The optimal range for any hardware will be different for each device and will generally be outlined by your manufacturer in detail. Since it's a broad range, it's difficult to really pinpoint what temperature rate each component should be running in, but in a broad sense, you should be close to the following ranges for both your CPU and GPU:
- 30°C to 60°C at idle or when light activity is being performed.
- 60°C to 90°C when performing heavy tasks or gaming.
These ranges will differ, sometimes by quite a bit, depending on the temperature of the room the hardware is in, the cooling solution employed, and the level of airflow in the case. If you're outside these ranges, don't panic. First, check with your specific hardware manufacturer to ensure it doesn't have a higher operating temperature.
There's one easy rule to follow when it comes to safe operating temperatures: lower is always better. You can't get your PC too cool (at least not by traditional means), so anything you can do to lower the operating temperature of your CPU or GPU is going to be a worthwhile upgrade.
For more hardware guides check out Best Pre-Built Gaming PCs in 2021 and Best NVIDIA Graphics Cards on Pro Game Guides.
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Justin is a retro and PC gaming enthusiast with a passion for emulation, benchmarks, and comparing controllers. You can usually find him installing Linux for the umpteenth time or exploring old DOS games.