There are now several hyperthreaded cores available in modern computer systems, and this has significantly increased the performance of these systems. The latest CPU released by Intel is its 10^th Generation version, which provides incredible experiences for users. This article shows you what you can expect from Intel’s 10^th Gen CPU.

Hyper-Threading

One of the most important features introduced with the 10^th Generation Intel CPU is hyper-threading, which refers to the ability of a microprocessor to act as if there are two separate processors working in the computer. This improves the parallelism of computer systems, as more than one thread can now run on each core; and the more threads there are, the more work that can be done in parallel. This is significant, as it allows the system to perform at a significantly improved rate.

The hyper-threading feature was not included in predecessor models, and it allows the 10^th Gen Intel to go toe-to-toe against AMD CPUs in the lower range CPUs (such as Core i5-9400) where the Intel was lacking previously. In other words, before, the Core i7-9700K had eight cores and eight threads; now, its newer version, the Core i7-10700K, has the same number of cores but with sixteen threads, which is double that of its predecessor.

Improved Thermal Performance

Overheating is one of the biggest issues that still exists in computer systems. If a computer becomes hot, it begins to operate at a lower performance. This is because computers are designed in such a way that if the temperature of the parts goes above a certain threshold, the computer will begin reducing performance so that less heat may be generated and valuable parts, like the motherboard, do not take any damage.

The 10^th Generation CPU comes with a larger integrated heat spreader, whose job it is to transfer heat away from the CPU. This model also has a feature built-in that allows you to switch off hyper-threading. Since this reduces the number of operating cores, less heat will be generated, and issues such as overheating will be reduced significantly.

Upgraded Hardware

The 10^th Generation CPU of Intel has seen an improvement in its hardware. The 10^th Gen model contains the new motherboard series, along with the LGA 1200 socket, which will have larger PINs than predecessors.

These motherboards will be able to support the next generation of CPUs, which is a huge plus. The 10^th Generation CPU also offers support for Thunderbolt 3, which is one of its best features. The Thunderbolt 3 is a connector that allows external devices to connect to your computer, and this is a major improvement on the previous version, as it offers double the speed, high connection and USB speeds, support for the DisplayPort protocol, and the ability to connect to up to two 4K displays.

Furthermore, Intel’s 10^th Gen CPU also comes with Wi-Fi 6, which offers much better speeds and handling of connected devices. This feature prevents network connections from dropping, even as more and more devices become connected.

Better AI Features

Another major improvement in Intel’s 10^th Gen CPU is the AI system, where more focus and emphasis have been placed on this new generation. This refinement in the AI system comes from the addition of the Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost) instruction set, which has allowed complex and convoluted AI workloads to run on the same hardware as your existing workloads. This has brought a significant improvement in the AI performance and has made the system much more responsive.

Boosted Gaming Experience

The integrated graphics of Intel have a poor reputation in the gaming community. This is because if Intel’s graphics are compared with those of NVIDIA or Radeon, then their performance falls WAY short. This changes in the 10^th Gen CPU, which has taken major strides. The new Intel Iris Plus graphics is considered to be the among best integrated graphics systems available, and it offers high quality compared to the alternatives.

With Iris Plus graphics, as well as support for VESA Adaptive Sync, users can now perform content creation activities, such as video and photo editing, in high quality without any need for a dedicated graphics card. Gaming is also much smoother, and games can be played in high quality without needing to install a new dedicated graphics card. It also allows 4K Ultra-HD videos to be played with amazing sharpness and precision.

Conclusion

The 10^th Generation CPU from Intel is a major upgrade over its predecessors. This version offers much-improved performance and graphics. The newest generation not only has better hardware but also better AI features, along with amazing graphics quality. The 10^th Gen Intel CPU allows users to play games and create high-quality content, such as video and photo editing, with considerably improved quality and performance. It will be interesting to see how this model will compete with AMD processors, but it certainly will be a nail-biter between the two companies. ]]> https://linuxhint.com/best-gaming-cpus-2021/ Mon, 18 Jan 2021 14:59:08 +0000 https://linuxhint.com/?p=85993 A few years back, it was easy to choose a CPU that could match all your hardcore gaming needs, with Intel CPUs running the show. But now, we are in the world of affordable 4K gaming. There has been a major shift in the last couple of years, with AMD entering the market with CPUs crafted specifically for gaming needs and at a more affordable price than Intel CPUs.

With its Ryzen processors, AMD has provided great competition to Intel. As both companies are looking to lead the race, there have been some tremendous launches in the last couple of years. Zen 3 from AMD is the company’s latest release, and this model is going toe-to-toe with Intel’s gaming giants.

I personally like to have gaming CPUs, as they are worth the investment. These CPUs are not limited to just gaming. You can also use them for development, editing videos, creative work, and streaming video if you are a content creator or influencer on social media platforms, such as YouTube or Instagram.

Choosing a good gaming CPU is certainly not rocket science. You just need to know what your requirements are, and that is it. It is easy to build your own machine around a CPU, coupled with other components, such as a graphics card, additional storage, and motherboard.

This article covers the best CPUs for gaming in 2021 that can also match your creative needs.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600x

AMD’s Ryzen series is very popular for its gaming-friendly processors. The Ryzen 5 3600x is not only a gaming processor, but it is also ideal for tasks that require a powerful CPU. The reason why the Ryzen 5 3600x tops this list is that it is a great gaming CPU that also comes at a great price, giving you great value for your money.

Specifications:

• Cores: 6
• Threads: 12
• Clock Speed: 3.6 GHz / 4.2 GHz

On the normal settings, this model easily beats out the likes of Intel’s Core i5-9600K series. You do not need to install coolers separately with this device, as it ships with a cooler included inside the box, making this model even more affordable.

The Ryzen 5 3600x is an ideal CPU for gamers, as well as power users, such as developers and content creators. Power consumption is also low, as compared to other processors in this price range.

Find more details about the AMD Ryzen 5 3600x here: Amazon

AMD Ryzen 9 5900x

The AMD 5000 series is one of the most advanced and powerful gaming CPU series out there. All Ryzen CPUs are based on Zen architecture, which has made serious improvements with each passing generation. This model is priced on the higher side, but AMD has still managed to keep the price lower than its competitor, Intel, without compromising on performance.

Specifications:

• Cores: 12
• Threads: 24
• Clock Speed: 3.7 GHz / 4.8 GHz

Why invest in a separate CPU for gaming and content creation when you can do both in one? Ryzen 9 5900x is ideal for both gamers and content creators and comes with great performance capabilities.

One thing you should consider before buying this model is that it does not include any thermal solutions. If that is not one of the most important features for you, then this CPU still provides great value for the money.

Find more details about the AMD Ryzen 9 5900x here: Amazon

Intel Core i9 10900K

Core i9 is one of the most advanced generations in Intel’s processors and gaming-friendly series. Intel claims i9 to be the world’s fastest gaming CPU, which also comes at a high price. The 10900K is a super powerful CPU that integrates well with NVMe SSD.

Specifications:

• Cores: 10
• Threads: 20
• Clock Speed: 3.7 GHz / 5.3 GHz

The likes of CS: GO and Dota 2 run effortlessly with the support of this CPU. However, some of the cheaper CPUs from the AMD Ryzen series perform the same job, and even in 4K. So, if you do not have any monetary limitations, then feel free to go for Intel’s 10900K series. Otherwise, cheaper options are available from AMD that provide the same performance and experience.

