{"id":6780,"date":"2023-06-16T12:23:18","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T06:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/?p=6780"},"modified":"2023-06-16T12:23:24","modified_gmt":"2023-06-16T06:53:24","slug":"how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Check CPU Temp While Gaming? (Best Tools and Methods)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Monitoring CPU and GPU temp is much easier than you might think. All you need is a tool like <strong>MSI Afterburner <\/strong>or <strong>Core Temp <\/strong>and tweak a few settings to track the current temperature in real time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I've been building gaming PCs for over two decades and have tried a dozen different monitoring software and hardware solutions to track my PC's temp while gaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I know the importance of tracking <a href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CPU<\/a> and GPU temps during those intense gaming sessions. High CPU temperatures can cause all kinds of problems, from sluggish performance to permanent damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using the methods discussed in this article, you'll be able to monitor all sorts of info related to your PC's performance within minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So let's dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6613b3e2c6ca1\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6613b3e2c6ca1\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#How_to_Check_CPU_Temperature_While_Gaming_4_Best_Tools\" title=\"How to Check CPU Temperature While Gaming? (4 Best Tools)\">How to Check CPU Temperature While Gaming? (4 Best Tools)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#MSI_Afterburner\" title=\"MSI Afterburner\">MSI Afterburner<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#Core_Temp\" title=\"Core Temp\">Core Temp<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#HWiNFO\" title=\"HWiNFO\">HWiNFO<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#SpeedFan\" title=\"SpeedFan\">SpeedFan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#Other_Tools_and_Methods_to_Check_Your_CPU_Temperature\" title=\"Other Tools and Methods to Check Your CPU Temperature\">Other Tools and Methods to Check Your CPU Temperature<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#Use_Native_CPU_Utilities\" title=\"Use Native CPU Utilities\">Use Native CPU Utilities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#Using_BIOSUEFI\" title=\"Using BIOS\/UEFI\">Using BIOS\/UEFI<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#Install_a_Temperature_Sensor_or_Heat_Probe\" title=\"Install a Temperature Sensor or Heat Probe\">Install a Temperature Sensor or Heat Probe<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#What_to_Do_in_Case_of_High_CPU_Temp_While_Gaming\" title=\"What to Do in Case of High CPU Temp While Gaming?\">What to Do in Case of High CPU Temp While Gaming?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#Check_For_Dust_Buildup\" title=\"Check For Dust Buildup\">Check For Dust Buildup<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#Adjust_Your_Fan_Speed\" title=\"Adjust Your Fan Speed\">Adjust Your Fan Speed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#Check_For_Thermal_Paste_Issues\" title=\"Check For Thermal Paste Issues\">Check For Thermal Paste Issues<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#Upgrade_Your_Cooling_System\" title=\"Upgrade Your Cooling System\">Upgrade Your Cooling System<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#FAQs\" title=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#1_Do_You_Need_an_MSI_Graphics_CardMotherboard_for_MSI_Afterburner_to_Work\" title=\"1. Do You Need an MSI Graphics Card\/Motherboard for MSI Afterburner to Work?\">1. Do You Need an MSI Graphics Card\/Motherboard for MSI Afterburner to Work?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#2_How_to_Check_GPU_Temperature_While_Gaming\" title=\"2. How to Check GPU Temperature While Gaming?\">2. How to Check GPU Temperature While Gaming?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#3_What_is_the_Ideal_CPU_and_GPU_Temperature\" title=\"3. What is the Ideal CPU and GPU Temperature?\">3. What is the Ideal CPU and GPU Temperature?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#4_Can_You_Use_An_FPS_Counter_For_CPU_And_GPU_Temp_Monitoring\" title=\"4. Can You Use An FPS Counter For CPU And GPU Temp Monitoring?\">4. Can You Use An FPS Counter For CPU And GPU Temp Monitoring?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/processor\/how-to-check-cpu-temp-while-gaming\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Check_CPU_Temperature_While_Gaming_4_Best_Tools\"><\/span>How to Check CPU Temperature While Gaming? (4 Best Tools)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way to monitor CPU temperature while gaming is by using a system monitoring utility such as MSI Afterburner or Core Temp app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best part? These tools are completely free of cost and work perfectly fine for both casual and hardcore gamers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some popular options you can try:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Gaming-Room-Equipped-with-Gaming-Gears-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"Gaming Room Equipped with Gaming Gears\" class=\"wp-image-6787\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Gaming-Room-Equipped-with-Gaming-Gears.