Overheating is dangerous not only to a living being, but also to technology. The high temperature of the processor, video card on a computer or laptop leads to the fact that the device begins to "freeze", "slow down". But this is not a problem. Stable overheating of components leads to an early computer failure. It follows that their condition must be systematically monitored. But how to check the temperature of the processor and video card? In the article we will give examples of popular useful applications, expert advice on monitoring the state of PC components, lowering their temperature.
What indicates overheating?
How to check the temperature of the processor and video card? First of all, we’ll show you a number of simple characteristics that indicate that a PC or laptop is overheating:
- You are "thrown" from an open application to the "Desktop".
- The computer freezes, lags, and slows down.
- The device itself shuts down or reboots.
- Noise appears on the computer screen - bands, image defects, and so on.
- When turned on, the system does not boot, but “throws” the user into the BIOS, “asks” to check the cooling settings there.
What is overheating, what is it threatening?
Next, we will teach you what programs to check the temperature of the processor and graphics card. Now we suggest you look at what components are overheating, how to determine this by characteristic signs:
- CPU. Applications close by themselves, you are "thrown" to the start screen. The device itself begins to reboot.
- Power supply, motherboard. A spontaneous reboot will also be a characteristic feature.
- Video card (or video card memory). When applications and games are activated, so-called artifacts appear on the device’s screen — incorrect colors, image distortions, drop-down textures, foreign objects, etc.
- A complex of components (or a single processor). The appearance of the blue screen of death.
Normal temperature of the processor and video card
Before checking the temperature of the processor and video card, you need to determine the normal level of their heating. Each of the manufacturers of such components usually indicates individual values for their technology. We will give the general normal indicators for computer processors:
- In idle state - 30-45 °. Many users claim: the lower these indicators, the higher the performance of the PC at work.
- With a load of 60-65 °. "Slowing down" can already begin at 60 degrees. After the indicators go beyond 60-80 degrees, the so-called throttling is activated - the mode of skipping measures (the device works slower, weaker, in order to reduce the temperature by reducing the load). The computer starts to reboot, turn off. Experienced users believe that it is better not to allow the processor temperature to go beyond 55 ° at 100% load.
For a video card, the normal temperature values for heating are as follows:
- In idle state - 50-55 °. The values depend on the model, the power of the device, the type of cooling, the purposes for which it is intended - games, work, internet surfing, watching movies and so on.
- With a load of 75-80 °. For older models, these indicators will already be critical - you should sound the alarm when overheating at 65 degrees.
Normal temperature of other components
Performance for the motherboard:
- The ideal temperature is 35 °.
- In practice - 40-45 °. Some models do not care about heating up to 55 °. Usually, users rarely encounter overheating of the motherboard.
Normal hard drive temperature:
- Ideal performance - no higher than 30 °.
- Values in practice are 35-45 °.
PC case temperature
Of course, you need to check the temperature of the processor and the video card by the program. But it is equally important to monitor the heating of the internal space of the system unit. Unfortunately, there are no applications that would be able to cope with this task. But all the components of the system are blown with air inside the PC case, so it is important to control its heating. Experienced users prefer not to be puzzled especially about this, having installed a couple of additional coolers for reliability on the system unit.
We recommend that you nevertheless familiarize yourself with the individual values specifically for your devices in order to completely control the situation.
MSI AfterBurner
Many users know and appreciate this program for high-quality and fast overclocking of the CPU, RAM and graphics editor. Not everyone knows that it is also possible to view the temperature of the processor and video card. However, MSI AfterBurner as such will be useful only to those who have already figured out the program and know its functionality. It seems to an uninitiated user that a complete nonsense is happening in the program window.
Key features of MSI AfterBurner are:
- Overclocking the processor, RAM, graphics editor.
- Save user settings to run Windows 7.
- Getting information about the load on the power supply, rotational speed of coolers.
- Capture screenshots, video from the device screen.
- Enabling the benchmark to test the viability of the system.
- Statistics server.
Speedfan
And this application is able to disperse only the fans of the device. But it is appreciated for the fact that it can quickly show the temperature of the processor and video card. By the way, system administrators and advanced PC users prefer to use SpeedFan.
We list the key features of SpeedFan:
- Convenient display of temperature information (in the Windows panel next to the clock).
- Adjustment in the program menu of the cooler rotation speed.
- Monitoring the temperature changes of the components in the dynamics - the application can build a convenient schedule.
- The program is free, but its interface is English.
