# "95-99 Celsius temperatures are normal for CPU" - really? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 17, 2019, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/95-99-celsius-temperatures-are-normal-for-cpu-really/840376 "2019-09-17T14:59:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2019, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/95-99-celsius-temperatures-are-normal-for-cpu-really/840376/1 "2019-09-17T14:59:58Z")
I have a Dell E5490 laptop that’s been spiking to jumps of 95-99 degrees Celsius even when relatively idle (according to Core Temp) but two computer technicians have assured me that such temperatures are normal and okay for a CPU - really? I thought anything above 90 is cause for concern. Edit: The fan is also humming loudly nonstop. ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2019, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/95-99-celsius-temperatures-are-normal-for-cpu-really/840376/2 "2019-09-17T15:18:54Z")
IMO that is not a “normal” temp. The maximum temperature for your CPU appears to be 100C: > **[Intel® Core™ i5-8250U Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.40 GHz) - Product...](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/124967/intel-core-i58250u-processor-6m-cache-up-to-3-40-ghz/specifications.html)** > > Intel® Core™ i5-8250U Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.40 GHz) quick reference with specifications, features, and technologies. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2019, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/95-99-celsius-temperatures-are-normal-for-cpu-really/840376/3 "2019-09-17T15:23:33Z")
You should double-check the datasheet for the exact model of CPU you are using, but maximum junction temperatures for Intel i7 processors seem to be around 100, so you are definitely running hot. You should not be bumping against the limit: core temperatures above 85 are not recommended; below 80 is ideal. Temperature guide: [How To - Intel CPU Temperature Guide 2023 | Tom's Hardware Forum](https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/intel-temperature-guide.1488337/) ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2019, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/95-99-celsius-temperatures-are-normal-for-cpu-really/840376/4 "2019-09-17T15:52:07Z")
OK thanks. I managed to run a software update and it’s cooled things down now. But I wonder if my having been at 96-99 Celsius for some time entails the risk of damaging the Li-On battery. Is the battery generally far enough from the CPU that it won’t be heated up by the CPU? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2019, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/95-99-celsius-temperatures-are-normal-for-cpu-really/840376/5 "2019-09-18T04:35:59Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > OK thanks. I managed to run a software update and it’s cooled things down now. But I wonder if my having been at 96-99 Celsius for some time entails the risk of damaging the Li-On battery. Is the battery generally far enough from the CPU that it won’t be heated up by the CPU? It’s usually pretty far away, relatively speaking. But you never know with how compact they are making them these days. While it’s not impossible for an update to fix a problem with the fans, I’d be concerned the fix was just restarting the device, giving it time to cool down. You’d better keep checking to see if it gets hot again. Make sure the fans are blowing when the temps start going up, and that nothing is blocking the vents. Also, don’t close the case while the device is on–some can’t handle that, even if you are using an external keyboard and screen. And check and see if Dell has a BIOS or UEFI update for your device. Those are the types updates most likely to fix a fan issue.