HWMonitor is one of the most widely used hardware monitoring tools in the world. It’s also a surprisingly good benchmarking application. Benchmarking applications are tools that simplify the process of testing and comparing hardware performances.
With HWMonitor, you’ll get to track a long list of metrics detailing the performance levels of your desktop’s core hardware components in real time. HWMonitor will clearly display your desktop’s temperature, fan speeds, voltage, clock speeds, and power consumption patterns.
The HWMonitor CPU temp feature alone will reveal a lot about your device’s average performance levels. For instance, let’s say your PC shuts down due to overheating every other day. With the HWMonitor CPU temp feature, you can diagnose such an issue within minutes.
How? Just assess the fluctuations in your CPU or GPU temperatures on the HWMonitor app. Use different settings and place your PC under varying degrees of load to see how your PC’s temperature responds to these changes.
Track the temperature fluctuations to find the optimal load for your PC. Now, you can limit your PC usage accordingly to maintain a stable temperature (under 65°C or 149°F) and to keep your device from overheating.
If you’re only interested in this awesome HWMonitor temperature tracking feature, then consider trying out HWMonitor’s classic version. It’s available on the Internet for free and despite that, the HW monitor CPU temp feature is very accurate and helpful.
As a “power user” of PCs, this tool is a must-use for me. I currently use a more advanced, premium version of the tool (version 1.43). With it, I’m able to monitor a variety of data points regarding the health of my devices remotely and in real time.
If your desktop has been heating up of late, here’s how you can use HWMonitor to assess your CPU thermal readings and prevent your PC from overheating again.
Do you have a particular question about using HWMonitor? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
Why use HWMonitor?
You’ve dusted off the ancient relic known as “Windows XP”, taken a nostalgic trip through “Vista”, and now find yourself deep in the throes of the futuristic “Microsoft Windows” landscape of 2023. Amidst the waves of advanced technology surrounding you, there’s a quiet hum in the corner – HWMonitor. A name that feels as ancient as a “Navi 21 kxtx”, yet as fresh as the “Ryzen 7 7745hx” beating heart of your beastly rig. So, why on Earth (or any other planet you’re gaming on) would you use HWMonitor in this day and age?
For starters, let’s talk about the sheer versatility. Whether you’re sporting an “Intel Core i5-13500” or reminiscing the old days with an “AMD Athlon 5350”, HWMonitor has you covered. It’s like the sommelier of hardware monitoring, serving up data on your “video card GPU temperature”, “utilization”, “hard drive health” through S.M.A.R.T, and so much more. Plus, the “hwmonitor pro” version takes it up a notch, offering up to “10 remote connections”, catering to both “32-bit and 64-bit” systems. Remember, in the world of PC monitoring, knowledge is power (and maybe a few more FPS).
Now, you might be wondering, “Why not just use ‘Open Hardware Monitor’, ‘Core Temp’, or even ‘Hardware Monitor Pro’?”. Here’s a little secret: “HWMonitor is a free hardware monitoring program that reads PC systems main health sensors”. There, I said it. And it doesn’t just skim the surface. We’re talking deep dives into the realms of “ITE® IT87 series”, “RX 6750 XT”, “RX 6650 XT”, and even the elusive “Navi 23 kxt” and “Navi 22 kxt”.
How to Use HWMonitor?
Download HWMonitor from the CPUID site and install it on your device. If you’re having trouble with this step, check out this short video:
Run the installer once the program is downloaded. Once the program is installed, you’ll see a long list of sensors, including CPU core temperatures and HWMonitor fan speed.
Read the metrics of these sensors to get a clear idea of how your device is performing. In addition to CPU temperature monitoring, you can also read metrics related to your PC’s motherboard, GPU, and storage device sections.
How Does HWMonitor Gather Data?
Sit tight, fellow data enthusiast, because we’re about to dive deep into the labyrinthine paths HWMonitor treads to fetch that precious, oh-so-sweet hardware info. Picture this: every component in your system, from the “Ryzen 7 7745hx” processor to the “RX 6400” humming in sync, is brimming with stories. How, you ask, does HWMonitor conjure these tales? Magic? Well, almost.
