CPU: This is the normal temperature of the processor

If your CPU temperature is not normal, it can have serious consequences. If your processor is too hot, the consequences are at least high power consumption and a loud fan. More serious consequences of an overheated processor are PC crashes or damage so severe that your CPU becomes unusable and your computer stops working without replacing the processor and processor cooler. We explain which temperature range a processor should be in and give you a few tips for unusual temperatures.

What CPU temperature is normal?

You can read the temperature of your processor in the BIOS or read it out with the freeware CPU-Z. The following temperatures are in the normal range:

• A processor should have a temperature in the range of 30 to 50 ° C at low load.
• With heavy workloads, for example due to computationally intensive programs, temperatures up to 95 ° C are quite possible.
• However, these high temperatures reduce the lifespan of CPUs.
• The maximum temperature that a CPU may have depends on the type, but should be below 100 ° C.
• By the way: If the outside temperatures are too low, the parts of your PC will of course cool down. Then condensation could form and damage your computer. So especially heat gazebos and caravans to room temperature and wait an hour before starting a hypothermic PC.

How to check the utilization of your processors

High CPU temperatures with high processor utilization are quite normal. How to find out how busy your CPU is:

1. Enter the key combination [Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Esc] and click in the Task Manager on the tab »Performance«.
2. Here you can see the current CPU utilization (a) on the left.
3. In the graphic on the right you can see the processor load of the last 60 seconds (b).
4. If the display has been at full stop for at least one minute, temperatures above 60 ° C are OK.

What to do if the CPU is too hot

If your processor is too hot, the following measures can help to lower the temperature:

• With the freeware SpeedFan and our instructions, you can easily increase the fan speed to reduce your CPU temperature.
• To rule out a defective processor as the cause of the abnormal temperatures, you can use one of our practical tips to test your processor for errors.
• It often helps to open the case to reduce heat build-up. However, this is not a permanent solution, because your hardware will dust particularly quickly.
• If it is not enough to open the PC tower, a fan or a vacuum cleaner can remove warm air.
• If you only have a passive cooler, installing an active cooler can help lower the temperature.
• The best cooling is usually achieved with a water cooler.
• If your software overwhelms the performance of your CPU, a more powerful processor is the solution. Our leaderboard will help you find the optimal CPU.
• We support you with a practical tip when changing a CPU.