What are safe CPU temps while gaming?
So, what temperature should my CPU be before I start to panic?
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CPUs are at the core of every PC, nothing would get done without them – this includes gaming. Some games are more demanding on the CPU than others, for example, a newer physics-based game would be far more strenuous on your CPU than a 2D platformer. And When the CPU workload rises, so does the heat. What are safe CPU temps while gaming?
Now Read: How to reduce CPU temps
When a CPU gets to work, the power that the CPU demands will rise. And if you know anything about electrical circuits, the more electricity present, the more heat is produced. That’s why it’s imperative we keep our CPUs cool with CPU coolers.
What are safe CPU temps while gaming?
You don’t want your CPU to be much hotter than 85°C whilst gaming. That’s not any kind of solid scientific number, it’s just the number that would make us very uncomfortable if exceeded. The CPU can safely operate at slightly higher temperatures than this, but it’s not advised for extended periods.
The aim of the game is to keep your CPU as cool as possible at all times. Not only does it help performance, but it helps increase the life expectancy of your CPU.
What are unsafe CPU temps while gaming?
CPUs from different manufacturers have different definitions of unsafe temperatures, if you ask AMD, it will tell you that its CPUs throttle at 95°C, whereas Intel will tell you around 100°C.
When either CPU reaches an unsafe temperature, a safety mechanism called thermal throttling will kick in. This is where the CPU stops boosting to turbo frequency and reduces the voltage and core speed to help cool itself down.
Can heat damage a CPU?
Yes, absolutely. Heat can damage any electrical component. Most components however have an in-built mechanism to combat this, and it’s called thermal throttling. It’s not just throttling you have to watch out for though. Heat is a silent killer, any CPU or component run at high temperatures for extended periods of time (above 85°C) will have a vastly reduced life expectancy.
Final Word
Whilst there are different definitions of safe gaming temperature, the safe range for CPU temps while gaming is anywhere up to 85°C. But keeping your CPU as cool as possible is always the best thing you can do for it, especially whilst it’s under heavy load. Invest in a good CPU cooler.
