While performance and quality matter a lot in the gaming industry, it is also important to keep an eye on your gaming rig’s hardware and technical specifications. These devices have to be kept in an ideal environment to function properly.
If you keep your gaming rig in a hot and humid environment, you will experience overheating more often. It will decrease your performance and hinder your ability to win more competitive games. All your PC components are designed to operate at a specific current induced by a low voltage.
It is well known that excessive heat will lower the electrical resistance of these parts and increase the current. When overheated, the CPU and the motherboard can suddenly shut down, which is not ideal when playing a multiplayer title.
If your computer shuts down often, especially when you are gaming, the problem might be related to overheating. One of the most effective solutions is to relocate your PC to an ideal environment. Still, there are many more fixes to this problem.
Continue reading this article to find out the average, normal, good, and safe CPU temp while gaming. For a healthy gaming rig, knowing these details and ensuring optimal conditions for proper function is important.
Here’s a brief summary:
| Degrees, celsius | Note |
| 61-73 | A good temperature while gaming |
| 80 | CPU should not exceed this temperature. |
| 90 | If components are kept at this temperature for long periods, their lifespan will get shorter. |
| 100 | High probability of computer shutting down due to overheating. |
How does temperature affect the performance of computer components?
All laptops and gaming computers will suffer from overheating at one point. When used to maximum intensity, the components of your rig are under massive stress, and they release high levels of heat. Because they are so sensitive, even a small fluctuation in voltage can be dangerous. Operating your PC when it is overheating exposes you to a couple of risks that put your computer at risk.
The opposite can be true, where cold temperatures negatively affect the components. But because you install a computer inside your home, you won’t encounter negative temperatures often. Most likely, your house is already at room temperature, which is ideal for your gaming PC.
Cold temperatures occur when you let your computer powered off for a long time. The components might get damaged when you start it again because the electricity will quickly heat the circuit. Heat is generated rapidly and causes the matter to expand, which is dangerous for your sensitive components.
Laptops are more vulnerable to high and low temperatures because their display features liquid crystals. This liquid can freeze and ruin the entire display. Before you power up your laptop, make sure to bring it to an ideal temperature.
CPU 90 degrees while gaming
The temperature of 90 degrees is out of the ideal range for your CPU. While this component is designed to handle up to 100 degrees, it is not recommended to allow it to reach such an extreme degree of overheating. High temperatures will shorten the lifespan of the CPU. You will have to think long-term and fix your problem as soon as possible.
While reaching 90 degrees does not guarantee catastrophic failures, it can generate many problems when the CPU is kept around this mark frequently. Multiple factors make your CPU overheat, but the most common ones are heavy loads and increased stress.
If your computer cannot handle the requirements of a game, you will notice it struggling to keep up with the task at hand. The performance decreases as the CPU temperature increases to avoid a complete shutdown.
Some gamers reached temperatures as high as 118 degrees, resulting in unfortunate accidents and complete system failures. Cooling methods are designed to keep the components at a stable temperature. You might want to look into that if you struggle with overheating.
CPU at 100 while gaming
This component is the brain of your computer. It is responsible for processing numerous tasks that keep your device working correctly. When the CPU overheats, it will drastically slow down your PC or shut it down completely.
There are many reasons your processor is overheating, but the most common one is ventilation and airflow. Do not ignore an overheating problem because it will cause lots of damage in the long term.
Way out of the ideal temperature range, the 100-degree mark is dangerously high for a CPU. When your processor reaches this temperature, it is time to take immediate action and look for solutions. Shut down the intensive tasks that put a high load on your processor, or just shut down the computer completely.
After you shut it down:
- Unplug the computer from any power source and open it up.
- Make sure that all the fans are working properly and that no dust or debris is built on them.
- Make sure nothing is stuck in their way, as they are the components directly responsible for cooling down your processor.
Normal & average CPU temp while gaming
The ideal temperature range for CPUs is between 61 degrees and 73 degrees. It is normal during gaming, although more intensive titles will continue to increase this temperature. As a general rule, the max CPU temp should not exceed 80 degrees. Otherwise, you risk overheating.
Low-end CPUs have less processing power, so that they will struggle with more intensive tasks. They can overheat easily, especially if you use them for gaming. Slightly expensive ones are designed for gaming and can handle heavier loads.
Depending on your needs, you should choose the CPU accordingly. Browsing the internet and doing office work is not demanding, so you will not deal with any overheating scenarios. But if you are a competitive gamer playing the latest games, consider purchasing the latest CPU.
The harder this processor works, the more electrical energy it has to handle. You don’t want to be on the lower end when GTA VI gets released. While we don’t know the exact requirements of this game yet, an advanced processor will certainly be necessary to handle this title.
What is a good & safe CPU temp while gaming?
It is generally acceptable to have core temperatures somewhere in the mid-70 degrees. Most people operate their PC in these conditions, and the components are designed to handle this relatively high temperature. But you cannot sustain a core temperature above 80 degrees for longer periods.
The more you use the CPU, the hotter it gets. A simple task like viewing photos or writing text is not demanding. It will not put any additional stress on your processor. But video editing and intensive gaming can be quite demanding on this component, increasing its temperature.
