"My PC is overheating" can actually mean two different things: are you really hitting dangerous temperatures, or are you just bothered by fan noise? This guide covers normal temperature ranges, the real signs of overheating, and how to fix it.
What should normal temperatures look like?
| State | CPU | GPU |
|---|---|---|
| Idle | 30-45°C | 30-50°C |
| Gaming (normal) | 60-80°C | 65-83°C |
| Cause for concern | 85°C+ | 88°C+ |
These figures vary by model — some high-performance GPUs are designed to run normally at 83-85°C. The manufacturer's stated maximum (Tj Max) is the most reliable reference point.
Signs of overheating
- Sudden FPS drops: A noticeable FPS decline over the course of a long gaming session is the classic sign of thermal throttling.
- Unexpected shutdowns: The system may automatically power off to protect itself once it reaches a critical temperature.
- Fans constantly at maximum: If fans are always running at full speed, the system is fighting to bring temperatures down.
- Case/laptop chassis that's too hot to touch.
The most common causes
1. Dust buildup
The most common and easiest-to-fix cause. Dust that accumulates on fans and radiator fins directly blocks airflow. See our PC maintenance guide for step-by-step cleaning instructions.
2. Dried-out thermal paste
On a system older than 2-3 years, the thermal paste between the CPU and cooler may have dried out and lost effectiveness. Reapplication steps are also in our maintenance guide.
3. Poor case airflow
If your case's intake and exhaust fans aren't balanced, hot air builds up inside. A good rule of thumb: at least one front/bottom intake fan and one rear/top exhaust fan is a solid starting point.
4. Case placement
Placing your PC too close to a wall, on carpet, or inside a closed cabinet physically restricts airflow. Try to leave at least 10-15cm of clearance on all sides of the case.
5. Room temperature
In summer, or in a room without air conditioning, high ambient temperature naturally reduces your PC's cooling capacity — even with every other precaution in place, temperatures may run a few degrees higher.
6. Fan curve too conservative (or too aggressive)
Using a tool like MSI Afterburner to manually set a more aggressive GPU fan curve (in exchange for a bit more noise) can lower temperatures.
How do you know if you're throttling?
The clearest method: watch your FPS during a long gaming session (30+ minutes). An FPS graph that starts high in the first 10 minutes and gradually declines, stabilizing as it approaches a temperature limit, is the classic signature of throttling. It helps to compare this against the expected FPS range for your hardware in our calculator — if you're within the expected range in the first few minutes but drop noticeably below it over time, that's a strong sign of throttling.
When should you worry, and when shouldn't you?
If fan noise is loud but temperatures are within the "normal" range from the table above, your system is working correctly — that's just annoying, not dangerous. The real concern is temperatures consistently approaching or exceeding the manufacturer's stated maximum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is loud fan noise dangerous?
No — if temperatures are within the normal range from the table above, your system is working exactly as designed. Loud fan noise is just annoying, it doesn't mean components are being damaged.
Does a laptop run hotter than a desktop?
Yes, due to its cramped internal space and limited airflow, a laptop generally runs at higher temperatures than a desktop system — this is expected and considered normal by design, accounted for by manufacturers.
What software should I use to monitor temperatures?
HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner, or your GPU manufacturer's own software (NVIDIA App, AMD Software) are reliable, free options — all of them show real-time CPU/GPU temperatures.