Knowing how to check CPU temperature is one of the most useful PC skills you can learn. It takes about two minutes, it is free, and it tells you whether your processor is running comfortably or quietly overheating. A high CPU temp can cause stutter in games, sudden shutdowns and a shorter life for your hardware, so it is worth checking, especially in an Australian summer.
This guide shows five easy ways to check your CPU temp in Windows, explains what normal looks like at idle, in games and under heavy load, and walks through the fixes that bring a hot processor back under control.
Why CPU temp matters
Every processor has a maximum safe temperature. When it gets close, the chip protects itself by lowering its clock speed. This is called thermal throttling, and it means you lose performance exactly when you need it most. If temperatures keep climbing, the PC can shut down abruptly to prevent damage.
Modern processors are designed to run warm, and a high reading is not always a problem. What matters is knowing your chip’s normal range, so you can spot when something has changed, such as a failing fan, a clogged dust filter or dried-out thermal paste.
The quick answer
If you just want a reading right now, download the free tool HWiNFO, run it in sensors-only mode and look for the CPU package or Tctl/Tdie value. That is your current CPU temp. The sections below explain each method in more detail.
Note that Windows Task Manager shows your graphics card temperature but not your CPU temp, so you will need one of the tools below.
Method 1: HWiNFO (our recommendation)
HWiNFO is a free, trusted diagnostic tool that we use on our own bench. It shows every sensor in your PC, including CPU temp, clock speeds, power draw and fan speeds.
- Download HWiNFO from the official website and run it.
- When asked, choose Sensors-only mode and click Start.
- Scroll to the section named after your processor.
- For AMD, look for CPU (Tctl/Tdie). For Intel, look for CPU Package.
- Check the Current, Minimum and Maximum columns. Maximum shows the hottest point since HWiNFO opened.
Leave it running while you play a game for 20 minutes, then check the Maximum column. That tells you your real CPU temp under a gaming load.
Method 2: Core Temp
Core Temp is a small, free utility that focuses on processor temperatures. It is simpler than HWiNFO and can show your CPU temp in the Windows system tray, so you can glance at it at any time. It is a good choice if you only care about the processor and want a lightweight CPU temp monitor that runs in the background.
Method 3: AMD Ryzen Master or Intel’s tuning utility
Both processor makers offer their own software. AMD Ryzen Master shows temperatures, clock speeds and power for Ryzen processors, and lets advanced users tune performance. Intel’s Extreme Tuning Utility does the same for supported Intel chips. These tools are accurate for their own processors, but they also include overclocking controls, so change settings with care.
Method 4: Check in the BIOS
Your motherboard’s BIOS shows the CPU temp on its main screen. Restart your PC and press the setup key during boot, usually Delete or F2. This is useful if Windows will not start, but remember the reading is at idle, so it will not show how hot things get under load.
Method 5: An in-game CPU temp monitor overlay
The best way to understand temperatures is to see them while you play. MSI Afterburner with its bundled RivaTuner Statistics Server can display CPU and GPU temperatures, usage and frame rate in the corner of your screen. Once set up, it becomes a handy CPU temp monitor that shows exactly how your system behaves in each game.
- Install MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server.
- Open Afterburner settings, go to Monitoring and tick CPU temperature, GPU temperature and framerate.
- For each item, tick Show in On-Screen Display.
- Launch a game. The overlay appears in the top left corner.
What is a normal CPU temp?
Normal depends on your processor, cooler, case and room temperature. These ranges are a reliable guide for modern desktop processors.
| Situation | Typical range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Idle at the desktop | 30 to 50°C | Normal. Readings jump around as background tasks run. |
| Gaming | 60 to 80°C | Healthy for most modern processors. |
| Heavy all-core load, such as rendering | 75 to 90°C | Normal for high-performance chips under sustained load. |
| Near the chip’s limit | 90°C and above | The chip may throttle. Check cooling if this happens in games. |
Why modern processors run hot by design
Current AMD and Intel processors boost as high as they can until they reach a temperature or power limit. Some, like many Ryzen 7000 and 9000 chips, are designed to run up to around 95°C under full multi-core load, and that is within specification. In games, though, most chips sit well below that because games rarely load every core fully.
The key is to compare like with like. A processor that used to sit at 70°C in your favourite game and now reaches 90°C has a cooling problem, even if 90°C is technically safe.