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Gaming-Room-Equipped-with-Gaming-Gears-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Gaming-Room-Equipped-with-Gaming-Gears-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MSI_Afterburner\"><\/span>MSI Afterburner<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>MSI Afterburner is a free application that lets you monitor your CPU temperature in real time. It also offers additional features like overclocking and fan control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To use MSI Afterburner, simply download and install the software from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msi.com\/Landing\/afterburner\/graphics-cards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">official MSI website<\/a>. Once installed, launch the application and follow the steps described below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>By default, it only shows the <strong>GPU temperature<\/strong>, along with clock speed and core voltage. To enable the CPU temp setting, click on the <strong>cogwheel icon<\/strong> in the left-hand panel to open the MSI Afterburner properties menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Switch to the <strong>Monitoring <\/strong>tab. Now from the list of properties, enable all the CPU temperature entries (CPU temperature, CPU1 temperature, CPU2 temperature, etc.) by pressing the check mark button on their left. Click <strong>Apply<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The CPU1, CPU2, CPU3, etc., correspond to each individual CPU core, whereas \"CPU temperature\" refers to the overall temperature of the CPU package.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can see the live graph of CPU temps in the <strong>Hardware Monitor<\/strong> window (the button just below the cogwheel icon).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To view them in real-time as a screen overlay, go to the <strong>Monitoring <\/strong>tab once again and enable the<strong> Show in On-Screen Display<\/strong> option for each property.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>You can toggle the On-Screen Display overlay using the<strong> ALT + O<\/strong> keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides <strong>CPU and GPU temperature<\/strong>, you can enable plenty of other sensors inside MSI Afterburner. Try using the \"FPS,\" \"clock speed,\" and \"RAM usage\" properties the next time you fire up your favorite game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can even adjust CPU\/RAM clock speeds (overclocking), mess with fan speeds, and increase\/decrease core voltage using the sliders on the main window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Core_Temp\"><\/span>Core Temp<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don't need all the bells and whistles of MSI Afterburner and just want a more easy-to-use and compact alternative, try <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alcpu.com\/CoreTemp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Core Temp<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only drawback with this tool is that you don't get an on-screen tracker like MSI Afterburner. On the plus side, it's a very lightweight tool and will work well even on low-to-mid-end PCs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here's how to monitor CPU temp while gaming using Core Temp:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>Download and install the software from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alcpu.com\/CoreTemp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open the application once installed. You'll see some basic info about your processor (model, no. of cores. frequency, etc.).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can view all your CPU temps under the \"Temperature Readings\" section, including the current CPU temperature reading, minimum and maximum temperature, as well as the current CPU load.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides the average temperature reading for each core, you'll also notice a parameter labeled as \"<strong>Tj. Max<\/strong>.\" This is the maximum thermal junction temperature before your processor starts to throttle internally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Tj. Max is usually around 100\u00baC for most chips, and as long as you have a decent cooling setup, your CPU is unlikely to hit that temp while gaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned earlier, Core Temp doesn't offer an on-screen overlay, but you can see the live temperatures in the notification area (arrow button near the bottom right corner) in your taskbar. (Tip: You can pin these numbers to the taskbar to monitor them constantly.)<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Teen-with-Headsets-Playing-Computer-Game-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"Teen with Headsets Playing Computer Game\" class=\"wp-image-6789\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Teen-with-Headsets-Playing-Computer-Game.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Teen-with-Headsets-Playing-Computer-Game-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Teen-with-Headsets-Playing-Computer-Game-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"HWiNFO\"><\/span>HWiNFO<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hwinfo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">HWiNFO<\/a> is free software that offers detailed information about your hardware components. It also offers tools for reporting and alerting systems, but we won't go into that today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can use it to <strong>monitor CPU and GPU temp<\/strong> as well as your motherboard, graphics cards, storage drives, memory, network, audio, and even connectivity ports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want a thorough system summary and all the active sensor readings, HWiNFO will help you with that. However, it can be quite intimidating for newbies as there's too much info shown on a single page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To use HWiNFO, firstly download and install the software from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hwinfo.com\/download\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">here<\/a>. Then open it and switch to the <strong>Sensors<\/strong> tab. From there, you can view your CPU and GPU temp and other sensor information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SpeedFan\"><\/span>SpeedFan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>SpeedFan is another lightweight tool that offers much more than tracking CPU temps. As the name suggests, SpeedFan can be used to control your computer's fan speeds using pulse width modulation (PWM), provided your motherboard supports that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides that, it can help you analyze drive temperatures (both HDD and SSD), CPU usage, clock speed, core temperatures, and voltages. You can download and install SpeedFan from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.almico.com\/sfdownload.