Friday, July 24, 2009

How to Monitior Your Computers Temperature

Here is a tool for the intermediate computer user. It monitors your computers CPU and Video Card Temperatures.

CPUID HWMonitor

A few things to keep in mind.
  • Be sure you are downloading the right program, 32bit or 64bit version of CPUID HWMonitor. *
  • The listed temperatures are in Centigrade [ C° ] not Fahrenheit [ F° ].
  • CPU and Video Card Temperatures Run Normal at, what we non geeks would consider, high temperatures, so don't be alarmed if your CPU is running at 70°C [158°F ]. This is normal. On cooling-related websites, lower temperatures are better. As for this list, the opposite is true: The higher temperatures a CPU can withstand the better. This list is the normal operating temps.
* How do you know if your computer is a 32bit or 64bit computer?

Go to 'START', then 'CONTROL PANEL', then 'SYSTEM': Here you will be able to view basic information about your computer. About mid-page you will see 'system.' Here it will list; Processor Type, Memory, then 'SYSTEM TYPE' 32bit or 64bit system will be listed here.

Here is a great website for finding the normal operating temp for your CPU.
Temperatures by Chipset

Here is a summary of CPU temps [by manufacturer *]:
  1. AMD Computers 65°C to 95°C
  2. Intel Computers 65°C to 100°C

* How do you find out what type of chip manufacturer your computer uses?

Go to 'START', then 'CONTROL PANEL', then 'SYSTEM': Here you will be able to view basic information about your computer. About mid-page you will see 'system.' Here it will list; Processor Type, such as AMD Phenom, or Intel Core Duo

You may also download several different free system monitoring applications such as

CPUID-Z
SIW
Everest 2.20 Home Edition
Even though Everest does not support a free edition anymore, this older free version still works fine on most systems. Here is a ratings list on this older version of Everest Ratings List.

These Applications offer an incredible amount of information about your computer. Easy to understand lists, from CPU types, to processor assignment. SIW would be my choice for beginners, it's simple and it's the newest supported version of the product.


Video Card Normal Operating Temperatures a bit harder to find.

There are two manufactures of Video Cards that we are concerned about ATI and Nvidia

Here is a summary of the temps.
  1. ATI (AMD) threshold is 115°C
  2. Nvidia threshold is 120°C
To find the exact temperatures you will have to visit their websites.


Once you install CPUID HWMonitor, all you do is start it up and your information is there!

Quick and Easy.
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