How to check your computer or Mac’s CPU temperature

If your PC or Mac seems warmer than usual or begins lagging during demanding tasks, checking its CPU temperature is a good idea. The CPU or processor is the brain of your computer, and its temperature reflects how hard it’s working and how well it’s being cooled.

When it overheats, it’s often due to heavy workloads, poor cooling, or bad airflow. This can cause lag, random crashes, or even damage your components permanently. Monitoring your CPU’s temperature can help you catch issues like dust buildup or weak cooling early, and keep your PC running smoothly. So, to help you keep your PC or Mac running at its best, here’s how to check your CPU temperature. 

How to check your PC’s or Mac’s CPU temperature

Your CPU is the heart of your computer, and its temperature directly affects performance and longevity. High temperatures can cause throttling, crashes, and even permanent damage if left unchecked. Whether you’re a casual user or running heavy workloads, monitoring your processor’s temperature can help keep your system performing at its best.

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There are a few ways to check CPU temperature. First, you can use your PC’s built-in BIOS or UEFI tool, install third-party software for real-time monitoring, or use Terminal commands on a Mac. Let’s dive into how you can easily monitor your CPU’s temperature with these methods.

Using BIOS/UEFI to check CPU temperature

If you want to check your CPU temperature without downloading extra software quickly, your PC’s BIOS or UEFI can do the job. This built-in utility shows all the essential system information, including the processor’s heat levels.

To access it, restart your computer and press the key displayed on the screen during startup, which commonly is Delete, Esc, or Enter. Once inside, look for the CPU temperature on the main screen. However, since BIOS/UEFI can only be accessed after a reboot, it’s not the most practical option for ongoing monitoring.

Monitoring CPU temperatures in real-time with third-party software

For real-time monitoring of your CPU temperatures and a more convenient solution, third-party software is the way to go. These apps give you real-time insights into your processor’s heat levels, making it easy to spot potential issues before they cause damage.

ALSO READ: 5 best CPUs for gaming laptops in India in 2024

Among the various options, the Core Temp app  is one of the best choices. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and provides just the right amount of information without overwhelming you. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Download and install Core Temp:

Visit the official website and download the installer. During installation, make sure to uncheck any unnecessary offers, like bundled software.

2. Launch the application:

Open Core Temp to view the dashboard, which shows the temperature of each CPU core. You’ll also see the highest recorded temperature under the “Max” column and the workload for each core under “Load.”

To make things even easier, you can enable taskbar integration, allowing you to keep track of your CPU’s temperature without constantly opening the program. To do this, simply go to Options > Settings and choose the Notification Area tab, where you can select “Highest Temperature” for easy access right from your taskbar.

Checking CPU temperature on macOS using Terminal

Mac users don’t have a dedicated tool for monitoring CPU temperature, but Terminal provides an easy workaround. Though not the best option for continuous tracking, it’s still a quick and easy way to check your CPU’s temperature. To see your CPU temperature, open Launchpad > Other > Terminal and enter this command:

sudo powermetrics –samplers smc | grep -i “CPU die temperature”

If you haven’t used sudo recently, you’ll be asked for your admin password. Once you enter it and hit Enter, the current CPU temperature will appear in the Terminal window. The readings will refresh periodically, but if you close the Terminal, you’ll need to run the command again to get the latest temperatures.