Our trusty “hardware monitoring program that reads PC systems” employs a unique method to access “primary health sensors” in real-time. Say you’re using a fiery “AMD Ryzen” beast or a cool-as-a-cucumber “Intel” chip, HWMonitor tailors its approach for each, ensuring compatibility across “AMD Trinity APU”, “Intel Xeon E5”, and even the legendary “AMD 2650 Kabini”.
Now, let’s geek out a bit. HWMonitor is privy to specialized “ICS” (Integrated Circuit Sensors) embedded in components. For instance, it’s chummy with the likes of “ITE IT87 series”, fetching data with ease. Monitoring “hard drives temperature via S.M.A.R.T” or keen on the “video card GPU temperature”? HWMonitor, with its dynamic “program handles the most common sensor chips”, has your back.
But wait, there’s more! With versions that cater to both “32-bit” enthusiasts and “64-bit” power users, HWMonitor ensures no system is left in the dark. Whether you’re making “remote connections” on “Linux operating systems” or monitoring the “startup” on a vintage “Windows XP” machine, HWMonitor is the ever-watchful guardian.
In essence, think of HWMonitor as that age-old, wise sage – always observing, always adapting, and forever ready to share its boundless knowledge. And with the versatility of the free version and the sheer power of “HWMonitor Pro”, it remains, unarguably, the Gandalf of hardware monitoring tools.
So, next time you power up, whether it’s for a “hardware benchmark” or just a casual check, know that HWMonitor is there, silently watching, ensuring every beat of your system’s heart is captured, analyzed, and presented with unparalleled precision.
How to Read HWMonitor?
To read your HWMonitor metrics, you’ll need to first understand how the software collects these metrics. The HWMonitor software is designed to read the most common sensor chips found in new-age PCs and laptops.
Be it your new CPU’s on-die-core thermal sensors or your old laptop’s GPU thermal sensor: the HWMonitor software can accurately pick up three different types of readings from these sensors:
- The Current Value: This metric denotes the current temperature, voltage, or fan speed of specific sensors in your desktop. For e.g., in the CPU HW monitor temperature readings, the “current value” will denote the temperature of your CPU in real time.
- Minimum Recorded Value: This metric denotes the lowest temperature, voltage, or fan speed that specific sensors in your desktop have reached in the past. For e.g., in the CPU HW monitor temperature readings, the “minimum value” will denote the coldest temperatures recorded on your CPU’s thermal sensors.
- Maximum Recorded Value: This metric denotes the highest temperature, voltage, or fan speed levels that certain sensors in your desktop have reached in the past. For e.g., in the CPU HW monitor temperature readings, the “maximum value” will denote the highest temperatures recorded on your CPU’s thermal sensors.
Here’s what the main interface of the HWMonitor software looks like:
As you can see, the max, min, and current values are divided into three columns. Row-wise, there are also different sections. Here are the most important sections in this list:
On top of the list, you can see the Motherboard manufacturer’s name, motherboard fans’ speed (in RPM), voltage levels, and temperature levels.
The next section features the CPU model, voltage, usage details, temperature, and power consumption metrics.
Up next is the section featuring the Hard Drive’s model, temperature, and usage details.
The next section features the GPU’s temperature readings, clock speed levels, and usage details.
If you are running HWMonitor on a laptop, you’ll also see a section featuring details about the laptop’s battery (model, brand, voltage, power consumption levels, etc.)
Out of these major sections, there are three sections that are worthy of tracking at all times:
HW Monitor CPU Temp Readings: As you can see in the picture above, there are different CPU temp readings reported on the screen simultaneously. These readings are collected from different temperature sensors inside your PC’s motherboard and CPU regions. For instance, the metric titled “TMPIN0” denotes the temperature of your PC’s CPU socket.
HWMonitor GPU Temp Readings: If you’re a gamer, this is the section you need to track while playing games. Make sure that your GPU temp remains in between the max and min values during resource-intensive applications.
