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.
Computer peripherals and internal components are too sensitive to heat. All it takes is an excessive increase in temperature for problems to begin: error messages, blue screen, computer that restarts on its own...
Check the temperature of your PC components is very simple. If you use 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 explain to you how the utility Windows HWMonitor can help you avoid overheating.
What is HWMonitor?
HWMonitor is a utility Windows free and open source developed to analyze data relating to the different components of a PC.
This software supports several elements including the 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, it may happen that they are no longer enough. You can keep an eye on your computer's temperature 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: this 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 must be reduced quickly.
Monitor your PC's fans
An overheating PC tends to cause the fans to overload.
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 will need cleaning!
Reduce component temperature
If overheating can be a sign of a malfunction, it is generally rather the cause: a component that is too hot will show signs of weakness. Overheating often comes from a clogging problem.
For 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 optimized your operating system is, the less its temperature will rise.
Opt for a lighter system
Opt for a less resource-intensive operating system. For example, moving from Windows 10 to one linux distribution.