How to Monitor GPU and CPU Temps While Gaming (2026) | GamerHardware

Method 1: MSI Afterburner + RivaTuner (Best Overall)

MSI Afterburner is the go-to temperature monitoring tool for gamers because it shows real-time data directly on your game screen via the RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS) overlay. It works with any GPU brand – not just MSI.

Setup Steps

1. Download MSI Afterburner from the official MSI website (includes RTSS)
2. Install both MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server when prompted
3. Open MSI Afterburner and click the gear icon (Settings)
4. Go to the Monitoring tab
5. Check the items you want to monitor:
   • GPU temperature – check the box, then check “Show in On-Screen Display”
   • CPU temperature – same process
   • GPU usage (%) – helps identify GPU bottlenecks
   • CPU usage (%) – helps identify CPU bottlenecks
   • Framerate – your FPS counter
   • RAM usage – optional but useful
6. Click OK and launch any game – the overlay appears in the corner

You can customize the overlay position, size, and color in RTSS settings. Most people put it in the top-left corner at a small font size so it is readable but not distracting.

Why it is the best: Works with every game, shows the most data, highly customizable, and free. The only downside is the initial setup takes 5 minutes.

Known issue: Some anti-cheat systems (particularly Vanguard in Valorant) block RTSS overlays. If the overlay does not appear in a specific game, anti-cheat may be preventing it.

Method 2: HWiNFO64 (Most Detailed Data)

HWiNFO64 reads every sensor in your system and displays more data than any other monitoring tool. It shows individual CPU core temperatures, GPU hotspot temperature, VRM temperatures, SSD temperatures, fan speeds, power draw, and hundreds of other values.

Setup Steps

1. Download HWiNFO64 from hwinfo.com
2. Run in Sensors-only mode (check the box at launch)
3. The sensors window shows every temperature sensor in your system
4. Look for:
   • CPU Package or CPU (Tctl/Tdie) for AMD – this is your CPU temp
   • GPU Temperature – your main GPU reading
   • GPU Hot Spot – the hottest point on the GPU die (usually 10-15C hotter than the average)

HWiNFO does not have a built-in game overlay, but it can feed data to RTSS through a plugin, giving you the best of both tools.

Why use it: When you need to diagnose exactly where heat is coming from. If MSI Afterburner shows your GPU at 80C but HWiNFO shows the hotspot at 95C, you know the cooler’s contact is poor. HWiNFO’s logging feature also lets you record temperatures to a CSV file during a gaming session for analysis.

Method 3: Built-In GPU Software Overlays

Both NVIDIA and AMD include temperature monitoring in their driver software. These are less customizable than Afterburner but require no additional installation.

NVIDIA GeForce Experience / NVIDIA App

1. Open GeForce Experience (or the new NVIDIA App)
2. Press Alt + Z in any game to open the overlay
3. Click Performance to see GPU temp, utilization, clock speed, and FPS
4. You can pin a smaller performance widget to the corner of your screen

Limitation: Shows GPU data only – no CPU temperature. If you need CPU monitoring too, you need a separate tool.

AMD Adrenalin Software

1. Open AMD Adrenalin Software
2. Press Alt + R in any game
3. Enable the Performance Metrics overlay
4. Customize which metrics appear (GPU temp, utilization, VRAM, FPS)

Limitation: Same as NVIDIA – GPU data only. AMD Adrenalin does show CPU utilization but not CPU temperature.

What to Do When Temperatures Are Too High

If your monitoring shows temperatures consistently in the yellow or red zones during gaming, here is what to check in order:

Immediate Fixes (No Cost)

1. Check case airflow – Make sure intake fans pull air in from the front/bottom and exhaust fans push air out the rear/top. Reversed fans fight each other.
2. Improve cable management – Cables blocking airflow paths increase temps by 3-5C in some cases. Tuck cables behind the motherboard tray.
3. Open the side panel temporarily – If temps drop significantly with the panel off, your case has airflow problems.
4. Set a more aggressive fan curve – In MSI Afterburner (GPU) or BIOS (CPU fans), increase fan speed at lower temperatures. The tradeoff is more noise.
5. Undervolt the GPU – MSI Afterburner’s voltage/frequency curve lets you reduce GPU voltage while maintaining clock speed. This lowers temps by 5-10C with zero performance loss when done correctly.

