Why is CPU Hotter Than GPU? Here Is Why (+ Tips)

Why is CPU Hotter Than GPU? Here Is Why (+ Tips) | cpugpunerds.com

CPU and GPU are the toughest hardware that can properly work even when generating extreme temperatures.

The latest CPUs are manufactured to survive extreme weather conditions. They can easily work in warm areas. But continuous overheating can easily damage them, no matter how tough they are. They can even burn out if your computer does not have an efficient cooling system installed for your CPU.

On the other hand, GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit. It is only responsible for processing the graphics-based data when gaming, rendering, exporting, editing, etc. This article discusses why the CPU is hotter than the GPU and tips and tricks to keep it as cool as possible.

Why is the CPU Hotter Than the GPU? Here Is Why

CPU is hotter than GPU if it has an integrated GPU. The other reasons behind a hot CPU are CPU overclocking, high room temperature, poor case ventilation, slow and dusty computer fans, traditional CPU cooling system, expired thermal paste, opened computer case, etc.

Usually, the CPUs generate enormous heat when processing data. They are manufactured in a way to tolerate that heat. For this, each CPU has an IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader). It is made of metal to spread and transfer the heat from the CPU’s main circuit to the CPU cooler’s heatsink.

Each heatsink has a fast fan to dissipate its heat away from the CPU. The traditional heatsinks do this by throwing the computer processor’s heat inside the computer case. In contrast, the advanced cooling kits directly throw this heat outside the computer case faster than the traditional ones.

GPUs also generate heat, but they have two or more fans to dissipate the heat in the air. These fans spin at high speed. The fans of a GPU are more intelligent and can be controlled using the software. It allows them to spin slower when the GPU is at normal temperature and faster when the GPU is hot.

The CPU is mostly installed in the middle of your computer’s case, while the GPU is fixed near the case fans that throw the hot air out. That is why CPUs are hotter than GPUs, as the hot air of GPUs is thrown out first. Multiple GPU fans also play an important role in cooling the graphic cards.

What to Do to Stop The CPU from Becoming Hotter?

1. Give Your Computer Some Space to Breathe

You must give your computer space to breathe because all computers inhale cool air and exhale hot air. You should always use your laptop placed on a flat and even surface as it has to breathe through the holes in its body to throw out the hot air inside its case. 

But if you keep your laptop on a blanket or other clothes, its holes become obstructed, and it cannot throw out the hot air. Your laptop CPU and other hardware generate heat that needs to dissipate in the air. But the temperature keeps rising in this case, causing your CPU to become hotter than your GPU.

If you have a PC case, you must remove all the objects around it. PC cases inhale the cool air from the front and exhale it from the back. So, your PC’s front and back must not be obstructed. Keep your computer case away from the walls, giving it space to breathe.

Most computer cases have metal cases that easily transfer heat from inside the PC to the outside. If you have such a PC case, you must not place any objects on or around it. This is because most non-metal things are poor insulators, and they stop heat from dissipating properly.

2. Upgrade The Traditional Cooler to The Advanced One

Upgrade your traditional cooler to an advanced one to prevent your computer CPU from becoming hotter than the GPU. The traditional CPU cooler is very simple in design and working. It uses a metal heatsink, thermal paste, and a single fan to dissipate the CPU heat in the air.

The traditional CPU cooler throws the CPU heat inside the case, raising the temperature of your computer processor and the other hardware. On the other hand, an advanced CPU cooler uses water, which transfers the heat 30 times faster than the air. First, it absorbs the heat from the CPU.

After that, it transfers in the water through the highly conductive heatsink. The water is continuously pumping, taking the heat away from your CPU. Ultimately, using a radiator, one or more fans dissipate this heat outside your computer case. It keeps your CPU way cooler than the other one.

3. Maintain Your Computer Cooling Fans

Maintain your computer cooling fans because they can be the culprit behind your CPU’s hot temperature. Mostly, the old fans move slowly. It causes the heat to accumulate inside your computer case, which increases the temperature of your CPU and other hardware in your computer.

Usually, the dusty fans cause the same problem as the dust particles, making them spin slower and produce noise. Cleaning and lubricating is the best option for such computer fans. The best option is to install new and faster CPU fans, as most are available with built-in RGB lights.

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Faster fans on your computer processor to cool down faster as they have high RPM (revolutions per minute). If your computer case has high RPM fans, it produces cool air faster. Similarly, the faster fans throw out the hot air faster as well. As a result, your CPU does not become hotter.

