How to Check CPU Temp Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

Keeping your computer’s temperature in check is one of the most important things you can do to ensure smooth performance and long-term health of your system. If your PC feels sluggish, crashes unexpectedly, or the fans seem unusually loud, it might be overheating — and that’s a big red flag.

So, how do you check CPU temperature in Windows 10? Don’t worry — you don’t need to be a tech genius to do it. In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through different ways to monitor CPU temperature, understand what’s normal, and share some practical tips to prevent overheating.

Table of Contents

🔍 Summary: Key Takeaways

Aspect	Details
Goal	Check and monitor CPU temperature in Windows 10
Methods	BIOS/UEFI, third-party tools (Core Temp, HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner, etc.)
Ideal Temperature	30°C–60°C (idle to normal use), 70°C+ (under load may indicate stress)
Risks of Overheating	System crashes, throttling, or long-term hardware damage
Pro Tip	Clean your PC fans and apply fresh thermal paste for better cooling

Why Should You Check CPU Temperature in Windows 10?

Your CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of your computer. It performs millions of operations per second — which generates heat.

If that heat isn’t managed properly, your CPU may throttle (slow itself down) to prevent damage. In severe cases, it can shut down your computer or even reduce hardware lifespan.

Monitoring CPU temperature helps you:

Prevent overheating and performance drops
Diagnose thermal issues early
Ensure proper cooling efficiency
Maintain peak performance for gaming or heavy workloads

In short, checking CPU temperature isn’t just for tech enthusiasts — it’s essential PC maintenance.

How to Check CPU Temp in Windows 10: 4 Proven Methods

There are several ways to monitor your CPU’s temperature in Windows 10. Some involve built-in tools, while others require lightweight third-party apps that give more detailed stats.

Let’s explore them one by one.

🧭 Method 1: Check CPU Temperature from BIOS/UEFI

If you want a direct and accurate reading, checking CPU temperature through the BIOS (or UEFI) is the best approach.

Here’s how you can do it:

Step-by-Step:

Restart your computer.
As your PC boots, press the BIOS key repeatedly (usually F2, F10, Delete, or Esc).
Once in the BIOS menu, look for “Hardware Monitor,” “System Health,” or “PC Status.”
You’ll see CPU Temperature displayed on the screen (often labeled as CPU Temp or Core Temperature).
Note the temperature and compare it to safe operating ranges.

💡 Tip: BIOS only shows idle temperature (since Windows isn’t running yet), but it gives you a reliable baseline.

⚙️ Method 2: Use Core Temp (Free, Lightweight & Accurate)

Core Temp is one of the most popular free tools to check CPU temperature on Windows 10.

Here’s how to use it:

Go to the Core Temp official website.
Download and install the tool (uncheck any optional software offers during setup).
Open Core Temp.
You’ll see:
- Each CPU core’s temperature
- Min/Max readings
- Real-time updates
You can even enable “Show temperature in system tray” for quick monitoring.

Why we love Core Temp:

Simple and easy to use
Minimal resource usage
Customizable alerts for overheating

🖥️ Method 3: Use HWMonitor for Advanced Hardware Stats

If you want a deeper insight into system health, HWMonitor is your go-to tool. It doesn’t just show CPU temps — it also displays GPU, fan speeds, voltages, and more.

Steps:

Download HWMonitor from CPUID’s official site.
Launch the program (no installation required for the portable version).
Look for the CPU section in the list.
You’ll find:
- Core temperatures
- Minimum and maximum readings
- Real-time updates

Bonus: HWMonitor is perfect if you want to monitor multiple hardware components simultaneously.

🎮 Method 4: Check CPU Temp Using MSI Afterburner (Best for Gamers)

If you’re a gamer or content creator, MSI Afterburner gives you real-time CPU and GPU monitoring overlays while playing games or running apps.

Steps to Use MSI Afterburner:

Download MSI Afterburner from the official MSI website.
Install and launch the tool.
Open Settings → Monitoring tab.
Scroll down to CPU temperature and check “Show in On-Screen Display.”
Start your game or app — you’ll see CPU temp on-screen.

Why Gamers Love It:

Real-time monitoring while gaming
GPU + CPU data at a glance
Custom fan curves for better cooling control

🌡️ What Is a Safe CPU Temperature in Windows 10?

Knowing your CPU temp is one thing — but understanding what’s safe is just as important.

CPU State	Temperature Range	Condition
Idle / Light Use	30°C – 45°C	Perfectly Normal
Moderate Load (Browsing, Office Work)	45°C – 65°C	Acceptable
Heavy Load (Gaming, Rendering)	65°C – 85°C	Warm but Safe
Above 90°C	90°C+	Overheating — Needs Attention

⚠️ Note: Different CPUs have different tolerance levels. Always check your processor’s official documentation for exact limits.

💡 How to Lower CPU Temperature in Windows 10

If your CPU is running hot, don’t panic — there are plenty of ways to cool it down.

