Your GPU temperature getting too high can be a sign of more serious problems developing under the hood. Therefore, it's crucial to keep that in check, especially when your GPU is under a lot of strain, for example, due to resource-heavy games. Here's how to monitor your GPU temperature.
Posted by Carob: 'Temp Monitor' No, they don't. Another good option is GPU-Z, which is a more focussed utility than those designed around fan control and overclocking (as linked to above). CAM is one of the best free GPU Monitoring software for Windows. This freeware provides you the information of Graphics card installed on your PC and the statistics of other hardware of the computer like CPU, memory (both RAM and ROM), motherboard, etc. On the Dashboard of this software, you will find three modes: Basic, Advanced, and Expanded.
Why Is It Important To Monitor Your GPU Temperature?
There are different reasons why you need to monitor your GPU temperature, but they all boil down to that old bare necessity – getting the best performance.
Related:Best GPU Temperature For Gaming
Overclocking
If you've tried overclocking your GPU, you will certainly need to keep a close eye on the temperature that your graphics card's slightly faster clock is producing. In fact, keeping the temperature of the GPU in that sweet spot is actually necessary when overclocking the GPU.
Nowadays, video card manufacturers are very aware of the overclocking community in the tech world. This has led them to carefully design their graphics cards to accommodate overclocking while also keeping their product's integrity intact.
A key thing you may need to consider when overclocking your GPU is the need for additional cooling. This is the key to keeping your GPU running at an optimal temperature. In fact, if you're experiencing overheating, this is probably the first thing you should consider in order to fix the problem.
Playing Resource-Heavy Games
Even if you're simply playing a game with a higher quality in terms of graphics for a longer period of time, it might cause strain on the GPU, which can in turn lead to more severe problems.
The key here is knowing just how well your graphics card can handle the load. In many situations, your GPU will fit the minimum system requirements or even recommended system requirements but will have trouble running the game at higher graphical settings for a few hours.
Related:How To Check If Your PC Can Run A PC Game
Best Gpu Cpu Temp Monitor 2020
Depending on how long you ignore the obvious problems while playing (like stuttering or beeping from inside the PC case), you're looking at different levels of damage. Luckily, most modern GPUs are built in a way that prevents the graphics card from causing actual physical damage by turning it off before things get too heated.
Of course, that doesn't stop other related machinery from malfunctioning. Also, the GPU shutting off when hitting dangerous temperatures doesn't completely prevent it from getting damaged. Ignoring the problem and having the GPU shut off on you multiple times can wreck the card and force you to look for a replacement.
Best Ways To Monitor Your GPU Temperature
As mentioned earlier, an overheating GPU can cause some serious issues. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to keep an eye on the GPU temperature and ensure that it doesn't cross that dangerous threshold.
Each of these options has its pros and cons and we hope to inform you well enough on them so you can make a personal and informed decision.
Manufacturer-Specific Software
Both AMD and Nvidia have companion software for their graphics cards. This is mostly used for stuff like keeping your drivers up to date and enabling some additional performance-enhancing features specific to the respective brand.
Despite having really good options to get the best out of your GPU, neither AMD nor Nvidia have a built-in overclocking tool in their software. However, we're not here to discuss that, but rather the monitoring of the GPU temperature.
Interestingly enough, AMD does have a decent GPU temperature monitoring tool, while Nvidia doesn't have one at all.
However, there have been widespread speculations around the internet regarding the accuracy of the temperature reading. Many have considered AMD 'simply a corporation' and believe that they would falsify the temperature measuring tool. Of course, there's nothing to gain from this for AMD, so you can feel free to ignore these rumours and use AMD's tool.
Third-Party Solutions
With technological developments, there were logically just as many enthusiastic people willing to learn all of the ins and outs of how a PC works. Thanks to them, we got component monitoring software, some of which are still in use to this day.
Disclaimer: most of these tools will come with some other functions, enabling you to monitor other parts of your PC as well, which is always a plus.
HWMonitor
HWMonitor is a relatively old tool, but it's still incredibly reliable. Besides the ability to monitor the GPU temperature, HWMonitor can also help you keep an eye out on voltages and fan speed on other PC hardware like the CPU, hard drive and the motherboard.
Open Hardware Monitor
This tool is another old-school looking piece of software, but just as reliable as the first one. Unlike HWMonitor, it can also keep your RAM in check, but most importantly in today's context, it allows you to manually adjust the fan speed.
This is actually quite useful as the fan speed isn't always automatically adjusted when the card is under more strain, and at the cost of extra electricity, you can crank up those RPMs and enjoy a smooth gaming experience.