Maintenance Fixes

1. Dust the PC interior – Compressed air on all fans, heatsinks, and filters. This is the single most impactful thermal fix for PCs over 6 months old.
2. Reapply CPU thermal paste – Remove the CPU cooler, clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol, apply fresh paste, remount. This helps PCs 2+ years old.
3. Replace GPU thermal pads – If VRAM or VRM temps are high (visible in HWiNFO), the factory thermal pads may have degraded. Replacement pads are inexpensive but the process requires careful disassembly.
4. Add case fans – If your case has empty fan mounts, adding intake or exhaust fans is the cheapest hardware upgrade that directly reduces temperatures.

Laptop Temperature Expectations

Gaming laptops run 5-15C hotter than desktops with identical components. This is normal and expected – the thin chassis limits airflow and heat dissipation. A desktop GPU at 75C might read 85-90C in a laptop under the same gaming load.

Adjusted Safe Ranges for Laptops

• GPU 80-90C during gaming – Normal for a laptop. Most laptop GPUs throttle at 86-92C depending on manufacturer settings. If you see sustained 90C+, improve the laptop on a stand to improve intake airflow.
• CPU 85-95C during gaming – Laptop CPUs run hotter because they share heat pipes with the GPU. Many gaming laptops let the CPU hit 95C before throttling. This is within spec but reduces sustained boost clocks.
• Surface temperature 40-50C – The keyboard deck and palm rest area will get warm during gaming. If it is uncomfortable to touch, the laptop’s cooling is being overwhelmed.

Laptop-Specific Cooling Tips

• Use a laptop cooling pad or raised stand – Elevating the laptop by even 1-2 inches significantly improves bottom intake airflow. A cooling pad with fans helps but the elevation alone does most of the work.
• Clean intake vents every 3-6 months – Laptop vents clog with dust faster than desktop cases. Use compressed air through the exhaust vents to blow dust out of the heatsink fins.
• Undervolt the CPU in BIOS or ThrottleStop – Many gaming laptops allow CPU undervolting, which reduces heat by 5-10C with zero performance loss. ThrottleStop (free) is the standard tool for this on Intel laptops. AMD laptops use Ryzen Controller.
• Set the laptop’s performance profile to “Balanced” instead of “Turbo” – Most gaming laptop software (Armoury Crate, Lenovo Vantage, MSI Center) includes power profiles. Turbo mode maximizes clock speeds and heat. Balanced mode drops 3-5% performance but runs 10C cooler.

Other Monitoring Tools Worth Knowing

Beyond the three main options above, two additional tools are worth mentioning:

• NZXT CAM – Free software that provides a clean, modern interface for monitoring CPU/GPU temps, FPS, and system load. If you own NZXT hardware (AIO coolers, fans), CAM also controls those devices. Good for people who find HWiNFO’s interface overwhelming.
• HWMonitor (CPUID) – A lightweight sensor reader that shows current, minimum, and maximum values for every temperature, voltage, and fan speed sensor. Less detailed than HWiNFO but simpler to read. Good for a quick post-gaming check to see what peak temperatures were.

Which Monitoring Tool Should You Use?

Pick Your Tool

• Just want to see temps while gaming: MSI Afterburner + RTSS. Set it up once, forget it. The overlay shows everything you need.
• Quick one-time check: Open Task Manager > Performance tab > GPU. Shows GPU temp without installing anything. No CPU temp though.
• Diagnosing a thermal problem: HWiNFO64. It shows every sensor including hotspot temps, VRM temps, and individual CPU cores. The data logging feature records a full session to CSV.
• Already have NVIDIA/AMD software: Use the built-in overlay (Alt+Z or Alt+R). Good enough for casual monitoring without extra software.
• Want the most data with least effort: Install both MSI Afterburner (for the overlay) and HWiNFO (for detailed diagnosis). Use Afterburner daily and HWiNFO when something seems wrong.

