.

If it’s Intel, like mine, you need to use Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (or Intel XTU). If it’s AMD, then your choice is Ryzen Master or AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition that has an overlay feature.

Now, let’s take a closer look at how you can check and monitor the CPU temperature using these apps, and then check out the third-party solutions.

Intel XTU

Intel XTU not only allows you to check and monitor CPU temperature but also provides advanced options, such as tuning core ratios and adjusting voltages, if you’re in for overclocking or CPU undervolting.

• Download and install Intel XTU, and open the app.
• The interface will provide you with various options for tuning, benchmarking, and monitoring your Intel processor.

• While Intel XTU is primarily designed for overclocking and performance tuning, it allows you to monitor the CPU temperature in real time, among other performance indicators in the lower bar (shown as Package Temperature).

No, Intel XTU doesn’t have an overlay feature to view your real-time CPU temperature. The only option is to run the app in the background in a separate window, but that’s not quite convenient.

Users praise Intel XTU for its ease of use and overclocking capabilities but are quite skeptical about its benchmark tool.

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AMD Ryzen Master

Ryzen Master’s interface, just like Intel’s, also offers additional metrics like CPU clock speed, voltage, and more, allowing for overclocking and undervolting.

• Download and install Ryzen Master, and open the app.
• Look for Temperature on the left side of the app’s interface to see the current CPU temperature displayed in real time. Under the current temperature, you can see the maximum temperature for your processor.

No, just like Intel XTU, it doesn’t have an overlay feature to monitor the CPU temperature in real time.

Most users on Reddit agree that AMD Ryzen Master is better used for monitoring and testing rather than overclocking. Plus, the app is reported to glitch from time to time, which can make it feel unreliable.

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Also read: How to Update AMD Drivers

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Both apps allow you to check and monitor the CPU temperature to ensure it stays within safe operating limits and prevent overheating. But while you can keep them running in the background during gaming to monitor your CPU temperature and other metrics, none of them offers a convenient overlay.

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AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition

AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition offers a user-friendly interface for monitoring AMD hardware, including the CPU and GPU. It provides real-time monitoring with an in-game overlay and additional features, such as fan speed control, built in.

• Download and install AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition. On that page, you will need to select your graphics card from the list first to be able to download the app.
• Launch the app, and on the home screen, click on the Performance tab.
• Here, you can view CPU and GPU temperatures, fan speeds, and other performance data in real time.

• To launch the overlay feature, click on Overlay in the right-side pane, enable the CPU Temp metric gauge, and toggle the Show Metrics Overlay option.

Yes, with the in-game overlay feature, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition allows you to monitor CPU temperature and other key metrics while gaming.

Users appreciate the app’s ease of use and integration with AMD hardware, but some mention that its overlay function is negatively affecting FPS, which is not good for gaming.

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Also read: How to Check and Increase FPS on a Windows PC

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Just like the previous two apps, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition is mostly designed for overclocking, but its overlay feature makes it more suitable for keeping tabs on your processor’s current temperature during various tasks.

In the next section, I’ll be showing you how to check and monitor the computer temperature using third-party monitoring tools.

How to Check and Monitor the Temperature of the CPU Using Third-party Applications

Now that we know that processor manufacturers offer specialized tools that are quite “heavy” for simple CPU temperature monitoring and more suited for overclocking, let’s go over some third-party apps that may make this process easier.

MSI Afterburner

This highly customizable tool is perfect if you want real-time temperature monitoring for both CPU and GPU. However, its complex interface can be challenging for beginners.

• Download and install MSI Afterburner. During the installation, you will be prompted to install RivaTuner as well. Do that, otherwise you won’t be able to run the overlay with real-time CPU temperature data.
• Run the app and click the button that looks like a monitor on the left side of the app window. This will launch the hardware monitor, where you can track all sorts of metrics, including the CPU temperature, in real time.

