A central processing unit is the heart of any computer or mobile system. It bears the maximum load on the implementation of basic computing operations, in the presence of an excessive amount of which the temperature of the processor (CPU) may increase. Exceeding the limit values for overheating can only lead to the fact that it will fail. The following is an overview of several popular utilities that allow you to diagnose the temperature performance of this device.
Why is the CPU temperature rising?
Any calculations affect the increase in temperature. Even in idle mode, the processor is still accessed whether you want it or not. This is due to the fact that in any OS system services are running in the background . True, they do not cause peak loads, however, with the appearance of additional processes, the temperature can go over the top. Timely shutdown of unused components can significantly reduce the load.
Quite often, heating is observed in computers with an incorrectly installed cooling system, when the cooler does not cope with its task. Overclocking the processor has a very strong influence, so when overlocking or in the case of manual assembly of the computer, you need to be extremely careful.
In factory assembled laptops, there is no problem of temperature increase. Such situations can occur only in the case of manual replacement of the processor or reduction of RAM.
The easiest software way to reduce the load can be to change the power scheme to economical energy consumption (and not to high performance or the recommended balanced scheme installed by default).
CPU: operating temperature. Boundary and Recommended Parameters
Manufacturers of modern processor chips set their own boundary values, which are recommended for normal operation of the CPU.
If we consider the average values for most types of processors, the CPU temperature should correspond to the following ranges in degrees Celsius (for example, take the models SkyLake, IvyBridge and the like and the Intel Core i3 / 5/7 family):
- idle or inactive system with a running “Desktop” without performing maintenance operations - 30-41 (28-38);
- load mode (games, virtualization, rendering, archiving, etc.) - 50-65 (40-62);
- The recommended maximum temperature threshold is 67-72.
Despite these standards, Intel processors are able to withstand higher values, which does not particularly affect their performance. For most AMD processors, the maximum CPU temperature should be no more than 61 degrees.
Determining processor temperature using BIOS
In Windows, getting to temperature readings is quite difficult. Therefore, it is possible to find out what temperature the CPU is currently in one of the three indicated ranges through the settings of the primary BIOS.
In the parameters you need to find the Advanced settings Advanced and look at the lines like CPU Temp, CPU Temperature (also it can be sections PC Health Status, Power, Hardware Monitor, etc.). Unlike the BIOS, in more modern systems with a graphical UEFI interface, such indicators can be presented in the main window.
However, this technique does not justify itself just because the operating system is not currently loaded, and no process capable of creating a load on the processor is running. It is suitable only for cases when there are some problems with the processor.
In parallel, you can use the settings of the cooling system. In the advanced settings sections, you need to find something like Fan Mode and set the Always On parameter or Smart-correction for this mode. For coolers in the Fan Speed line, you can also apply the setting of your own values, but untrained users are not recommended to categorically do this without appropriate knowledge.
Using PowerShell Console and Command Line
The normal temperature of the CPU, as well as lower or higher indicators, can be determined using the special PowerShell console, which is present in Windows-based systems.
It can be called up from the Run menu by the command of the same name, or you can use the Task Manager.
The following should be written in the console window: get-wmiobject msacpi_thermalzonetemperature -namespace "root / wmi".
If the command line is used, the parameter call will look like this:
wmic / namespace: \\ root \ wmi PATH MSAcpi_ThermalZoneTemperature get CurrentTemperature.
Again, the technique is not entirely convenient. To more easily determine the temperature value in real time, it is better to use special programs.
Most popular diagnostic programs
It is believed that the following utilities are the most powerful:
- CPU-Z.
- Core Temp.
- HWMonitor.
- SpeedFan
- AIDA64.
Not all of them are equal. Some carry out only monitoring, others can carry out diagnostics, others - both that and another. Let us briefly consider each of them.
CPU-Z
In the CPU-Z program, the processor temperature cannot be determined initially. So why was she included in the list?
