5 Easy Ways to Check CPU Temperature on Windows 11 and 10

Is your PC lagging or fans spinning like a jet engine? Learn 5 easy ways to check CPU temperature on Windows 11 and 10 to stop overheating and boost performance today!

Hey there! If you are reading this, chances are you are dealing with a suddenly loud PC fan, a game that keeps stuttering, or a computer that just feels a bit too warm.

You’re probably wondering, can you actually monitor your CPU temperature? The short answer is yes! Keeping a close eye on it is one of the best things you can do to ensure your computer runs smoothly for years to come.

Knowing your core temperature and understanding exactly how to check your CPU usage can help you prevent annoying thermal throttling, permanent hardware damage, and unexpected crashes. In this guide, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to check your temperatures using everything from quick built-in Windows methods to the absolute best free third-party monitoring tools available today.

How to Check CPU Temperature Without Software

If you’re looking for how to check your CPU temperature without downloading any extra software, you do have a couple of built-in options. However, there are a few limitations depending on where you decide to look.

How do I see CPU temperature in Task Manager?

Many of us naturally try to figure out how to see our CPU temperature right inside the Windows Task Manager. To open it, all you have to do is press Ctrl + Shift + Esc and head over to the Performance tab.

The Catch: While Task Manager is fantastic for seeing your GPU temps and overall CPU usage, Windows 10 and 11 typically do not natively display CPU temperatures in this menu. To get an accurate reading for your processor, we need to look elsewhere.

Using Built-in Windows 11 & 10 Features

Fortunately, Microsoft has recently introduced some brilliant built-in workarounds:

Xbox Game Bar (Win 10 & 11): Press Windows Key + G to open the overlay. Look for the Performance widget. You can pin this to your screen to see real-time CPU usage, RAM stats, and on many modern systems, CPU temperature. This is powered by the same underlying tech as the Windows performance monitor but packaged for easy access while gaming.
Dev Home App (Windows 11): This official, open-source tool is available for free in the Microsoft Store. Once installed, press Windows Key + W to access a customizable dashboard. It features dedicated widgets for your CPU and GPU performance, often including thermal sensors that traditional Task Manager misses. This is an excellent “clean” way to monitor without third-party bloat.
AMD Adrenalin & NVIDIA Overlay: If you use a dedicated GPU, their respective software suites (Alt+R for AMD or Alt+Z for NVIDIA) often have performance overlays that can be configured to show CPU metrics as well.

Checking via the BIOS/UEFI

Booting directly into your BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI is the most direct method to see raw hardware data. This is because the BIOS interacts directly with the motherboard’s sensors before any operating system loads.

Restart your PC.
As it boots, repeatedly press the BIOS key (usually F2, DEL, F10, or F12).
Navigate to the Hardware Monitor, PC Health Status, or Dashboard section.

Pros: No software needed; 100% accurate sensor reading.

Cons: Shows baseline (idle) temperature only; you cannot see how your CPU reacts when playing a game or rendering a video.

Best CPU Temp Monitor Software (Detailed Breakdown)

To get real-time readings while you work or game, downloading a dedicated CPU temp monitor is the way to go. Here are the top tools for Windows 11 and Windows 10 as of 2026:

Core Temp

If you want a straightforward look at your core temperature, this is a fantastic choice. It is a lightweight tool that sits quietly in your system tray.

Best Feature: Focuses solely on the processor cores. It can display the temperature of every individual core in the taskbar.
Key Insight: Includes a “Protection” feature that can notify you or sleep the computer if it hits a specific temperature.
Download: Official Core Temp Site

HWMonitor (CPUID)

Developed by the creators of CPU-Z, HWMonitor is an industry standard for a quick “health check” of your entire PC.

Best Feature: All-in-one monitoring. It shows CPU, GPU, Motherboard, and even your SSD/HDD temperatures and voltages.
Use Case: Best for beginners who want a simple vertical list of every sensor in their machine.
Download: Official HWMonitor Site

HWiNFO

For power users and enthusiasts, HWiNFO is the absolute gold standard for system diagnostics. It provides an incredible amount of data, including specific sensor readings like “CPU Package,” “Core Max,” and “Tdie.”

Best Feature: Most comprehensive hardware analysis. It detects everything from memory timings to VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) temperatures.
Integration: Can be linked with tools like Rainmeter or Stream Deck to create custom hardware dashboards.
Download: Official HWiNFO Site

Open Hardware Monitor

This is a free, open-source alternative to HWMonitor. It is highly efficient and doesn’t even require installation—you can run it straight from the .zip file.

Download: Official Open Hardware Monitor Site

How to Check CPU and GPU Temperature While Gaming

If your computer acts up during heavy workloads, you need to know how to check both CPU and GPU temperature live while you play.

