Very often, users forget about the heating of computer components, which overheat during its operation, the computer starts to malfunction and eventually breaks down. This is most often due to accumulated dust in the system unit, clogging of coolers with dust, outdated cooling system, etc.
Good evening, dear friends, acquaintances and other personalities. From the title of the article, you probably already guessed that we are talking about the heating of computer components, what it should be and how to measure it. Each electronic device tends to heat up during its operation, but still there are certain standards within which this component can work normally and for a long time.
Well, one more sign of computer overheating, this is of course our hot summer. The rise in air temperature has noticeably jumped, it is noticeable not only for people, but also for our computers, which are already in constant heating ( when working, respectively), and then the sun outside the window fries unbearably. As a result of overheating of components ( processor, power supply, video card ...) the computer begins to malfunction in the form of periodic reboots, shutdowns, or may even burn out.
HWMonitor software for measuring the temperature of computer components:
This utility is simple and convenient to use, does not require installation and other various gestures. You can download the utility by this link. Unpack the archive to any convenient location on your computer, then run the file with the extension .exe according to your system bit.
The program is in English, which for some users will make it inconvenient to use, but I think its meaning is not necessary, everything is extremely simple and clear. HWMonitor will measure various computer components, measure voltage ( video card, power supply, processor, hard drives ...) will determine the rotation speed of the fans, in general, all that is needed ...
AIDA64 program for measuring the temperature of computer components during operation:
You can download the program from the Internet, or here by this link... This program is in Russian and does not require installation, you just need to unpack the archive and run the file aida.exe.
In the main window of the program, go to the "Computer", "Sensors" section. Here you will find all the information about the temperature of all components of your computer.
What temperatures can we observe using the AIDA64 program:
- CPU temperature ( central processing unit), as well as processor cores;
- Video cards ( gPU);
- Graphics card memory temperature ( gPU);
- Motherboard ( main board in computer), to be more precise, the temperature of its chipset;
These are the main components that must be monitored in order to avoid overheating, especially on very hot summer days.
What temperatures are critical:
An unscheduled shutdown and restart of a laptop or computer, or slow execution of operations and commands, can indicate a number of problems. But before you panic and start deleting unnecessary programs, it is worth checking if the technology processor is overheating. Let's find out how to find out the temperature of the processor on a computer or laptop using standard system services and easy-to-install third-party software products.
Standard verification tools
The temperature can be found in two ways - through the BIOS and using Windows PowerShell (automation tool). In the first case, the processor temperature readings do not take into account the load. That is, it is difficult to find out if the hardware part is overheating. But the open source automation tool developed by Microsoft will give reliable results. To use the service, you need:The figure opposite will be the desired parameter, but not the actual temperature value. To get Celsius, you need to divide the value of 3010 (example from the photo) by 10. Then reduce the resulting figure by 273C. Processor temperature - + 28C.
Important! The tool might give an error when you enter the command. You need to repeat the input, but before pressing Enter, replace the quotes using the English layout, check if there are any extra spaces. Press enter. The above command may not work on some systems.
Using the BIOS is an equally simple procedure. To get into it, you need to hold down the key on the keyboard F2, F8 or F12, Delete or others at the time of restarting your computer or laptop. Depending on the type of BIOS and motherboard, the data of interest to the user (and more specifically the CPU Temp or Temperature) of the system can be located in different sections:
- Hardware Monitor;
- Status;
- Monitor;
- PC Health Status, etc.
Using third-party utilities
Special software products with wide functionality may seem more convenient - you can recognize any system parameters. But to see the temperature and heating of the processor, they must first be downloaded and installed on the hard drive. There is a wide selection of utilities on the web, but Aida64, Open Hardware Monitor and Core Temp are considered proven and safe for the system. Installed on a hard drive in a standard way. After installing the software product, it is better to restart the technique.Aida64
The utility is considered a fully functional product, and therefore is not distributed free of charge on the network. With a free download of the application, the user will have access to only a 30-day bonus mode. The latest Russian-language version of the software product is suitable for installation on Windows 10. Among all the existing utilities, it is Aida64 that is the most understandable and easy to use. After its installation and launch, the main menu will appear on the screen. Here you need:
Core Temp
Excellent visualizer of hardware parameters. She is Russian speaking. The interface is designed in the style of the thematic blocks familiar to the Windows user, so it will be easy even for a beginner to deal with the utility. But the main advantage of Core Temp is the transmission of data in the background. After installing and launching the software product, its main menu opens. In it, the lowermost block “Processor # 0: Temperature” illustrates the required parameters for each core.
Do I need to monitor the temperature of the processor?
