How to Check Your GPU Temperature (Windows)
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The easiest way to check your GPU temperature is Windows Task Manager – open it, click the Performance tab, and select GPU. For more detail, use a free tool like GPU-Z, HWiNFO, or MSI Afterburner. Unlike CPU temperatures, Windows does show GPU temperature built in. Here is how, step by step, with no fuss.
Knowing your graphics card’s temperature takes under a minute, and it is the very first thing to check if your games stutter or the fans suddenly get loud.
Method 1: Task Manager (built in)
- Right-click the taskbar and choose Task Manager, or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Open the Performance tab.
- Click GPU in the left-hand list – the current temperature is shown near the bottom.
It is quick and needs nothing installed, though it only shows the current reading, not the peak you reach under load.
Method 2: GPU-Z or HWiNFO (more detail)
For minimum, maximum, and average temperatures – the numbers that reveal spikes – install GPU-Z or HWiNFO. They also report hotspot and memory temperatures, which run hotter than the core reading and can flag a cooling problem early.
Method 3: MSI Afterburner (on-screen while gaming)
Afterburner can overlay temperature and frame rate right on top of your game, so you can watch exactly how hot the card gets during real play. This is the best way to catch in-game spikes that a quick desktop check would never show.
What is a normal reading?
As a guide, 30–45°C at idle and 60–85°C while gaming is perfectly healthy – our guide to normal GPU temperature has the full ranges and the hotspot details. If you also want to watch your processor, see the best CPU temperature monitoring software and how to check CPU temperature on Windows 11. For the hardware, Wikipedia covers the graphics processing unit.
What to do if it is running hot
If you see sustained temperatures above 90°C, improve your case airflow, clear dust from the card’s fans, and consider a custom fan curve or a mild undervolt in Afterburner. Most “hot GPU” problems come down to dust and airflow, not a faulty card.
Frequently asked questions
Does Windows show GPU temperature?
Yes. Unlike CPU temperature, GPU temperature appears in Task Manager under the Performance tab on Windows 10 and 11.
What is GPU hotspot temperature?
The hottest single point on the chip, always higher than the core reading. A very large gap can suggest aging thermal paste on the card.
How can I see GPU temperature while gaming?
Use MSI Afterburner’s on-screen overlay, which displays temperature and frame rate live during gameplay.
What GPU temperature is too high?
Sustained temperatures above about 90°C are your cue to improve cooling, though brief spikes near that mark are usually fine.
Start with Task Manager for a quick look, then reach for Afterburner when you want to watch your card under real load.
Daniel spent years in IT support before turning to writing. He specialises in clear, no-nonsense how-to guides and troubleshooting for Windows, macOS, and the software people rely on every day.