There are many software trackers and applications you can install in order to track the temperatures of your CPU. These interfaces will display live statistics from your computer’s components. You can find out the CPU and GPU temperature, RAM usage, and many more.
It also depends on the environment. During the hot summer days, you might consider installing additional cooling options, especially if you live in an area with high temperatures. If your room’s humidity levels are high, consider getting a dehumidifier too.
How to monitor & check CPU temp while gaming?
The first sign of overheating is experiencing lag and stutter in games. After noticing this effect, close the game and find the current CPU temperature. Fortunately, several software options are ready to assist you. You don’t have to employ traditional temperature measurement methods.
Third-party applications are available for free, and you can install one to monitor the status of your computer. They display both the CPU and GPU, and you can get live data while gaming. Overlay displays will show the temperature in the corner of your screen while in a game, so you can easily notice the fluctuations between different titles.
Monitoring and checking CPU temperatures allows you to tweak and optimize the game to reach the ideal range. Some gamers prefer to do the opposite, deciding to overclock the CPU by putting more loads and electrical current on this component.
While the increase in performance is exceptional, this is not recommended for the long term because the processor can reach extremely high temperatures. It is a sure way of destroying your gaming PC.
How to reduce CPU usage while gaming
Suppose you notice that the CPU usage is increased during gaming. In that case, it is essential to lower the load to avoid overheating. There are many solutions available that you can use to lower CPU usage and increase its lifespan. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective ones.
1. Clean your PC
Fans are responsible for cooling down the components and lowering the temperature inside the case. Their efficiency is greatly reduced when these fans are full of dust or debris. They experience air exposure more than any component, so it is normal for them to gather dust from your room.
It has nothing to do with the cleanliness of your room. Dust can accumulate everywhere. Some advanced games can even display dust in interior spaces, which is normal. While you might be cleaning the furniture and common spaces in your house often, you don’t need to do the same with your gaming computer.
From time to time, clean your fans by taking them outside and spraying them with compressed air. Do this regularly, and you will avoid overheating problems caused by dust.
2. Location of your PC
The location of your computer greatly influences the internal temperature. Suppose you place it in an area that lacks ventilation. In that case, the airflow is reduced, and the components will overheat more easily.
Place the system in an area with direct air circulation. Avoid putting it near a window since direct sun exposure can also increase the temperature.
3. Cable management
The interior of your PC case has to be well organized. Components situated in their place will not interfere with each other, but many cables connect them. Poor cable management will lead to a disruption in the flow of air. These cables create resistances that will contribute to overheating.
The cables can also generate heat if closed and tied together. Look for cable management ideas online and keep them organized and in place. Not only do you get a better look, but you also lower the general temperature.
4. Create a better airflow
It is the main factor that will cool down your components. While some notable exceptions exist, such as open airflow cases, most gaming rigs feature different configurations. Some creative gamers mounted their components on a wall or encased them into their desk. While these ideas allow an ideal airflow, it is not easy to implement.
That is why most of the setups feature basic cooling systems. There are two configurations, and both of them can be considered extremes. Positive pressure configuration moves the air into your PC faster than it gets exhausted. You might notice hot air stagnating inside.
The other configuration consists of exhausting more air from the PC case than it enters. It creates a pocket of void space that needs to be filled. Both of these configurations come with their own problems, and it is better if you aim for a neutral pressure setup. It means there is a balance between the inflow and outflow of air.
For such an intensive task, we recommend getting a high-quality cooler that will keep up with the increased temperatures. While many options are available on the market, we present you with the best one.
5. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2, Close-Loop AIO CPU Liquid Cooler
This fan features a dual-chamber pump designed to increase cooling efficiency and performance. It is a unique implementation that is not seen on many models. The exterior design improves lighting, and fan blades generate less noise while still delivering the same superior performance.
For aesthetic purposes, an RGB lighting design will also make your gaming rig look cool. When you bring your friends over for a gaming night, they will easily notice the interesting effect these fans generate.
This company used high-quality materials for this product. The seals are strengthened, and you won’t have to worry about things breaking down with high usage. Anti-leaking measures have been taken to prevent the liquid from spilling out.
Whether you are reading this article from a PC or a smartphone, it was written by us on a computer that features this fan as a cooling method. After noticing the high performance delivered by this product, we ordered several more for our other systems. The installation is relatively easy, and satisfaction is always guaranteed.
Conclusion
- 100 degrees will often cause the computer to shut down, with a high probability of component damage.
- 90 degrees can shorten the lifespan of your computer.
- 80 degrees is the temperature your computer should avoid exceeding.
- 61-73 degrees is the optimal temperature when gaming.
FAQ
When the CPU reaches temperatures higher than 80 degrees, it enters a dangerous zone where it is exposed to several risks. Do not exceed this temperature if you want to avoid problems in the long term.
It is generally acceptable if your CPU reaches 80 degrees from time to time. It’s especially if it only happens occasionally. But sustaining the CPU at such high temperatures for longer periods of time is dangerous.
When you lower the FPS and decrease the graphical settings, the CPU has to process less information and can work better. At the sacrifice of quality, you get more performance while lowering the temperature to a stable point.
