A computer is a complex system that can sometimes fail and indicate all sorts of errors. But she does not do this because she attracts the attention of the user or wants to annoy him. Each system or hardware error is a symptom of a disease. Therefore, do not immediately panic or beat the computer with your foot. Take a closer look at its signals, they can indicate many problems of the system.
Overheat
The issue of overheating was popular earlier, because processors generated a lot of heat, video cards consumed a lot of electricity, and cooling systems could not cope with the capacities. Over time, manufacturers began to work hard on the cost-effectiveness of components. Therefore, overheating is now a rare case.
However, this does not mean that you need to forget about monitoring the temperature of the processor and other components. If you theoretically acquired a “cold” CPU, you can still encounter hardware failures or errors.
Overclocking
Overheating is a popular topic among overclockers who like to experiment with frequencies. Someone does this carefully, checking every degree. There are those who are not particularly worried about the state of the system and increase the voltage with frequencies sharply. Besides the fact that this leads to overheating, in some cases the motherboard with all components may even burn out.
To prevent such things from happening, many advise using programs to monitor the temperature of the processor.
Method without program
Before you consider the most useful utilities for monitoring the temperature of the processor, you should find out if this can be done somehow without installing software. To do this, you will need to go to the BIOS menu. Almost every computer and laptop indicates the temperature regime in this section.
Depending on the model of the device, you will need to choose a combination to enter the BIOS. The most commonly used key is F8. To go to the menu you need to turn off and on the PC again. During the first seconds of downloads, you must press the F8 button (or the one that is responsible for entering the BIOS on your model). The desired menu will automatically open.
Since BIOS revisions are different right now, you will have to find the correct partition yourself. The temperature regime can be indicated in the line:
- PC Health Status.
- Hardware Monitor.
- Power
There is also the possibility that the processor temperature will be displayed immediately on the main screen.
Despite the fact that this option does not require installing a special program for monitoring the temperature of the processor, it also has drawbacks. For example, the user does not have the opportunity to check how much the CPU heats up under load. But in this way, you can easily check the processor temperature in idle.
Core temp
One of the most popular programs for monitoring the temperature of the processor. This is a free utility that collects information on the temperature conditions of the CPU. It helps to check system loads and also provides system protection against overheating.
The last function is implemented with the help of warning notifications, as well as carrying out some options: putting the system into sleep mode or starting hibernation.
The software shows data not just the general temperature regime, but collects information from each processor core, indicating the frequency, load and voltage. A feature of this software is that it shows the maximum temperature of the processor. If you do not know what is the permissible heating of your particular CPU model, then the utility will indicate the minimum and maximum values. You will be able to independently decide what to do in a given situation.
The benefits of the program include:
- small file size and low resource consumption of the system;
- intuitive and simple interface;
- protective measures in case of overheating;
- widget for working on the desktop;
- installation of additional plugins;
- the ability to update drivers and BIOS;
- diagnostics setup and data logging;
- freeware program with russian interface.
Among the shortcomings, one can single out only the lack of autorun for checking the processor temperature.
CPU-Z
This is another popular program. She is monitoring the temperature of AMD and Intel processors. This is a great analogue of the previous utility. In addition to checking the temperature, the program copes with the diagnostics of system performance, the stability of the central processor to high loads.
What can software do? It handles overheating analysis and tests system components. Helps to collect information about the motherboard, RAM modules and graphics adapter. This is very convenient, because not everyone knows what is inside their PC.
The program displays the names of the models, the parameter of each component, and even the release date of each. After diagnosis, the results can be combined into an HTML file or a plain text document. This is a useful option, especially if you encounter any problems or sell a computer.
The advantages of software include:
- Free download and work with Windows.
- A detailed report after the diagnosis of each component of the system.
- A detailed scan of the GPU indicating the most important parameters.
- Automatically detect PC specifications.
- Simple and intuitive program management.
Checking the temperature of the processor in the CPU-Z is in English, which is undoubtedly a drawback. Also, some users watched the program slow down during startup.
AIDA64
One of the most popular utilities that deals with controlling the temperature of the processor. It is popular thanks to its predecessor. Previously, the software was called Everest and was no less in demand.
Now the program is engaged in testing and identification of components, which is very similar to the functions of the previous utility. Works only with Windows operating system of different versions.
The developers made sure that the computer was in the palm of the user's hand, so several dozen different tests were built into the program. There is also a complete stress test, which is best done immediately after buying a computer. If during such diagnostics the system does not display a “death screen”, then all components are working properly.