One feature that might attract users to this CPU is its great overclocking potential. Overall, this is a powerful CPU, but it comes at a slightly higher price point.

Find more details about the Intel Core i9 10900K here: Amazon

AMD Ryzen 5 5600x

The Ryzen 5000 is a mid-range series from AMD that provides great value for the cost. There is little difference between the Ryzen 5900x CPU and this model. Gaming performance is the same for both, with nearly identical frame rates.

Specifications:

• Cores: 6
• Threads: 12
• Clock Speed: 3.7 GHz / 4.6 GHz

This processor offers great gaming performance with good overclocking performance. Like other CPUs in the Ryzen 5000 series, this model also ships in with the Wraith Stealth Cooler. Priced quite aggressively, this model easily competes with many overpriced CPUs from AMD’s competitor, Intel.

Find more details about the AMD Ryzen 5 5600x here: Amazon

Intel Core i7 10700K

Another Intel CPU on our list is the i7 10700K. This model is the one that I am currently using. This is a great CPU with fantastic stock performance and solid overclocking potential. This model is also priced cheaper than similarly capable CPUs offered by AMD, offering value for its price point.

Specifications:

• Cores: 8
• Threads: 16
• Clock Speed: 3.8 GHz / 5.1 GHz

The 8 cores and 16 threads contained within this CPU prove to be enough for any games that I play, as well as other content-related work. The games that I have played on this CPU include CS: GO and EA Sports FIFA 21, and the performance was very good, even on full settings.

The i7 10700K is the best gaming CPU out there, and it can handle anything you throw at it.

Find more details about the Intel Core i7 10700K here: Amazon

AMD Ryzen 5 3400G

The Ryzen 5 3400G is one of the cheapest CPU models from AMD (and its competition, as well). At this price point, you cannot expect much, but this CPU offers great performance, though it is certainly not the best in this segment.

Specifications:

• Cores: 4
• Threads: 8
• Clock Speed: 3.7 GHz / 4.1 GHz

CPU ships in with a cooler in the box so that you do not have to spend more money to buy a cooler. This model is a great budget gaming CPU that comes with integrated Vega 11 graphics, faster than the UHD graphics found in the 8th and 9th generation of Intel’s CPUs.

Find more details about the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G here: Amazon

Conclusion

This list covered some of the best gaming CPUs that you can buy in 2021. Certainly, there are other CPUs that are also available, but I tried to keep the list small and cover the best model in every segment. This way, you should find it easy to decide which model best suits your needs. Feel free to ask us anything related to Linux and gaming at @linuxhint and @SwapTirthakar. ]]> https://linuxhint.com/check-cpu-temperature-linux/ Thu, 14 Jan 2021 04:35:28 +0000 https://linuxhint.com/?p=84949 Device temperature control is, therefore, very important. Most of the time, your laptop computer gets too hot because different parts and components of the laptop device are closely coupled to one another. So, in slim laptops, there seems to be little space for airflow. It would do any harm to the physical hardware components and to your body as well if your machine gets too hot. We will learn about how to install temperature sensor packages on any Linux system and how to check the temperature of the CPU. Here are the key phrases to be followed:

Open Terminal

To check CPU temperature, you have to open your terminal first by a shortcut key Ctrl+Alt+T or from the side icon of the terminal in the window. The terminal will be opened.

Update Linux System

For the installation of sensors, you need to upgrade your system apt by using any of the following commands:

It will ask your sudo password for the apt update to begin. Add a password to proceed.

After some time, you will be asked to continue your update process by taping Y or y in the terminal. Tap y or Y and press Enter to continue with the update process. After that, your system will start updating apt.

If you find some error while updating apt, try the below command to fix it.

You have to sit back and wait for some time because the Linux system will take a little longer to update apt.

Monitor CPU temperature

In a Linux system, the sensor instruction is executed to monitor, the current measurements of all sensor chips along with the temperature of the CPU. You need to check the already configured sensors on your Linux system. For this purpose, write the simple sensors command is appended below:

It will show you some information regarding system Adapters, chips, and CPU temperature. As it is clear that we don’t have any sensor regarding CPU temperature, installed on our system, so we need to install it first.

Search Sensors

To check for the temperature of CPU, SSD, and HDD, you need to install the hddtemp package and ls-sensors package as well. Now, you need to search for the sensors separately which are compatible with your system using the below simple search commands: You can see the available lm-sensors package and its specifications in the image.

Now to search for the compatible hddtemp packages for your system, try the below command. You can see the available hddtemp package and its specifications.

Install lm-sensors and hddtemp in Linux

After the successful apt update, you need to install lm-sensor and hddtemp in your Linux system. For this, try this apt command as follows:

It will ask for the sudo password to continue the installation of sensors. Add your password to continue the installation process.

Detect Hardware monitoring Chips

After some time, lm-sensors will be installed on your system, and you will be able to check the hardware monitoring chips which have already been installed on your Linux system. For checking this, try the sensor-detect command in your terminal as follows:

Again, it will ask you to enter your sudo password to proceed with this process. After that, it will affirm your action by asking you to type Yes or No. Type yes to continue detection.

This sensor-detect command will make sure that you will be able to check information regarding the already embedded sensors in CPU and hardware monitoring chips on your system. Now add the sensor command again to view the temperature of the CPU. If this does not work for you, try installing the Psensor package in your Linux system.

Install Psensor

The new update of Psensor also offers Ubuntu with an applet predictor, which makes it much simpler to control the device temperature on Linux. On the preview pane side, you can opt to show the temperature. Whenever the temperature reaches the threshold, it will also give a desktop update. Now, after enabling lm-sensor and hddtemp, we are finally able to install Psensor on Linux. Execute the below-appended command in the terminal to install Psensor.

It may ask to affirm your action by typing Y or y in the command terminal. Press y and continue. After a while, Psensor will be installed and ready to be used.

Navigate to the Menu bar of the Linux system, and search for Psensor. You will find the installed Psensor application in it. Click on it to open it and try using it.

You will see the graph and statistics of the CPU in the Psensor temperature monitor window.

To update preference, navigate to the top menu, and click on Psensor. Navigate to Sensor Preferences and update graph settings.

Checkmark the Active desktop notifications to get notified.

You can customize the Psensor display as well.

Direct to the top most menu and click on Psensor. Click on Preferences to update the unit of temperature. You can change it to Celcius and Fahrenheit as well.

Change graph preferences as per your choice from the graph bar.

You can enable the different provider’s support from it as well by check-marking the provider’s packages.

Configure CPU Temperature Indicator

Go to the Linux taskbar and search for Applets. Open it and install the CPU temperature Indicator on your system. Try configuring it and enabling it for the desktop. You will be able to see the CPU temperature on your taskbar, as indicated in the image.

Conclusion

Psensor is a GUI based customizable application to check CPU temperature on your Linux system. We have successfully configured and used it by using lm-sensors and CPU temperature Indicator.

