Easily monitor your computer’s CPU temperature
Core Temp is a free utility software program that monitors your computer’s central processor’s (CPU) temperature. It displays the temperature of individual cores in real-time so you can see any temperature fluctuations and includes basic information about your processors such as model and platform. It’s a great tool if you overclock your processor or think it may be overheating.
Core Temp isn’t the only lightweight Windows application you can download to measure and display your core temperatures. Real Temp and HWMonitor are similar programs that offer many of the same features as Core Temp, such as setting an alarm to alert you if your processor temperature spikes too high. What sets Core Temp apart is the ability to add plug-ins, so you can increase its number of features and overall functionality.
Measuring fluctuations in real-time
Installing and setting up the Core Temp download doesn’t take long at all. Click on the Free Download button to begin the download. When it’s finished, click on the .exe file to launch the installer. Then, you have to choose the download options relevant to you and start the installation process. When it’s completed, you can launch Core Temp to start monitoring your CPUs temperature instantly.
In the program’s main window, you’ll see the number of cores and threads your processor has along with information such as the model, platform, frequency, VID, modulation, revision, lithography, CPUID, and TDP. Below you’ll see your processor’s temperature readings. It's normal to see the power and core temperatures constantly fluctuating.
You can reset the min and max recorded temperature at any time from the menu at the top of the window. You just need to go to Tools and click on “Reset High/Low,” or use the shortcut "F6".
To help protect your processor, manufacturers provide a Tjunction Max (TJMax) value representing the hottest temperature your processor cores should not exceed. If your core temperature starts to heat up close to the TJMax value, it’s usually a sign of overheating and can cause instability in your PC, performance issues, or even damage your CPU and shorten its life.
What other features does Core Temp have?
Apart from showing the temperature of each core in your PC, Core Temp keeps a log so you can keep an ongoing record. To turn on logging, click on “Tools” and then “Logging On”. The log is stored in the same location you used to install the program. It records data every 10 seconds, and you can view it in Excel or any similar spreadsheet application.
With overheat protection, you can set up an alarm to sound if one of your cores reaches a critical temperature or if the TJMax is nearly reached. The notification can be a simple pop-up or an executable program. If you prefer, you can automatically put your system to sleep, hibernate or power down to stop your cores from heating up any further.
While this may sound extreme, overheating can severely damage your processors.
Is Core Temp accurate?
Core Temp works with any x86 based modern processor and supports AMD, Intel, and VIA who are the three biggest processor manufacturers. Unlike other programs that rely on an external circuit found on the motherboard which reports temperature, Core Temp collects the data directly from the Digital Thermal Sensors (DTS) present on each core. A digital sensor allows for greater resolution and accuracy than an external circuit; it’s located near the hottest part of the processor.
All of the data is stored in a special register in the processor, which Core Temp can access and display to you in an easy-to-read fashion. This removes any inaccuracies that can occur from external sensors and circuits measuring the core temperature.
Core Temp vs. Real Temp
Real Temp is similar to Core Temp in a lot of ways. It provides useful monitoring tools like CPU temperature, load percentages, TJMax figures, and current CPU capacity use. It also reads data collection from DTS sensors for quick and accurate readings and records a history of your performance via the log management tool.
You can configure overheat protection by setting up an alarm and execute a program, but you can’t shut down your computer automatically.
Unlike Core Temp, you don’t need to install Real Temp. After downloading the program, all you need to do is unzip it using a tool like WinZip, and then run the program to see your processor’s temperature range. This also means you can save Real Temp on a flash drive and use it on any PC to quickly and easily check the temperature levels.
Real Temp only works with Intel processors, whereas Core Temp is compatible with Intel, AMD, and VIA. Unless you only use Intel Processors, this is a major advantage Core Temp has over Real Temp.
One of the best free CPU monitors
Core Temp is a free CPU temperature monitor that uses minimum power to provide accurate and error-free results. While the program may not be the prettiest, it’s easy to use and offers a high level of customization. You can increase the functionality by adding plug-ins from the developer.
It’s a great program for both regular and advanced users. If you’re an avid overclocker or tweaker looking to get the most out of your processor, then measuring your core temperatures is a must if you want to avoid any damage. With Core Temp, you can set up alarms and fail-safes to prevent excessive overheating and keep tabs on your performance while using minimal resources.
If you think your computer is overheating due to an error or damaged processor, Core Temp will help you easily identify any problems.