SpeedFan
Remaining in line with the old school software, SpeedFan is another reliable solution. Besides the standard monitoring of voltage, fan speed and temperature, it can adjust the RPM of fans as well as help to reduce the noise.
Best Free Cpu Gpu Temp Monitor
MSI Afterburner
Best Cpu Gpu Temperature Monitor Reddit
It's impossible to talk about hardware monitoring software without mentioning MSI Afterburner.
Nowadays, video card manufacturers are very aware of the overclocking community in the tech world. This has led them to carefully design their graphics cards to accommodate overclocking while also keeping their product's integrity intact.
A key thing you may need to consider when overclocking your GPU is the need for additional cooling. This is the key to keeping your GPU running at an optimal temperature. In fact, if you're experiencing overheating, this is probably the first thing you should consider in order to fix the problem.
Playing Resource-Heavy Games
Even if you're simply playing a game with a higher quality in terms of graphics for a longer period of time, it might cause strain on the GPU, which can in turn lead to more severe problems.
The key here is knowing just how well your graphics card can handle the load. In many situations, your GPU will fit the minimum system requirements or even recommended system requirements but will have trouble running the game at higher graphical settings for a few hours.
Related:How To Check If Your PC Can Run A PC Game
Best Gpu Cpu Temp Monitor 2020
Depending on how long you ignore the obvious problems while playing (like stuttering or beeping from inside the PC case), you're looking at different levels of damage. Luckily, most modern GPUs are built in a way that prevents the graphics card from causing actual physical damage by turning it off before things get too heated.
Of course, that doesn't stop other related machinery from malfunctioning. Also, the GPU shutting off when hitting dangerous temperatures doesn't completely prevent it from getting damaged. Ignoring the problem and having the GPU shut off on you multiple times can wreck the card and force you to look for a replacement.
Best Ways To Monitor Your GPU Temperature
As mentioned earlier, an overheating GPU can cause some serious issues. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to keep an eye on the GPU temperature and ensure that it doesn't cross that dangerous threshold.
Each of these options has its pros and cons and we hope to inform you well enough on them so you can make a personal and informed decision.
Manufacturer-Specific Software
Both AMD and Nvidia have companion software for their graphics cards. This is mostly used for stuff like keeping your drivers up to date and enabling some additional performance-enhancing features specific to the respective brand.
Despite having really good options to get the best out of your GPU, neither AMD nor Nvidia have a built-in overclocking tool in their software. However, we're not here to discuss that, but rather the monitoring of the GPU temperature.
Interestingly enough, AMD does have a decent GPU temperature monitoring tool, while Nvidia doesn't have one at all.
However, there have been widespread speculations around the internet regarding the accuracy of the temperature reading. Many have considered AMD 'simply a corporation' and believe that they would falsify the temperature measuring tool. Of course, there's nothing to gain from this for AMD, so you can feel free to ignore these rumours and use AMD's tool.
Third-Party Solutions
With technological developments, there were logically just as many enthusiastic people willing to learn all of the ins and outs of how a PC works. Thanks to them, we got component monitoring software, some of which are still in use to this day.
Disclaimer: most of these tools will come with some other functions, enabling you to monitor other parts of your PC as well, which is always a plus.
HWMonitor
HWMonitor is a relatively old tool, but it's still incredibly reliable. Besides the ability to monitor the GPU temperature, HWMonitor can also help you keep an eye out on voltages and fan speed on other PC hardware like the CPU, hard drive and the motherboard.
Open Hardware Monitor
This tool is another old-school looking piece of software, but just as reliable as the first one. Unlike HWMonitor, it can also keep your RAM in check, but most importantly in today's context, it allows you to manually adjust the fan speed.
This is actually quite useful as the fan speed isn't always automatically adjusted when the card is under more strain, and at the cost of extra electricity, you can crank up those RPMs and enjoy a smooth gaming experience.
SpeedFan
Remaining in line with the old school software, SpeedFan is another reliable solution. Besides the standard monitoring of voltage, fan speed and temperature, it can adjust the RPM of fans as well as help to reduce the noise.
Best Free Cpu Gpu Temp Monitor
MSI Afterburner
Best Cpu Gpu Temperature Monitor Reddit
It's impossible to talk about hardware monitoring software without mentioning MSI Afterburner.
This tool is the perfect solution when trying to measure the performance of your GPU while you're playing the game as it features a nifty overlay that tells you exactly how hot your GPU temperature is.
What Is The Most Accurate Cpu Temp Monitor
Of course, you're not going to run every game all the time with this overlay, but it's a perfect solution for a stress test that can help you to either adjust your in-game settings or fan speed, something MSI Afterburner can also do.
Cpu Temp Monitor Windows 10
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