Any powerful computer owes its performance to an ideal CPU and motherboard combination. Without the right combination, the bottlenecks will always hamper its performance. Sometimes, you won’t be able to fit the necessary peripherals. Other times, the CPU will fail to perform to its full potential. Sure, you can get the best CPU and the best motherboard out there. But it doesn’t necessitate optimal performance. Only the best CPU and motherboard combo can give you the right results.

From entry-level budget options to medium and high-end choices for professionals, we have you covered. Let’s take a look!

1. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X With ASUS X570-PRO

When you want to game with no holds barred and still get a combination that can last a couple of years, think about pairing AMD Ryzen 9 3900X with ASUS X570-PRO. And the best thing about this combo comes at a very reasonable cost.

The processor is one of the fastest you can find today. With 12 cores and 24 threads, you can juice up the CPU performance to 4.7GHz.

The only thing to worry about while working with this beast is cooling. And Asus Prime X570-Pro meticulously keeps up. It features the most comprehensive cooling controls ever designed. You can configure it via Fan Xpert 4 or the UEFI BIOS. There’s a dedicated header that supplies over 3As for highest-performance PWM or DC water pumps. Plus, it also has a second dedicated header for AIOs. Impressed yet?

While it’s challenging to locate a budget-friendly X570 motherboard, this ASUS board suits anyone who wants the latest chipset features on a basic platform. It has got a lot going in favor, such as metal heatsinks for the VRMs and other top-notch components.

Buy CPU Here: Amazon

Buy Motherboard Here: Amazon

2. AMD Ryzen 5 3400G With ASRock B450M-HDV

Now, we’re moving towards the midrange CPU and motherboard combinations, starting with the ASRock B450M-HDV motherboard and AMD Ryzen 5 3400G processor. The combined cost of this combo reaches nearly $300. This isn’t too much considering AMD Ryzen 5 3400G easily competes with Intel’s Core i7-7700K.

Not to mention, the integrated graphics card Radeon RX Vega 11 is a major plus. We’d opt for a discrete GPU any day. With 4 cores, 8 processing threads, and a 6Mb cache, the processor can deliver a smooth performance during some of the popular video games. The base clock speed is 4.2 GHz, but you can overclock the crap out of this mean chip. And yes, it comes unlocked for overclocking.

The motherboard is an AMD Promontory B450 chipset with an updated BIOS to support Ryzen 3000. It has excellent VRM heat sinks, two m.2 ports for Sata and NVME, easy bios, great I/O, four DIMM slots, five fan headers, and a PCI-E layout that actually makes sense. However, a major limitation of this board is that it only boots from a single SATA channel. You can’t use it if you put in an SSD on M.2-2.

During our tests, the combo worked flawlessly. If you’re building a Ryzen 3400G gaming system on a budget, consider ASRock B450M-HDV.

Buy CPU Here: Amazon

Buy Motherboard Here: Amazon

3. AMD Athlon 200 GE With ASUS A320M-K

Here are an entry-level, budget-friendly CPU and motherboard combo. With a combined cost of nearly $150, an ASUS A320M-K motherboard and AMD Athlon 200 GE processor is a combo to boot. We’ll explain why!

As this is an entry-level option, the processor supports 2 cores, 3 GPU cores, 5 Mb cache, and 4 threads for multitasking. It has a clock speed of 3.2 GHz. Plus, it comes with a built-in Radeon Vega Graphics card. It’s a low power consuming CPU, with a very quiet fan. We noticed that the hardware h265 [4k] and h264 decoding keeps the processor nearly idle.

The motherboard’s Integrated processor is also decent. Moreover, the motherboard boasts NVMe M2, USB 3.0, and Gigabit LAN compatibility. Besides, it supports up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM. Its safe slot Core adds PCIe slot protection from any damage by heavyweight GPUs.

The only problem with this combination is that ASUS A320M-K is not overclockable. You can increase the RAM clock speed, though. Overall, If you’re setting up a simple NAS, HTPC, or general-purpose machine, nothing can beat A320 for the price. However, if you’re building a gaming system, have a look at other options in this list.

Buy CPU Here: Amazon

Buy Motherboard Here: Amazon

4. Intel Core i5-10600K With MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk

A much better mid-range option is Intel’s 10th Gen Core i5-10600K on MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk motherboard is another exceptional combination. With a combined cost of nearly $470, the slick motherboard goes far too well with Intel’s latest jewel in the crown.

The processor supports 6 cores, 5 Mb cache, and 12 threads for multitasking. The motherboard sits at a sweet spot for users who want to overclock their i5-10600 without any additional features. The VRM is excellent – good enough to run the processor over 5Ghz without any problem. Besides, the board has plenty of USB3.2 ports, PCIe slots & dual gigabit LAN for additional accessories.

Two large heatsinks are perfect for keeping your processor cool, especially when you’re pushing your machine to the limits. During our tests, the temps hit the low 60s with an overclock speed reaching approximately 4.7Ghz. There are two M.2 slots in the motherboard, each getting a share of the two heatsinks.

If you’re looking for the latest yet budget-conscious processor motherboard combo for a gaming build that will also smoke anything you throw at it, then this is your deal.

Buy CPU Here: Amazon

Buy Motherboard Here: Amazon

5. Intel Corei9-10900K With MSI MEG Z490 Godlike

If money isn’t your problem, consider having Intel’s current flagship Corei9-10900K chip with a midrange motherboard such as MSI MEG Z490 Godlike. This package comes at a whopping $1300 range, give and take. Keep in mind; the Intel Corei9-10900K is different from Intel Corei9-10900KF because it has on-board video functionality.

The processor has a clock speed of 3.7GHz, which can be overclocked to an impressive 5.3GHz. It also boasts 10 cores, 20 threads, 20 Mb intel smart cache, and a built-in Intel UHD Graphics 630 card.

Likewise, ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming is an exceptional motherboard for overclocking the i9-10900K. It packs colored debug LEDs, POST, BIOS flashback, and a superb VRAM. It also has a rich collection of other features like support for 4800MHz DDR4, 2 M.2 slots, and 6 SATA III ports. There are two PCIe x16 slots with support for Crossfire as well as SLI.

Overall, the RGB effects fulfill your gaming design quota, with the Core i9 processor doing the rest. However, the rest of the board is covered in a charcoal black finish that looks spectacular. The only downside of this combination is the outrageous cost. It’s definitely not for the faint of the heart.

Buy CPU Here: Amazon

Buy Motherboard Here: Amazon

Best CPU Motherboard Combo – Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

Before you head out to purchase your favorite CPU motherboard combination, it’s pertinent to look at some important aspects of the purchase. These include:

Your Needs

As we mentioned in the reviews section, some of these are entry-level combos while others are mid-range and pro-level combinations. Therefore, their prices vary significantly, from under $150 to upwards of $1500. Entry-level combinations are good for everyday office and home media use, while professionals need performance and upgrading. Select a combination that best suits your needs.

Motherboard Chipset and Model Compatibility

Check the revision level on the motherboard you want to buy. Make sure the processor you’re eying can be attached and is compatible with the motherboard model. This is normally printed on the package, but not always. So it’s better, you know before visiting a shop that both motherboard and CPU you want are compatible with each other. For example, a CPU built for overclocking should be paired with a motherboard that supports overclocking. Otherwise, you won’t get the feature you want.