Related guides: FPS monitor, refresh rates, best GPU 2026, check GPU.

2026 update: OLED gaming monitors are now mainstream at 240-480Hz with mature burn-in protection. 240Hz remains the sweet spot for competitive play.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a safe GPU temperature while gaming?

Most GPUs are safe up to 83-90C during gaming, depending on the model. NVIDIA RTX 4000 and 5000 series throttle at 83C by default. AMD RX 7000 series has a junction temperature limit around 110C but aim to keep the edge temperature under 85C. If your GPU consistently stays below 80C during heavy gaming, your cooling is working well. Above 85C, consider improving airflow or cleaning dust.

Is 80C too hot for a CPU while gaming?

80C is warm but safe for most CPUs during gaming. Modern Intel and AMD processors are rated for up to 95-100C before thermal throttling kicks in. For daily use, keeping your CPU under 85C during gaming extends its lifespan and maintains consistent boost clock performance. If you see temperatures above 90C during gaming, your cooling needs attention – either dust cleaning, better thermal paste, or an upgraded cooler.

Does monitoring temperature affect FPS?

The impact is negligible. MSI Afterburner’s RTSS overlay uses less than 1% of GPU resources. HWiNFO running in the background uses minimal CPU. The FPS cost of any monitoring tool is typically 0-1 frame – undetectable during gameplay. Do not worry about monitoring overhead.

Why is my GPU hotter than it used to be?

The three most common reasons: dust accumulation in the heatsink fins (clean them), dried thermal paste between the GPU die and heatsink (reapply after 3+ years), or a fan that has slowed or stopped (check visually while the PC is running). Software changes like driver updates can also increase GPU power draw, which raises temperatures. Check your GPU’s power limit in Afterburner to see if it changed.

Should I worry about GPU hotspot temperature?

GPU hotspot temperature (visible in HWiNFO) is the highest temperature on the GPU die, usually 10-20C hotter than the average GPU temperature reading. A hotspot of 95C when the average reads 80C is normal. If the hotspot exceeds 105C, the thermal contact between the die and cooler may be poor – this can happen with warped cooler mounting plates. Repasting the GPU and ensuring even cooler pressure usually fixes hotspot issues.

Can high temperatures damage my GPU permanently?

Modern GPUs have thermal protection that prevents permanent damage – they throttle performance or shut down before reaching dangerous temperatures. However, running consistently at high temperatures (above 90C for years) accelerates electromigration, which degrades circuits over time. The practical impact: a GPU running at 85C all day will likely last 5-8 years instead of 8-10. For most gamers who upgrade every 3-5 years, this is irrelevant.

Cooling Upgrades When Temps Are Too High

• Noctua NH-D15 – the gold standard air cooler. Keeps any CPU under 80C.
• Arctic P12 5-pack – the cheapest way to add proper case airflow.

Research Sources

• MSI Afterburner Official Page – Download source and feature documentation for the primary monitoring tool recommended in this guide
• HWiNFO64 System Information Utility – Sensor monitoring tool referenced for detailed temperature diagnosis and data logging
• AMD GPU Temperature Reporting FAQ – AMD junction vs. edge temperature explained, referenced for RX 7000/9000 series thermal limits
• Intel Processor Temperature Guide – TjMax specifications and thermal throttling behavior for Intel CPUs referenced in the CPU temperature ranges

All Related Monitor Guides

• Guide
• FPS
• OLED
• Budget
• Panels
• Refresh Rates
• G-Sync/FreeSync
• Calibrate
• Fix Tearing

Written by

Tom Terhune

Gaming Hardware Editor

Tom plays CS2, Valorant, League, and plenty more - and has been way too deep into the gear rabbit hole for years. He is the type to swap mice three times in a week chasing the perfect aim feel. That obsession turned into GamerHardware, where he digs through specs, Reddit threads, and pro setups so you can skip the guesswork.