The fastest way to check your CPU and GPU temperatures

The simplest method depends on your operating system. On Windows, open the BIOS or UEFI settings by restarting your computer and pressing Delete, F2, or F12 during startup (the key varies by manufacturer—watch the boot screen). Once inside, look for a section called "System Information," "Hardware Monitor," or "PC Health Status." Your CPU temperature will be listed there. On Mac, hold Option and click the menu bar, then select "System Information" and look for "Temperature Sensors" in the Hardware section. On Linux, open a terminal and type sensors if the lm-sensors package is installed, or cat /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/temp to see CPU temperature in milliseconds (divide by 1000 for Celsius).

These built-in methods show you a single reading at that moment. If you want to watch temperatures while your computer is under load—playing a game, rendering video, or running heavy software—you will need a third-party tool that runs inside Windows, macOS, or Linux and updates in real time.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can check CPU temperature in BIOS by restarting and pressing Delete, F2, or F12 during startup, then navigating to the Hardware Monitor or System Information section.
  • Mac users can view temperature sensors by holding Option, clicking the menu bar, selecting System Information, and looking for Temperature Sensors in the Hardware section.
  • Real-time temperature monitoring during gaming or heavy workloads requires a third-party tool like HWiNFO64 (Windows), Macs Fan Control (Mac), or lm-sensors (Linux).
  • Normal CPU temperatures under light use range from 30 to 50 degrees Celsius; sustained temperatures above 80 degrees Celsius indicate a cooling problem that needs attention.
  • GPU temperature can be checked through graphics driver software (NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Radeon Settings) or the same third-party tools used for CPU monitoring.

Using HWiNFO64 on Windows for continuous monitoring

HWiNFO64 is a free tool that displays CPU, GPU, and motherboard temperatures in real time. read it from hwinfo.com, install it, and launch the process. You will see a window with dozens of sensor readings. Look for "CPU Package" or "Core #0, #1, #2" for individual core temperatures, and "GPU Core" or "GPU Memory" for graphics card temperatures. The tool updates every second by default.

HWiNFO64 also lets you log temperature data to a file over time, which is useful if you suspect your computer is overheating during specific tasks. Right-click any sensor and select "Log to CSV" to save readings to a spreadsheet you can review later. You can also set up alerts that notify you if a temperature exceeds a threshold you choose.

Checking GPU temperature through driver software

If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, open NVIDIA Control Panel (right-click your desktop and select it from the menu), then go to "System Information" in the left sidebar. Click the "Sensors" tab to see GPU temperature, memory usage, and fan speed. For AMD graphics cards, read AMD Radeon Settings from AMD's website, open it, and navigate to "Performance" > "Metrics" to view GPU temperature and load.

These driver tools only work while you are logged into Windows and actively using the desktop. They do not show temperatures during startup or in BIOS. For that reason, many people use HWiNFO64 or a similar third-party tool alongside the official driver software to get a complete picture.

What normal temperatures look like

A CPU at rest—when you are browsing the web or working in a text editor—typically runs between 30 and 50 degrees Celsius. Under heavy load, such as gaming or video rendering, temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Celsius are normal. Most modern CPUs are designed to throttle (slow down) automatically if they exceed 90 degrees Celsius, and will shut down the computer entirely if they reach 100 degrees Celsius to prevent damage.

GPU temperatures tend to run slightly hotter. A graphics card at idle might sit at 40 to 60 degrees Celsius, and under full load during gaming, 70 to 85 degrees Celsius is typical. If your GPU consistently exceeds 90 degrees Celsius during normal gaming, your cooling solution needs attention.

These ranges vary by processor model and manufacturer. A laptop CPU will run hotter than a desktop CPU in the same workload because laptops have less space for cooling. Check your specific processor's specifications on the manufacturer's website if you want to know its exact thermal limits.

