Question How should I check my Windows PC CPU temperature?

[Rodion15]

I use HWinfo to check temperatures but I get all these readings, so I usually trust "whicever is the maximum". Now, HWinfo shows "CPU package. This is the recommended CPU temperature to watch", which seems useful. However, I find this other reading "Core distance to TjMax" that sometimes shows like double that temp: 84 degrees maximum (while CPU package shows 42 deg maximum". All this while the PC is idling (just browsing the internet and using Word).

Should I disregard that TjMax reading?
Any hep much appreciated.

Motherboard: Asrock Z77 Pro3
Windows 10.

https://imgur.com/jfWXOl0

View: https://i.imgur.com/jfWXOl0.jpg

https://imgur.com/VLZ9wcH

View: https://i.imgur.com/VLZ9wcH.jpg

 

[punkncat]

I typically use CoreTemp as my go to. I started using it with Ryzen as HWI doesn't seem to always report correctly with them. That could well be resolved by now. I prefer HWI when I am trying to monitor voltages and such as its UI offers much more information.

 

[Lafong]

HWInfo can easily overwhelm you with data..........but its interface can be edited to show ONLY those values that matter to you.

I've got mine chopped down to maybe 70 items, but that's still too many.

How often can you be interested in "Rest Of Chip Power" or "Ring Limit Reasons"?

You can even color-code those that matter most to you so your eye picks them up easily....and re-arrange in columns to fit the width of your screen.

 

[CountMike]

I use HWinfo to check temperatures but I get all these readings, so I usually trust "whicever is the maximum". Now, HWinfo shows "CPU package. This is the recommended CPU temperature to watch", which seems useful. However, I find this other reading "Core distance to TjMax" that sometimes shows like double that temp: 84 degrees maximum (while CPU package shows 42 deg maximum". All this while the PC is idling (just browsing the internet and using Word).

Should I disregard that TjMax reading?
Any hep much appreciated.

Motherboard: Asrock Z77 Pro3
Windows 10.

https://imgur.com/jfWXOl0

View: https://i.imgur.com/jfWXOl0.jpg

https://imgur.com/VLZ9wcH

View: https://i.imgur.com/VLZ9wcH.jpg

"Core distance to TjMax" larger number is better.

 

[Rodion15]

"Core distance to TjMax" larger number is better.

OK, I see, so I'll just ignore this one

 

[geofelt]

TjMax is the temperature at which a cpu core is expected to throttle.
For Intel, that is about 100c.
You will see readings for each core for current, minimum and max temperatures.
Minimum is only important if it is much higher than 10-15c. over ambient.
High numbers here indicate a failing or poorly installed cooler.

The max numbers may well show one or more cores at 100c. in red. That indicated that the cpu was doing it's job and slowing down a bit to avoid damaging temperatures. So long as you keep running, this is not particularly alarming.

The current temperatures tell where you are at this moment in time.
It is continuously updated.
It is normal for some cores t have different temperatures. They are located in different places and will not get equal cooling.