Desirable. Indeed, when overheating (when the indicators rise above the 80-87C mark), the processor skips clock cycles and the equipment turns off. Operations and commands are performed incorrectly, which can cause various troubles. When monitoring temperature, the data obtained must be compared with the following:- 28-40С - equipment is in idle mode;
- 41-65С - process loaded: games, movies, data processing, etc. Normal performance for a busy laptop or computer;
- 67-75C - the maximum allowable temperature values \u200b\u200bfor most types of processors.
They are guided only by loud values: whether it be the amount of memory, frequency or speed.
Yes, this is very important, but during operation, even the top-end assembly can start to desperately slow down, programs close spontaneously, or the system restarts.
If you encounter similar problems - congratulations, it's time to get out the brush, vacuum cleaner and screwdriver in order to spin the system and remove everything that is jammed inside.
CPU and GPU Temperature: System Monitoring
To avoid critical temperatures and prevent overheating, you need to take care of special software that shows the current state of the components.
With it, you can measure the temperature of a video card, processor, hard drive and more.
Thus, you will keep an eye on the current state of your computer.
There are plenty of specialized programs for these purposes. Among them:
5) Open Hardware Monitor;
6) Speccy and more.
Some of them are paid, although there are free utilities.
As you can see, each parameter has two values.
The first (Value) reveals the current degree of heating of a particular component. The second (Max) displays the maximum work for the current session of the program.
In other words, if you close the utility, all data will be lost.
System overheating test
It is useless to check the components without using any game or movie. You just won't see anything.
First you need to "load" the hardware, and then do comparative testing.
This is where we need the "Max" scale, which shows the peak load. So the temperature of the video card will be displayed as competently as the processor.
But how do you know when you've reached the limit?
Let's start with the fact that each manufacturer, when releasing their product on the market, indicates the average and peak temperatures at which the device behaves, let's say, adequately.
Going beyond these limits is fraught with unstable work, if not even failure.
If we take the average value, then it looks like this:
1) processor - 70–75 (Intel), 80–100 (AMD);
2) video card - 80–85 (Nvidia / ATI).
The indicators are average, but they should be guided by considering the value of "Max".
So, let's start the test.
First of all, close all third-party applications that load the OS, and then launch Open Hardware Monitor.
After that, open the game that consumes the maximum production capacity of the machine, and play quietly for a couple of hours.
Alternatively, include a high-definition movie. The effect will be the same.
As a test, we ran Serious Sam HD (office assembly) and after a number of manipulations the result was as follows:
The temperature changed, but insignificantly, we did not go beyond the critically permissible norms. This can only mean one thing: the iron is in perfect order and does not need to be cleaned.
In this manual, we will take a closer look at how to find out the processor temperature in Windows 10 (for the "seven" and "eight" methods are similar) using the BIOS, free utilities and the means of the operating system itself.
Usually, the user does not need to know to what temperature the processor heats up. Such a need arises only in cases of suspicion that the temperature indicator of the core exceeds the norm.
Let's start with how to see the temperature of the processor without using applications, which displays the data provided by the temperature sensor.
Firmware (UEFI / BIOS)
The computer is able to provide the necessary information on its own; for this, even an operating system is not needed. This information is contained in the BIOS (UEFI for new laptops and motherboards). The only thing that needs to be done in order to see this information is to go to the menu for changing the settings of the basic I / O system.
This is done while starting the computer with the F2, Del or other key specified after the iron self-test. After visiting the system parameters, you need to find the Hardware Monitor or PC Health Status section, where the required information will be found. Usually, this is a line called CPU Temperature or Temp.
On devices with UEFI, information can be contained right on the main page, and if it is not there, the required field is easy to find due to the fact that the menu will be Russian.
Checking the temperature in BIOS 
A significant disadvantage of this method is the impossibility of monitoring the dynamics of changes in the readings of the CPU temperature regime.
PowerShell
This option will display the information in a PowerShell string after a query has been made.
1. Through the search, open the PowerShell tool with administrator privileges.
2. We execute the command:
get-wmiobject msacpi_thermalzonetemperature -namespace "root / wmi"
3. Find the field "CurrentTemperature".
4. We extract the digital value and discard the last digit (divide by 10).
5. Subtract the absolute zero temperature (-273 ° C) from the obtained value to convert Kelvin degrees to Celsius.
Be careful! The command does not work on all systems and may always output the same value.
Free Apps
Let's consider how the problem is solved using free tools and their free editions.
Core Temp
The utility is designed to visualize detailed information about the CPU on Windows 10, 8 and 7. It separately displays information for each core, they can be broadcast to the taskbar. A very handy tool for constant monitoring of processor heating.
The application can also become a data provider for the All CPU Meter gadget. Several useful add-ons can be downloaded from the official source, such as Core Temp Grapher, a tool for displaying graphs showing the load and temperature of the CPU.
