Monitoring Notebook Temps: nVidia & ATI, CPU, HDD - Do your temps worry you?

Do you want to monitor the CPU, HDD, and GPU temps in your computer??
Last Updated: 2009-04-26

Table of ContentsFor GPU Temp monitoring: RivaTuner Guide - Video TutorialFor GPU Temp monitoring: ATI Tray ToolsFor All-in-One monitoring: CPU, HDD, GPU, etc.
(for desktops and notebooks)For CPU monitoring: CPU temp, usage, voltage, etc.
(for desktops and notebooks)For notebook specific monitoring: Notebook Hardware ControlWhat Temps are Good/Bad? Am I overheating?
For years, I have been more aware of the dangers of heat in PC systems (especially notebooks) because of recent posts and my own videocard overheating.
Since a Clevo (as well as other ODMs and OEMs) does not supply us end-users with software level monitoring, I am glad that programs such as RivaTuner can get the job done by going low-level to detect and monitor our GPUs.
Now I can monitor the GPU temps while gaming or benchmarking.
(check out my examples at the end)

This guide is for those that want to know their notebooks temperatures (CPU, Hard Drive(s), and especially the video card).
It will also be very useful for troubleshooting.

Therefore here is how to monitor your computer's temps

RivaTuner - For the best GPU temp monitoring:
.....
with the plugins, you can monitor the rest of your system (CPU, HDD, etc..)

Requirements:
- Windows 2000, Windows 2003 Server, Windows XP (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit....
and NOW 64-bit)
- a dedicated NVIDIA or ATI GPU (....
not integrated GPUs)
- Note: mobile nVidia cards seem to have a higher success rate for this guide...
for ATI cards, try ATI Tray Tools
- And the latest RivaTuner (from Guru3d.com)

Video Tutorial:
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Note: this is the video version, the full high-definition shockwave navigation version guide will be up on Gophn.com

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What if your GPU temp is incorrect (too low or too high) ?!?
Note: you want to OFFSET the temp to get it a positive Core Temp.

Rule of thumb for GPU core temps that I have noticed is:

Note: all of the following is assuming at room temp (no Air Conditioning on)
At Idle (auto fan speed):
59-60 C Degrees

At Idle (fan speed at max...
Clevo notebooks have this function):
48-52 C Degrees

(Temps at full load are varied on GPU type and notebook designs)

So OFFSET your GPU temp to get it near the Idle temps given.

The Main Point: is to know the limit of your GPU temp and to be aware if it gets beyond that point.

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Examples:

3DMark06 (monitoring GPU temp & Framerate enabled)


Unreal Tournament 2004 (only monitoring GPU Temp)


Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (only monitoring GPU Temp)


Note: The reason why I only enabled GPU Temp monitoring on UT2004 and Oblivion is because the Framerate wasn't detected, where value stayed at 0.0 FPS during gameplay.
I'm not sure why, but its no big deal because these games already have built in FPS monitoring already through console commands.

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For GPU temp monitoring: (for ATI) ATI Tray Tools

ATI Tray Tools (latest is 1.6.9.1382)Description: freeware; great utility for ATI cards...
from monitoring to overclocking
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(Desktops and Notebooks) For All-In-One temp monitoring:HWmonitorDescription: freeware; simple and great utility that does not even require installation..SIW (System Information for Windows)Description: freeware; simple and very powerful and feature rich utility that does not even require installation...
great free alternative to Everest Ultimate.Everest (Home FREE Edition or Ultimate Edition)Description: freeware (Home Edition) and Shareware (Ultimate Edition); very powerful and feature rich utility that gives detailed information about your system, as well having sensors for system monitoring.SpeedFanDescription: freeware; simple to use, simple interface.
Its great for desktops...
not so great for notebooks..

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(Desktops and Notebooks) For CPU temp monitoring:
RMclockDescription: freeware; simple and great utility that does not even require installation.
Great for monitoring CPU temp, usage, voltage....
and even better for CPU undervolting.
.Real TempDescription: freeware; simple and great utility that does not even require installation.
Great for monitoring supposedly all Intel CPUs and for custom throttling, like RMclock.CoreTempDescription: freeware; simple and great utility that does not even require installation.
Great for monitoring CPU temps.

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Notebook Hardware Control - For CPU and Hard Drive temp monitoring:
Requirements:
- Windows 2000/XP and Vista (32-bit)
- Microsoft's .NET Framework Version 2.0
- And Notebook Hardware Control

This program has compatibility with all notebooks, including new Core 2 Duo's.
Note: make sure to remove older versions of NHC before installing a newer version.




You can monitor CPU temps, HDD temps, Battery Life, CPU clock speed, as well as configure videocard power settings.

There is no guide needed for this program since it is very simple to use.
If you want a guide made, just ask me and I'll update this post.

Note: For those that have certain notebooks (pre-2006 or with desktop CPU's):

NHC 1.10 b3 (nhc_1.10_beta03.zip)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=A6876NN1
http://rapidshare.com/files/92698127...eta03.zip.html

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What temps are good or bad? Are you overheating?

Idle temperatures are varied in most notebooks.
The reasoning behind this is due to their different thermal designs and low-level programming for fans.

Danger zone (high) temperatures are pretty standard due to manufactures low-level specifications of usage.
Danger temps are set to downclock the component such as the CPU or GPU in order to cool the component down enough to prevent overheating

Here are temperatures for specific components when they enter the danger zone.:

CPU danger temperature is around 75-85C (check the CPU's specifications)
GPU danger temperature is around 90-95C
HDD danger temperature is around 60-65C

Threshold temperatures are also pretty standard once again due to the reasons specified under the danger zone temperatures.
These temperatures are the most dangerous to a system, in which permanent hardware damage can be incurred if the user does not remedy the heat issue during which time the user is experiencing temperatures within the danger zone.
Systems that have a component that reaches threshold temperatures will usually crash or shutdown when the temperature peaks.

CPU threshold temperature is around 90-100C (and above)
GPU threshold temperature is around 100-105C (and above)
HDD threshold temperature is varied, but above 65C is bad

Safe temperatures are temperatures are basically any temperature below the danger zone temperatures.
Even a 5C-10C difference is ok as long as it stays below the danger zone temperatures.

If it is not a new system when a it enters the danger zone, it is a red flag to do some serious cleaning of dust from the vents and fans (guide below) or to be aware that you may be blocking vents on the bottom or side, which is restricting the airflow.
Only use notebooks on hard, flat, clean surfaces.
Never use a notebook on a lap, couch, bed, or other soft surfaces.

If it is a new notebook and it is reaching danger zone or threshold temperatures it is recommended you contact the vendor of your notebook.

There are a few systems that may be close to danger zone temperatures, due to their thermal design (or lack of).
These systems will benefit with any extra cooling, for example a cooler like the Zalman ZM-NC1000/NC2000
....
check out the: Notebook Coolers : A Buyers Guide

What can I do to make my system cooler?
Also I highly recommend to visit the NBR Cooling Central for more in-depth information on keeping your system nice and cool.


Hope this helps,

Game On People,
-Gophn