• To launch the overlay and monitor the CPU temperature during gaming or while using certain apps, click on the gear-shaped button in the main window and go to the Monitoring tab.
• Locate CPU temperature under Active hardware monitoring graphs, click it, and then check the Show in On-Screen Display box.

• Then, go to the On-Screen Display tab, click More in the bottom of the window, and make sure the Show On-Screen Display button under General properties is switched on. You can also customize the looks of this on-screen display here.

• You can now monitor the CPU temperature in games and apps in real time. It will be displayed in the upper left corner of the game or app window.

Yes, MSI Afterburner is great for gaming as it offers an in-game overlay that shows real-time temperature monitoring for both CPU and GPU.

Generally, MSI Afterburner gets positive reviews on Reddit and is recommended by users as a reliable and trustworthy solution to monitor the CPU temperature with a convenient overlay feature.

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NZXT CAM

NZXT CAM nicely balances simplicity and functionality. The app features all the necessary tools for CPU monitoring, such as temperature, clock speed, and load. And it looks cool, too!

• Download and install NZXT CAM.
• Launch the app and monitor CPU temps right from the dashboard or click on the CPU window to open the CPU Details window and get more info on your processor.

• To launch the overlay and monitor the CPU temperature during gaming, go to Settings > Mini Mode. Scroll down and make sure the CPU Temperature box is checked under Panels.

• Scroll back up and click Launch Mini Mode in the upper right corner of the window.

• The CPU temperature will be displayed in a transparent window in the upper left corner of the screen.

Yes, the Mini Mode feature that shows the CPU temperature and other metrics during gameplay makes NZXT CAM a decent pick for gamers.

Despite NZXT CAM’s nice-looking design and ease of use, user reviews on Trustpilot are far from complimenting. In general, people are quite unhappy with the app’s performance and the customer support.

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Core Temp

Core Temp is a lightweight, no-frills app that displays your CPU temperatures instantly, making it a solid choice for basic monitoring. While it’s simple and efficient, it lacks advanced features like overlays.

• Download and install Core Temp.
• Open the app to view CPU temperatures instantly in the app or in the system tray (click Show hidden items), which will show the temperature of each CPU core.

If you don’t need to view all cores, you can instruct the app to display only the hottest one. Simply go to Options > Settings > Notification Area and click on the Highest temperature radio button under Notification area icons. Don’t forget to click on Apply and OK to save changes.

No, Core Temp does not have in-game monitoring features, so you cannot track temperatures while gaming.

Generally, Core Temp has positive references from the users and is praised for its reliability and ease of use.

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AIDA64 Extreme

Known for its in-depth hardware analysis, AIDA64 Extreme is ideal for advanced users who not only require detailed CPU temperature data but also for benchmarking and overclocking. The free version has its limitations, but it’s still a reliable option for serious hardware enthusiasts.

• Download and install AIDA64.
• Open the app and click Sensor.

• The CPU temperature will be displayed under Temperatures, along with other readings.

• To launch the overlay, click on the OSD icon in the upper menu.

• You can now play and monitor your CPU temperature and other metrics in real time.

Yes, AIDA64 Extreme offers temperature monitoring that can be used during gaming.

AIDA64 Extreme gets high marks and good references from users for its usefulness and customization options, even despite a learning curve that might be a bit steep for less experienced users.

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HWiNFO

HWiNFO delivers incredibly detailed monitoring; however, its detailed interface can be a bit overwhelming if you’re only looking for CPU temperature metrics.

• Download and install HWiNFO.
• Open the app, tick the Sensors-only box, and click Start.

• Scroll down to your CPU and locate CPU Package. This is the CPU temperature to monitor.

• To launch the overlay, click on the gear-shaped button in the bottom of the window, go to the OSD tab, and tick the Enable OSD box.

• Next, find CPU Package in the list above, click on it, and tick the Show in OSD as: box. Here, you can select to show the overlay as a graph or text, choose where you want to see it on the screen, and customize its looks to suit your preferences. When you’re finished, click OK.