HWMonitor
One of the most popular programs for displaying information about the hardware of a computer or laptop. Like the previous one, it contains separate graphs for displaying the temperature values \u200b\u200bof each of the CPU cores, additionally displays the voltage of each core and the speed of the cooler.
You can download it from www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html.
Speccy
Another easy-to-use program that provides the required readings, and with them data about the hardware components of the system. The processor temperature is displayed in the main window as one of the fundamental values \u200b\u200balong with the characteristics of the computer.
SpeedFan
The software is used to monitor and control the rotation of coolers. It also displays the temperature of key hardware components. As for the processor, information is displayed separately for each core.
Although the utility is more than 15 years old, it is still supported, although it is updated infrequently.
The developer's official resource is located at http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php, from where it is recommended to download the utility.
HWInfo
The program is similar to the previous ones in terms of solving the current problem. In all other respects, it outperforms its closest competitors. Contains detailed data about the hardware of the computer and works in two modes:
- "Only data from sensors" (to start HWInfo in this mode, check the "Only Sensors" option);
- "Summary information" (just click "Run").
If you run the utility in the second mode and do not know how to check the temperature, click on the "Sensors" button in the toolbar. After a couple of seconds to scan all the sensors, the "Sensor Status" window will appear. In it we find the temperature in the "CPU" section.
The application installer is located at http://www.hwinfo.com.
When downloading, pay attention to the bitness of the operating system used (you can find it out from the "System" window launched via Win → X).
Open Hardware Monitor
A new product that is actually an analogue of HWMonitor in terms of visual style and functionality. It has not yet matured to the first version, but it copes with the tasks perfectly.
The program is located at http://open-hardware-monitor.en.lo4d.com.
OCCT
Powerful software for testing the system and performing stress tests of hardware (graphics and central processing units). Everything you need is contained in the main window after starting the application.
The utility is located at http://www.ocbase.com.
AIDA64
This is already paid software, follower of Everest. A trial version is available for non-commercial use with a limitation: it will work only for 30 days. The latest version of the program is designed for Windows 10, although it works fine on all previous versions of the OS.
You can download it from the official page https://www.aida64.com/downloads.
For general development
Often, users wonder what the CPU temperature should be or what is the limit of its permissible values. The approximate situation is as follows.
Up to 40 ° C - the normal value of the device operating without special load.
40–50 ° C - processor operation under load (watching a movie, working in a graphics editor).
50–65 ° C (for some top models, 70 ° C is allowed) - the permissible temperature when solving complex calculations (rendering, unpacking, working with three-dimensional applications).
Manufacturers do not recommend heating the CPU above 70–72 ° C. When this temperature is reached, pay attention to the cooling system or the number of applications running.
When critical values \u200b\u200bare reached, which may differ significantly for different devices, the system automatically turns off in emergency mode - without proper shutdown.
Checking the temperature of the main PC components is an extremely rare task. And not everyone will benefit from such an experience. It's another matter if the software starts to work unstable, the computer crashes or unexpectedly shuts down by itself. Especially when such problems only appear in applications that use the maximum amount of machine resources. The program for the processor and video card is the first thing that will help in diagnosing such problems.
The main signs of overheating
As mentioned above, checking the temperature is a rather rare operation. Usually it is required when testing "hardware" not overheating. The reasons for such suspicion may be:
If one or more of the above signs appear, a program must be used to measure the temperature of the processor and video card. Identification of such problems at the initial stage of their formation can save you from many troubles in the future.
Sometimes, when an alarm signal is received from some users, you can hear the advice to remove the computer cover and try to touch each element of the machine to check if the temperature level is within acceptable limits. In no case should you do this!
- First of all, you can get burned corny. It happens that under load, the video card core heats up to 120. And sometimes the manufacturer indicates that values \u200b\u200bin this range are normal and will not harm the device.
- Secondly, there is a risk of electric shock. Someone will say: "What is terrible there - only 12 volts." Do not underestimate this voltage, especially since the current strength can reach so many amperes that you will not want to look under the cover in case of breakdown for a long time.
- Thirdly, you can ruin expensive equipment. Moving a component or touching a dangling wire to a bare board can sometimes cause a short circuit. If the power supply is protected to a high level, the computer will simply shut down. If the PSU is not the most expensive, something will burn.
And the last: the program will show the user the exact data that can be memorized or written down. Some applications allow logging. They will record all readings over time. This makes troubleshooting easier.
Now for a mini-review.
HWMonitor
A small application that does not know how to do anything but display the temperature, frequency and voltage of the system elements. Most importantly, it is absolutely free. There is a professional version, for which you will have to pay a little money, but the functionality of the usual one is quite enough for an ordinary user.