1. Clean Your Computer’s Fans and Vents

Dust buildup is one of the biggest reasons for overheating. Use a can of compressed air to clean vents and fans regularly.

2. Apply New Thermal Paste

Over time, thermal paste between the CPU and heatsink dries out. Reapplying it can dramatically reduce temperatures.

3. Improve Airflow

Ensure proper cable management inside your case.
Keep your PC in a well-ventilated area.
Add extra case fans if necessary.

4. Use a Laptop Cooling Pad (For Laptops)

External cooling pads can lower temps by 5–10°C during intense use.

5. Adjust Fan Curves

Use utilities like MSI Afterburner or SpeedFan to customize fan speeds for better heat dissipation.

6. Check Background Processes

Too many running programs can stress your CPU unnecessarily.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Task Manager → Processes Tab
End unwanted tasks.

⚠️ Why Is My CPU Temperature So High?

High CPU temps can occur for various reasons:

Dust accumulation in fans or vents
Inadequate cooling system or old thermal paste
Overclocking without proper cooling
Poor airflow in your case
Malware or unnecessary background processes
Hot room temperature

🧊 Tip: Try running your PC with the side panel open (temporarily) to see if temperatures drop — it’s a quick airflow test.

🔧 How to Monitor CPU Temp Continuously

If you want to keep an eye on your CPU temperature in real time:

Use Widgets or System Tray Monitors

Tools like Core Temp, HWMonitor, and Open Hardware Monitor allow you to:

Display CPU temp in the taskbar
Get alerts when temps exceed safe limits
Auto-log data for analysis

Use Manufacturer Tools

Intel: Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU)
AMD: Ryzen Master

Both offer advanced monitoring and tuning capabilities for CPU temps and performance.

📊 Comparing Popular CPU Temperature Monitoring Tools

Tool Name	Best For	Ease of Use	Key Features
Core Temp	Beginners	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Lightweight, accurate, tray display
HWMonitor	Power users	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Full hardware monitoring
MSI Afterburner	Gamers	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Real-time overlay, fan control
Open Hardware Monitor	General users	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Free, open-source
Ryzen Master / Intel XTU	Advanced tuning	⭐⭐⭐	Overclocking + monitoring

🧠 Understanding CPU Throttling and Overheating

When your CPU reaches critical temperatures (usually above 90°C), it automatically reduces performance (thermal throttling) to prevent damage.

Symptoms of CPU Throttling:

Lag or stutter during gaming or editing
Sudden FPS drops
System slowdown
Fan noise increasing abruptly

You can use HWInfo or MSI Afterburner to detect throttling events in real time.

🛠️ Pro Tips for Maintaining Optimal CPU Temperature

Keep your drivers and BIOS updated
Avoid placing your laptop on soft surfaces
Regularly monitor temps during heavy workloads
Don’t block ventilation holes
Consider upgrading your CPU cooler if temps remain high

❄️ Bonus: Best Free Tools to Check CPU Temperature

Core Temp
HWMonitor
Speccy
Open Hardware Monitor
MSI Afterburner
HWiNFO
NZXT CAM

All of these are free and compatible with Windows 10.

🧩 How Often Should You Check CPU Temperature?

It’s a good habit to check CPU temperature once every few weeks, or whenever:

Your fans run loudly
The PC feels hot
You notice lag, freezing, or shutdowns
After upgrading hardware or installing new games

Routine checks help prevent surprises and extend your PC’s lifespan.

🧾 Conclusion: Keep Your CPU Cool and Your PC Healthy

Now that you know how to check CPU temp in Windows 10, you can easily monitor and maintain your system’s health.
By using tools like Core Temp, HWMonitor, or MSI Afterburner, you can ensure your CPU stays within safe limits — keeping your PC fast, stable, and long-lasting.

Remember:

Stay below 80°C for daily use.
Clean your PC regularly.
Use proper cooling methods.

A cool CPU isn’t just about performance — it’s about protecting your investment.

❓ FAQs: How to Check CPU Temp in Windows 10

1. Does Windows 10 have a built-in CPU temperature monitor?

No, Windows 10 doesn’t have a built-in CPU temp monitor. You’ll need to use BIOS or third-party tools like Core Temp or HWMonitor.

2. What is a dangerous CPU temperature?

Anything above 90°C is considered dangerous and can lead to throttling or hardware damage.

3. Can I monitor CPU temperature while gaming?

Yes — tools like MSI Afterburner and HWInfo let you view CPU temps in real time while gaming.

4. How can I see CPU temp in Task Manager?

Unfortunately, Task Manager doesn’t show CPU temperature. Use a dedicated tool instead.

5. What causes sudden CPU temperature spikes?

Sudden spikes often occur due to:

Background updates or scans
High CPU load from apps
Poor cooling or dust buildup

✅ Final Tip: Regularly monitoring your CPU temperature is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to keep your computer running smoothly for years. Stay cool — literally!