Users’ love for HWiNFO sticks out a mile when you go through CPU monitoring tool recommendations on Reddit. The app is praised for its comprehensive monitoring capabilities and reliability.

Yes, with some setup, HWiNFO allows CPU temperature monitoring during gameplay.

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HWMonitor

HWMonitor allows you to keep an eye on your CPU temps and a variety of other metrics. However, it doesn’t have an overlay feature and lacks advanced customization options.

• Download and install HWMonitor.
• Open the app, locate your processor, and monitor your current CPU temperature next to Package under Temperatures.

No, HWMonitor does not offer in-game overlays or real-time tracking during gameplay.

Users like HWMonitor for its simplicity, but some claim that certain readings may be sometimes inaccurate.

CPU Temperature Monitoring Apps: Comparison

As you can see, each app has its pros and cons, and picking the right one depends exclusively on your needs. You can also combine the apps together to take the best out of each.

Now that we know how to check and monitor the CPU temp in Windows 10 and 11, let’s see what you can do to prevent your computer from overheating and keep your laptop or PC cool.

What to Do if Your PC Is Overheating?

If your CPU heats up beyond normal levels, the possible reasons are plenty. Let’s go over the most common ones and see what you can do to stop it:

1. Keep your PC dust-free: I believe it’s no surprise that dust has a tendency to accumulate inside things over time if you don’t clean them. Your fans, vents, heat sinks, and other PC’s internals are no exception. So, regularly clean dust from fans and heat sinks with compressed air to ensure normal ventilation.
2. Keep your room cool: Elevated room temperatures may contribute to increased heat stress for your PC. Maintain a moderate room temperature and make sure your computer is always well ventilated.
3. Ensure your laptop stands on a flat surface: We all love lounging with our laptops on a cozy bed or sofa, but your CPU? Not so much! Laptops are designed to dissipate heat efficiently when placed on a flat surface. When you obstruct the airflow, you make life harder for your cooling system.
4. Keep your drivers updated: Outdated graphics card and chipset drivers may compromise your hardware performance, potentially leading to overheating. Update your drivers manually or use a reliable tool like Auslogics Driver Updater to scan your system for outdated and faulty drivers and update them to their latest official versions automatically.
5. Close unneeded background apps: It’s possible that your PC is running some resource-intensive programs in the background that create excessive load on the CPU. Finding and closing these apps should reduce the CPU load and temperature.
6. Take it easy with overclocking: If you’ve noticed your CPU acting up after overclocking, it may be overheating due to aggressive settings. Reduce overclocking settings or restore them to default  to lower the CPU temperature.
7. Check for malware: Malware apps running in the background can consume your CPU resources and heat up the processor. Use a reliable antivirus in combination with malware detection software, such as Auslogics Anti-Malware, to stay on the safe side.
8. Consider additional cooling solutions: If you’re using a laptop, think of getting a cooling pad. It will help dissipate heat more efficiently and, consequently, chill your CPU.
9. Upgrade your cooling system: Another possible reason is that your fans are malfunctioning, broken, or simply not enough. If this is the case and your cooling system can’t provide enough power to prevent overheating, your best options here are to repair malfunctioning fans or consider upgrading your cooling solution.
10. Reapply thermal paste: Worn-out or improperly applied thermal paste between a CPU and heat sink reduces heat transfer efficiency and may well be the reason for overheating too. If that’s the case, make sure to reapply thermal paste.

Well, if you’ve tried it all but still face the CPU overheating issue, it may be time to seek professional help or consult with the manufacturer for further guidance.

How to Check and Monitor the CPU Temperature on Your Windows 10/11 PC: Explained

If you’ve made it this far, it means that now you know how to check the CPU temperature and how to monitor it. Whether you decide to use first-party tools, like Intel XTU or AMD Ryzen Master, or third-party apps, like users’ favorite HWiNFO, staying informed on your processor temperature allows for timely interventions and ensures you keep things under control.

I hope you liked this article, and I want to hear from you! Let me know which CPU monitoring tool you picked and why in the comments below.

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