Many people make the mistake of assuming that their computer graphics cards are working just fine when they might be overheating. Heat can destroy components inside your computer and expose you to more dangers than a regular hardware malfunction.
One way to check if your card is overheating is by looking at the temperature gauge on the back of your computer case. It may be time to replace parts or get a new graphics card if it’s too hot or too cold.
How to Check GPU Temperature
If you’re wondering how to check your graphics card’s temperature, there are a few different ways to go about it. You can use software or a hardware tool.
Software:
First, you can use a software tool to check your graphics card’s temperature. Several different programs offer this feature, including GPU-Z and RivaTuner.
Just open the program and click on the “Thermal Monitor” tab. The program will show your graphics card’s temperature in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit.
Hardware:
Second, you can use a hardware tool to check your graphics card’s temperature. This is the easiest way to do it because most graphics cards have Temp sensors that send information directly to the device’s software.
Find your graphics card and look for a small black or silver box with a ‘temp’ logo. It should be near the power connector or on top of the card itself (depending on where the sensor is located). Once you find it, carefully remove the cover and probe the sensor with a thermometer.
Make sure that any metal parts of the probe don’t touch the sensor because that will cause inaccurate readings.
Reasons To Check Its Temperature
There are many reasons to check your graphics card’s temperature. If it is getting too hot, there could be a problem with the card or your system.
In most cases, the temperature will rise as the card works harder, and the heat can cause damage over time. Knowing how to check your graphics card’s temperature is important to keep your system running smoothly.
To check your graphics card’s temperature, open up your computer case and locate the fan dedicated to cooling the graphics card.
This fan should be spinning when the graphics card is working normally. If it isn’t spinning, there may be a problem with the fan or the system itself, and you should take it to a professional for repair.
Next, open Windows Task Manager (CMD + Ctrl + Esc) and click on the “Processes” tab. Look for programs that use many resources on your graphics cards, like games or graphics-intensive applications.
If there are any problems with those programs, they may cause the GPU to work harder than it needs to and generate more heat. Try closing them down.
If that doesn’t help improve things, you can also try monitoring your GPU’s temperatures in windows by opening up “MSI Afterburner.”
There are several options in MSI Afterburner for monitoring different aspects of your GPU, such as core clock speed, memory clock speed, shader count, etc… You can also view real-time temperature readings.
In most cases, if the temperature on your graphics card is getting too high, a problem must be fixed.
Why Check the Graphics Card Temperature
GPU temperature is important for two main reasons. First, a GPU’s operating temperature can affect its performance. Higher temperatures can cause reduced performance and even damage the GPU. The second reason is that a GPU’s operating temperature can affect its lifespan.
Over time, a hot GPU will wear out faster than a cool one. You can ensure good performance and long-term hardware longevity by checking your graphics card’s temperature.
There are many ways to check your graphics card’s temperature. One popular method is to use a thermal imaging camera. Other methods include monitoring temperatures with software or hardware sensors or using a thermal paste to reduce heat exposure.
Regardless of your chosen method, make sure to take accurate measurements and double-check results against known standards such as those from Intel or AMD.
Remember that different GPUs have different cooling requirements and should be cooled differently based on their particular characteristics and usage patterns.
For example, some GPUs should be kept at a lower temperature for longer, while others should be throttled back more quickly to prevent overheating. Refer to your specific graphics card’s manufacturer documentation for specific cooling instructions.
Lastly, remember that overclocking your graphics card can increase operating temperatures; therefore, it’s important to know your card’s maximum thermal limits before overclocking!
What to do if your Graphics Card is Hot
If your graphics card is hot, there are a few things you can do to help keep it cool.
First, check the fan speed. The fan will work harder and increase your card’s temperature if it’s too high. Try lowering the fan speed until it feels comfortable, then leave it in that setting.
Second, consider using a cooling pad or case. These devices help disperse heat away from your graphics card and reduce its temperature.
And Lastly, if all else fails, you can cool your graphics card down by running a cooler fan on it or using an air cooler.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your graphics card is overheating, there are a few things you can do to check and fix the problem.
- Make sure your power supply is working properly. If you’re using a PSU from a gaming laptop, make sure it has enough wattage to provide the necessary power for your graphics card.
- Verify that your graphics card is seated properly in the computer case. Sometimes problems with graphics cards can be caused by them being improperly seated in the computer case or not being plugged into the motherboard.
- Check to see any dust or debris on the graphics card itself. This can cause heat buildup and lead to overheating. Remove any dust or debris if possible.
- Make sure your computer is set up correctly for graphics acceleration. Your PC should have a dedicated video card and an appropriate driver installed and should be set up in desktop mode instead of full-screen mode when using a graphics accelerator like NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed how to check your graphics card temperature. By checking your graphics card’s temperature, you have identified any issues causing the Graphics Card Temperature reading to be high.
By following these simple steps, you should be able to correct any issues and get your Graphics Card Temperature reading back down where it belongs.