Open hardware monitor
It is convenient to measure the temperature of the processor, video card, and other system components using this application. The program connects to all sensors on the motherboard to provide the user with comprehensive information.
The current and maximum temperature values will be displayed in the application window. Information is presented in the form of a convenient schedule. It is easy to identify the normal operating temperatures of the elements of your device.
Note the important features of Open Hardware Monitor:
- A free program that does not require installation to function.
- A special signal included in the settings will notify you of the maximum temperature of a component.
- The tool records both the maximum and current values in a special log where they can be tracked.
- All common processor models are supported.
- The program is compatible with both old (before XP) and modern versions of Windows.
Core temp
How to find out the temperature of the processor and video card? We recommend that you use the Core Temp app. It connects to the temperature sensors of your device (laptop or PC) and analyzes how much the system overloads the processor. The program is also capable of realizing competent protection against overheating: notifying the user of maximum temperatures, putting the computer in a critical situation in sleep mode, performing a reboot, and so on (options are noted directly by the user in the settings).
Moreover, Core Temp can show the temperature of each processor core, its load, frequencies, maximum allowable heating rates. The utility is completely free, and even a novice will not "get lost" in its interface.
Let's introduce the main features of the program:
- Little weight".
- Simple interface
- The presence of built-in protection against overheating.
- Connecting plugins can expand the functionality.
- Temperature logging.
- Exact settings for diagnostic tools.
- The ability (on the official resource) to download the free Russian version of the utility.
Now you know how to find out the temperature of the processor and video card in Russian. Go to the next application.
CPU-Z
This program can not only check the temperature of the processor and video card on a laptop and PC, but also show information about the performance of the computer, the stability of your CPU to overloads. The following useful functions also attract attention: heating testing, monitoring component temperatures, reading information from the motherboard, graphics adapter, RAM slots.
CPU-Z is able to display all the characteristics of your hardware up to the release date of the elements. The report can be converted to a text file. A very useful feature if you are thinking about selling your "iron friend".
And now the important features of the program:
- You can find out how the temperature of the processor, and its important characteristics.
- Displays a detailed description of other system components.
- Contains a stress test for the CPU and benchmark.
- English interface, easy to understand.
- The latest versions are suitable not only for Windows, but also for smartphones based on Android.
AIDA64 Extreme Edition
How to see the temperature of the processor and video card in another way? We also suggest paying attention to the AIDA64 Extreme Edition. The application controls the temperature, using all available sensors. Moreover, it is suitable for comprehensive diagnostics of your computer: it contains many tests for the CPU and hard drive.
What program to check the temperature of the processor and video card? Many choose AIDA64 Extreme Edition.
Its key characteristics are as follows:
- The program provides a lot of useful information about the components of the system.
- Measures the speed of rotation of coolers, the temperature of PC elements.
- Tests hardware for stability.
- Displays information both in the form of a graph, and in real time.
- It can generate reports in several formats.
- A free trial for 1 month is available.
What to do when overheating?
You now know how to check the temperature of the processor and video card. But what to do when you have established that the indicators are above the norm? Experts advise you to contact the following:
- Open the cover of the system unit for a short time. The warm air inside it will dissipate, and the temperature of the system components will quickly drop by a few degrees. However, we do not recommend keeping the lid open all the time - this contributes to the fast clogging of coolers and components with dust.
- Lower the ambient temperature. Suitable for cases when your room is really hot. An effective solution would be to open the window, turn on the fan, activate the air conditioning.
- To clean a personal computer or laptop from dust accumulations. Coolers and ventilation openings of the device should be completely free from hairs, small debris, etc. To radically solve the problem, it is recommended to completely disassemble the device and thoroughly clean it from dust from the inside. If you are not confident in your abilities, then it is best to entrust this matter to specialists.
- Replace thermal grease. This is the name of a layer of a multicomponent heat-conducting composition deposited between a radiator and a processor. Over time, the substance dries out, loses its beneficial properties. The direct result is overheating of the video card or processor. To replace, you need to disassemble the device, carefully remove the layer of old paste and carefully apply a new thin strip in its place. Usually this procedure is combined with cleaning the device from dust.
- Adjust the rotation speed of the cooler blades. This can be done not only mechanically, but also programmatically.
- Replace cooler / radiator. The solution to the problem may be to purchase a better and more powerful cooler. In some cases, you need to install an additional cooler on the body of the PC system unit for better cooling.
You can choose any of the programs to your taste that will help you track the degree of heating of the processor and video card. The high temperatures of these components require a speedy solution to the problem.