How To Check Motherboard Temperature

The first question that comes to a user’s mind when he experiences multiple system crashes is: How to check motherboard temperature?

Because users who have been using a computer for so long already know that the motherboard is the center that connects different components with one another, and overheating of the motherboard could be a significant factor when the system starts acting weird during intensive heavy tasks, such as gaming, multitasking, etc. 

So checking motherboard temp becomes crucial for maximum performance and health of the system.

Read this article till the end because it aims to discover different methods to monitor motherboard temp. Not only this! It also includes various effective methods to prevent or fix motherboard overheating. Give it a read to find it all.

What is safe motherboard temperature?

A  motherboard temperature is the sum of the temperature of all components, including chipsets, VRMs, and other integrated circuits. A safe motherboard temperature ranges between 30 to 50 degrees Celsius. This range provides a good balance between optimal performance and preventing overheating.

Every motherboard has a specific temperature range depending on different factors such as the manufacturer, ambient room temperature, airflow within the computer case, the specific hardware components being used, and the quality of the motherboard itself all play a role. Proper cooling and ventilation are crucial for maintaining safe motherboard temperatures.

So, it’s important to note that these values are not strict limits but a general indication of the safe operation of the computer system. 

For instance, a high-end motherboard such as Gigabyte Arous Elite offers a safe range between 30 to 80 degrees Celsius. 

To learn more about Gigabyte Arous Elite.

Manufacturers provide guidelines in their product specifications and manuals regarding good motherboard temperature ranges. In order to understand the overall performance, stability, and longevity of the computer system, we bring you a breakdown of various temperature ranges and their significant impact.

Manufacturers provide guidelines in their product specifications and manuals regarding good motherboard temperature ranges. In order to understand the overall performance, stability, and longevity of the computer system, we bring you a breakdown of various temperature ranges and their significant impact. 

30 to 40 degrees Celsius: This relatively low-temperature range indicates efficient cooling and effective heat dissipation from the components, providing a cool operating environment and stable performance. However, temperatures below 30 degrees may require attention to prevent condensation-related problems.

40 to 50 degrees Celsius: This temperature range means your system runs appropriately and has a higher headroom for demanding tasks and potential overclocking. But if you are facing issues, you should consider them and rule out the cause beforehand to prevent overheating.

50 to 60 degrees Celsius: This temperature range indicates a relatively high value and suggests a moderately warm operating environment for the motherboard. It is recommended to take a break as overheating might be the cause of using the system for a prolonged period. 

60°C to 70 degrees Celsius: When your CPU temperature falls within this range, it suggests that the user is intentionally trying to overclock, but this range might be considered safe for some high-end motherboards. However, it’s important to ensure additional cooling measures and ventilation to prevent potential stability issues.

70°C to 80°C degrees Celsius: these temperatures indicate a problem. It might be the result of excessive overclocking and needs temperature monitoring. Additionally, if you experience it regularly, immediate action should be taken to reduce the temperature, such as cleaning dust or using it for a short period.  

Above 80 degrees Celsius is considered a bad motherboard temperature and reflects that something very bad is happening. It required an urgent need to cool down the system. It’s crucial to look for any broken components or consider upgrading your cooling system because such high temperatures cause severe damage and burnout of the whole system. 

Latest and modern motherboards have built-in temperature sensors that provide real-time temperature readings. These sensors get activated when the temperature exceeds their set level, resulting in decreased system performance to reach its average level.

So, it’s essential to consider the specific requirements and follow general temperature guidelines provided by the motherboard manufacturers because exceeding the safe motherboard temperature range for a motherboard can cause adverse effects and sometimes permanent damage to the motherboard in severe cases.

Check this recent article, too: Why is Motherboard Important?

How To Check the Temperature of a Motherboard?

Software monitoring tools or third-party apps and accessing the BIOS or UEFI interface are two standard methods to check the temperature of a Motherboard.

Software Monitoring Tools
Advantages	Disadvantages
User-friendly Real-time monitoring  Additional features for comprehensive system monitoring	Potential resource consumption Reliance on third-party software Requires regular updates
BIOS or UEFI Setup
Advantages	Disadvantages
Doesn’t require third-party installation software Universally convenient Provides basic system information, including temperature reading	Requires restarting to access the BIOS or UEFI setup Limited functionality  Inability to monitor real-time fluctuations

First Method: Third-party apps or Software monitoring tools

When choosing third-party apps or software monitoring tools, consider factors such as your operating system, hardware compatibility, and specific features you require. Third-party apps or software monitoring tools are popular and convenient third-party options for monitoring the temperature of your motherboard. These tools offer real-time temperature readings and often provide additional features for monitoring other system components.

Also Check: Best Motherboards for Hackintosh  

 Here are some widely used software monitoring tools and ‌their installation steps:

HWMonitor

HWMonitor is a popular monitoring tool designed for Windows by CPUID. It allows you to monitor real-time motherboard temperature. To use HWMonitor, follow the steps:

Download and install the latest version from the official website of CPUID or other trusted sources. 

Run the installer with the given instructions.

Once installed, launch the program, locate the program icon, and open it.

Locate the sensor labeled ‌”motherboard temperature” or “system temperature” to monitor the motherboard’s temperature. 

HWMonitor also helps monitor other hardware components, such as CPU, GPU, hard drives, and fans, by exploring other options within the program.