Cooling Options

If you’re going for a high-end processor, it will need an efficient cooling mechanism in place. Most low-end and even mid-range motherboards won’t be able to fulfill the cooling requirements of the latest processors – especially when you’re overclocking the processor. So you may have to install any additional air or water-based cooling mechanism. Make sure the motherboard has enough space to accommodate your cooling needs.

CPU Motherboard Bundle?

Typically both CPUs and Motherboards are sold separately. However, some companies do sell both components in a bundle. We recommend purchasing these components separately. Purchasing a bundle will only limit your options in the future, which you should avoid at all costs.

Final Thoughts

So, our rundown of the best CPU motherboard combo ends here. We hope you got to learn a few things along the way. Throughout the reviews, we tried to stick to different combos for different budgets and all types of users. Hopefully, the info presented in this article will help you make an informed decision in the future.

Buyer’s Guide

CPU coolers form an integral part of the baseline products that are worth investing in when finalizing your workstation. The following include some of the most important factors worth looking into before selecting a CPU cooler model.

Why do you need a CPU cooler?

As previously mentioned, CPU coolers play a crucial role in extending a machine’s life. Though computers come with pre-built coolers already installed, high workloads will cause your PC to slow down and become inefficient.

Types of Coolers

CPU coolers are classified into the following categories:

• Air Cooler

Air coolers successfully lower temperatures and work quietly, and are available in affordable price ranges. The general setup consists of a bit metal heat sink backed by the fan’s air pressure pull.

• Liquid Cooler

Liquid coolers are undoubtedly more expensive, but they provide more enhanced functions as opposed to air coolers. These coolers generally consist of a plate attached to a closed loop of liquid. Keep in mind that a low-quality liquid cooler could have a higher chance of leaks, which can be catastrophic for your system.

• Custom Water-Cooling Loops

These coolers are a much more high-quality, albeit expensive, alternative. Closed/open cooling loops are flashy and can be custom-made to suit your setup.

It is also appropriate to mention here processors, such as the Ryzen line-up, already come with prebuilt heatsinks. So, you may only need to upgrade these devices to improve your cooling situation.

TDP and Temperature Association

Thermal Design Power informs us of the amount of heat dissipation on a particular workload. So, be sure to check the TDP ratings for any model you are considering and match the ratings with your CPU. In short, go for a cooler that has a TDP that is higher than the associated CPU. This will ensure that the cooling system can handle the heat generated by your processor.

If It Sits, It Fits

Make sure that the cooler you purchase fits in the available space. Can your desktop house a power connector, radiator, and fans without messing with other components on the motherboard? Air coolers provide dimensions to aid you in assessing the necessary space for heat sink and ventilation.

Budget

CPU coolers are a great way to cut down on maintenance costs. If you are limited in budget, we recommend purchasing an air cooler. Liquid coolers are famous for software control, but they do come at heftier prices. If you are looking for a liquid cooler that does not break your budget, our list includes a liquid cooler that sits on the boundary of the mid-to-high price range.

Other Considerations

Other important considerations include the following:

• CPU socket type
• RAM clearance
• PC case dimensions
• Airflow to machine

With that out of the way, let us jump right into our list of the top 5 best CPU coolers available.

1. Cooler Master Hyper 212 RGB Black Edition

Popular among the masses, the Cooler Master 212 is an excellent example of direct contact technology. It promises efficient heat dissipation in a snap. With an easy installation process, long-lasting regimen, and availability in a mid-range to low price, this model bodes well for any computer system.

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 has a precise set airflow at 57.3 CFM. This is ensured through its stack fin installation, allowing minimum air resistance and easy passage of the cooling airflow into the heat sink.

The Smart Fan Sensor provides protection in case of jams. So, you will not have to worry about cables and components getting in each other’s way. As for its general design, the fan brackets are laid rather simply. This model’s design also makes it easy for you to upgrade or remove the device.

This cooler also contains an RGB LED Controller to customize between the colors of your liking at the touch of a button. This model manages to lower your system’s temperature by 25 degrees and can be set up in various ways.

Keep in mind that the assembly of this model requires close attention, especially when upgrading your PC. Moreover, there is no pre-set thermal paste, so you would have to purchase and apply some yourself. If you are unsure about this requirement, take a look at the CPU thermal pastes that we have recommended.

Buy Here: Amazon

2. Noctua NH-D15

Coming second on our list of the best CPU Coolers is the NF-A15 Noctua. This model boasts a state-of-the-art dual-tower design, carrying six heat pipes and two fans for efficient heat dissipation. Its performance is unparalleled even by some liquid coolers, and at half the price!

This model’s aerodynamic fans measure 140 mm and come with PWM support. The low noise adaptors and automatic speed control give this cooler the ultra-quiet edge it is known for.

This cooler is compatible with most high-end RAM modules, even in single fan mode, while the dual fan mode better suits the standard height RAM.

That is not all! The NH-D15 comes with a 6-year manufacturer’s warranty. This model further includes the high-end NT-H1 thermal paste and SecuFirm2 Mounting System to allow for swift installation. Though this model is a high-class cooler, it does come at a high-end price. Also, this unit may be too bulky for some desktops.

Buy Here: Amazon

3. Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 CPU Cooler

Coming in at a similar price, the next best thing we have for you is the Dark Rock Cooler. This model is also known for its quiet operation via two virtually inaudible silent PWM Wing Fans.

The frame is funnel-shaped and pressurizes the air with added pressure. Surprisingly, this cooler musters only 24.3 Db of noise, even at the highest fan speeds. The structure boasts seven high-performance copper heat pipes. There are also cooling fins and air cutouts to enhance its functionality.

Other useful features include the ability to support all levels of RAM and compatibility with Intel and AMD chipsets. The double tower layout is also an excellent choice for PCs.

All this comes with a 3-year warranty to back its durability. This four-pin desktop cooler is an excellent choice for your setup. Even if you have overclocked your machine to its full potential or are running a high-end graphics card, this cooler manages to keep the temperature in a controlled range.

Buy Here: Amazon

4. Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler

Next on the list is this worthy liquid cooler by Corsair. The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite is an RGB liquid series cooler. Compatible with several different sockets, this double triple-decker CPU cooler enhances CPU function while helping you achieve a chic look for your setup.

The RGB pump head entails a low-noise cooling system for your CPU. This device is lit with 33 ultra-bright CAPELLIZ RGB LEDs, 8 per fan. The Core Smart RGB lighting and fans are totally up to the user’s control. You can switch over to 6 RGB fans and manage their settings entirely. This model includes speeds ranging from 400 to 2400 RPM. As for the central functional units, the 120 mm CORSAIR ML RGN fans work on a magnetic levitation phenomenon. The strong airflow of this device ensures proper CPU cooling performance. This cooler also boasts a Zero RPM fan profile that halts function at lower temperatures, cutting the noise entirely when not in use.

However, this liquid cooler is very expensive. It also comes with the minute possibility of leaks, which nevertheless poses a significant threat to your processing system.

Buy Here: Amazon

5. Noctua NF-A14 Premium Quite Fan

Rounding out our list of the best CPU coolers is the Noctua NF-A14 CPU fan. This device is the cheapest in the bunch, though not the least in quality. The Noctua NF-A14 is an A-series fan that exhibits Flow Acceleration Channels and an Advanced Acoustic Optimisation frame for superior quiet cooling performance.

