Are you hearing the noticeable loud noise of your graphics processing unit fan? If yes, this article is going to be the ultimate guide for your worry. One of the major and perhaps underrated factors in malfunctioning of your dedicated PC is the overheating of its GPU.
While it can be a serious threat to the hardware, the soaring temperature is also not advisable if you’re a gamer who wants a seamless and uninterrupted gaming time. GPU temperature measurement is usually measured in Fahrenheit and Celsius and that is pretty much precise as well.
But the concern is its solution and how to monitor your GPU temperature before it is too late. Today’s recent gadgets featuring screens like mobile phone, laptops are designed with a robust GPU within.
In this article, we’ve highlighted how you can monitor the GPU temperature, and along with that you will also know the complete insight about its working and the effect a GPU has on your system.
Reason Why The GPU Gets Heats Up
Whenever you command your PC to perform a certain task, GPU renders some calculations and functionality that finally output the desirable results. For displaying images and for gaming, GPU holds the central spot. The central processing unit (CPU) is responsible to carry out the calculation and give you results. The GPU is mainly responsible for displaying images of Videos and games.
So it’s pretty much simple that when you put the load that is beyond the requirements of its graphics, its overheating issue is something that is obvious. Mainly if you are a graphics designer or a gamer, you would be dealing with high-end video quality and rendering that demands the efficient GPU as well.
What happens if you overlook GPU temperature?
Ideal GPU Temperature
To be upfront, there isn’t any specific number that can be taken as an example or parameter for being ideal temperature, especially when the competitive companies Nvidia and AMD have introduced diverse models with differences in specifications. Each of the GPU has the preset GPU temperature range and hence it becomes pretty much debatable to state a specific range.
However, if you talk about the criteria for gaming, in general, the recommended temperature range is 65 to 85°C (149 to 185°F) under normal use conditions. Less than 85 degrees Celsius is the best range for video cards.
The limit of GPU Temperature
The peak limit of a GPU is 100°C to 105°C, however, that is not the parameter where the temperature should rise in the first place. As a rule of thumb, the temperature should not zoom beyond 85°C.
Although in some cases, such as under intense pressure or working the GPU may have a high temperature but that is ok, unless it is on a continual basis.
Monitoring The GPU Temperature
If you are using Windows 7 or 8 monitoring the GPU temperature would not be possible unless you download the GPU temperature monitor on the computer or laptop. One the other hand if you are using the latest Windows 10 you can find the built-in GPU temperature monitoring tool option in the Task Manager.
From Windows built-in Option
- Open the Task Manager by going into the start menu; the shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Now search for the performance and check the recent GPU temperature from the GPU section.
Form A Third-Party Tool
Usually, windows do not have the GPU temperature option within, for which you have to lean on software such as HWiNFO. The steps are pretty much simple to follow such as:
- Reasonably, if you are looking up to a tool to help you out, the first thing is to download it.
- After downloading and installing it, go for the option that says “Sensor-Only” to monitor the GPU temperature.
- Now, another dialog box should open when you check the sensor-only option. They search for the GPU temperature option. That’s it!
From Freeware Software
- First of all, simply right click on the window desktop and pick the Radeon settings.
- Now search for the title’ Gaming’ and go to Global Settings and click Global Wattman.
- At this point you will get the permission of the Wattman to keep a check on the GPU’s temperature.
Factors that step-up the GPU Temperature and Its Solution
Monitoring the GPU temperature is one thing, but keeping the temperature under control is however a different. If you want to be a smart user make sure not cause such scenario you should know that:
- Debris and dust is the worst enemy of computers, especially GPUs. Always maintain the neat and well-cleaned GPU preferably with compressed air.
- Loose wire consumes more power for stable connectivity that can result in overheating of the GPU. Make sure the fixed cable management within the PC
- If the airflow is powerful the GPU would have a hard time working properly. Make the ventilation compulsory; the fans should work efficiently.
- The room temperature may also affect the GPU performance.
- The position where you’ve placed the system plays a vital role for the smooth temperature of the graphics processing unit.
For modern GPUs, the fan doesn’t always run on 0 RPM, when at a specific temperature range. Besides, GPU-Z is an assistive software for GPU temperature check when the fans aren’t in action.

Writer Graham Grieve brings two decades of technical communications experience to The Holy Tech coverage. Isaac contributes articles on laptops, tablets and PCs, alongside various software and hardware guides. Isaac is a former newspaper journalist who also worked in tech communications for some of the country’s biggest corporations. He also counsels and creates material for other technology publications and hosts a podcast.
Isaac’s in-depth reporting and knowledge of hardware and software issues helps The Holy Tech’s readers learn how to choose the right products, or solve tricky problems.