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In Short.
To check CPU temperature using BIOS, restart your computer and repeatedly press the BIOS key (usually DEL, F2, or F12) during the boot screen to enter BIOS mode. Once in BIOS, you can find the CPU temperature and other statistics listed. However, this method doesn't provide real-time results or temperature under load. Use third-party software such as NZXT CAM, HWMonitor, Core Temp, or CPU-Z for real-time results.

The Processor or the CPU is the core part of any computer. While you use your computer and put your CPU to work, the temperature of increases. Under heavy load, your CPU temperature can even go up as far as 100°C. If somehow, a CPU is running at a very high temperature, like above 90°C for an extensive period of time it can damage the CPU’s lifespan and performance.

There are multiple methods of preventing CPUs from getting very hot, one of which is using an off-market CPU Cooler and also good quality thermal paste. Although having these does not ensure that the CPU will never heat up, thus manually checking CPU temperature in timed intervals are crucial for maintaining performance and system health.

What Is the ideal Temperature and High Temperature of a CPU?

The ideal temperature of a CPU is the temperature range that a CPU can reach without experiencing any harmful impact. Now, this range widely varies for different CPUs. Although, generally it is believed that 65-70°C is Ideal for most of the CPUs under heavy load. But some CPUs, especially Laptop CPUs can easily reach up to 80 °C under high pressure like Video Editing or Gaming.

  • Anything above 85°C can be considered high temperature. There are multiple factors that can contribute towards your CPU reaching above 85°C. Some of them are:
  • If you do not have proper cooling for your CPU. Sometimes the stock cooler that comes isn’t enough.
  • If you haven’t changed the thermal paste you have on your Processor in a while. It can dry out and stop working.
  • If you are running your computer under heavy load like editing multiple high-resolution videos and also for very long periods of time like over 10-12 hours.

In case a CPU is getting very hot, there are multiple protection procedures to stop it from damaging itself. If a CPU is getting hotter than normal limits it will start to thermal throttle itself. This means the CPU will try to lower the temperature by slowing down. If this also does not work, after a certain point, the whole computer will shut down.

Now that you know why you might want to check the temperature of your CPU, let’s move on to how you can do it.

Checking CPU Temperature on a Windows 11 PC

When it comes to checking CPU temperature, you only have two options. Either you have to download and install third-party software to monitor your CPU temperature in real-time or you have to go to your BIOS each time you want to know about the temperature of your CPU.

There is numerous great software to monitor CPU temperature and they also provide information about other properties like usage percentage, clock speed, the sleep of fans, and more. You can also monitor the properties of other hardware that you have installed on your computer such as the Motherboard or the GPU.

Here are some great options when it comes to downloading software to monitor CPU temperature:

The method of checking CPU temperature via any third-party software is pretty simple. Start by going to the download page of any above-mentioned applications. For this guide, we choose the NZXT CAM.

Once you’ve downloaded the NZXT-CAM-Setup.exe file, double-click on it to run the installer. Once initiated, the installation process will start automatically.

After installation, the NZXT CAM window will come up. You can Sign-Up or Log in to your NZXT account but it is not necessary at all. Simply select the ‘Continue in Guest Mode’ option below the ‘Sign Up’ and ‘Log In’ buttons.

After that, a dialog box labeled ‘Legal’ will come up. Check the box that says ‘I have read and agree to NZXT’s…..’ and click on the ‘Confirm’ button.

Another dialog box will come up after that and ask you to rate the software. You can provide a rating if you wish or close the dialog box by clicking on the ‘X’ located on the top-right corner of the dialog box.

After you close all dialog boxes you will be on the main menu of NZXT CAM. Now you will be able to see the temperature of your CPU listed on top in the CPU section.

This is how you check the temperature of your CPU with third-party software.

Checking CPU Temperature From BIOS

Checking CPU temperature is easy but shutting down your computer and entering BIOS each time you wish to check CPU temperature is not the ideal thing to do. Also, you don’t get stats like real-time results or temperature under load.

First, boot into BIOS mode. Open the Start Menu and click on the Power button followed by the ‘Restart’ option.

At the boot screen of your PC, keep pressing the BIOS key of your motherboard which generally is either DEL or F2.

As soon as you enter BIOS, you will see that the CPU temperature and other statistics are listed there.

Conclusion

Monitoring your CPU temperature is essential for maintaining your system's health and performance. Regularly checking the temperature can help you take preventive measures in case it reaches high levels that could damage the CPU. Utilizing third-party software like NZXT CAM, HWMonitor, Core Temp, or CPU-Z can make this process simple and convenient, providing real-time information about your CPU temperature and other system properties.

While checking the CPU temperature through BIOS is also an option, it is less practical as it doesn't offer real-time results or temperature under load. By being proactive and keeping an eye on your CPU temperature, you can ensure a longer lifespan and better performance for your computer, preventing costly damage or system failures due to overheating.