Which sensor should you watch?
Monitoring tools show several readings. For AMD, Tctl/Tdie is the main processor temperature. For Intel, CPU Package is the one to watch, while individual core temperatures show hot spots. Ignore readings labelled as motherboard, chipset or VRM when checking your CPU temp. They measure other parts of the system.
Thermal throttling explained
Throttling is a safety feature, not a fault. When a processor approaches its limit, it lowers its clock speed and voltage to reduce heat. You will not see a warning. Instead, frame rates dip, apps feel sluggish and fans run flat out. Once the temperature falls, the chip speeds back up, which is why throttling often shows as a repeating pattern of smooth and choppy gameplay.
In HWiNFO, you can confirm throttling by watching clock speeds alongside temperature. If clocks drop sharply while the temperature sits at its maximum, the processor is throttling. Some tools also show a thermal throttling flag that changes to Yes when it happens.
How to test your cooling properly
A single reading at the desktop tells you very little. To see how your cooling really performs, put the processor under a realistic load.
- Gaming test: play a demanding game for 20 to 30 minutes with HWiNFO running, then check the maximum CPU temp.
- Stress test: run a benchmark such as Cinebench in multi-core mode for ten minutes. This is harder than gaming and shows the worst case.
- Summer check: repeat the test on a hot day. Room temperature directly affects your results.
Room temperature and Australian summers
Your cooler can only bring the processor down towards the temperature of the air around it. If your room is 22°C in winter and 34°C in summer, expect your processor to run roughly ten degrees hotter in summer under the same load. That is completely normal.
A few simple habits help on hot days. Run the air conditioner or a fan in the room, keep blinds closed in the afternoon, avoid placing the PC in direct sunlight and give it space away from walls. Capping frame rates in games that do not need unlimited frames also cuts heat noticeably.
Signs your CPU is overheating
- Frame rates drop after a few minutes of play, then recover when you pause.
- The PC shuts down or restarts during games or heavy work.
- Fans are loud even at the desktop.
- Your CPU temp sits above 90°C in games, or idles above 60°C.
- The case feels hot to the touch around the top and back.
If your PC is switching off on its own, our guide on computers that won’t turn on covers other causes worth checking, and our guide to why a computer is slow covers throttling and other slowdowns.
How to lower a high CPU temp
Most overheating problems have simple fixes. Work through these from easiest to hardest.
1. Clean out the dust
Dust clogs filters, heatsinks and fans, especially in homes with pets or carpet. Switch off the PC, take it outside and clean filters and fans with compressed air while holding each fan still. This alone often drops temperatures by several degrees.
2. Improve airflow
Give the PC room to breathe. Keep it off thick carpet, away from walls and out of enclosed cabinets. Make sure the front fans pull air in and the rear and top fans push it out.
3. Check your fan curves
Fan curves in the BIOS decide how fast fans spin at each temperature. If they are set too gently, the cooler cannot keep up under load. Raising the curve slightly at higher temperatures adds cooling without making the PC loud at idle.
4. Re-seat the cooler and replace thermal paste
Thermal paste fills tiny gaps between the processor and cooler. Over several years it can dry out. If temperatures have crept up and cleaning has not helped, removing the cooler, cleaning off the old paste and applying fresh paste can make a big difference. Make sure the cooler is mounted evenly and tightly.
5. Try a mild undervolt or power limit
AMD’s Curve Optimizer and Eco Mode, and Intel’s power limit settings, can cut temperatures noticeably with little or no loss in gaming performance. Make small changes and test stability after each one.
6. Upgrade the cooler
If your processor is paired with a small stock cooler, a quality tower cooler or a 240mm to 360mm AIO is the most effective upgrade. Our CPU cooler guide explains how to choose between air and liquid cooling.
Replacing thermal paste: a quick guide
- Switch off the PC at the wall and remove the side panel.
- Disconnect the cooler’s fan cable and remove the cooler carefully, twisting gently to break the seal.
- Wipe old paste off the processor and cooler with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol.
- Apply a pea-sized dot of fresh paste to the centre of the processor, or a thin X for larger chips.
- Refit the cooler, tightening screws a little at a time in a diagonal pattern for even pressure.
- Reconnect the fan, power on and check temperatures under load.
