How to Lower Your GPU and CPU Temperatures
Running hot costs you performance through thermal throttling — and makes your PC loud. The good news: most temperature problems have simple, free fixes. Here's how to cool things down.
Free fixes first
- Clean out dust. Dust clogs fans and heatsinks. A can of compressed air every few months makes a real difference.
- Improve airflow. Make sure your case has intake and exhaust fans, and that cables aren't blocking the flow.
- Set a better fan curve. Tools like MSI Afterburner let you make fans ramp up sooner for lower temps.
- Lower the room temperature. Ambient heat directly affects your PC — a hot room means a hot GPU.
Advanced options
- Undervolting: reducing GPU/CPU voltage can cut temperatures significantly with little or no performance loss.
- Repaste: replacing old, dried thermal paste can drop CPU temps by several degrees.
- Better cooler: upgrading a stock CPU cooler or adding case fans helps on hot systems.
For laptops
Use a cooling pad, keep vents clear, and elevate the back slightly. A laptop on a bed or couch traps heat quickly.
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