LivoPC team · AI-assisted editorial summary
How to check CPU and GPU temperatures in Windows
Learn how to check processor and graphics card temperatures, interpret sensor readings and keep an eye on your PC with LivoPC Monitor.
Updated on · Fundamentals
What to consider first
To check CPU and GPU temperatures, use an app that can read your hardware sensors, such as LivoPC Monitor, or the manufacturer's tool. Identify the component and sensor, observe the reading during actual use and compare it with the specification for the exact model. A temperature reading alone does not confirm overheating.
Usage as a percentage and temperature in °C are different measurements. Unavailable sensors provide no reading; they do not represent 0 °C. There is no single ideal range for all processors, graphics cards and laptops.
For anyone who wants to monitor their PC while gaming or working and gather evidence before making changes to cooling.
Track your PC's available sensors with LivoPC Monitor, with no account needed for local use. Coverage depends on the hardware, drivers and installed version.
1. Identify the CPU, GPU and sensor you are reading
Write down the full processor and graphics card models. On a laptop with integrated and dedicated graphics, check which GPU you are monitoring. A reading labeled CPU Package, a core reading and a GPU Hotspot reading may describe different locations; do not treat them as equivalent just because they are all in °C.
- Record the name shown by the app alongside the temperature.
- Use the component or laptop manufacturer's documentation to interpret that sensor.
- If the model or sensor is not identified, keep that uncertainty in your notes.
2. Open monitoring and check for a valid reading
In LivoPC Monitor for Windows, open “Monitor and alerts” and see which temperatures are available. You can also check the official tool from your PC or component manufacturer. Choose one tool to follow the session and keep the sensor name alongside the result.
- Missing reading: check whether that hardware is supported and the required driver is installed.
- In Monitor, a dash means there is no reading; it does not mean the component is cool.
- When the interface offers authorization to enable additional readings, check its stated purpose. Do not disable Windows protections to force a sensor reading.
3. Compare the same task under similar conditions
Start by observing the PC without the demanding task running. Then open the game or app that prompted your investigation. Note the activity, sensor, observed temperature and symptom. If you change the resolution, power profile or laptop position, record the change before comparing.
| When | What to record | What the comparison helps investigate |
|---|---|---|
| Before the task | Sensor, background activity and ventilation conditions | Starting point for the session |
| During the problem | The same reading, the task and when the slowdown occurs | Whether the change coincides with the symptom |
| After a change | The single condition changed and the result | Whether the observation is worth repeating |
4. Check the model's limit without treating the maximum as a target
Intel recommends looking up Tjunction or Tcase in the specification for the exact processor. These limits vary between products; for prebuilt computers, the system documentation matters too. For another CPU or a GPU, look up the corresponding specification instead of reusing a different component's limit.
- A specified maximum temperature is not a recommendation to run constantly at that value.
- A spike and a sustained reading during a task are different situations.
- If you experience slowdowns or shutdowns, examine the combined signs and the equipment manual. The sensor alone does not identify the cause.
5. Use your observations to choose the next step
If the reading changes along with the problem, repeat the same task and check ventilation and the manufacturer's maintenance guidance. Before buying a cooler, thermal paste or a new component, gather the model details, context and how often the symptom occurs. To follow the session without switching windows, check the conditions for using Monitor's widget and overlay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal CPU temperature?
It depends on the model, system and workload. Check the manufacturer's specification and observe behavior during the actual task. A generic range cannot replace that product's limits and conditions.
Why isn't LivoPC Monitor showing the temperature?
An accessible sensor, hardware support or a required driver or permission may be missing. Check the coverage and messages for the installed version. Without a reading, you cannot conclude whether the component is cool or hot.
Does 100% CPU usage mean it is overheating?
No. The percentage indicates usage, while temperature is a separate measurement. Observe both during the same task and check the component's specific limits.
Does Monitor lower the PC's temperature?
Monitor helps you observe the available sensors. It does not replace maintenance, change the cooling system or guarantee lower temperatures.
How this guide was prepared
AI-assisted editorial summary. Official sources are linked to the passages they support; LivoPC procedures were checked against the implementation and documentation for version 1.11. Examples are hypothetical and cover images are illustrations, with no hardware measurements or game testing. Version 1.11 was undergoing Microsoft Store certification on October 10, 2026; this does not establish its availability for download. This guide does not base a diagnosis on an isolated reading.
- LivoPC Monitor — features, download and coverage limits · accessed on
- Intel — how to look up the model's maximum temperature · accessed on
Apply it to your PC
Track your PC's available sensors with LivoPC Monitor, with no account needed for local use. Coverage depends on the hardware, drivers and installed version.
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