How to Know if Your GPU is Not Too Hot – Graphics Card Temperature Guide?

Regardless of your profession, you may want to do yourself a favor and find out how to monitor the temperature of your GPU. Doing that will help you understand more about your device better.

Besides, it helps you keep track of your laptop’s health. Today, in this post, we will learn how to know if your GPU is not too hot. You will find crucial data on maintaining the right temperature inside your laptop.

You will also learn how to tune the apps to regulate the GPU temperature. First, let us read and find out why you need a GPU for gaming.

Do you need a GPU for gaming?

Today, you can find the GPU in most modern devices like laptops, tablets, and PCs. They can provide you with an incredible user interface and image quality. A GPU is a component of a laptop or PC.

Usually, the GPU or graphics processing unit is typically used to improve your device’s performance. Moreover, it helps enhance your laptop’s graphics and can be helpful in video rendering as well.

But it is suitable for gaming devices. The GPU component, when infused with the right CPU, is able to provide you with live graphics, opulent images, and exceptional display technologies. Moreover, it comes in handy to be used in 4K, virtual reality gaming, and high refresh rates.

If you own a gaming laptop or plan to design a gaming PC, then knowing how to maintain a constant temperature is vital. When the GPU is put under immense pressure, it tends to heat you.

Though the image quality tremendously improves, so does the temperature of the laptop or the PC. So, how do you know if your GPU is not very hot and how you would be able to control the temperature that is present inside it?

What are the factors that contribute to overheating of GPU?

To do that, we need to know the factors that contribute to the overheating of your GPU. We have given them below:

• When using most GPU-dependent games.
• The kind of cooling system present on the GPU.
• The room temperature is present or in working condition.
• The quality of the case.
• When your GPU is not clean.
• If your gaming laptop or gaming PC is more than 5 years old.
• The ventilation that is happening around your device.
• When the PC fans are not working.
• If there is bottlenecking present on your laptop or PC.

What’s a suitable GPU temperature?

A suitable GPU temperature would be around 80degree Celsius to 90degree Celsius. In other words, your GPU can be between (149° to 185°F. You do not want it to go beyond that because it can reduce the performance of your device.

Besides, it can cause your device to malfunction and face other issues. Below we have given you the Graphics card temperature chart. Here you can find the various temperatures for the GPUs.

What does a high GPU temperature mean?

When your GPU has a high temperature, it could mean several things. It means that your GPU is being put under high pressure. You are probably playing top-end games, causing it to work harder.

You see, when the entire components in your laptop or PC, like the CPU, the GPU, and others, are put to intense test, it can cause issues. Moreover, it can also affect the performance of other components in your gaming laptop or PC.

Things can take a turn for the worst when your laptop or PC is an old device or more than 5 years old. However, when the laptop or PC is hot for some time, then it is okay. But when it is hot for a long time, you need to be worried & concerned.

You see, when your GPU is overheating, then your laptop might not be able to work as you desire. Though you can clean your system internally & externally, there might be some performance-related issues with time.

When you are doing tasks like video rendering or editing, it might take more time than it should. But you can get rid of your device of the unwanted apps or tools to have more space, which can lead to better performance.

It may not help in reducing the temperature of your GPU. You may have to update your laptop or PC when nothing else works.

Common causes of a hot GPU

Now, we will read about the common causes of having a hot GPU. If you analyze them, you may have a decent laptop or PC. We have provided you with a few reasons that could be the cause of having a hot GPU.

It is getting overclocked often

The GPU might be getting overclocked too often. If you are configuring your GPU model to high speeds, you are overclocking it further. That is when you may not want to push your unit beyond its capability.

It is dirty

It might become overheated when your GPU is dirty and not cleaned for a while. We have noticed this happening many times. It is always nice to ensure that your internal device is nice & clean.

When the dust accumulates on your GPU, there can be a loss in performance. So, if you have not cleaned your device for a while, you might want to clean it with a dry cloth.

The PC fans are not working as they should

Sometimes when your laptop or PC fans are not working, it can cause a loss in the performance of your device. As you might know, your PC or laptop uses several fans to keep it cool.

However, at times, it may not work correctly. This becomes crucial, especially if you own a gaming device. When the cooling system does not work like it should, then the GPU can get heated quickly.

You are using your device for more hours

When you are using your device for more hours than you should, sometimes, if you are using your device for 12-14 hours a day, then you are overworking it. Though it is a machine, you are making it overheated.

You may want to reduce the number of hours, and then things might get slightly better. You do not want to be overbearing your device with the hours.

If the device is more than 5 years old

When the device you are using is more than 5 years old, then you can notice a dip in the performance. It is because you are making an old model push harder on par with a new model. It would be best to upgrade your model or get a completely new set.

Of course, a 5-year-old device can work, but it depends on the brand and make of the model. Some brands like Apple, Asus, Alienware, and Gigabyte might work for 6-8 years at the most. When you are using other brands, then you may want to upgrade them if the device is more than 5 years.

How to lower your GPU temperature?

So, how can you lower or reduce the GPU temperature? The good news is that you can lower the temperature of your GPU. You can do that by making use of some simple ideas & tips that we have given below.