After installation and launch, the program for measuring the temperature of the processor will display a small window with four columns:
- In the first one (sensor) you can see the name of the monitoring element.
- The second (value) will indicate the temperature value at the current time.
- In the third (min), the application stores the minimum parameter. That is, if during the operation of the software, a temperature range from 37 to 70 degrees was recorded, then the number 37 will be written in this scale.
- And in the last one (max) the application will show the maximum value seen during its operation.
SpeedFan
Another small measurement program is SpeedFan. It is distributed absolutely free. Has support for almost all modern devices, this is facilitated by frequent software updates by the developer.
As soon as SpeedFan is downloaded, installed and launched, its main window will open. It will contain all the main information. First, pay attention to the right side, where the device temperatures are located:
- HD0 (any other index can be used instead of zero) - hard disk.
- CPU - The overall temperature of the central processor.
- CORE is the temperature of the CPU cores.
- MB - RAM.
- GPU is the core of the video card.
Monitoring the operation of cooling systems in SpeedFan
The left side of the window shows the speed of the coolers installed inside the system unit. Information will be displayed only for those devices that have a built-in tachometer. This approach is very convenient. It is possible to correlate the number of revolutions per minute when the PC is idle and under load. If the program for measuring the temperature of the processor shows the same number in both cases, it probably needs to be replaced. Usually, when running resource-intensive programs, the speed of the coolers increases along with the frequency of the central processor.
MSI Afterburner
MSI Afterburner differs from the previous described products in that this program for measuring the temperature of the processor and video card is in Russian. Its main application is overclocking the graphics adapter, however, the monitoring tools in the application are convenient.
After installation, the main window will open. The interface is made with a twist and will be unusual for an ordinary user. But for us the program is interesting not for its design, but for its information content. The right circle will show the temperature of the graphics adapter. At this time, the lower field displays a lot of graphs that can be scrolled using the usual scroll bar.
This program for measuring the temperature of the processor for Windows 7 has flexible settings, because not everyone needs the information that is issued by default. To change the number of charts and their sets, you need to go to the settings by clicking on the icon with the gear image. Then you need to go to the "Monitoring" tab, where you can set or uncheck the necessary items.
By clicking on the "Minimize" button, you will see that the application will hide in the tray. When launching full-screen video games or programs that use a video accelerator, the temperature of the video card will be displayed in the upper left corner on top of all windows. This approach is very convenient for testing the device under load.
AIDA64
Perhaps the most famous program for measuring CPU temperature in Russian. I must say that this is not all of its functionality. The application provides the most comprehensive information about the hardware, from the one provided by the driver to the one provided by the BIOS and sensors installed in the controllers.
However, let's focus on the main thing - temperature monitoring. Pay attention to the character strip on top. There is an icon with a diagram, and you need to click on it. After clicking, a window with the settings set by the manufacturer of the program by default will open. I must say that the initial configuration does not monitor all parts of the PC, but the most important ones.
You can change the number of graphs and configure them by clicking on the "Settings" button (or Preferences, if the English version is used). The utility that opens implements the inclusion of diagrams for each sensor inside the computer. So, for example, a program for measuring the temperature of the processor and video card of a laptop suggests choosing not just the CPU, but also each of its cores separately.
Stress test
I must say that viewing information about the temperature of the main parts of the PC will not give anything if you perform the check during idle time (that is, with the launch of a minimum of programs). If you run a "heavy" full-screen application, the system shuts down due to overheating, leaving the user wondering whether the peak values \u200b\u200bwere actually exceeded or should the problem be looked for elsewhere?
This means that monitoring and loading the computer must be performed simultaneously. Not every measurement program provides this functionality. For example, Afterburner displays information on the screen only when full-screen applications are running. Data in SpeedFan and HWMonitor can only be read when the user switches to their windows. AIDA64, in contrast, simplifies the task and allows you to run a stress test.
This name hides a special tool that will load the system as much as possible, showing the user how this affects the temperature of devices and their power consumption.
Test run
To run this test, click on the same chart icon. Pay attention to the upper left corner of the window. There is a list of devices, and next to them there are flags. This designates the components that will be tested. It is advisable not to apply such measures to the hard disk, although there is such a possibility.
After checking the boxes, click on the "Start" button. At this time, computer testing will begin. It is advisable not to leave the monitor at this time and follow the diagrams. If the band of any graph sharply creeps up and exceeds the critical value, it is better to turn off the test immediately in order to avoid equipment damage, because the problem can be considered identified.
It is because of the implementation of the stress test that many believe that AIDA64 is the best program for measuring processor temperature in Russian.
