Before you start
- A Windows PC
- Free monitoring software for CPU temperature
Method 1 Check GPU temperature in Task Manager
Task Manager doesn’t show CPU temperature. Use one of the tools below.
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Step 1: Open Task Manager
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and click Performance.
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Step 2: Select GPU
Click GPU 0 or GPU 1 (the dedicated card on laptops). GPU Temperature appears at the bottom.
Method 2 See CPU and GPU temperatures with HWiNFO
Run a game for 20–30 minutes with HWiNFO open in the background, then check the maximum values.
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Step 1: Install HWiNFO
Download HWiNFO from hwinfo.com (free for personal use).
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Step 2: Open Sensors
Run it and choose Sensors-only.
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Step 3: Find the key readings
Look for CPU Package (Intel) or CPU (Tctl/Tdie) (AMD), and GPU Temperature / GPU Hot Spot. The Maximum column shows the peak during your gaming session.
Method 3 Show temperatures as an in-game overlay
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Step 1: NVIDIA
In the NVIDIA App, press Alt + R in a game to show the performance overlay (enable it under Settings > Features first).
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Step 2: AMD
In AMD Software: Adrenalin, go to Performance > Metrics and turn on the overlay (Ctrl + Shift + O).
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Step 3: Any GPU
MSI Afterburner with RivaTuner shows CPU and GPU temperatures, FPS and usage in any game.
| Component | Normal | Getting hot | Too hot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop CPU | 60–80 °C | 80–90 °C | 90 °C+ sustained |
| Laptop CPU | 70–90 °C | 90–95 °C | Constantly at 100 °C (throttling) |
| GPU | 60–80 °C | 80–85 °C | 85–90 °C+ (check hot spot) |
How to bring temperatures down
- Clean dust from fans and filters with compressed air (PC turned off).
- Improve airflow: don’t block vents; raise laptops off soft surfaces or use a cooling pad.
- Cap your frame rate to your monitor’s refresh rate.
- On older PCs, replace dried-out thermal paste.
- Check fan curves in the BIOS or your PC maker’s app.
Troubleshooting
Temperatures look impossibly high or low
Some sensors report differently. Use the CPU Package / Tctl value, and update HWiNFO.
The PC shuts off during games
That can be overheating protection or a failing power supply. Check the maximum temperatures in HWiNFO after a restart.
Frequently asked questions
Is 90 °C safe for a CPU?
Modern CPUs protect themselves by slowing down (throttling) at their limit, often 95–105 °C. Short peaks are fine, but sustained 90 °C+ on a desktop suggests a cooling issue.
Why is my laptop so hot when gaming?
Laptops have small cooling systems and often run at 85–95 °C under load. Use a performance mode, keep vents clear and clean the fans.
Summary
Check GPU temperature in Task Manager, use HWiNFO for CPU and GPU readings, and turn on an overlay for real-time numbers in games. Keep the CPU under about 85 °C and the GPU under about 83 °C, and clean dust if they climb higher.
