The PC hardware of today needs to be substantially fast to process the demanding video graphics in games but to achieve that speed, the hardware needs to use a lot of power. And processing a lot of power will generate large amounts of heat.
Computer components like graphics cards and processors tend to generate the most warmth. The latest CPUs, specifically, can get rather warm due to their numerous cores. Nonetheless, each CPU model has its own distinct temperature averages.
So, what CPU temperature is ideal for gaming? What is a safe CPU temp?
These are some of the questions that might have you worried about your PC’s health. So, to get rid of any worries you might have, we’ll try to explain everything surrounding this topic.
Let’s get straight into it!
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Perfect CPU Temperature While Gaming
This is a complex topic, but we can give you a straightforward response.
The reality is that there is no such thing as an “ideal temperature” for gaming. Instead, different CPUs produce different quantities of heat.
A budget processor with two cores may max out at 60°C while gaming with a stock Intel/Ryzen cooler. A high-end 16-core CPU, on the other hand, can max out at 90°C during intensive gaming sessions.
In both situations, the processors are working at their normal temperature.
Nowadays, the absolute maximum temperature of both Ryzen and Intel CPUs is around 100 degrees Celsius. Therefore, everything above one hundred degrees will result in thermal throttling (more on that below) or an automatic shutdown to protect your PC from overheating.
Thermal Throttling
There’s nothing inherently wrong with allowing your CPU to run at its maximum temperature, but it could lead to thermal throttling, ultimately reducing your in-game FPS.
Thermal throttling is a safety precaution put in place (by Intel and AMD) that automatically reduces the energy to decrease temperature. This technique prevents the processor from becoming excessively hot and causing the second safety measure, automatic shutdown.
And don’t worry, thermal throttling will not reduce your CPU’s lifespan. Nor will it ever overheat because of these safeguards in place.
Keep in mind; the thermal throttle limits vary by model and BIOS settings.
Best CPU Temperature
While thermal throttling is not dangerous, that does not mean you should allow your CPU to throttle. Throttling can cause stutters, reduced average, and minimal FPS ruining your gaming experience. So, there is no perfect temperature, but there is an optimal/best gaming temperature.
Additionally, High CPU temperatures can heat up other components in a computer. This is especially true for graphics cards because they also produce a lot of heat. Once the overall temperature in the case is increased, the CPU, GPU, and case fans will start spinning at a much higher RPM.
Elevated fan RPM can be noisy and extremely annoying. This rise in temperatures can even warm up the room you’re working/gaming in.
For optimal gaming, we recommend keeping the CPU temperature within the range of 50°C to 70°C. However, this is merely a broad response. Various factors can influence your overall experience.
Common CPU Temperatures During Gaming
Are you wondering, how hot should my CPU get? To provide you with a solid idea of what’s typical or normal, we’ve composed this list of certain CPUs and their average temperatures while gaming.
| CPU | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| Intel 12th Gen i9 | 70°C – 95°C |
| Intel 12th Gen i7 | 60°C – 87°C |
| Intel 12th Gen i5 | 50°C – 75°C |
| Intel 12th Gen i3 | 45°C – 75°C |
| Intel 11th Gen i9 | 80°C – 100°C |
| Intel 11th Gen i7 | 70°C – 85°C |
| AMD Ryzen 9 5th Gen | 60°C – 82°C |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5th Gen | 65°C – 80°C |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5th Gen | 50°C – 65°C |
| AMD Ryzen 9 3rd Gen | 65°C – 78°C |
| AMD Ryzen 7 3rd Gen | 60°C – 75°C |
| AMD Ryzen 5 3rd Gen | 55°C – 70°C |
This chart is based on various user experiences and reviews. The lower value is from systems with a high-quality AIO, while the latter is with a stock cooler or generally weaker cooling. Your experience may vary.
You can use this chart even if you don’t have any of the above-listed models because older generations of Ryzen and Intel processors show similar values.
Of course, the ideal temperature for gaming would be the lowest achievable temperature. A colder PC will consistently result in reduced noise and no thermal throttling.
Reducing CPU Temperature
If you compare your CPU temperature with the values in the chart above and the unusual results, you should reduce the temperature.
Here are a few techniques you can use to accomplish that:
- Reapply thermal paste
- Adjust fan curve
- Upgrade CPU cooler
- Add more case fans
- Replace old case fans
You could even completely replace your processor with a newer model that runs cooler.
To enhance your fan curve, check out this video guide.
Conclusion
Finding the ideal temperature for your CPU while gaming depends on many different factors. The case, fans in the case, GPU’s heat output, CPU cooler, fan curve, and much more.
So, if you find 70 degrees Celsius to be the ideal point for your gaming setup, other individuals may find that too high and will insist on lower temperature averages.
