About Core Temp

An independent resource dedicated to helping users monitor CPU temperatures with confidence.

Core Temp is one of the most trusted CPU temperature monitoring tools available for Windows. Developed by Arthur Liberman under the ALCPU banner, it reads temperature data directly from the Digital Thermal Sensors (DTS) built into modern Intel, AMD, and VIA processors. No motherboard sensor guesswork, no bloated system suites — just accurate, per-core temperature readings in a lightweight package.

Since its initial release, Core Temp has become a go-to recommendation across Reddit, hardware forums, and tech publications whenever someone asks: “How do I check my CPU temperature?” That reputation was earned through years of consistent updates, broad processor support, and a commitment to doing one thing well.

The Story Behind Core Temp

From a simple temperature reader to the standard tool for CPU monitoring.

2005

The Beginning

Arthur Liberman released the first version of Core Temp as a small utility to read Intel CPU temperatures via the on-die DTS. At the time, most temperature tools relied on motherboard sensors that were often inaccurate or poorly calibrated.

2008–2010

AMD Support and Growth

AMD processor support was added as those chips adopted similar thermal sensor technology. Core Temp gained traction on enthusiast forums as overclockers needed reliable, per-core readings during stress testing.

2012–2015

Plugin Ecosystem

The plugin and add-on system launched, letting third-party developers extend Core Temp with gadgets, remote monitoring, and logging tools. The Windows desktop gadget and system tray integration became signature features.

2018–2022

Modern Architectures

Support for AMD Zen (Ryzen, Threadripper, EPYC) processors and Intel’s hybrid architectures (P-core and E-core identification) arrived. Per-CCD temperature readings for AMD chips gave users granular insight into multi-chiplet designs.

2025

Version 1.19.5

The latest release brought support for AMD Zen 5 processors, dark mode, effective clock frequency display, and continued refinement. Core Temp remains under active development with a focus on accuracy and modern hardware compatibility.

What Core Temp Does

Precise CPU temperature monitoring without the complexity.

Per-Core Temperature

Reads directly from Digital Thermal Sensors on each CPU core. No reliance on motherboard sensors that drift or misreport values.

Overheat Protection

Set temperature thresholds and get notified before your CPU reaches dangerous levels. Configurable actions include alerts, logging, and system shutdown.

Logging and Tracking

Log temperature data to CSV files for analysis over time. Useful for identifying thermal throttling during long rendering jobs or gaming sessions.

Plugin Platform

Extend functionality through add-ons. Desktop gadgets, remote monitoring via Android, and third-party integrations all connect through the plugin API.

Whether you are building a new PC and want to verify your cooler is seated properly, overclocking and need to watch thermals under load, or just keeping an eye on temperatures during summer months, Core Temp handles it. The system tray display shows per-core temps at a glance without opening any windows.

The Developer

Built and maintained by Arthur Liberman.

Core Temp is developed by Arthur Liberman, who operates under the name ALCPU. Unlike many system monitoring tools that come from large companies or open-source collectives, Core Temp is primarily a one-person project. Liberman has maintained and updated the software for nearly two decades, adding support for each new processor generation as it launches.

The ALCPU website (alcpu.com) serves as the official home for Core Temp, along with related utilities. Liberman is active in the ALCPU forums, responding to bug reports and feature requests directly. This hands-on approach to development is part of why Core Temp has remained accurate and reliable across so many hardware generations.

Core Temp is free for personal use. Commercial and enterprise deployments require a license ($20–$25 per machine), which helps sustain ongoing development.

Why Users Rely on Core Temp

A trusted tool for hardware enthusiasts, system builders, and IT professionals.

Ask any PC hardware community which temperature monitoring tool they recommend, and Core Temp consistently appears at the top. The reasons are straightforward: it is small (under 1.5 MB), fast to install, and gives you the specific data you need without bundling half a dozen unrelated utilities.

Overclockers use it during stress tests to verify thermal headroom. System administrators deploy it across workstations to catch cooling failures before hardware damage occurs. Casual users install it after building a new PC to confirm everything is running within spec.

Compared to alternatives like HWMonitor or HWiNFO, Core Temp focuses specifically on CPU temperatures rather than trying to monitor every sensor in the system. That focused approach means less clutter and faster access to the data that matters most when you are troubleshooting thermal issues.

About This Website

An independent resource for Core Temp users.

Independent Resource

core-temp.com is a fan-made, independent informational website. We are not affiliated with Arthur Liberman, ALCPU, or the official Core Temp project in any way.

We built this site to provide a clean, organized resource for anyone looking to download, install, or learn about Core Temp. Our pages include download links that point directly to official sources, getting-started guides, feature breakdowns, and answers to common questions.

We do not host, modify, or redistribute Core Temp software files. All download links direct users to the official ALCPU servers. We respect the developer’s intellectual property and encourage users to support the official project.

If you find Core Temp useful, consider supporting Arthur Liberman by purchasing a commercial license or recommending the software to others.

Get in Touch

Questions about this website? We are happy to hear from you.

Have a question or suggestion about this site? Visit our Contact page.

For official Core Temp support, bug reports, or feature requests, visit the ALCPU forums.