10 BEST CPU Temperature Monitors Software for PC (FREE)

Keeping an eye on your processor’s temperature is essential since it can affect your computer’s performance. The processor contains many computer components like motherboards, hard disks, etc. Heat can ruin these components.

A CPU temperature monitor checks computer system sensors like temperature, fan speed, and voltage and gives you precise data. You can easily identify problems with this data.

The program can help you monitor the operating temperatures of your CPU when you’re experiencing computer problems or stress testing your freshly built PC. A program like this is essential to have if you want to determine if everything is working correctly.

Need help with monitoring your CPU’s temperature? In this article, we offer some of the best free CPU monitors to help you choose which tool is right for you. The following is a list of the Top CPU Temperature Monitors, along with their features and links to their websites. The list includes both commercial and open-source (free) software.

This post provides a list of nine of the best CPU temp monitors currently available to make sure your CPU is running at a safe temperature.

1. Core Temp

Core Temp checks the temperature of an x86 based processor. It is one of the best CPU temp monitors since it supports all manufacturers like AMD (Advanced Micro Devices), Intel, etc.

So long as you don’t require any extensive hardware monitoring software and just need a simple and lightweight CPU monitoring program, Core Temp is probably the best bet for you. Core Temp displays actual CPU temperature and speed in real-time. If your processor is Intel, Core Temp will display the individual temperatures of each core of your CPU.

The program offers you information like your current operating frequency, your power draw, and your core voltage. It will also tell you what processor you have installed, what socket you use, and what chipset the CPU operates on.

Features:

• Core Temp is very easy to use.
• This tool accurately reads directly from the DTS (Digital Thermal Sensor).
• A high level of customization is available with this PC temperature monitor.
• Windows 10’s CPU temperature monitor features plugins that let developers create new features.

Website – Core Temp

2. Speed Fan

Speed Fan is another program that lets you monitor CPU temperatures. Speed Fan performs a similar function as some of the other programs included on this list—it displays real-time data on your computer’s CPU and your other hardware. Speed Fan’s uniqueness also comes in the fact that you can control your fan’s speed straight from the software.

One of Speed Fan’s best features is its customization options. Depending on the tool, it may be a simple fan controller that allows you to control fan speed or an extremely customized tool that allows you to set your own fan settings.

Website – Speed Fan

3. Real Temp

Real Temp is a lot like Core Temp in the sense that it monitors only CPU temperatures and that it has an easy-to-understand interface. In addition to providing vital information regarding your processor, the program will display some unique findings, including where your processor stands with respect to the TJ Max. TJ Max is the maximum temperature at which a CPU will start throttling and for users who are not sure what temperature their processor should run at, the Real Temp feature is a great feature to have.

Website – Real Temp

4. HWMonitor

HWMonitor reads PC system sensors like temperature, fan speed, voltages, etc. CPU Monitor is a CPU monitoring tool for Android and Windows operating systems. It can be used both on PC and mobile devices.

This software is great if you don’t just want to monitor your CPU. The HWMonitor software displays your CPU’s temperature, core voltage, operating frequency, and load, as well as your GPU, storage devices, fan speeds, and much more. In other words, if you’re looking for a CPU temp monitor that’s more than just a CPU temp monitor HWMonitor is worth a look.

Features:

• You can edit sensor labels manually.
• There is a firewall in this CPU temperature monitor software that can detect non-declared access to ports.
• The logging graph should be generated as a bitmap.
• Its interface has been improved, and you can edit the sensor labels.
• The CPU utilization and bandwidth can be checked.

Website – HWMonitor

5. Open Hardware Monitor

There is a free tool called the Open Hardware Monitor that can be used to monitor the CPU temperature, fan speed, and voltages of a PC. The Open Hardware Monitor shows monitor temperature from AMD and Intel sensors.

The Open Hardware Monitor may be the right option if you’re looking for a device that monitors not only your computer’s CPU but also the rest of the hardware in it. In addition to providing temperature, voltage, and frequency readings for your CPU, Open Hardware Monitor also lets you watch your memory, fans, and graphics card.

Consequently, Open Hardware Monitor should probably be your first choice if you need a more robust monitoring program.

Features:

• Hard drive temperatures can be displayed.
• This software does not require any installation.
• The software can be run on both 32 bit and 64 bit Windows operating systems.
• From the main window, you can access monitored values directly. Otherwise, you can customize the desktop and the system tray (the area that is located in the Taskbar).

Website – Open Hardware Monitor

6. AIDA64 Extreme

All of the tools on this list are not free, and we lied to you about that. AIDA64 Extreme is premium software. However, it’s worth mentioning because of how versatile its feature set is. In addition, since we mentioned all the other free tools, we thought you might not mind us mentioning this one.

Windows, iOS, and Android support AIDA64 Extreme as a PC temp monitoring program. A new version of this program is among the best out there for finding out information about various computer components. The information displayed can be saved as CSV, HTML, or XML files.

AIDA64 Extreme has an extensive feature set, including hardware monitoring tools, benchmarking capabilities, stress testing techniques, diagnostics, and much more. There are plenty of free options out there if you only need a simple CPU temp monitor. AIDA64 Extreme comes with a hefty price tag if you only need the bare minimum.

