Heat is the primary enemy of computer components. Prolonged high temperatures cause CPUs, GPUs, and storage drives to degrade faster. Monitoring your system helps you catch problems before they cause damage.
Free tools to use
HWiNFO64 (free) — comprehensive sensor monitoring showing temperatures, voltages, and fan speeds for every component. CrystalDiskInfo (free) — monitors hard drive and SSD health, showing reallocated sectors and other S.M.A.R.T. data that indicates drive health. CPU-Z (free) — detailed information about your processor, RAM, and motherboard.
What temperatures are normal?
At idle (desktop, light browsing): CPU should be 30–50°C. At load (gaming, video rendering): CPU can reach 70–85°C safely. Above 90°C consistently is a problem. Above 95°C, modern processors will throttle (slow down) to protect themselves. Hard drives should operate between 25–45°C. Above 50°C is a warning sign.
What to do if temperatures are high
First, clean the vents with compressed air. If temperatures remain high, the internal cooling system needs professional attention — cleaning the heatsink and replacing thermal paste can reduce temperatures by 15–25°C in many cases.
Overheating concerns?
Darren performs thermal checks and internal cleaning across Okehampton and Devon. High temperatures often have a simple fix.
📞 Call 07564 432851