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Tools_and_Methods_to_Check_Your_CPU_Temperature\"><\/span>Other Tools and Methods to Check Your CPU Temperature<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_Native_CPU_Utilities\"><\/span>Use Native CPU Utilities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Intel and AMD offer their own utility tools to monitor CPU and GPU temp and tweak other system features - the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.intel.com\/content\/www\/us\/en\/download\/17881\/intel-extreme-tuning-utility-intel-xtu.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Extreme Tuning Utility<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amd.com\/en\/technologies\/ryzen-master\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Ryzen Master<\/strong><\/a> respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, they might not be available for all chipsets or Windows versions. Check the compatibility from the official website before installing these two applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These tools can also be used to overclock cores, memory, and graphics card. The only drawback is that you'll have to switch to the application from a game to monitor CPU and GPU temp, since there's no on-screen tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Using_BIOSUEFI\"><\/span>Using BIOS\/UEFI<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not many people are aware of all the functional aspects of their computer's BIOS (Basic Input Output System). It's an OG tool that offers plenty of basic troubleshooting measures, including your computer's CPU temperature readings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To monitor CPU\/GPU temperature inside BIOS, restart your computer and press the BIOS key (usually <strong>F2<\/strong>, <strong>F10<\/strong>, or <strong>Del<\/strong> key). From here, you need to navigate to the section labeled <strong>H\/W Monitor<\/strong> or <strong>PC Health<\/strong> <strong>Status<\/strong>. Inside that, you'll find info regarding processor temperature, fan speeds, and voltages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Granted, this is not a real-time monitoring solution, as you need to restart your PC to check CPU temperature. However, it can be incredibly helpful in case your PC freezes or shuts off due to overheating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Install_a_Temperature_Sensor_or_Heat_Probe\"><\/span>Install a Temperature Sensor or Heat Probe<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you're a PC enthusiast and are comfortable with a more hands-on solution, you can try putting a temperature probe onto your motherboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These temperature sensors attach to your PC components directly and often come with an LCD display. The display will fit into any drive bay so you can see the CPU, GPU, and motherboard temperature at a glance.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Desk-Arranged-with-Gaming-Equipment-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"Desk Arranged with Gaming Equipment\" class=\"wp-image-6786\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Desk-Arranged-with-Gaming-Equipment.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Desk-Arranged-with-Gaming-Equipment-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Desk-Arranged-with-Gaming-Equipment-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_in_Case_of_High_CPU_Temp_While_Gaming\"><\/span>What to Do in Case of High CPU Temp While Gaming?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice that your processor is constantly overheating while gaming, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the issue:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Check_For_Dust_Buildup\"><\/span>Check For Dust Buildup<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, dust can accumulate inside your PC case and clog up your cooling fans and heat sinks, leading to sizzling CPU temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you suspect that dust buildup is the cause of your high CPU temperatures, turn off your computer and open up your PC case. Employ a can of compressed air or a soft brush to gently remove any dust from your cooling fans, heat sinks, and other components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do this every once in a while to maintain a steady airflow and keep the heat at bay. This will protect your PC from permanent damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Adjust_Your_Fan_Speed\"><\/span>Adjust Your Fan Speed<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Experienced gamers love to have complete control over all the fans on their PCs. I'm one of them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many PC cases come with built-in fan controllers that allow you to adjust the speed of your cooling fans. Alternatively, you can use software tools like MSI Afterburner and SpeedFan\/FanControl to adjust your fan speed manually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, make sure to maintain a balance of cooling performance, noise, and power consumption. Running fans at speeds higher than necessary can also reduce their lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Check_For_Thermal_Paste_Issues\"><\/span>Check For Thermal Paste Issues<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The thermal paste between your processor and heat sink helps to transfer heat away from your CPU. If the thermal paste is old or has been applied