Open Hardware Monitor

Open Hardware Monitor is a free and open-source monitoring tool compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows. It offers customizable features and provides detailed information regarding a wide range of sensors. It has a minimal user interface and displays its components as a list. Hence, users must scroll down to find the motherboard temperature labeled as “motherboard temperature” or “system temperature” compared to the HW monitor. However, the installation steps are similar to HWMonitor.

Check the latest article: What Screws to Use for Motherboard?

SmcFanControl

If you are using a Mac, smcFanControl is a useful tool for monitoring the temperature of your motherboard. Although primarily focuses on monitoring fans and controlling their speed. It also displays temperature readings from various sensors, including the motherboard. The installation process includes the following steps:

Download smcFanControl software from the official website.

Locate the file with dmg. Extension and launch the program.

Navigate to the “Temperature” tab to view the temperature readings.

lm-sensors:

Linux users can utilize lm-sensors, a command-line utility, to monitor the temperature of their motherboard. Install lm-sensors on your Linux system and run the “sensors-detect” command to detect and load necessary modules. Once the modules are activated, use the “sensors” command to display various temperature readings, including the motherboard temperature.

These tools are reliable options for monitoring hardware temperatures, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. It is important to note that these tools should be downloaded from authentic websites or reliable open sources.   

Second Method: BIOS or UEFI interface

Accessing the BIOS or UEFI interface is another method for checking the temperature of your motherboard. This method provides basic system information, including temperature readings. It can be accessed even when the operating system is not running or you cannot run the above third-party apps. Here’s how you can do it:

Restart or turn on the computer:

Restart your computer if you’re already using it, or you can turn it on with a power button. 

Access BIOS or UEFI setup:

Watch out for the BIOS or UEFI prompt during the boot process using access keys. commonly used keys include “Delete,” “F2,” or “F10.” However, the key varies depending on the motherboard manufacturer, so look into your motherboard’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to determine the specific key for your system.

Navigate through sections:

After accessing BIOS or UEFI setup, navigate through the menus and look for a section related to hardware monitoring or system health using the arrow keys.

Locate and note Temperature readings:

Within the hardware monitoring or system health section, Scroll temperature readings for different components and look for terms such as “System Temperature,” “Motherboard Temperature,” or “CPU Temperature” to find the motherboard temperature.

Keep track of the temperature readings to ensure they stay within acceptable limits. It is important to keep the motherboard temperature between 30 to 50 degrees Celsius or during overclocking under  176°F (80°C) for optimal performance and longevity.

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How to Fix Motherboard Overheating?

When it comes to fixing an overheating motherboard, there are several steps you can take to address the issue and lower the temperatures.

Check for Software Issues: Sometimes, multiple software can cause the CPU to overwork and generate more heat. Search the task manager and look for any unusually high CPU usage in the processes section that might be causing excessive heat.

Disable Overclocks Or Underclock: If you have overclocked your CPU or GPU, consider disabling the overclocks temporarily to see if the motherboard temperatures improve.

Still, the motherboard consistently overheats; you can try underclocking or undervoting it. This reduces the CPU’s performance slightly but generates less heat and keeps the temperature within a safe limit. 

Improve Case Airflow: Keep the computer in a well-ventilated area. Ensure no unnecessary obstructions exist between your computer case intake and exhaust fans; even dust particles can impede ‌airflow. It is important to Regularly clean the inside case using a light brush and compressed air.

Removing and cleaning dust filters, which also help keep the graphics card clean and raise the computer slightly off the floor, improves airflow. 

Reapply Thermal Paste: Check that the CPU has sufficient thermal paste applied between the CPU and the heatsink. If the thermal paste has dried out or is insufficient, it can lead to overheating. Carefully remove the heatsink, clean off the old thermal paste, and apply a fresh layer before reattaching the heatsink.

Check and Adjust Fan Speed: Adjust the fan speed in the BIOS or use fan control software to cool the system. Also, ensure all fans in your system are working correctly because malfunctioning or broken fans can cause the motherboard to overheat, which may cause further damage. 

Replace Motherboard Heatsink Thermal Pads: If you have the know-how of PC components and are confident, replace the thermal pads on the motherboard heatsinks. Because these thermal pads can wear down if faced with constant overheating.

Upgrade Cooling System: If the above steps don’t sufficiently reduce ‌motherboard temperatures or you constantly face issues, consider upgrading your cooling system. This can include upgrading fans, purchasing a better heatsink, or installing liquid cooling for more effective heat dissipation.

Also Read: Orange Light On Motherboard

How often should I check my motherboard temperature?

While there are no strict rules on how often to check, it is recommended to check the motherboard temp at least once a week or more frequently if you encounter issues like overheating or unexpected crashes. 

For instance, if you are a gamer, checking the motherboard temperature while gaming and monitoring humidity levels for server rooms is also crucial.

Conclusion:

As the motherboard is the connector, its overheating affects other components and the computer’s overall performance. So, monitoring motherboard temperature is crucial, especially during intensive tasks such as gaming. 

Modern motherboards have a built-in temperature sensor to check temp. But users can also check motherboard temperature using user-friendly software tools or third-party apps and the BIOS interface already found in the computer system. 

However, if your motherboard is overheated, you can fix the motherboard overheating using different methods, including disabling overclocking, upgrading the cooling system, and many more. 

This article helps you to find answers to How to check motherboard temperature. 

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