Just because it should be used in parallel with other utilities that are able to monitor temperature values when the CPU-Z acts as a processor tester under load (this will be discussed later).
Coretemp
How else can the CPU temperature be determined? The CoreTemp program, according to many experts, is the most suitable tool. It captivates with its simple interface, ease of use and the fact that it is made in the form of a portable version that does not require installation on a hard drive.
It also displays an indicator such as "CPU Core Temperature", which does not correspond to the total temperature of the processor chip, but to each core. In addition, it is possible to see the set boundary values and the load of each processor core, expressed as a percentage.
Hwmonitor
This utility is almost a complete analogue of the CoreTemp application and allows you to find out the set boundary values or socket temperature that is current at the moment. Tracking is carried out in real time.
One of the features of the program is that it can provide the user with additional data on the performance of the video chip and the temperature of the GPU, motherboard, fan speed, etc. But, like the previous utility, it acts exclusively as a monitoring tool.
Speedfan
But on the SpeedFan application it is worth stopping separately. Not only is the CPU temperature displayed in real time, such (and not only) indicators can also be obtained for absolutely all vital system components.
The program itself was originally designed to establish full control over the settings of coolers (fans) by adjusting the speed of their rotation. Thus, based on the set boundary temperature values, coolers can be configured so that they turn on and off when the set threshold is reached. For laptops, this utility, as a rule, is not used, but in stationary terminals it is very popular (especially if it is not about factory, but about manual assembly).
True, it will not be so easy to understand the settings for an inexperienced user the first time, but if you read the necessary documentation and understand the basic principles of its operation, using this application with the right settings will give an excellent result immediately. However, in the simplest case, you can use the installation mode with auto-adjustment offered by the application after analyzing the necessary components and their parameters.
AIDA64
This program was previously known as Everest and today has remained a fairly powerful utility, but alas, it belongs to the category of shareware with a trial period of 30 days.
You can view the necessary indicators by clicking on the sensor icons for any equipment category. Along the way, the average motherboard temperature will be shown in the average value for all components of the system.
Other programs
Among the rest of the software, which is also capable of providing this kind of data, we can mention applications like All CPU Meter, OCCT (an extended version with a built-in HWMonitor module), Open Hardware Monitor, etc. Most of them all use the same principles for work and the displayed characteristics or settings are not particularly different.
Preference Issues
As you can already see, in CPU-Z the temperature of the CPU is not displayed, but other programs, without a doubt, are perfect for any user. As for CPU-Z, try running this utility in parallel and, for example, CoreTemp. In the first application, click the Validate button located in the window below, and in CoreTemp, monitor temperature changes.
It is better for an inexperienced user not to touch the SpeedFan program, as well as setting up the cooling system in the BIOS by setting its own values. Of course, the system will not allow reaching critical parameters or exceeding them initially, but you still need to be extremely careful: if the processor does not suffer from this, other “iron” components may be negatively affected.
Using temperature value output in PowerShell is also somewhat unjustified. It is mainly used to fix some problems using software methods.
Thus, you can choose one of the free programs described above, and not chase the powerful diagnostic tools that are used during maintenance and repair. What to choose from all this? Perhaps the best option would be the CoreTemp and HWMonitor applications, since they are almost complete analogues of each other and differ in providing maximum information and ease of use.
In general, if you look at the manufacturing technology of modern processors and the methodology for testing them for various parameters, including temperature indicators, it can be noted that such devices are able to withstand temperatures up to the boiling point of water (100 degrees Celsius). Of course, you should not neglect the values for overheating, but any processor still has a margin of safety. And if you notice the first signs of a temperature increase even when the system is inactive, you should immediately contact a service center. In extreme cases, you can use the application of an additional layer of thermal paste or even just clean the inside of the system unit from dust. In some cases, the problem may be precisely clogging. By the way, cleaning will have a beneficial effect on other components.