The structure suits water cooling radiators (AIO or DIY), PC cases, other chassis (intake and exhaust), cabinet ventilation, and more.

In this model, you get a 4-pin PWM version for automatic speed control via 4-pin PWM fan headers. There is a broad 300-1500 RPM speed range at which this device operates. The unit comes with silicone anti-vibration mounts, a low noise adaptor, and two PWM fans on the same header.

Such a setup offers quiet, powerful, and long-lasting functionality. However, when functioning at high speeds, the device is somewhat less quiet than the other devices mentioned above. This CPU cooler is also more suited to forming a new system, rather than upgrading an existing setup.

Buy Here: Amazon

Closing Thoughts

Installing a new CPU cooler is a great way to upgrade your PC performance. These devices are quieter than stock options and provide a much-needed respite for people who use their computers for long hours. Whether it is overclocking or increased loads, over-the-limit temperatures, or strange noises, CPU coolers are a great way to tackle all of these problems with ease.

Remember not to go overboard, though. The high price tag of expensive coolers might entice you into buying on the assumption of quality. But, for mainstream and less demanding jobs, the coolers mentioned in this article should be more than enough. That is all for now! Thank you for sticking with us.

Computers generate heat. To regulate heat, they come with coolers or heatsinks. Unfortunately, the built-in stock CPU coolers are of poor quality. They do not give you an ideal performance. This is particularly true if you’re running programs that require high computational power of the CPU. As a result, you run into the danger of overheating and damaging your system. Sure, you can use an additional CPU cooler, but there’s one other less expensive and more effective way.

Of course, we’re talking about CPU thermal paste. It’s a thermally conductive compound you apply between the CPU and its heatsink. Thermal paste prevents air gaps and speeds up the heat transfer between these two points. So, if you want to get the best thermal performance out of your CPU, consider purchasing a quality thermal paste. For your ease, we have listed down reviews of the five best CPU thermal paste available in the market. Have a look down below!

1. Noctua NT-H1

Of course, the best of the best thermal paste is Noctua NT-H1, and it’s not just because of the brand name. The NT-H1 offers several benefits that trump competition, such as superior performance, low cost, and easy application. Besides, it has also been very consistent in a uniform spread on chip surfaces in our experience.

The paste is made of thick particles, making it slightly dry. But it also makes Noctua NT-H1 a breeze to apply. It remains very stable during higher temperatures in the long run. You don’t have to spread it before installing your heatsink. Afterward, use tissue paper or a dry towel to clean up any mess. No need for Alcohol cleaning. Additionally, the thermal grease is a non-corroding and non-conductor of electricity, making it perfect for all types of heatsinks.

There is quite a generous amount in the syringe, 3.5g, to be exact. Therefore you will have plenty to use if you mess it up a couple of times. The recommended use time on the CPU is five years, and you can store the syringe for as long as three years after opening it up.

That said, Noctua NT-H1 is a magic thermal compound. It’s great not just for overheating but comes in handy for overclocking as well.

Buy Here: Amazon

2. Arctic Silver 5 AS5

Coming in second is another age-old name in the thermal paste world. AS5 is the choice of professionals for high-end machines, and we can see why. In our experiments, it brings down temperatures by 10 to 20 degrees, making your computer stable at higher frequencies.

It’s made almost entirely of micronized silver, which explains why it’s such a good heat dissipater. Silver is also less abrasive and harsh than other micronized materials. It’s viscosity changes are less subtle and certainly more effective.

There’s one problem, though. This particular paste does come with a settling time attached. So keep it in mind when starting the application process and plan accordingly. Also, although the material is non-conductor, it’s slightly capacitive. If you’re not careful when applying, it will spread outside to smaller components on the die and create trouble.

If you’re looking for a powerful CPU thermal paste, AS5 is the right choice. With one syringe containing a 3.5g compound, you are plenty covered for four to five repaste jobs. Not to mention, a low price point makes this purchase a total bargain.

Buy Here: Amazon

3. ARCTIC MX-4

If you want an Arctic Silver thermal paste but can’t wait for it to settle down, go for MX-4. No, wait game! It’s an updated version of the bestselling Arctic Silver thermal paste. Effective for CPU as well as GPU, it’s also one of the best Carbon-based thermal pastes out there.

Inside the package, there is a spatula for spreading the paste. Yeah, you can apply with the syringe itself, but we loved that extra help. The gooey paste leaves a hair thick, transparent layer. Moreover, the compound is metal-free and non-conductor, eliminating any danger of short-circuiting your components. The viscosity seems about ideal.

In contrast to silicone and metal thermal pastes, the MX-4 is highly durable. As per Arctic Silver, a good spread of this magic ointment can last for as long as eight years. If that’s true, this paste can outlast your desktop!

Though not suitable for overclocking, Arctic Mx-4 is great for cooling down your power hunger monsters. Though this thermal compound is comparatively expensive than AS5, the durability and better cooling performance are spending some more.

Buy Here: Amazon

4. Cooler Master Nano-tech Diamond Particle Thermal Paste

When a relative unknown thermal paste makes it to our top five list, you know it’s something special. The Cooler Master new Edition master gel maker provides exceptional thermal conductivity (4.5W/(m·K) to be exact). And the best thing is, you can use it with CPUs, GPUs, and even other chipsets to keep the temperature under control. Want to cool down your PlayStation 4? Try cooler master thermal paste!

The syringe has a unique design, distributing precisely and even spread. No need for a scrapper to apply. The non-curing and non-electricity conducting characteristics help avoid short-circuiting, oxidation, and erosion in the long run.

As for the drying time, there’s none. Simply apply it to your computer component, and you are good to go. The syringe remains usable for 2-3 years, but the 1.5ml compound drains out rather quickly, thanks to how useful it can be.

The adhesive made of nanodiamond particles is lightweight and super easy to apply. It’s not too thick and not too runny either. Yes, it sticks well, but keep in mind that it doesn’t harden. Therefore, we don’t think it will hold the heatsink in place. We were also slightly disappointed by just 1.5ml compound in the syringe, considering it’s comparatively expensive.

Buy Here: Amazon

5. Startech Metal Oxide Thermal CPU Paste

Here’s another lesser-known and just as effective thermal paste for your CPU overheating woes. The Startech’s thermal oxide CPU paste is a silver-based compound, just like AS5, but comes at half the price. It gives the heatsink a more secure connection and lowers the temperature by about 10 percent — not great, but still good.

Although the syringe is really small, the paste quantity is more than enough for 4 to 5 applications depending on the area. Easy to apply, and the substance remains gooey for a long time, unlike silicone-based gels that turn into a solid mess.

As it’s a liquid, you have to be super careful not to spread it on other components. The plunger applicator takes some care of that. But unfortunately, there’s no spatula in the package to help with the spread.

While it’s certainly effective, we didn’t notice any drastic drops in CPU temperature. So if you are a gamer, this compound isn’t for you. However, regular everyday users will certainly get the most bang out of their bucks.

Buy Here: Amazon

Buying the Best CPU Thermal Paste

When going for a thermal paste, keep these things in mind.