4. Keep The Room Temperature Low

Keeping the room temperature low prevents the computer CPU from becoming hotter. The electronic hardware in a computer generates its heat during work. If the room temperature is high, this heat can cause serious damage or even burnout to the hardware.

The temperature of your computer room needs to be as low as possible. In this case, the air intake of your computer is cool. It absorbs the heat of your computer hardware, making it cool. But if the temperature of the computer room is high, your computer hardware will start overheating.

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This heat can not only damage your CPU, but it can also burn it out. The performance and efficiency of an overheated CPU are also low. Hence, it would help if you kept the room temperature as low as possible. You can close the doors and windows and install an air conditioner or air cooler for this.

Removing the heat-generating electronic appliances also works. If you have high-power and high-intensity lights installed in your room, consider replacing them with low-power and low-intensity lights. Similarly, keep the electric heaters and their direction away from your computer system.

5. Properly Close Your Computer’s Case

Properly closing your computer’s case helps you stop your CPU from becoming hotter than your GPU. Your computer takes in the cool air to keep your computer components cool. This air becomes hot when it enters the computer case. Ultimately, this hot air is thrown out of your computer’s case.

The scientists and engineers have built our computers so that the intake air touches and cools down the main components before leaving the case. But if your computer’s case is totally open or not closed properly, it will be unable to cool down the hardware in your computer system.

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6. Apply New Thermal Paste

Applying a new thermal paste can also prevent your CPU from becoming hotter. If you have tried all the tips and tricks, your CPU thermal paste may have expired, and it is not working properly now. Thermal paste is responsible for transferring the heat from the CPU’s IHS to the cooler.

This heat is thrown out of your computer in the end. But if the paste expires, it does not transfer the heat properly. It affects your computer processor’s efficiency and performance and can burn out. Dissipating the CPU heat and protecting it from overheating is crucial.

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In this case, you must replace the expired and dried thermal paste with a new one. It is available in different forms in the market, such as injection and small boxes. Using a thermal paste injection is the most convenient way of applying the thermal paste on your computer processor.

7. Check Your PC’s PSU & Rear Fans

It is possible that your PC’s PSU or rear fans are not working. The PSU fan is responsible for throwing the heat out of the computer case that your power supply generates. Similarly, the rear fans throw out the heat that the other computer hardware generates, such as CPU, GPU, RAMs, SSDs, etc.

If the PSU fan is stopped, it can cause your CPU to become hotter as the CPU generates heat that must be thrown out. The problematic rear fans will also cause the same problem of CPU overheating and heating other important hardware in your computer system.

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The best option is to replace the slow-spinning fans with high RPM fans. The upgraded computer fans will cool down your computer faster than the regular fans. Fix your PSU fan so it can throw out the heat. Otherwise, you might lose your computer’s power supply for good.

8. Monitor Your CPU’s Temperature When Overclocking

Overclocking causes your CPU to become hotter than your GPU. Hence, you should install software to monitor your computer processor’s temperature. You can boost the CPU cooler’s speed whenever you see temperature abnormalities or stop overclocking until it cools down.

It becomes better when you have a proper cooling system. The other software that you need is the fan speed controller. You must download both software from the verified publisher. Overclocking increases your CPU’s operating frequency and voltage, leading to CPU overheating.

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Installing an advanced cooling system before you start CPU overclocking is always recommended. It will cool down your computer processor 30 times faster than the old and traditional CPU cooler. It will also increase your CPU’s life by operating it at a low temperature.

Conclusion

A CPU with an integrated GPU becomes hotter than the dedicated GPU. It is because a dedicated graphics card has its cooling system, and it is installed near the rear fans, which throw out the GPU’s hot air. Sometimes, you must upgrade your computer’s fans to ones with high RPM.

Installing an advanced CPU cooler is the best option as it cools down your CPU 30 times faster than traditional ones. The latest computer processors are more powerful, and they generate more heat. You need an advanced cooling system, especially in a hot area.

Maintaining the temperature of your computer room is essential for preventing your CPU from becoming hotter. The closed computer case cools down the hardware faster than the opened case. Checking if your computer case’s intake and exhaust fans work properly is good.

You must replace the stopped fans with fast ones. Expired CPU thermal paste also causes your CPU to become overheated. It can also easily burn out your computer processor. Hence, change the thermal paste to keep your CPU cool. Maintain your computer’s temperature during CPU overclocking.

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