How to Check if Your CPU or GPU Is Thermal Throttling

Thermal throttling occurs when a processor or graphics card reduces performance to protect itself from excessive temperatures.

If your CPU or GPU becomes too hot, clock speeds may decrease until temperatures return to a safer range.

This can cause:

  • Lower FPS

  • Stuttering

  • Reduced benchmark scores

  • Lower clock speeds

  • Performance that gets worse over time

  • Loud fans

Step 1: Use a Hardware Monitoring Tool

Use a trusted hardware-monitoring application that can display:

  • CPU temperature

  • CPU clock speed

  • GPU temperature

  • GPU clock speed

  • GPU hotspot temperature, if supported

  • CPU/GPU utilization

  • Thermal-limit indicators, if available

Examples include tools such as HWiNFO, MSI Afterburner, or your hardware manufacturer's monitoring software.

Step 2: Check Temperatures While Gaming

Temperatures while sitting on the desktop are not as useful as temperatures under load.

Launch the game or workload where you experience the performance issue.

Monitor temperatures while the issue occurs.

Step 3: Watch Clock Speeds

High temperature alone does not automatically mean thermal throttling.

The important question is whether your CPU or GPU begins reducing clock speed because it has reached a thermal limit.

For example, if performance begins normally but clock speeds drop significantly as temperatures increase, thermal throttling may be occurring.

CPU Thermal Throttling

Modern CPUs automatically protect themselves when they approach their configured thermal limit.

Signs may include:

  • CPU temperature approaching its maximum operating temperature

  • Reduced CPU clock speeds

  • Lower performance under sustained workloads

  • Monitoring software reporting thermal throttling

  • Performance recovering after the system cools down

The exact thermal limit varies by processor.

Do not assume every CPU has the same maximum safe temperature.

GPU Thermal Throttling

GPUs also automatically adjust clock speed based on factors such as:

  • Temperature

  • Power limits

  • Voltage

  • Workload

A GPU running at high utilization is normal during gaming.

The concern is when temperature causes the GPU to lower its clock speed enough to reduce performance.

Step 4: Check Cooling

If thermal throttling is occurring, inspect:

  • CPU cooler installation

  • GPU airflow

  • Case airflow

  • Dust buildup

  • Fan operation

  • Radiator airflow

  • Thermal paste condition

  • Laptop vents

Make sure air can enter and leave the system properly.

Step 5: Check Fan Speeds

Confirm that CPU, case, and GPU fans are operating correctly.

A failed or improperly configured fan can cause temperatures to rise rapidly.

Step 6: Remove Unstable Tuning

Temporarily return any:

  • Overclock

  • Undervolt

  • Custom voltage

  • Power-limit modification

  • Custom clock configuration

to known-stable settings.

Then test temperatures again.

Step 7: Compare Performance From Cold to Hot

A useful test is to:

  1. Allow the PC to cool.

  2. Start a consistent benchmark or game.

  3. Record initial performance and clock speeds.

  4. Continue the workload for several minutes.

  5. Compare performance once temperatures stabilize.

If clocks and performance decline as temperature reaches the hardware's thermal limit, throttling may be occurring.

Laptop Users

Laptops generally operate at higher temperatures than desktop PCs due to their compact cooling systems.

Higher temperatures alone do not automatically indicate a fault.

Look for actual evidence of reduced clock speed, thermal-limit warnings, or severe performance loss.

Need Help?

If you believe your system is thermal throttling, contact EXM Support with:

  • CPU

  • GPU

  • Maximum CPU temperature

  • Maximum GPU temperature

  • Clock speeds under load

  • Screenshots from your monitoring software