CPU Fan Speed: HWMonitor fan speed metrics reveal a lot about your PC’s struggle with overheating. If your current fan speed is constantly hovering around the max fan speed mark, it’s not a good look for your PC. Similarly, if it’s the other way around and your fans are constantly too slow, that too is an anomaly that needs to be checked by a professional repair technician.
What is VRM temp in HWMonitor?
Ah, you’ve been perusing the HWMonitor, and you’ve stumbled across that pesky “VRM temp” reading, right? Before you panic about unfamiliar acronyms and wonder if you should call the IT guru in your life, let me break it down for you, in our classic witty and conversational style.
VRM stands for Voltage Regulator Module. Think of it as the middleman in a barter system, working behind the scenes of your PC, ensuring your processor (be it the stellar Ryzen 7845hx or its sibling 7645hx) gets the right voltage. Too much or too little power? That’s a disaster waiting to happen. Now, because this little helper works like a barista in a Monday morning coffee rush, it tends to get hot. Enter HWMonitor, your virtual barista assistant, letting you know if your VRM is just a bit warm or on the verge of shouting, “I need a vacation!”
But is VRM temp essential? Well, if you’ve been tinkering with the latest navi 24 xl or pushing your system with intensive tasks, monitoring the VRM temp ensures longevity and stability. It’s the unsung hero, making sure everything runs as smooth as butter on a hot pancake.
What Is TMPIN2 in HWMonitor?
As stated above, CPU temp readings in HWMonitor are titled TMPIN0, TMPIN1, TMPIN2, etc. These are all readings collected from different temperature sensors inside your PC’s motherboard and CPU regions. As stated above, the metric titled “TMPIN0” denotes the temperature of your PC’s CPU socket. Similarly, the metric titled “TMPIN2” denotes the temperatures of your chipset (Southbridge or Northbridge). The metric titled “TMPIN1” denotes the ambient temperature of your motherboard.
Is HWMonitor Accurate?
HWMonitor is just as accurate as all the other hardware monitoring tools in the market. That means it’s not 100% accurate. But, it’s accurate enough to contribute greatly towards your efforts to optimize your desktop usage. So, if you have never used HWMonitor before, check out this helpful tutorial video:
Then, try out the free version of the software before switching to the Pro version which costs about $22.40.
Is this HWMonitor safe to use?
In an age where you question every new software’s credibility, wondering if you’re letting in a digital Trojan horse, it’s only natural to ask, “Is HWMonitor safe?”
Short answer? Yes. But let’s delve a little deeper.
The version of HWMonitor available today is a descendant of a long line of esteemed ancestors, each refined and perfected over time. It’s like the monitoring software royalty, akin to the core i5 and core i3-4xxx of processors. With renowned developers and a massive user base, it’s gone through extensive checks and balances. Plus, you don’t just get monitoring; there are control capabilities to rival the a10-7850k, a10-7800, a10-7700k, a8-7600, and a6-7400k.
Now, for those who love a buffet, you have options. HWMonitor is available in two versions: the core temp (a classic) and the hardware monitor pro (the crème de la crème). Both have their charm, both bring something to the table, but the pro version? It boasts 20 remote connections, an unlimited usage duration, and special hardware monitors like ite it87 series. Decisions, decisions!
Is there an HWMonitor program for Mac?
Ah, the age-old Mac vs. PC debate. The Juliet to the PC’s Romeo. While the HWMonitor feels right at home on a PC, you’re probably wondering if there’s a version for your sleek Mac?
Here’s the bittersweet truth. The direct HWMonitor isn’t available for Mac. I know, I know, it’s like finding out your favorite ice cream flavor got discontinued. But wait! All hope isn’t lost. Enter stage right: Open Hardware Monitor and Hardware Monitor Pro. They’re like the cousins of HWMonitor, designed with the Mac ecosystem in mind. These programs are similar to the ones we adore on Windows, letting you monitor your Apple’s internals as easily as you would with HWMonitor on a PC.
To get started, just install the software (yes, it’s that easy!), and voila! You’re ready to see what’s cooking inside your Mac. And who knows? Maybe in the future, a direct version of HWMonitor for Mac will make its debut. Fingers crossed!
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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