Buzz
So what happens if the motherboard temperature reaches 100 degrees Celsius? At this level, protective features will be activated, such as reducing voltage, causing the processing power of components mounted on the motherboard to weaken, or shutting down the machine altogether to avoid potential damage risks.
How to Determine Motherboard Temperature?
Similar to CPUs and GPUs, to read the motherboard temperature, we usually rely on temperature sensors directly on the motherboard. They are often equipped in important locations such as the North Bridge chip, VRM,... However, not all motherboards have these sensors.
To be able to read the temperature of the sensors, we can install familiar software such as CPUID HW Monitor or HWInfo. They are free software that you can easily download from the internet. After installing and opening the software, you will see the temperature of various positions on the motherboard listed clearly as shown below:
As you can see, some temperature sensors have names that are difficult to understand such as TMPIN3, TMPIN6, or SYSTIN, but the temperature of the mainboard and CPU are clearly and easily understandable. If you want to know where TMPIN sensors are located on the motherboard, you need to refer to the manual of the motherboard you are using.
What if the Motherboard Temperature is Too High?
Sometimes you might see the temperature of some spots on the motherboard rise to 125 degrees Celsius, but if the computer hasn't shut down on its own, don't worry too much. The reason for this is that some software is programmed to display this figure when it can't read data from the sensors on the motherboard. The cause of the issue could simply be a faulty sensor.
In this case, you can try using different temperature monitoring software, update BIOS to fix bugs (if any), or purchase an infrared thermometer (IR Thermometer) to check accurately. However, you can also ignore everything and use the computer as usual because, as mentioned above, the motherboard will shut down the computer automatically if the temperature is really too high.
So what should we do if the motherboard temperature is indeed high?
Improve Air Circulation Inside the Case
- The simplest way to do this is... to open the side panel of the case. This solution may result in more dust inside the case, so it's only temporary.
- Raise the case slightly higher. This will help the case easily draw in cooler air from below, improving heat dissipation.
- The long-term and best solution is to purchase additional cooling fans to install in your case to improve temperature regulation.
Clean the Case
Dust clogging the air vents on the case or covering components is also a reason for increasing component temperatures, including the motherboard. Cleaning the case, cooling fans, and dust filters with a soft brush, compressed air spray will help effectively reduce the temperature of all components.
Stop Overclocking
You may not be overclocking, but many motherboards and CPUs have automatic overclocking features to meet usage demands. Disable these features if possible.
Reapply Thermal Paste
Modern 'high-end' motherboards often have metal heat sinks in 'hot zones' such as M.2 slots, VRM, Northbridge chips,... They come into contact with components via thermal paste, similar to CPUs or graphics cards. Over time, this paste can degrade and lose effectiveness. You can remove the heat sink and reapply paste to help lower the temperature. Note that you should only do this when the motherboard is out of warranty.
Conclusion
In most cases, you don't need to worry about the temperature of the mainboard. However, keeping this crucial component cool will enhance its longevity and ensure smoother operation. If the motherboard is indeed overheating and you're still within the warranty period, contact the manufacturer before attempting the above-mentioned cooling solutions.
