How to check CPU temperature in Windows 11

Heat is a computer's biggest enemy. Whether you're using one of the best desktop CPUs on the market or using one of the best laptops, it's always important to keep thermals under control. Overheating can significantly affect the health and performance of your CPU. Therefore, it is important to monitor temperatures from time to time. Knowing your CPU's operating temperature will help you take the necessary measures to avoid overheating.

Unfortunately, unlike checking graphics card temperature in Windows 11, there is no easy tool to check CPU temperature. However, you can bypass this glaring omission and still check your CPU temperature on a Windows computer in a variety of ways.

How to check your CPU temperature in BIOS

Your computer's BIOS most likely displays your CPU temperature by monitoring the temperature sensors on your processor and socket. This is an easy way to check your CPU temperature as it doesn't require you to install any third-party apps.

1. Restart Open your computer and make sure the first screen appears.
2. Press the button button displayed to enter that BIOS or system or Set updepending on the model of your computer.

   

   

   

Some BIOS versions may not display CPU temperature at all. In this case, you can use one of the other methods listed below.

Although this method works well, there is an obvious problem here: you only get the reading for the idle temperatures, not the actual temperature at which your CPU is running under load. For these temperature measurements, you must rely on a third-party application installed in the regular Windows environment.

How to check your CPU temperature with HWiNFO

If you want a more reliable method of checking your CPU temperature that you can also use while actually using Windows, you'll need to install a third-party utility. Personally, I think HWiNFO is the best option. It allows you to monitor the temperature sensors of your graphics card, memory, motherboard sensors, and storage drives. You can also check the fan speeds of your CPU fans and other system fans, all in a single, compact utility.

1. Download HWiNFO (installer or portable) and then launch the utility.
2. Once you have downloaded the launcher, install it HWiNFO64 (Windows 11 is 64-bit only) and launch it. Otherwise, extract the downloaded portable files and launch them HWiNFO64.

   

   

3. Choose the one Sensors only mode and continue. You'll see multiple sections with information about your CPU, motherboard, GPU, and more.
4. Scroll down to CPU [#0]: {CPU name}: Improved and check the CPU (Tctl/Tdie) (for AMD Ryzen) or CPU package (for Intel) to display CPU temperature. This is the temperature that fan control tools typically refer to.

HWiNFO also has many other features including OSD (On-Screen Display) to display specific system metrics on the screen in real time, custom alerts and more. You can check all of this in Settings by clicking the gear icon at the bottom right of the HWiNFO window.

If you want to check CPU temperatures under maximum load, you will need to run a CPU stress test and track the temperature using HWiNFO. This gives you a better overall view of temperatures as you push your computer to its limits, and is also good for checking stability.

How to check your CPU temperature with Ryzen Master or Intel XTU

If you have already or want to overclock your CPU, you can monitor your CPU temperature directly in the overclocking utility you use. AMD Ryzen users can use Ryzen Master and Intel users can use Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU). You don't necessarily have to use these utilities just when overclocking, as they allow you to quickly take a look at temperatures.

How to check your CPU temperature using the Ryzen Master utility

1. start Ryzen Master.
2. In the Advanced viewThe CPU temperature is displayed at the top and bottom Temperature, speed, power and current.
3. In the Basic viewyou can see the CPU temperature on the left side of the window below CURRENT.

How to check your CPU temperature with the Intel Extreme Tuning Utility

1. start Intel Extreme Tuning Utility.
2. You can see the CPU temperature next to it Package temperature at the bottom of the window alongside several other measurements.

Check your CPU temperature and keep it cool

It would certainly be nice to have a built-in tool for monitoring CPU temperatures in Windows 11, but there are many easy ways to do this on your PC. Depending on the type of user you are, you can choose the utility you prefer or just use the BIOS every now and then to spot check things.

Whatever method you use, just make sure CPU temperatures stay within safe limits. Desktop users should consider purchasing a good CPU cooler, while laptop users can invest in a cooling pad.