As a gamer, there is always a risk of overheating if you don’t keep your eyes on the temperatures regularly. So, Starfield overheating is not uncommon.
However, sometimes, you could be doing everything right but still be facing high temperatures when playing the game. That is why we are here!
We’ll give you the lowdown of everything you need to know, from Starfield overheating your CPU to effective ways to fix the problem.
Let’s begin.
Understanding the Causes of Starfield CPU Overheating
Starfield is one of the most demanding PC games out there, which means it can strain your system’s hardware.
The reason is quite simple: the central processing unit and graphics processing unit are the heart and soul of gaming performance.
And a game like Starfield, which has a rich and detailed universe, can force the CPU and GPU to overdrive, causing the system to overheat.
Also read: How to Effectively Stress Test CPU
Now, this is normal, as your PC has (or should have) the required cooling system to reduce any rising temp. In other words, Starfield CPU overheating shouldn’t exceed the cooling system’s capacity.
Further reading: How to Keep your Windows 10/11 Laptop Cool While Gaming?
Other Causes of Starfield Overheating
However, the reason we just gave isn’t always the case. Other factors could be causing your PC to overheat when playing Starfield. Let’s briefly go through them:
- Running heavy apps and games that exceed the cooling system’s capacity. High demanding games like Starfield takes a toll on PCs, especially if it doesn’t meet the game’s specifications.
- Improper game optimization. If you don’t optimize the game well, it may use the hardware inefficiently, leading to Starfield overheating the CPU. The way to fix this is to learn how to properly optimize your PC for high-performance gaming.
- Problems with the hardware. Aging GPU or CPU can struggle to keep up with the game’s demands, contributing to overheating. Furthermore, insufficient or outdated cooling systems can make it difficult to disperse heat, leading to thermal throttling.
- Poor ventilation. If your computer is cramped or filled with debris or dust, it can lead to quick heat generation.
- Overclocking. As you probably know, increasing the clock speed can boost performance but it comes with a risk—heat generation. If you don’t properly handle heat dissipation, it can cause the system to overheat.
- Environmental factors like high room temperatures. If your room temp is high, your computer will struggle to cool down, even if you have good PC coolers.
In the next section, we’ll go through practical ways to stop Starfield from overheating your computer!
Related: Dealing with Cyberpunk 2077 Overheating: Best Practices and Solutions
It’s easy to misunderstand the concept of overheating in PCs, including the causes and the potential risks. Check out this guide to get a complete analysis to help you understand the situation better and save your PC from damage: Why Is My Computer Overheating? Effective Fixes
How to Fix Starfield CPU Overheating
Let’s go through the methods to resolve the high temperatures in Starfield gameplay:
Fix 1: Make sure to meet or exceed the Starfield specs requirements
Before we get down to the nitty-gritty of fixing the Starfield overheating, first make sure that your computer meets the minimum and recommended system requirements.
These specs ensure that the game runs smoothly without any hitches or overburdening your hardware.
Here are the minimum and recommended requirements:
Specifications | Minimum system requirements | Recommended system requirements |
---|---|---|
OS | Windows 10 64-bit, version 21H1 upwards | Latest Windows 10 or 11 |
Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X; Intel Core i7-6800K | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X; Intel i5-10600K |
System memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti; AMD Radeon RX 5700 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080; AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT |
DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
Storage | 125 GB free space (SSD) | 125 GB free space (SSD) |
If you want to check the CPU you currently have, follow this guide: how to check what CPU do I have on my Windows PC?
You must have a solid-state drive to play Starfield. Bethesda, the studio that developed this game, took this route probably because of how SSDs process data faster than HDDs.
Another reason could be that SSDs decrease load times and improve the overall gameplay experience. So using an HDD could cause your desktop PC or laptop to overheat.
Further reading: Gaming Laptop vs. Desktop: Are Gaming Laptops Worth It?
Fix 2: Update your graphics driver
Outdated or missing graphics drivers can lead to Starfield overheating the CPU. The easiest and quickest way to correct this issue is to use Auslogics Driver Updater.
Since Auslogics is in partnership with Microsoft, all the drivers you update are compatible with your computer. You always get the manufacturer-recommended updates.
If you want to know the specifics of how to update the graphics drivers, go through this guide: how to update graphics drivers in minutes.
Fix 3: Adjust the graphics settings
If your graphics settings are set to High, it can surely increase the workload on your CPU and GPU. For example, increasing shadow quality can bring depth and realism, but it can take too many resources.
What you can do is set the settings to Medium or Low or disable it entirely and check if it fixes the Starfield overheating problem.
You can also lower the resolution, reduce the texture quality, or disable anti-aliasing. The point is to keep tinkering with the settings until you find the culprit.
Fix 4: Clean and maintain your PC
Over time, dust and debris can clog your computer’s cooling system, and that can lead to Starfield overheating your CPU.
It’s always a good idea to move your PC to a well-ventilated place. Otherwise the dust will settle back after cleaning them.
We’ve written a detailed guide on how to clean your PC. Check it out here: Expert tips on how to clean a computer.
Fix 5: Ensure your cooling systems are working properly
Improper cooling is one of the main causes of overheating in PCs, and Starfield CPU overheating is no different. So, check that your heat sinks, fans, and thermal paste are in working condition.
If you’re using a water cooling system, try to maintain it regularly and fix any parts that are not working.
If you want an in-depth instruction on how to clean the cooling system, I recommend this guide: How to clean the water cooling system on your PC.
Starfield Overheating: Fixed
As long as you meet the game’s specs requirement, update the graphics drivers, and tune the settings, you should not encounter Starfield overheating.
Make sure to monitor and maintain your computer health regularly to enjoy Starfield without any issues.
As always, we would appreciate it if you could comment on the steps we haven’t covered and show us the solution that worked for you! Please share this article if you’ve found it helpful, too!
FAQ
Another reason could be an optimization problem. Some games are better optimized than others. If you don’t tune Starfield to match your hardware, it could lead to various issues, like overheating.