Features:

• It provides detailed information on programs installed, software licenses, etc.
• Computer internals can be viewed in detail without opening the machine.
• The application analyzes system RAM bandwidth while supporting multiple threads of memory and cache.
• A panel can be used to show different graphs as well as custom images linked with the sensor data.
• AIDA64 Extreme displays data on LCDs and VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives).

Website – AIDA64 Extreme

7. Speccy

Speccy is a Tool that monitors CPU temperature on Windows computers. It lets you know how much RAM your computer system has, the type of RAM it has, and other details related to it.

If you need other functions from your hardware monitoring software, Speccy might be the tool for you. Not only can you monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures, the operating frequency of your CPU, GPU, and RAM, but it will give you a detailed overview of the hardware inside your computer. If you built your own computer, then it probably isn’t a big issue—you already know what is inside of your machine, but if you’re not sure what is inside, then this could be a nice feature to have.

Features:

• Provides a quick summary of the hardware installed on your system.
• It provides detailed information about the hardware.
• The CPU temperature will be displayed in real-time.
• Your result can be saved as a snapshot, text file, or XML for easy sharing.
• The software automatically updates.
• Using it, you can find out what is wrong with your system.

Website – Speccy 

8. CPU Thermometer

CPU Thermometer also has a straightforward user interface and monitors CPU temperature and load. Like CPU Temp, CPU Thermometer will show your CPU’s temperature and load across individual cores. That’s about the extent of the CPU Thermometer; if that’s all you need is CPU temp and load information, then it’s fine to use.

Website –  CPU Thermometer

9. HWiNFO

HWiNFO gives you a ton of information about your computer’s hardware, so it can act as a kind of informational black box. Besides showing you real-time temperatures/loads on your system’s key components, it also allows you to chart that data so you can see how the system is performing over a given period of time. Using HWiNFO is probably a bad idea if you’re not very familiar with PC components. The user interface has too many options, and it might be overwhelming to novice users.

Website – HWiNFO 

10. CPU Load Monitor

Engineer’s Toolset includes the SolarWinds CPU Load Monitor, which is a collection of more than 60 monitoring tools, as well as other systems management tools. The CPU Load Monitor monitors network device performance and ensures it does not get overloaded.

A temperature metric is not included in switches or routers. Thus, there isn’t one to read from those devices. However, heat is generated only when the devices get overloaded and the electronic elements which will generate heat when overloaded are the CPU and the interfaces. Engineer’s Toolset tracks the activity of the CPU Load Monitor and other components in real-time.

Engineer’s Toolset is a CPU temperature monitoring tool that helps you monitor network stress with ease by providing you with tools to customize and manage logs accordingly.

Features:

• Monitoring and alerts in real-time.
• Provides information about the load on the CPU.
• A scan of an IP address can reveal the range of IPs.
• Memory usage can be analyzed with this app.
• This enhances the security of your network.
• Install SolarWinds NPM (Network Performance Monitor).

SolarWinds offers the Engineer’s Toolset, including the CPU Load Monitor, like a 14-day free trial.

Website – CPU Load Monitor

Final words

You can keep track of your computer’s performance using many CPU temperature monitoring tools that are available. You can choose from a few tools to monitor your CPU’s temperature and load, or you can use an advanced monitoring system to keep track of all of your hardware components. In this guide, I’ve listed four recommendations. Pick one from above and you’re not going wrong.

CPU Temperature Monitors FAQs

Why monitoring the processor for temperature is essential?

Keeping an eye on the temperature of the processor is crucial since it can affect the performance of your computer. The processor houses many computer parts, such as the motherboard and hard disk, and heat can damage these components.

How do you monitor the temperature of the CPU?

Tools that monitor CPU temperature give you precise information on sensors like temperature, fan speed, voltage and help you diagnose problems quickly.

What are the general features of CPU temperature monitoring tools?

Monitors that look at CPU temperatures have the following characteristics:

• This allows for a high degree of customization.
• It is possible to check CPU utilization and bandwidth.
• Details about the hardware are provided.
• The CPU temperature can be seen in real-time.

How do I check the temperature of the CPU?

The following steps will guide you through checking the CPU temperature on your PC or laptop:

Step 1) Download any of the software listed above.
Step 2) Install the software on your PC or laptop
Step 3) Run the software
Step 4) Check your processor temperatures on the software dashboard.

How do you reduce the temperature of the CPU?

The following steps will help you reduce the CPU temperature:

• Do not place your computer near windows or vents.
• Clean your computer’s fans
• Remove any obstacles which prevent airflow from the computer.
• Install a fan upgrade if the CPU’s stock fan is not working properly.
• There may be space in your case to install additional cooling fans.
• If you are gaming often or are using your PC intensively, consider liquid cooling or water cooling.
• When overclocking your CPU, take extra precautions.

what is the idle CPU temperature?

When the computer is very active, the CPU temperature will range between 70 degrees Celsius and 80 degrees Celsius. A low temperature is normal when the CPU is idle. A high temperature means the processor isn’t really idle but is being overworked by background processes and services. A broken fan could be the reason for the high temperature if the CPU monitor indicates otherwise.

What CPU temperature is considered too high?

Many factors have to be taken into account when determining what an ‘acceptable’ CPU temperature is. However, generally speaking, Intel CPUs should remain below 40°C when idle, and beneath 85°C during full load.