You can increase the airflow of your device

You may want to use your device in a well-ventilated place. You do not want to use them on a mat or carpet. That is because the fans might not be able to function or operate like they should.

Though they are called laptops, they should not be constantly used on your lap. That is because the flow of heat is blocked or trapped entirely. It is best to work on a desk or a table. You can also get a small table and place it there, if you want to work on your bed.

Clean your PC often

You have to clean your PC often. This is primarily in the case of an older device. When you are working with an old device, then you will want to clean it often. This is when you may want to make use of a vacuum cleaner and remove the air & dust from it.

You may want to replace the thermal paste on your graphics card

You can replace the thermal paste on your graphics card. This can be done when you open your PC or laptop. The thermal paste is between your GPU and the heat sink. It is a mechanism that gives out heat.

If it is pretty old, then it may not be able to work like before. It sort of loses its efficiency, and the transfer of heat is not done as well as it should from the graphics card to the heat sink.

Improve the cooling elements in your laptop

You can improve on the cooling elements in your laptop or PC. This way, you can improvise on the cooling system. Sometimes, when the cooling technology in your device is outdated, it can cause the GPU cooling to malfunction.

Reverse any overclocks

When you overclocked the GPU, you might want to tone things down for the betterment of your device. You can make use of the previous default settings. You also have to underclock your GU; though your device loses some power, it will not get overheated quickly.

Make use of an older graphics driver

You can see an increase in the GPU temperature when you update your graphics drivers to the latest versions. When your GPU is old, and you find that the temperature cannot be maintained, you might want to return to your earlier driver.

Monitoring changes over time

This would be our last suggestion for you. It is best to monitor the temperatures on your GPU device. This helps you to get an idea of how you should use it. You not only are able to work efficiently with it but make sure that it does not overheat itself.

You might want to keep an eye on the activities that are you doing on your laptop or PC that cause an increase in the temperature. These can help you in the future. You can also test the performance of your PC.

You can monitor the GPU temperature as well. This helps as a warning for you in case something goes wrong with your device. You may want to get a GPU temp-checking tool. You can check the temperature continues to see if there is any change.

When you are not pushing too hard, yet your device is getting too hot; you might want professional help. Perhaps, things have gotten out of hand, and you may benefit from somebody who knows the PC hardware.

FAQs

What should I do when my GPU keeps getting hot?

You can get professional help. Perhaps, you can call the customer representative and find out what needs to be done. If you still notice that there is no change in the temperatures, then you might want to replace the GPU.

That is why we recommend that you get reputed brand models like GeForce RTX 3090 Ti, GeForce RTX 3080, Radeon RX 6950 XT, Radeon RX 6800 XT, Radeon RX 6800, etc.

How hot can the GPU be?

The GPU can work at ideal temperatures between 65degrees to 85degrees Celsius. That translates between 149° to 185° F when under some pressure. This normally happens when you are gaming, content designing, or doing graphic designing.

You will be delighted to know that most AMD GPUs, including the Radeon RX 5700 or 6000 Series, can reach temperatures of 110degrees Celsius or 230° F. However, you would want to ensure that the temperature does not exceed that.

Is 80degree Celsius too hot for GPU?

The 80degrees Celsius is not too hot for the GPU. It also depends on the specifications provided to you by the maker. Some makers like Nvidia and AMD ensure their models can work for 90 degrees Celsius.

A decade ago, the GPUs could run to temperatures as high as 92degree Celsius. Today, they might not be able to hover around 90degree Celsius. It depends on the make of your laptop, the CPU, and the kind of laptop you own.

Is 100degree Celsius hot for a GPU?

The safe temperature for a GPU to work is not more than 90degree Celsius. When your model reaches close to 88degree Celsius itself, you might consider getting rid of some of the apps or stopping the games for a while.

When your laptop reaches temperatures exceeding 80degree Celsius, then you would want to keep it that way. Besides, GPUs might not work as well as before when they are pushed beyond their limit of 86degree Celsius.

What should be the ideal price of a reputed GPU?

The price of a reputed GPU should be around $200 to $500. Of course, you have expensive models. You also have the GeForce RTX 3090 Ti & Radeon RX 6950 XT that are priced above $1000, with the former priced under $1900.

When you are keen on getting amazing performance from your GPU, you should be willing to shell out that kind of money. But the need to go beyond $500 won’t be necessary unless you are a professional gamer or earn your living as a content creator.

Final thoughts on the ideal working temperature for GPU

When you have an efficient laptop, then it should be able to work cooler. Hence, you would want to ensure that you remove all the unwanted files and apps present on your device. You can make use of some kind of software or manually remove those files.

Besides, choose a GPU that suits your working style. When you are a professional gamer or graphic designer, then we recommend selecting a top-notch GPU. You are getting rid of most of the familiar sources of overheating and performance meltdowns.

Now, you can work on a cooler and quicker laptop. Please note that the GPU’s ideal temperature depends on the make and brand. We have covered everything that you would want to know about whether your GPU is getting overheated and almost burning itself.

Did we cover everything or miss out on something? Do you want to know anything else? Have you experienced burnout before, and what did you do about it? Please do let us know about it in the comments section? We will be delighted to hear from you.

Also Read: How to Buy the Best External GPU (eGPU) Enclosures?