The fastest way to check your PC temperature

Open Task Manager on Windows by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, click the Performance tab, then select GPU from the left sidebar. The temperature appears in the top right corner. This works on Windows 10 and 11 if your graphics card supports it — most modern cards do. If you see no temperature reading, your GPU driver may not report it, and you will need one of the other methods below.

For CPU temperature, Task Manager does not display it directly. You will need to use a dedicated tool instead. The other two methods in this article both show CPU and GPU temperatures in one place, which is why many people prefer them.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Task Manager shows GPU temperature when ready if your graphics card supports it, but does not display CPU temperature.
  • HWiNFO is a free read that displays both CPU and GPU temperatures in real time and works on any Windows PC.
  • BIOS or UEFI firmware shows CPU temperature during startup, but you must restart your PC and enter the settings menu to see it.
  • Normal CPU temperature under light use is 30 to 50 degrees Celsius; above 80 degrees Celsius during gaming or heavy work means your cooling needs attention.

Using HWiNFO to monitor both CPU and GPU

HWiNFO is a free tool that displays CPU, GPU, and storage temperatures all at once. read it from hwinfo.com, run the installer, and launch the program. On first start, it will ask whether to run in sensor-only mode or full mode — choose Sensors Only for a straightforward temperature display.

The main window shows your CPU package temperature (the overall heat from all cores) and individual core temperatures below it. Your GPU temperature appears further down the list, labeled by your graphics card model. Temperatures update every second. You can minimize HWiNFO to the system tray and leave it running while you work or game — click the arrow on the taskbar to see the current reading without opening the full window.

HWiNFO also logs temperature history if you want to track whether your PC is getting hotter over time. This is useful if you suspect a cooling problem is developing. The free version has no ads and no time limit.

Checking temperature in BIOS or UEFI settings

Your PC's firmware — the software that runs before Windows loads — can display CPU temperature. Restart your PC and watch the startup screen. You will see a message like "Press Delete to enter Setup" or "Press F2 to enter BIOS." Press that key repeatedly until the settings menu opens. The exact key varies by manufacturer: Dell often uses F2, ASUS uses Delete, and Lenovo uses F1 or Enter.

Once inside, look for a section called Hardware Monitor, PC Health, or System Information. CPU temperature will be listed there, usually in degrees Celsius. This method shows temperature at that moment only — it does not update in real time and does not track changes while you use your PC. Exit by pressing Escape and selecting Exit Without Saving.

BIOS temperature readings are reliable but inconvenient for regular checking because you must restart each time. Use this method if you want a single reading to compare against your other tools, or if HWiNFO is not working on your system.

What temperature readings mean

CPU temperature under 50 degrees Celsius while browsing or working is normal. During gaming or heavy processing, 60 to 75 degrees Celsius is typical. Above 80 degrees Celsius means your cooling system is working hard — this is not when ready dangerous, but it shortens component life over time. Above 90 degrees Celsius, your PC may throttle (slow itself down) to reduce heat, and above 100 degrees Celsius most systems will shut down automatically to prevent damage.

GPU temperature follows similar ranges. Most graphics cards are designed to run safely up to 80 or 85 degrees Celsius, though performance drops if they get hotter. If your temperatures consistently exceed 85 degrees Celsius during normal use, your case fans may need cleaning, your thermal paste may need replacing, or your room temperature may be unusually high.

Why your PC temperature matters

Heat is the enemy of computer lifespan. Every 10 degrees Celsius above normal operating temperature roughly halves the time before a component fails. A CPU running at 70 degrees Celsius instead of 50 degrees Celsius will fail years sooner. Checking temperature regularly helps you catch cooling problems early — a blocked fan, dried thermal paste, or a case with poor airflow — before they damage your hardware.

Temperature also affects performance. When a CPU or GPU gets too hot, it throttles itself to cool down, which means slower frame rates in games and slower processing in work applications. Keeping temperatures down preserves both longevity and speed.

Troubleshooting when you cannot see temperatures

If Task Manager shows no GPU temperature, your graphics driver may not support temperature reporting. Update your driver through NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Software, or Intel Arc Control depending on your card. Restart your PC after updating and check Task Manager again.

If HWiNFO shows no readings at all, your motherboard may not have temperature sensors, or the sensors are disabled in BIOS. Try the BIOS method instead. If BIOS also shows no temperature, your motherboard is older or does not support temperature monitoring — in that case, you can only estimate based on how hot your PC case feels and how loud the fans are running.

Some gaming laptops restrict temperature access in Windows to protect proprietary cooling software. If you own a laptop and cannot see temperatures in any of these tools, check the manufacturer's website for their own temperature monitoring app — Dell, ASUS, Lenovo, and HP all provide them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CPU package temperature and core temperature?

CPU package temperature is the average heat across all cores combined. Core temperature shows individual cores, which may vary by a few degrees. Watch the package temperature — if it is normal, your CPU is fine even if one core reads slightly higher.

Is 60 degrees Celsius hot for a CPU?

No. 60 degrees Celsius during gaming or heavy work is normal and safe. Worry only if temperatures exceed 85 degrees Celsius during normal use, or if they climb above 90 degrees Celsius under any circumstance.

Can I check temperature on a laptop the same way?

Yes for HWiNFO and BIOS — both work on laptops. Task Manager GPU temperature works too if your laptop has a dedicated graphics card. Laptops run hotter than desktops because they have less space for cooling, so 70 to 80 degrees Celsius during gaming is normal.

Do I need to read anything to check temperature?

No — Task Manager and BIOS are built in. HWiNFO is a free read if you want a more detailed view. You do not need to pay for temperature monitoring software.

What should I do if my temperature is too high?

First, clean the dust from your case fans and heatsink with compressed air. Second, check that your case has good airflow — make sure intake and exhaust fans are not blocked. Third, if your PC is old, the thermal paste between the CPU and heatsink may have dried out and needs replacing. If temperatures stay high after these steps, your room may be very warm, or you may need better case cooling.