Composition

The composition of the thermal paste can affect your purchase in two ways. If it’s metal-based, you have to handle it with care as it’s electrically conductive. It can also corrode your circuits and damage your expensive gaming motherboard. Likewise, liquid metal pastes are generally non-conductive. But they can corrode an aluminum heatsink. So if you opt for a liquid metal paste, make sure your cooler or heatsink is made of nickel-plated copper.

Settling Time and Thermal Cycles

Some CPU thermal pastes do not require any settling time, you’re good to run your PC soon after applying the paste. However, other pastes need proper settling time. Still, others need to go through proper thermal cycles before they become fully operational and effective. Generally, the higher the viscosity, the more time and thermal cycles it will take to settle in all the nooks and crannies fully.

Specifications

When it comes to specs, you will see two terms on the label: Conductivity and Specific Gravity. The conductivity of a thermal paste is measured in watts per meter kelvin (W/mK). Higher this value, the more conductive it will be. Specific Gravity measures the viscosity. Higher this value, the more fluid and easy to apply your paste will be. With that said, your results can vary depending on how you’re applying the paste.

Amount to Apply

The amount you’re applying will depend on the size of your component. Desktop processors are comparatively larger. Whatever the size, your end goal is to get a paper-thin layer of the thermal paste over your component. To give you a rough estimate, a standard AM4 or LGA 1151 processor chip can utilize 3-4 rodeos of a 1.5gram syringe. On the other hand, bigger chips like Threadripper or LGA2066 will require larger 3.5gram syringes to cover the entire component properly.

Final Thoughts

In the end, the choice for the best CPU thermal paste boils down to your needs. Different pastes are used for different purposes. Therefore, keep your needs and their purpose in mind. For instance, If you’re setting up the best gaming laptop, consider opting for a paste that works great with overclocking. Using the wrong paste will result in disappointment, or even worse, damage your components.

Hope you enjoyed our buyer’s guide. Comment below for any suggestions. Till next time!

In this guide, check out how to check CPU utilization in Linux.

CPU utilization in Linux

The CPU is the primary source of all the processing power a computer offers. To get the most out of it, it’s necessary to manage and optimize its usage.

Modern operating systems are optimized to use the CPU as efficiently as possible. Even other apps out there are quite optimized. However, users may not be. In my case, for example, I play games while there are hundreds of browser tabs open and multiple background tasks running. While all the software is optimized, my way of usage will cause a higher CPU load.

If multiple users are logged in, then the CPU usage will automatically be high. However, the system admin may want to keep an eye on it to ensure that someone isn’t hogging all of it, causing overall poor system performance and experience. If a certain process/app is causing too much CPU usage, it may either be malfunctioning, bugged or that’s the nature of it.

Sometimes, unusual CPU usage may also indicate that there’s a system intrusion.

Based on all this information, checking CPU utilization can be quite insightful.

Check CPU utilization in Linux

In the case of Linux, there are numerous tools to monitor CPU usage. It has various built-in system calls to extract performance readings. Some of the tools come pre-installed with all Linux distros, some may require manual installation.

All the following methods are demonstrated on Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS. However, they’ll work just fine on any other modern distro.

Check CPU utilization using top

Using top, you can monitor the system in real-time. It reports a brief summary of system information along with a list of processes and threads currently being managed by the Linux kernel. It also offers interactive options to modify its behavior and perform various actions.

The top tool can show CPU utilization. Launch the tool.

Here, the key line to focus on is the third one. The output values are explained briefly. Each value explains the amount of time the CPU spends performing something.

• us: Time spent running processes for people in the “user space”.
• sy: Time spent running “kernel space” processes.
• ni: Time spent running processes with custom (manually set) nice value.
• id: Time spent idle.
• wa: Time spent waiting for I/O request completion.
• hi: Time spent servicing hardware interrupts.
• si: Time spent servicing software interrupts.
• st: Time lost for running virtual machine, also known as “steal time”.

Now, you can sort and filter the process list with various hotkeys. Here, I’ve described the ones that are associated with CPU usage.

• P: Sort processes by CPU usage.
• I: Remove idle processes from the list. To revert, press “I” again.
• M: Sort the list by memory usage.
• S: Sort the list by how long processes have been running.
• U: Filter the processes by the owner.
• K: Kill a process. Requires the PID of the process.

Check CPU utilization using htop

Htop and top both are essentially the same tools. They both offer the same features in terms of system monitoring capability. However, htop offers a better quality-of-life experience.

The default display of the htop is more comfortable to work with. The UI has better clarity than the top. The texts are colorized and pleasant to look at. It also offers both horizontal and vertical scrolling.

While most distros will have top installed by default, you have to install htop manually. It’s best to install htop using snap as it works on any Linux distro. Assuming you have snappy (the snap package manager) installed, run the following command.

Launch htop.

I’ll not discuss anything further as the usage of htop is the same as the top.

Check CPU utilization using iostat

The iostat tool reports CPU and I/O usage statistics. It’s a simple tool with simple output. However, it will only report the statistics of the moment the tool was run. Unlike top or htop, iostat doesn’t offer real-time system monitoring.

The iostat tool comes as a part of the sysstat package. It’s available on almost any Linux distro. Assuming you’ve installed the sysstat package, let’s move on.

Launch iostat.

Interested in a more in-depth report? Use the “-c” flag to see CPU usage of user processes, system processes, I/O wait, and idle time.

Use the flag “-x” for extended statistics. The flag “-t” will define how many times each report should be displayed.

Check CPU utilization using mpstat

The mpstat tool is a part of the sysstat package. The tool reports the usage of individual processors or processor cores.

To use mpstat, you have to have the sysstat package installed in your system. Assuming you already have the package installed, let’s move ahead.

Launch mpstat.

Here’s what the values mean. Each value describes the CPU usage at a certain level.

• %usr: User-level CPU usage.
• %nice: CPU usage by “nice” user processes.
• %sys: CPU usage by the kernel.
• %iowait: Waiting for disk read/write.
• %irq: Handling hardware interrupts.
• %soft: Handling software interrupts.
• %steal: Forced waiting for a hypervisor handling virtual processors.
• %guest: Running a virtual processor.
• %idle: Standing idle.

Check CPU utilization using sar

The sar command is for collecting and reporting system activity information. It offers a short and simple report about CPU utilization.

We can use sar to offer the CPU information at a certain interval (in seconds). While it’s not a real-time report, it’s still better to work with.

In the last example, sar would run infinitely. We can define how many instances sar will print the output. In the following example, sar will print the output at 5 seconds interval, for 10 times.

Check CPU utilization using vmstat

The vmstat tool reports various system information like system processes, memory, swap, CPU performance, and I/O.

Run vmstat. It’ll report the system information of the moment it was run.

Similar to sar, vmstat can report the system status at a fixed interval (in seconds).

In the last step, vmstat would run infinitely. To run vmstat for a fixed period of time, define the number of runs. Here, vmstat will report system status at 3 seconds interval, for 10 times.

Check CPU utilization using Glances

Glances is a powerful tool for monitoring system status. It’s written in Python that uses the psutil library for grabbing various system information. Glances offer lots of in-depth system info like CPU monitoring, memory, network usage, disk I/O, processes, and filesystem utilization, etc. Check out Glances at GitHub.

