Whether our computer is new or old, it is important to monitor the temperature of its components for'avoid overheating or a malfunction of our machine.
Peripherals and internal computer components are too sensitive to heat. It only takes an excessive increase in temperature for this to be the start of trouble: error messages, blue screen, computer that restarts on its own...
Check the temperature of your PC components is very simple. If you are using Windows, HWMonitor is a great diagnostic tool that tells you all about the temperature of your computer's components, including the processor temperature.
In this computer lessons, I tell you how the Windows utility HWMonitor can help you to avoid overheating.
What is HWMonitor?
HWMonitor is a Windows utility free and open source developed to analyze data relating to the various components of a PC.
This software supports several components including, but not limited to, processor, graphics card, hard drive, and ASPI.
Following a simple scan, it is able to display the result clearly and precisely on its interface. You can then know the temperature different components, the voltage applied to the processor, or the rotational speed of the fans.
What should the temperature of the components be?
Be careful when temperatures reach these values:
- CPU - Too high +75 degrees Celsius
- Hard disk - Too high 50-55 + degrees Celsius
- Graphic - Too high 85-90 + degree Celsius
- Motherboard - Too high +70 degrees Celsius
- RAM - Too high +70 degrees Celsius
How to use HWMonitor?
If on a daily basis the ventilators make it possible to reduce your computer temperature satisfactorily, they may no longer suffice. You can keep an eye on your computer's temperature by using the free version of HWMonitor available on CPUID.
Display temperatures
Once this program is installed, proceed as follows:
Start and launch HWMonitor. As soon as HWMonitor is launched, all data is displayed.
You find a tab Temperatures for each component: motherboard, CPU, hard disks and graphics card.
On the left you have the components of your PC, then you have the following columns:
- Value: it is the current temperature of a component.
- Min: this is the lowest temperature.
- Max: this is the highest temperature. If the current temperature exceeds the MAX value, then it should be reduced quickly.
Monitor your PC's fans
An overheating PC tends to cause an overload of activity for the fans.
To check their behavior, open the tabs Happy fans, and include the current value at the minimum and maximum values recorded. If the current value exceeds the maximum, your computer is going to need a scrub!
Reduce component temperature
While overheating may be a sign of a malfunction, it is usually more the cause: a component that is too hot will show signs of weakness. Overheating is often the result of a clogging problem.
To reduce the temperature of the components from your computer, proceed as follows:
Clean dust from fans
Clean off dust from fans and vents with a canister of compressed air. Dust accumulates quickly, it blocks ventilation and therefore increases heat.
Do not restrict air circulation
For laptops, work on a flat surface so as not to restrict airflow.
Clean up your OS
Try to uninstall apps that consume a lot of resources unnecessarily. Unnecessary programs can use up your PC's resources and thereby increase the temperature of the PC.
Optimize your Windows
The more your operating system is optimized, the less its temperature will rise.
Opt for a lighter system
Opt for an operating system that uses less resources. For example, moving from Windows 10 to a linux distribution.