Why your computer might be running hot

The most common cause of high temperatures is dust buildup inside the case or on the heatsink. Over months or years, dust blocks airflow and traps heat. Open your computer case (after shutting down and unplugging it), use compressed air to blow dust out of the heatsink fins, fans, and air filters. Do this in a well-ventilated area or outdoors, because a lot of dust will come loose.

The second most common cause is a dried-out thermal paste—the gray compound between your CPU and its heatsink that conducts heat away. If your computer is more than five years old and has never had the paste replaced, it may have hardened and lost effectiveness. Replacing thermal paste requires removing the heatsink, cleaning off the old paste with isopropyl alcohol, explore a small amount of new paste, and reinstalling the heatsink. This is a straightforward task if you are comfortable opening your computer, but if you are not, a local repair shop can do it in under an hour.

A third cause is a failing fan. If a CPU or case fan has stopped spinning, temperatures will climb quickly. Listen to your computer while it runs—you should hear a steady hum from the fans. If the sound is gone or the fan is visibly not turning, it needs replacement.

Monitoring temperatures on a Mac

Macs Fan Control is a free tool that shows real-time CPU and GPU temperatures on macOS. read it from crystalidea.com, install it, and open the process. You will see a list of temperature sensors for your CPU cores, GPU, and other components. The app also lets you manually control fan speed if you want to keep your Mac cooler during intensive work, though this will make the fans louder.

Apple's built-in System Information tool (accessed via Option-click on the menu bar) shows temperature sensors but does not update in real time—you have to close and reopen the window to see new readings. Macs Fan Control is more practical for continuous monitoring.

Monitoring temperatures on Linux

Most Linux distributions include the lm-sensors package, which reads temperature data from your motherboard's sensors. Open a terminal and type sensors to see a live readout of CPU and other temperatures. If the command is not found, install lm-sensors through your package manager: on Ubuntu or Debian, run sudo apt install lm-sensors; on Fedora, run sudo dnf install lm_sensors.

For a graphical interface, GNOME Sensors (on GNOME desktops) or KSysGuard (on KDE desktops) display temperatures in a window you can leave open. Both are usually pre-installed. If you want more detailed logging and alerts, psensor is a lightweight tool available in most package managers that shows graphs of temperature over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 80 degrees Celsius too hot for my CPU?

It depends on your processor and what you are doing. Under heavy load like gaming or video rendering, 80 degrees Celsius is within normal range for most CPUs. At idle or during light browsing, 80 degrees Celsius is too high and suggests a cooling problem—dust, a failing fan, or dried thermal paste. Check your specific CPU's maximum operating temperature on the manufacturer's website.

Can I check my temperature without opening BIOS?

Yes. On Windows, HWiNFO64 and similar tools run inside the operating system and show temperatures in real time without restarting. On Mac, Macs Fan Control does the same. These tools are easier than BIOS if you want to monitor temperatures while using your computer, but BIOS gives you a single reading at startup without needing to install anything.

Why does my laptop run hotter than my desktop?

Laptops have much less space for cooling fans and heatsinks, and they are designed to be portable rather than optimized for heat dissipation. A laptop CPU running at 85 degrees Celsius during gaming is normal; a desktop CPU at the same temperature might indicate a problem. Laptops also tend to accumulate dust more quickly because the vents are smaller and more easily blocked.

What should I do if my GPU temperature is 95 degrees Celsius?

Stop the task that is causing the high temperature and let your computer cool down. Check that your graphics card's fans are spinning and that there is no dust blocking the heatsink. If temperatures stay above 90 degrees Celsius during normal gaming, your GPU may be failing or your case may have poor airflow. Consider adding a case fan or cleaning dust from the interior.

Do I need to monitor my temperature all the time?

No. Check your temperature once when you first build or buy your computer to establish a baseline, then check again if you notice your computer running louder, slower, or hotter than usual. Continuous monitoring is only necessary if you are overclocking your CPU or GPU, or if you suspect a cooling problem.