Software collects information about the hardware and system components, tests the speed of rotation of coolers, measures the temperature and voltage. Also helps to identify errors, crashes and malfunctions. Works with devices from AMD and Intel.
Among the advantages it is worth highlighting:
- a large number of tests to diagnose devices;
- testing the motherboard and all components;
- constant updates of the utility;
- free trial;
- checking installed software.
After the trial period, you will have to pay for monitoring the temperature of the Windows 7 processor. If you need to check the system once with a stress test or use any other diagnostics, then the software will definitely be very useful.
Another drawback was the lack of software that could fix system crashes and errors.
Hwmonitor
Another popular program that is free. It can monitor the temperature of the processor during the game and under other loads. As with the above counterparts, this utility collects information about all components of the system. All information is distributed in a table that is easy to work with.
A feature of this utility is its quick diagnosis and information collection. The program is connected via the SM bus to a huge number of sensors, so the test results are as accurate as possible. HWMonitor indicates the normal temperature of the processor under load, as well as the real value of this indicator. Thus, it is easy to compare with reference values and see if everything is alright with the CPU.
Among the advantages, users distinguish:
- indicators of maximum, minimum and current temperature of all components;
- simple and intuitive program interface;
- periodic updates of the utility;
- small installation file size;
- Support for all versions of Windows.
Unlike previous programs, HWMonitor does not provide many test results. In addition, the utility has not been translated into Russian.
Speccy
This is a whole range of different functions for PC maintenance. Despite the fact that monitoring the temperature of the processor is only an additional option in this program, it can still be useful for a one-time check.
It should be understood that this tool can hardly be called professional, since it collects only superficial data. If you need a deep analysis of the temperature regime, then this option is definitely not suitable. But in order to determine whether it is necessary to change the thermal grease, the option will do just fine.
Conveniently, the software indicates a graph of the temperature regime of each component. Therefore, it is easy to follow how much the indicator fluctuates, as well as what operations affect the temperature increase.
Utility Benefits:
- Russian language interface;
- notification settings;
- detailed information about the graphic and sound card;
- program update;
- collecting information about system components;
- support for the latest version of Windows.
The disadvantage is that we have only a small program option. That is, she has a huge number of more functional analogues. In addition, although the utility collects information about the temperature regime, it can’t regulate its values in any way.
CPU Thermometer
This is a handy tool that is only responsible for showing how the CPU works. The main task of the utility is to display information about the loading of processor cores and their average temperature. The tool can be minimized and run from the tray.
Speedfan
This is a multifunctional program that can collect temperature data from sensors on the motherboard, video card, processor, and other components. Having collected the necessary information, the utility analyzes it, checks the maximum temperature of the processor and tries to prevent this value from being exceeded.
SpeedFan works to adjust the number of revolutions of each fan in the system so as to restore normal temperature conditions. The utility interface is translated into Russian. Despite the large number of tabs, the program is still intuitive.
Software is engaged in the fact that it dynamically changes the speed of coolers, adjusts bus frequencies, supports technologies that allow you to consider errors and malfunctions. It also keeps statistics of data for the user, and displays all the necessary information in the form of graphs and charts.
Option for graphics cards
But the processor is not only on the motherboard, but also on the video card. Therefore, it is also important to monitor its temperature regime. The MSI AfterBurner program helps with this.
Another option for a comprehensive application. This utility monitors the performance of the graphics adapter. Most often it is used by players who experiment in overclocking. When overclocking, it is very important to collect information on some parameters:
- clock frequency
- cooler rotations;
- FPS metrics
- temperature condition.
After starting the program, all the necessary information will automatically appear. It will indicate the temperature of the video card and frequency. In the center of the dialog box are the adjustment sliders. Due to their movement, you can change the settings of the graphics adapter.
At the bottom of the program, a graph of the temperature of the video card or processor will be displayed, depending on the initial settings.
Stress test
This procedure is carried out in order to identify those problems that are still realistic to fix. Stress tests are especially popular when exploring new systems. If you purchased a computer, you can try to diagnose it with this function.
As mentioned earlier, a stress test of a processor with temperature monitoring can be carried out in the AIDA64 program. And in fact, this is the most suitable option. But if for some reason it does not suit you, you can take a closer look at BurnInTest and OCCT.
Both programs also help with stress tests. During such diagnostics, the utilities show all processor parameters: temperature, bus frequency and CPU. If the computer passes the stress test successfully and does not display “death screens,” then its components are operational.