If you are not comfortable doing this, it is a quick job for a technician. If we built your PC, contact us first, as we are happy to help.
How to check CPU temperature on a laptop
The process for how to check CPU temperature on a laptop is the same as on a desktop: HWiNFO, Core Temp and the in-game overlay all work. Many gaming laptops also include their own control centre app, such as Armoury Crate, Lenovo Vantage or MSI Center, which shows the CPU temp alongside fan and performance modes. Expect higher readings than a desktop. A laptop CPU temp in the 80s or low 90s while gaming is common, because the cooling system is so compact.
CPU temp by workload: what to expect
- Browsing and video: your CPU temp should sit in the 30s or 40s, with brief spikes when pages load.
- Esports games: expect the CPU temp to settle in the 50s to 70s, depending on frame rate.
- Big open-world games: these load more cores, so a CPU temp in the 60s to low 80s is normal.
- Rendering and stress tests: the hardest workloads, where the high 80s or low 90s can be within specification for many chips.
Use these as a guide alongside your own baseline. Your best reference is always what your PC normally reads in the games you play.
When to ask for help
If you have cleaned the PC, checked the fans and confirmed the cooler is seated, but your CPU temp is still far above normal, it may be time for a professional look. A failing pump in a liquid cooler, a faulty fan header or a warped mounting bracket can all cause high readings that are hard to diagnose at home. Note your idle and gaming CPU temp readings before you get in touch, as they help us find the cause quickly.
Laptop CPU temperatures
Laptops run hotter than desktops because their coolers are much smaller. A laptop processor reaching the low 90s while gaming can be normal for that design. Still, if your laptop is throttling or shutting down, try these fixes:
- Use it on a hard, flat surface, never on a bed or cushion that blocks the vents.
- Clean the vents and fans. Dust builds up quickly in laptops.
- Use the manufacturer’s performance software to choose a balanced or quiet mode for lighter tasks.
- Try a cooling pad, which can help models with bottom intakes.
What about GPU temperature?
Your graphics card has its own temperature, which you can see in Task Manager under Performance and GPU, or in HWiNFO. Most modern cards run comfortably between 60 and 80°C while gaming, with a separate hot spot reading that runs higher. A hot graphics card also warms the inside of the case, which can raise your CPU temp, so good case airflow helps both.
How we manage temperatures in our builds
Every system we sell is tested for temperatures before it ships. We set fan curves for a balance of low noise and strong cooling, run processor and graphics stress tests separately and together, and check that temperatures stay within safe limits in a warm room. Higher-end processors get larger air coolers or AIO liquid coolers, and every case is chosen for airflow as well as looks.
That means you can game through an Australian summer without worrying about throttling. If you ever notice temperatures creeping up on a PC we built, get in touch and we will help you sort it out under our 12-month warranty. You can also browse our gaming PCs to see the coolers we fit at each level.
Setting up a long-term CPU temp monitor habit
You do not need to watch temperatures every day. A quick check every few months, and after any change such as a new game, a driver update or the start of summer, is plenty. Keep a note of your normal gaming temperature. If it ever rises by more than five to ten degrees, clean the PC and check the fans before it becomes a problem.
A note for new PC owners
Brand new systems sometimes run a little warmer in the first few days while Windows installs updates, indexes files and compiles game shaders in the background. Give a new PC a day or two to settle before judging its temperatures. After that, run a gaming test with HWiNFO open and note the results. That first reading becomes your baseline for years of healthy, quiet gaming, and it makes any future problem easy to spot.
CPU temperature FAQ
How do I check CPU temperature without software?
Restart into the BIOS, which shows the current CPU temp on its main screen. It only shows idle temperature, though, so software is better for checking under load.
Is 90°C too hot for a CPU?
Many modern processors are rated to run up to around 95°C or higher, so it is not immediately dangerous. If you see 90°C in games, though, your cooling is struggling and worth improving.
What is a good CPU temp while gaming?
Between 60 and 80°C is healthy for most modern desktop processors.
Can high temperatures damage my CPU?
Processors protect themselves by throttling and shutting down, so sudden damage is rare. Constant high temperatures can shorten the life of components over many years, so it is still worth fixing.
Which is the best free CPU temp monitor?
HWiNFO is our favourite for detail and accuracy. Core Temp is a simpler option, and MSI Afterburner is best for in-game overlays.
