Graphics cards and processors are the two components of hardware that produce the most heat inside any PC. How much heat a processor (a GPU, too) can generate depends on its power draw. This is usually correlated to the speed of the CPU.
This is why it is vital to have adequate cooling on a high-end processor. To ensure that your CPU is properly cooled, i.e., running at the right temperature, you will need temperature monitoring software.
The fantastic news is that there are a lot of these sorts of programs available, and we’ve examined nearly all of them to determine which delivers the most accurate temperature information.
Let’s check them out!
Table of ContentsShow
1. HWiNFO
Price: free (Pro version available)
The Pros:
- Highly customizable UIrnSensor readings for Windows trayrnGraph readingrnAdjust TjMAXrnAlert system for any readingrnFrequently updatedrnMost features available in the free version
The Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for the uninitiatedrnRemote monitoring locked under Pro version
HWiNFO may not be as well-known as some other choices in this guide, but it is certainly one of the finest CPU temperature monitoring programs available. In fact, it offers monitoring for all computer hardware. And, of course, it is entirely free.
Not only does HWiNFO yield detailed temperature readings of the CPU (die, core distance to TjMAX, CCD, CPU package, and more), but it also has information for voltage, clock speed, CPU usage, CPU utility, etc.
Whether you have a Ryzen or an Intel system, HWiNFO will supply.
A beloved choice for tech fans and well-liked by tech critics (Linus Tech Tips, Gamers Nexus, etc.)
2. HWMonitor
Price: free (Pro version available)
The Pros:
- Easy to setuprnEasy to digest information
The Cons:
- Lack of customizabilityrnNo alert systemrnNot enough data reportsrnMany features locked behind the Pro version
HWMonitor is one of the most prevalent, if not the most popular, monitoring software out there. It delivers tons of temperature-related information not only on your processor but on other hardware as well.
Every measurement picked up from the processor, GPU, HDD, SSD, and motherboard will be shown on HWMonitor.
It is not as exhaustive as HWiNFO, so it is lacking in some aspects, but for those that need only raw temperature data, this is a solid choice.
3. Core Temp
The Pros:
- CompactrnEase of usernTray icon temperature readingsrnPlugin supportrnOverheat protectionrnCustomizable
The Cons:
- CPU data onlyrnInstallation ad (game bloatware)
Core Temp is a bit distinct than some of the other software on this list but still extremely useful.
It may not have some of the fancy features found on HWiNFO or HWMonitor’s Pro version, but it does exactly what you need. It reads the temperature data of every single core on your processor. It also automatically adds readings to the Windows tray.
It’s extremely straightforward, small, and user-friendly. One of our top choices if you just require CPU temperature readings.
4. Libre Hardware Monitor
Price: free (open-source)
The Pros:
- Open-source and frequently updatedrnCPU, GPU, SSD, HDD, etc. readingsrnFree remote monitoring
The Cons:
- No temperature alertsrnNo temperature readings in tray icon
Libre Hardware Monitor is a gratis project inspired by Open Hardware Monitor (more on that later). It has a similar user interface with slight visual adjustments, but it received substantial enhancements in terms of platform/processor compatibility.
It is regularly updated to ensure it operates for all users.
It may not have many attributes, but it’s appropriate for checking temperatures. It can also display GPU and other hardware information. Libre Hardware Monitor can be used remotely and is free.
5. Open Hardware Monitor
Price: free
The Pros:
- Remote monitoringrnPer-core temperature and clock speed reading
The Cons:
- Likely to be outdated againrnLack of features
Open Hardware Monitor was an excellent monitoring option for many years until it was abandoned and obsolete in 2016. This caused many issues for people running Ryzen systems and newer Intel processors too.
This software wouldn’t have ended up on this list if the developers didn’t start updating it back in 2020.
Today it has complete support for Ryzen and Intel processors. It provides temperature, clock speed, and voltage data on all kinds of PC hardware.
A dependable pick, but Libre Hardware Monitor is the superior choice as it is updated more often.
6. Aida64 Extreme
Price: $49.95 (14-day trial available)
The Pros:
- CPU, GPU, and RAM BenchmarksrnStress testsrnHuge database to compare temperature, scores, and morernFully customizable sensor panelrnSensor panel supports OSD panels, LCD keyboards (Logitech G15, G19, and Razer’s SwitchBlade LCD)rnSystem tray readingsrnRemote monitoring
The Cons:
- ExpensivernNo free version is availablernOnly a 14-day free trial
Unlike all of the previously mentioned monitoring software, Aida64 Extreme is paid exclusively, and it’s centered on benchmarking.
However, even though Aida64’s primary focus is stress testing, its monitoring support is exceptional too. They support sensors of nearly all processors, GPUs, RAM, or any other PC hardware.
They claim Aida64 has the best accuracy for hardware detection thanks to its enormous database of hundreds of thousands of entries.
In other words, you’ll get all kinds of temperature data for your CPU and a benchmark to stress test your CPU for simpler diagnosing.
A superb choice overall, yet rather pricey, considering that many other programs offer comparable performance for free.
7. SpeedFan
Price: free
The Pros:
- Straight-forward CPU temperature data
The Cons:
- Has not been updated for years/Abandoned softwarernOutdated user interface
SpeedFan is a bit antiquated now as its latest version update was in 2015, so it may not endorse current or upcoming CPU platforms.
However, after testing it on a 10th generation Intel CPU and a 3rd gen Ryzen CPU, SpeedFan successfully reported temperature for all microprocessors.
So, at this time, SpeedFan is still beneficial software for temperature monitoring. But, we still recommend using something a bit more contemporary to ensure that you get the right temperature reports.
8. MSI Afterburner
Price: free
The Pros:
- Regularly updatedrnTrustworthy
The Cons:
- Not really made for temperature monitoringrnMinimal temperature data available
MSI Afterburner is primarily used for overclocking graphics cards, but it does offer some thermal information for the GPU and the CPU too.
You won’t get exact data regarding the temperature of your processor, but at least it is dependable software that gets updated regularly.
Common Causes For High CPU Temperature
Above you’ll find some of the finest CPU monitoring programs available right now, and fortunately, most of them are free.
So, you download one and notice that you have a higher processor temperature than you would desire? What might be the source of such an issue?
These are a few of the common reasons.
- Poorly applied thermal paste
- Dried-up thermal paste
- Bad thermal paste
- Broken AIO pump
- Bad AIO
- Inadequate cooling
Conclusion
For those who struggle to choose between these eight monitoring programs, we suggest using either our top choice, HWiNFO or HWMonitor.
Both provide enough information, are regularly updated, and function perfectly on any platform.
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