Installing Glances is a simple task. The following method will work on any GNU/Linux distro. All you need is to have either curl or wget installed in your system. Glances will be installed with all the necessary dependencies.

Glances are also available as a snap package. Assuming you have snappy (snap package manager) installed in your system, install Glances snap from Snapcraft. Check out Glances at Snapcraft.

Using Glances is very simple. To start the standalone mode, run the following command.

Glances also offer to run in web server mode. To start the webserver, run the following command.

To access the server, go to the following URL.

For raw information output, Glances can print the output to STDOUT.

Final thoughts

There are plenty of ways to get CPU utilization. While all of them work just fine, depending on your necessity, you may have to stick with a few of them. If you’re a system admin, then mastering top/htop and Glances offer the most flexibility. If you just want a quick update of the system resource consumption, then other methods offer a better experience.

Checking CPU utilization is fine and useful. However, to ensure stability, it’s necessary to verify that your system can function fine even under the maximum stress. Check out some useful Linux apps to stress test and benchmark CPU performance.

Happy computing!

At times, you may feel as though some unnecessary processes are running on your system, you might not need a process any longer, or a process may have started malfunctioning. In all of these situations, you will have to try to find a way of killing (or ending) the processes. You can kill a process in Linux either via the GUI or the CLI. This article explores some of the different ways in which to kill a process from the command line in Linux.

Note: The methods shown in this article are performed in Linux Mint 20.

Methods for Killing a Process using the Command Line

The following include three distinct forms of killing a process from the command line in Linux Mint 20.

Method # 1: Using the “kill” Command

To kill a process via the terminal using the “kill” command in Linux Mint 20, proceed according to the method given below:

First, launch the terminal by clicking on its icon present in the Linux Mint 20 taskbar. The Linux Mint 20 terminal is shown in the following image:

To use the “kill” command, you will need to know the process ID of the process that you want to kill using this command. This is also known as the PID, which is a unique identifier for every process operating on your system. To determine the process IDs of all currently running processes on your system, execute the following command in the terminal:

This command will fetch a list of all the processes that are currently running on your Linux Mint 20 system, along with their PIDs.

The list of all currently running processes on my system is shown in the image below:

Now, after identifying the PID of the process that you want to kill, you will need to execute the “kill” command. For this scenario, we will kill the Firefox process with the PID “1934,” as you can verify from the image shown above.

Note that this PID will be different every time you run a new instance of a process. Moreover, in the image shown above, you can see multiple PIDs corresponding to the Firefox process. All of these are child PIDs, except for the first one. This is the reason behind using “1934” as the PID of the Firefox process, which is, in fact, its first PID.

The syntax of the “kill” command is as follows:

Here, you will need to replace the term “PID” with the PID of the process that you want to kill. In this example, we have replaced the term “PID” with “1934,” i.e., the PID of the Firefox process, as shown in the image below:

The successful execution of this command will immediately kill the Firefox process and you will no longer be able to find it in the list of currently running processes on your system.

Method # 2: Using the “pkill” Command

To kill a process via the terminal using the “pkill” command in Linux Mint 20, proceed according to the method given below:

The “pkill” command does not require the process ID of a process to kill it; rather, you can perform this action simply if you know the exact name of the process. In this scenario, we want to run the “ping” command, and then, during its execution, we want to kill the process using the “pkill” command.

First, ping a website using the following command:

Here, replace the URL with the website URL that you want to ping. In this example, we wanted to ping Google.com, as shown in the following image:

As this “ping” command is executing in the terminal, launch another instance of the terminal, and then, execute the following command in the terminal:

Here, replace the term “ProcessName” with the name of the process that you want to kill using the “pkill” command. In this example, we have replaced the term with “ping,” since we want to kill the ping process.

After hitting the Enter key, go back to the terminal instance where the “ping” command was running, and you will notice that this process has been terminated, as shown in the image below:

Method # 3: Using the “killall” Command:

To kill a process via the terminal using the “killall” command in Linux Mint 20, proceed according to the method given below:

The “killall” command can kill a process, along with all of its child processes. Again, just like the “pkill” command, the “killall” command does not require the PIDs; rather, you can simply kill a process if you know its name.

To demonstrate the usage of this command, we have replicated the same scenario again that we created above, i.e., we tried to ping Google.com with the “ping” command.

After doing that, launch a new terminal instance, and then, enter the following command:

Here, you can replace the term “ProcessName” with the name of the process that you need to kill using the “killall” command. In this case, we have replaced the term with “ping,” as shown in the image below:

After executing this command, you must go back to the terminal instance where you executed the “ping” command. You will notice that the process has already been terminated, as you can see in the following image:

Conclusion

By using any of the three methods described in this article, you can kill as many processes as you want while using Linux Mint 20, and hence, save all the system resources that these processes were occupying.

This article will explore a few tricks that are useful to check CPU usage for Linux systems on Ubuntu 20.04. If you are the administrator of the server or working on a personal desktop, it is easy to monitor the system’s CPU usage on Ubuntu 20.04 using the command line.

This article will discuss commands that are useful to monitor your system’s CPU usage in Ubuntu 20.04. First, open the terminal application using the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T.

Monitor CPU Performance with top Command

The following output will generate on your terminal, giving live insights into the services running on the system, the total number of resources being used, and a summary of CPU usage in your system.

Monitor CPU Usage with htop Command

The htop command is similar to the top command. The htop command gives detailed information about your CPU and other resource usage. This command is not installed on the Ubuntu system, so you will need to install the htop command on your system. To install the htop command, first update the apt repository of your Ubuntu 20.04 system using the following command:

Next, install the htop on your system using the apt repository:

Once you have installed the htop utility on Ubuntu 20.04, you may view a detailed summary of the CPU usage on your system using the following command in the terminal application:

Monitor CPU Usage with sysstat Package

There are additional methods available to monitor CPU usage on your system. To use these methods, install the ‘sysstat’ package on your Linux system. To install this package, run the following command in the terminal:

Once the sysstat utility is installed on your system, you may access the ‘mpstat’ command to view the CPU usage on your system. The ‘mpstat’ command gives the same output as a ‘top’ command, but in a more precise format, as follows:

In a sysstat package, one more command is included. This command is known as the ‘sar’ command, in which you can define a number that gives the information in seconds of CPU usage.

For example, if you want to monitor CPU usage after every 4 seconds, enter the following command:

Using the sar command, you can also stop the command after a specified number of iterations.

For example, in the following image, the sar command will monitor CPU usage every 3 seconds for 4 iterations.

The vmstat Command

You can also check CPU usage sing the vmstat command. Run this command on the terminal, as follows:

Monitor CPU with gnome GUI

If you would like to monitor your system’s CPU usage using the GUI desktop environment, you may use the default gnome tool. To open the gnome tool, you need to execute the following command on the terminal. You may also open this tool from your system’s applications.

The gnome window will appear on the system. In this window, you can check running processes and their CPU usage. Select a process and click on the setting icon. Here, you can see the details about the selected task:

Conclusion

In this article, you have seen how to monitor CPU usage on your Ubuntu Linux system. You learned about various tools that you can use to monitor your system’s CPU usage. Using these methods, you can perform a detailed analysis of CPU usage on your system and you can handle system resources according to your needs.