MSI Afterburner

This is the absolute gold standard for gamers worldwide. It features a customizable On-Screen Display (OSD) that overlays your stats on top of your game.

How to set up OSD:

Install MSI Afterburner (ensure RivaTuner Statistics Server is checked during install).

Open Settings -> Monitoring tab.

Click on “CPU Temperature” and check “Show in On-Screen Display.”

Repeat for “GPU Temperature” and “Framerate.”

Launch your game and see the live data in the top-left corner.

Quick Tip: It works with almost all graphics cards, not just MSI brands. It also allows you to set custom fan curves to keep things cool.
Download: Official MSI Afterburner Site

NZXT CAM

NZXT CAM offers a sleek, modern interface. It is essential if you use NZXT hardware or RGB lighting, as it provides a simplified “Guest Mode” for monitoring.

Pros: Very beautiful UI; easy “In-Game Overlay” toggle.
Cons: Can consume more background RAM than lightweight tools like Core Temp.
Download: Official NZXT CAM Site

How Do I Check If My CPU Is Overheating?

If you’re asking, “How do I know if my CPU is hot?“, look out for these common warning signs:

Thermal Throttling: Your CPU automatically slows down its clock speed to protect itself. You will notice sudden FPS drops in games.
Loud Fan Noise: If the fans sound like a jet engine even when you’re just browsing the web, the CPU is likely struggling.
Unexpected Shutdowns: Modern CPUs have a “fail-safe.” If they hit their TjMax (usually 100°C), the PC will simply turn off to prevent fire or melting.
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD): System instability often stems from heat affecting the memory controller or voltage regulators.

Is 90 degrees Celsius too hot for a CPU?

The short answer? Yes. While modern processors are designed to handle high heat—often up to 95°C–105°C depending on the architecture—consistently hitting 90°C during normal tasks is a red flag.

2026 CPU Thermal Targets

Processor Type	Safe Idle	Safe Under Load	Critical (Throttling)
Intel Core i9/Ultra 9	35°C – 50°C	75°C – 95°C	100°C+
AMD Ryzen 9 (9000 Series)	40°C – 55°C	70°C – 90°C	95°C+
Mid-range (i5 / Ryzen 5)	30°C – 45°C	60°C – 80°C	95°C+
Laptops (Gaming)	45°C – 60°C	80°C – 98°C	100°C+

7 Pro Tips to Lower Your CPU Temperature

If your monitoring shows that you are in the “Danger Zone,” here is how to fix it without spending a fortune.

Deep Clean the Dust: Dust acts as an insulator. Use a can of compressed air to blow out the heatsink and case fans every 3-6 months.
Renew Thermal Paste: Thermal paste (the grey goo between your CPU and cooler) dries out over time. Replacing it with a high-quality paste like Noctua NT-H2 or Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut can drop temps by 5-10°C.
Optimize Case Airflow: Ensure you have an “In-Front, Out-Back” airflow pattern. You want cool air coming in from the front/bottom and hot air exhausting from the back/top.
Adjust Fan Curves: Use your BIOS or MSI Afterburner to set a more aggressive fan curve. Make the fans spin faster at 70°C so the heat never has a chance to reach 90°C.
Undervolting: This is a pro-level tweak where you slightly lower the voltage your CPU receives. It reduces heat drastically without losing performance. Tools like Intel XTU or AMD Ryzen Master are great for this.
Upgrade the Cooler: If you are using a “Stock Cooler” (the one that came in the box), consider a high-performance air cooler (like the DeepCool AK620) or a 240mm/360mm AIO Liquid Cooler.
Disable High-Performance Power Plan: If your CPU stays hot even at idle, check your Windows Power settings. Setting it to “Balanced” allows the CPU to downclock when not in use.

Useful Resources & Tools

Benchmark Software: Use Cinebench to stress test your CPU and see how hot it gets under 100% load.
Stability Test: AIDA64 is a paid but comprehensive tool for checking if your cooling can handle a sustained workload.
Hardware Enthusiast Communities: Sites like Reddit’s r/buildapc or Tom’s Hardware are great for comparing your temperatures with other users who have the same hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to monitor CPU temperature on Windows 11?

The most effective way is to use a free tool like Core Temp for the taskbar, or the Windows 11 Dev Home app widgets for a modern dashboard look.

How to check CPU temp on Windows 10?

The process is identical to Windows 11. Use the Xbox Game Bar (Win + G) for a quick check or HWMonitor for a detailed full-system view.

How do I know if my CPU is hot without software?

Listen to your PC. If the fans sound like a jet engine and the exhaust vents feel like a space heater, your processor is likely running very hot. Also, check for stuttering in your favorite apps.

Taking just a few minutes to establish a baseline for your system’s normal temperatures will keep your PC fast and stable for years. Regular monitoring is the difference between a PC that lasts 2 years and one that lasts 10.

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