If your desktop PC sounds like a jet engine taking off, or your laptop chassis is uncomfortably hot to the touch, your central processing unit (CPU) is likely struggling with heat. When a CPU gets too hot, it automatically slows itself down to prevent catastrophic hardware damage—a process known as thermal throttling. This results in sudden frame drops in games, stuttering video playback, and a generally sluggish operating system.
Surprisingly, Windows 11 does not include a native method to check your CPU temperature. While the built-in Task Manager displays the temperature of your graphics card (GPU), it completely ignores the CPU. To monitor your processor’s heat levels, you must rely on third-party diagnostic software.
Method 1: Use Core Temp (Best for Beginners)
Core Temp is one of the oldest, lightest, and most reliable tools for checking CPU temperatures. It provides exactly what you need without overwhelming you with unnecessary data.
- Open your web browser and navigate to the official Core Temp website (alcpu.com/CoreTemp).
- Click the Download button and run the installer. Note: During installation, carefully uncheck any boxes offering “bundled” software or browser toolbars, as free utilities often include these.
- Once installed, open the Core Temp application.
- Look at the bottom section of the window under Temperature Readings.
- You will see the current temperature for every individual core in your processor, as well as the minimum and maximum temperatures recorded since you opened the app.
As a bonus, Core Temp automatically adds your CPU temperature to the system tray (the small icon area next to the clock in your Windows taskbar), allowing you to monitor it constantly at a glance.
Method 2: Use HWiNFO (Best for Power Users)
If you are a PC enthusiast, overclocker, or gamer who wants to see every conceivable metric about your system, HWiNFO is the industry standard diagnostic tool.
- Download HWiNFO from the official website (hwinfo.com). We recommend the “Portable” version, which does not require installation.
- Extract the downloaded ZIP file and run either the 32-bit or 64-bit executable, depending on your system.
- When the launch window appears, check the box labelled Sensors-only and click Start.
- A large window will appear containing hundreds of sensor readings. Scroll down until you find the section named after your CPU (for example, “Intel Core i7” or “AMD Ryzen 5”).
- Look for the row labelled CPU (Tctl/Tdie) on AMD systems, or Core Temperatures on Intel systems.
- You can now view the Current, Minimum, Maximum, and Average temperatures in real-time.
What is a Normal CPU Temperature?
Understanding the numbers is just as important as finding them. While exact limits vary by manufacturer and specific processor models, you can generally follow these guidelines:
- Under 45°C (113°F): Excellent. This is a normal temperature when your computer is completely idle or performing very light tasks like web browsing.
- 45°C to 70°C (113°F to 158°F): Normal operating temperature under a moderate load, such as watching high-definition video or doing light multitasking.
- 70°C to 85°C (158°F to 185°F): High load. This is typical when playing demanding video games, rendering video, or compiling code. It is hot, but still safe.
- 85°C to 95°C (185°F to 203°F): Danger zone. Your CPU is likely thermal throttling. You should investigate your cooling solution.
- Above 95°C (203°F): Critical. At this temperature, your computer may automatically shut down to prevent the silicon from melting.
If your PC is constantly overheating, you should clean the dust out of your case, ensure your fans are spinning, and consider reapplying thermal paste between the CPU and the cooler.