This article will list some of the command line apps available in Linux to monitor hardware sensors. Many graphical apps use these command line tools as base, especially the first two apps mentioned below.

Lm-sensors

Lm-sensors is a suite of command line apps for monitoring and viewing sensor data. It can show sensor information like fan speed, voltage, temperature and so on.

To install Lm-sensors in Ubuntu, run the command below:

After the installation has finished, run the command below to identify sensors on your system:

Lm-sensors will show some prompts in terminal and request your input. Read each prompt carefully and answer in YES/no. These prompts can be different for different systems depending on hardware configuration, so there is no one standard way to configure the sensors. It is necessary to complete this command line configuration wizard otherwise wrong or only partial information about sensors may be available.

After you have answered all the questions, reboot your system and run the command below to check CPU temperature, GPU temperature, fan speed, voltage etc. in the terminal:

If you prefer Fahrenheit units instead of Celsius, run a modified command mentioned below:

To automatically update temperature values every second, run a command in the following format:

Here “-n 1” refers to the time interval in seconds between updates.

Psutil

Psutil is a Python module that can look up hardware information, active processes and real time system utilization data. Since Psutil can show a lot of data about your hardware, you can effectively use it as a replacement for multiple command line apps and bash commands that are used separately for retrieving various hardware utilization values.

To install Psutil in Ubuntu, run the command below:

Once the installation has finished, run the command below to quickly view CPU and GPU temperature:

To continuously show temperature every second, run the command below:

Here “-n 1” refers to the time interval in seconds between updates.

Since Psutil is a Python library, you can use it in Python scripts and GUI apps made in Python. A couple of nice scripts provided by official Psutil documentation can be used to view well formatted output in the terminal.

The first script “temperatures.py” can be downloaded from here. Run the command below to view temperature values once you have downloaded the file:

To continuously view temperature values at a fixed interval of one second, run the command below:

The second script called “sensors.py” can be downloaded from here. In addition to temperature values, this script also provides fan speed in RPM, battery level and so on. Run the command below once you have downloaded the file:

To continuously view temperature values, fan speed etc. at a fixed interval of one second, run the command below:

HardInfo

HardInfo is a graphical app that displays information about various hardware components in your system. It can also do certain benchmarks to measure performance and can export detailed reports in text and html formats.

To install hardInfo in Ubuntu, run the command below:

Along with the GTK app, it also provides a command line interface as capable as the graphical frontend. To view sensors and current temperature values using HardInfo, run the command below:

Glances

Glances is a “top” like tool for Linux that shows real time hardware utilization data in a terminal. It is written in Python language and in fact it uses Psutil library mentioned above. However, it comes with a lot of extra features like a built-in lightweight server, RESTful JSON API, web UI that can be viewed in a browser, CSV export and so on. If you have used tools like top / htop, it looks and works similar to them.

To install Glances in Ubuntu, run the command below:

To see sensors and their temperature values along with other hardware information, run the command below:

To view temperature values in Fahrenheit units, run the command below:

To view only sensors data and nothing else, run the command below:

Here “-t 1” refers to the time interval in seconds between updates.

Conclusion

These are some of the command line apps available for Linux to monitor temperature of hardware components on a system. These apps are light on CPU and memory consumption and they are ideal for remotely monitoring servers.

You can set how much CPU a single process is allowed to have. If the process really needs a lot of CPU power, you can run a few commands to give it all the idle CPU cycles (CPU cycles that you don’t need). That way, you will never have to sit and stare at your unresponsive computer for long.

In this article, I will show you how to Limit CPU usage of a process on Linux. I am going to use CentOS 7 in this article. But any modern Linux distribution should work. So, Let’s get started.

Limiting CPU Usage with nice and renice:

On Linux, the priorities of each running processes can be changed. You can set higher priorities to the process which is more important to you than a process that is hogging your CPU for no good reason.

Every process on Linux has a nice value. The value of nice determines which process has higher priorities and which has lower. Nice value can be between -20 to 19. A process with the nice value of -20 will have the highest priority and will use the most CPU cycles. A process with the nice value 19 will have the lowest priority and will use the CPU when no other processes are using it only.

There are two ways to set the nice value of a process. You can either start a process with the nice command to set a nice value while starting the process. Or you can use the renice command to set a nice value after a process has started.

To set a nice value when you start a process, run the process as follows:

NOTE: Here NICE_VALUE can be anything from -20 to 19 and COMMAND_TO_RUN is any command that you want to run with the nice value of NICE_VALUE.

For example, let’s say, you want to run the sleep command with the nice value of 14. Run the command as follows:

Now you can verify whether the nice value is set correctly using the top command. You can list all the processes that you started (as your login user) with the following command:

As you can see, the nice value of the process is set to 14.

Now if you wish to change the nice value of your existing processes, then all you need is the process ID (PID) of the process of which you want to change the nice value. You can use the ps aux command or the top command to find the process ID or PID.

Then you can run renice command as follows to change the nice value of an existing process:

As you can see, the nice value of the process with PID 6422 is changed.

Limiting CPU Usage with CGROUPS:

The full form of CGROUPS is Control Groups. It is a Linux kernel features used to limit resources to process groups such as (CPU, memory, permissions and many more) on Linux.

All you have to do is, create a new process group and add your processes that you want to limit resources to, to that group. Simple!

CGROUPS management tools are not installed on CentOS 7 by default. But it is available in the official package repository of CentOS 7.

First update the YUM package repository cache with the following command:

Now install CGROUPS management tools with the following command:

Now press y and then press <Enter>.

It should be installed.

You can limit CPU usage of a single group. For example, you can use CGROUPS to tell a process within a CGROUP to use let’s say 100ms out of every 1000ms (or .1s out of every 1s) of CPU time.

First create a CGROUP with the following command:

NOTE: Here, cpulimit is the group name that controls the cpu usage.

Now, you have to set cpu.cfs_period_us and cpu.cfs_quota_us property on the cpulimit group.

For this example, 1000ms (milliseconds) or 1000000us (microseconds) should be set to cpu.cfs_period_us property and 100ms or 100000us should be set to the cpu.cfs_quota_us property.

Run the following commands to set these properties to the cpulimit group:

Now you can run the following command to check whether all the properties are correctly set:

NOTE: Here, cpulimit is the name of the CGROUP and cpu is the resource that I am limiting.

As you can see, cpu.cfs_period_us and cpu.cfs_quota_us are correctly set.

Now whatever process you add to cpulimit CGROUP will use 1/10^th (100000/1000000 = 1/10 = 0.1 = 10%) of the total CPU cycles.

Now to limit CPU of a process, start the program or command with cgexec as follows:

NOTE: Here, YOUR_COMMAND can be any valid Linux commands.

To prove that it actually works, first I am going to run the following command without CGROUPS and then with CGROUPS and show you the results.

As you can see, without CGROUPS, the command uses 90% of the total CPU.

Then, I ran the same command with CGROUPS as follows:

As you can see, the CPU usage is 10% at maximum. The process is not using more than that.

So that’s how you use CGROUPS to limit CPU usage of a process on Linux. Thanks for reading this article.

References:

[1] https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/6/html/resource_management_guide/sec-cpu

[2] https://linux.die.net/man/1/nice

[3] https://linux.die.net/man/8/renice ]]>