What is the CPU temperature? What can be the maximum temperature of the processor? Overview of programs for the diagnosis of temperature indicators

The CPU is the heart of any computer or mobile system. It puts the maximum load on the performance of basic computational actions, in the presence of an excessive amount of which the CPU temperature (CPU) may increase. Exceeding the boundary values for overheating can only lead to the fact that it will fail. Next, we offer an overview of several popular utilities that allow you to diagnose the temperature characteristics of this device.

Why does the CPU temperature rise?

Any calculations affect the increase in the temperature index. Even in the mode of inactivity of the system, the processor is still accessed, whether you want it or not. This is due to the fact that in any OS in the background operating system services. True, they do not cause peak loads, however, with the appearance of additional processes, the temperature can go off scale. Timely disconnection of unused components can significantly reduce the load.

Quite often, heating is observed in computers with incorrectly installed cooling system, when the cooler can not cope with its task. The overclocking of the processor has a very strong effect, so when overclocking or when manually assembling a computer, you need to be extremely careful.

In notebooks of factory assemblage the problem of temperature increase is absent. Such situations can arise only if the processor is manually replaced or the RAM is reduced.

The simplest software way to reduce the load may be to change the power plan for an economical power consumption (rather than for high performance or the recommended balanced default scheme).

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, the models SkyLake, IvyBridge and the like and the family of Intel Core i3 / 5/7 are taken):

• Idle or idle mode of the system with the 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 such norms, Intel processors are able to withstand even higher values, which does not affect their performance. For most AMD processors, the maximum CPU temperature should not exceed 61 degrees.

CPU temperature detection by means of BIOS

In Windows, getting to temperature is difficult. Therefore, it is possible to find out which CPU temperature is in one of the three specified ranges, through the settings of the primary BIOS system.

In the parameters you need to find advanced Advanced settings and look at the lines like CPU Temp, CPU Temperature (also these can be sections of PC Health Status, Power, Hardware Monitor, etc.). Unlike the BIOS, in more modern systems with GUI UEFI such indicators can be presented in the main window.

However, this method does not justify itself because the operating system is not currently loaded, and no process capable of creating a load on the processor is performed. It is only suitable for cases when the processor is experiencing some problems.

In parallel, you can use the settings of the cooling system. In the additional settings sections, you need to find something like Fan Mode and set the mode to Always On or Smart-Adjust for this mode. For fans in the Fan Speed line, you can also apply a setting of your own values, but it is not recommended to do this without proper knowledge to unprepared users.

Using the PowerShell console and the command line

The normal CPU temperature , as well as low or high, can be determined using the special PowerShell console that is present on Windows systems.

It can be called from the "Run" menu with the same command or use "Task Manager".

In the console window, you should write the following: get-wmiobject msacpi_thermalzonetemperature -namespace "root / wmi".

If the command line is used, the call of the parameters will look like this:

Wmic / namespace: \\ root \ wmi PATH MSAcpi_ThermalZoneTemperature get CurrentTemperature.

Again, the technique is not very convenient. To make it easier to determine the temperature in real time, it is better to use special programs.

Most popular diagnostic programs

It is believed that the most powerful are the following utilities:

• CPU-Z.
• Core Temp.
• HWMonitor.
• SpeedFan.
• AIDA64.

Not all of them are equivalent. Some perform only monitoring, others can perform diagnostics, others - both. Let us consider briefly each of them.

CPU-Z

In the CPU-Z program, the CPU temperature can not be determined initially. So why was it included in the list?

Only because it should be used in parallel with other utilities that are able to monitor temperature values when CPU-Z acts as a tester of a processor under load (this will be discussed a little later).

CoreTemp

How else can the CPU temperature be determined? The program CoreTemp, according to many experts, is the most suitable tool. It bribes the simplicity of the interface, ease of use and the fact that it is made in the form of a portable version that does not require installation on the hard drive.

It also displays an indicator such as "CPU Core Temperature," which corresponds to the core of each core, not the overall temperature of the processor chip. In addition, it is possible to see the set boundary values and load each processor core, expressed as a percentage.

HWMonitor

This utility is almost a complete analog of the CoreTemp application and allows you to find out the set boundary values or the 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 about the GPU and GPU temperature, motherboard, fan speed, etc. But, like the previous utility, it acts solely as a monitoring tool.

SpeedFan

But on the application SpeedFan is worth staying separately. Not only is the CPU temperature displayed in real time, such (and not only) indicators can be obtained also absolutely for all vital components of the system.

The program itself was originally designed to install full control over the settings of coolers (fans) by adjusting the speed of their rotation. Thus, based on the set temperature limits, the coolers can be set so that they are turned on and off when the set threshold is reached. For laptops this utility, as a rule, is not used, but it is very demanded in fixed terminals (especially if it's not about the factory, but about manual assembly).

However, in the settings of an inexperienced user from the first time to understand will not be so easy, but if you read the necessary documentation and understand the basic principles of its operation, the application of this application with the correct settings will give an excellent result immediately. However, in the simplest case, you can use the setting mode with auto-adjustments offered by the application after analyzing the necessary components and their parameters.

AIDA64

This program was previously known as Everest and today it remains a fairly powerful utility, but alas, related to the category of shareware with a trial period of 30 days.

You can view the required indicators by clicking on the sensor icons for any equipment category. In passing, the average temperature of the motherboard 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 data of this kind, you can note applications like All CPU Meter, OCCT (extended version with built-in HWMonitor module), Open Hardware Monitor, etc. Most of them use the same principles for work And the displayed characteristics or settings are not particularly different.

Preference questions

As it was already possible to notice, CPU-Z does not display CPU temperature, but other programs, no doubt, will perfectly suit any user. As for CPU-Z, try running this utility in parallel and, for example, CoreTemp. In the first application, click the Validate button in the bottom of the window, and in CoreTemp monitor the temperature changes.

Program SpeedFan, as well as setting the cooling system in the BIOS by setting its own values, the inexperienced user should not be touched. Of course, to reach critical parameters or exceed their system will not give initially, but you still need to be extremely cautious: if the processor does not suffer from this, other "iron" components may be adversely affected.

The use of temperature values in the PowerShell console is also somewhat unjustified. Basically, it is used to eliminate some problems by software methods.

Thus, you can stop your choice on one of the free programs described above, rather than chasing the powerful diagnostic tools that are used for maintenance and repair. What to choose from this all? Perhaps the best option will be the applications CoreTemp and HWMonitor, because they are almost complete analogues of each other and are distinguished by the provision of maximum information and ease of use.

In general, if you look at the technology of manufacturing modern processors and the method of testing them by various parameters, including temperature parameters, it can be noted that such devices are able to withstand temperatures up to the boiling point of water (100 degrees Celsius). Neglect the values of overheating, of course, not worth it, but the safety margin of any processor is still there. And if the first signs of temperature increase are noticed even in the state of inactivity of the system, you should immediately contact the service center. In extreme cases, you can use the application of an additional layer of thermal paste or even simply clean the inside of the system unit from dust. In some cases, the problem may be in the clogging. By the way, cleaning will have a beneficial effect on other components.