incorrectly, heat will accumulate near the chip resulting in high temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Turn off your computer and carefully remove your heat sink. Check that the thermal paste is evenly applied and not dried out or cracked. If it looks old and degraded, replace it asap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Upgrade_Your_Cooling_System\"><\/span>Upgrade Your Cooling System<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you've tried all the above solutions but nothing works, you likely need to upgrade your cooling system. This could include adding additional cooling fans (or replacing old fans with newer ones) or upgrading your heat sink. You could even install a liquid cooling system if your budget allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Do_You_Need_an_MSI_Graphics_CardMotherboard_for_MSI_Afterburner_to_Work\"><\/span>1. Do You Need an MSI Graphics Card\/Motherboard for MSI Afterburner to Work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No! MSI Afterburner will work with any graphics card and mobo, not just MSI cards. Also note that most of the overclocking, monitoring, and cooling features can be used regardless of your GPU manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, in some cases and with specific graphics cards, certain tools like voltage control might not be available. But MSI Afterburner will still run perfectly fine on your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_How_to_Check_GPU_Temperature_While_Gaming\"><\/span>2. How to Check GPU Temperature While Gaming?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the tools mentioned above, including <strong>MSI Afterburner <\/strong>and <strong>HWiNFO<\/strong>, can be used to monitor GPU temp as well. But if you're looking for a tool specifically for your graphics card, <a href=\"https:\/\/nzxt.com\/software\/cam?sscid=51k7_tyetw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>NZXT CAM<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techpowerup.com\/gpuz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>GPU-Z<\/strong><\/a> are great options that work with almost all GPUs and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, both AMD and Nvidia offer native tools for this purpose. For instance, you can use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amd.com\/en\/technologies\/radeon-software-apu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Radeon Software<\/strong><\/a> if you have an AMD Radeon graphics card. For Nvidia cards, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nvidia.com\/en-us\/geforce\/geforce-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>Nvidia GeForce Experience<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.evga.com\/precisionx1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>EVGA Precision X1<\/strong><\/a> are superb tools that also offer in-game overlays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_What_is_the_Ideal_CPU_and_GPU_Temperature\"><\/span>3. What is the Ideal CPU and GPU Temperature?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most home PCs operate at a safe range of 40\u201365\u00b0C under normal workloads (very thin ultrabooks might run a little warmer). Even under heavy loads and during gaming, the CPU and GPU temperatures should ideally stay below 80\u201385\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Can_You_Use_An_FPS_Counter_For_CPU_And_GPU_Temp_Monitoring\"><\/span>4. Can You Use An FPS Counter For CPU And GPU Temp Monitoring?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An FPS counter isn't a good indicator of hardware temperature. While reduced FPS can be caused due to overheating, it's not always the case. There are so many other factors affecting the in-game frame rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Different CPUs, GPUs, memory, etc., will result in different framerates even with similar working temperatures. Besides that, the code optimization, in-game graphics\/resolution settings, and hardware compatibility all have an impact on the FPS.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Person-Playing-Counter-Strike-PC-Game-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"Person Playing Counter-Strike PC Game\" class=\"wp-image-6788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Person-Playing-Counter-Strike-PC-Game.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Person-Playing-Counter-Strike-PC-Game-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Person-Playing-Counter-Strike-PC-Game-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, there you have it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It's super important to keep your CPU temperature in check if you want your rig to last and perform well. If your CPU gets too hot, it can cause all kinds of problems, from crashes to permanent damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, there are a bunch of things you can do to keep your CPU temperature at normal levels. By following the tips and tricks we've learned today, you can enjoy a smooth and stable gaming experience without worrying about your CPU overheating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Happy gaming!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Monitoring CPU and GPU temp is much easier than you might think. All you need is a tool like MSI Afterburner or Core Temp and tweak a few settings to track the current temperature in real time. I've been building gaming PCs for over two decades and have tried a dozen different monitoring software and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":6783,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[17],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6780"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6780"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6780\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6907,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6780\/revisions\/6907"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6783"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}