Monitoring CPU Temperature and Utilization on Ubuntu

When working with high-end systems or engaging in resource-intensive activities such as gaming or video editing, monitoring CPU temperature becomes crucial for maintaining the system's overall health. This article will guide you through the process of obtaining CPU stats and monitoring CPU temperature on Ubuntu.

To begin with, it is essential to identify which processes are consuming resources and causing high CPU utilization. By checking CPU utilization, you can pinpoint the culprits and take necessary measures to optimize your system's performance. In cases where CPU usage is high, it can lead to degraded system performance and even crashes if left unchecked.

To illustrate this point, let's consider an example. When I ran glxgears to test my GPU's performance, the temperature of my Intel Integrated GPU (iGPU) increased to 58 degrees Celsius, while the CPU utilization remained low. In contrast, when I switched to using my nVidia GPU, the temperature climbed to 55 degrees Celsius.

To monitor these changes in real-time, I use Conky, a lightweight system monitor popular among Linux users. Conky allows me to customize my display to include various system elements, including GPU temperature. Depending on whether Intel or nVidia is selected as the active GPU, my Conky display changes accordingly.

For those with laptops equipped with both nVidia and Intel Integrated GPUs (iGPUs), it's worth noting that the iGPU can be used when running on battery power to conserve energy. By configuring your system to constantly display GPU temperature along with other relevant system elements, you can better manage your system's resources and optimize its performance.

In conclusion, monitoring CPU temperature and utilization is a crucial aspect of maintaining your Ubuntu system's overall health. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can take the necessary steps to identify resource-hungry processes, optimize your system's performance, and ensure a smooth computing experience.

Ubuntu temperature monitor