Freedom251 › Hardware Monitoring Software
Core Temp
What Core Temp is
Core Temp is a compact Windows program for monitoring processor temperature and other vital information, with an Android companion app. It reads Digital Thermal Sensors inside processor cores and can show a separate temperature for each core of every processor. Intel, AMD, and VIA x86-based processors are supported. Listed Windows requirements include Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, 7, XP, and multiple Windows Server versions. Remote monitoring is supported, while custom sensors are not. Plug-ins provide customization and expansion; official add-ons include a gadget, remote server, grapher, and other tools. Overheating protection is available through the Options menu, with Windows Event Log and system tray notifications as alert channels. Administrator privileges are required because the program loads a kernel-mode driver. Some AMD families expose one thermal sensor, resulting in a single CPU reading. Personal use is free; commercial licenses are priced per physical machine.
Who it suits
Core Temp suits Windows users who need per-core processor temperatures, remote monitoring, alerts, and plug-in extensions. Personal use is free, while commercial users need a license for each physical machine.
What it does well
- Per-core temperature readings
- Supports Intel, AMD, and VIA processors
- Remote monitoring available
- Plug-in customization and expansion
- Overheating protection included
What to know first
- Custom sensors are not supported
- Administrator privileges are required
- Some AMD families show one temperature
- Commercial licensing is per physical machine
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Personal use | Free for private use | On request |
| Commercial license (1 license) | One license is required per physical machine. · Commercial use license | $25 a month |
| Commercial license (2–9 licenses) | One license is required per physical machine. · 2–9 licenses | $20 a month |
| Commercial license (10–24 licenses) | One license is required per physical machine. · 10–24 licenses | $17 a month |
| Commercial license (25–49 licenses) | One license is required per physical machine. · 25–49 licenses | $15 a month |
| Commercial license (50–99 licenses) | One license is required per physical machine. · 50–99 licenses | $12 a month |
| Commercial license (100–199 licenses) | One license is required per physical machine. · 100–199 licenses | $9 a month |
| Commercial license (200–499 licenses) | One license is required per physical machine. · 200–499 licenses | $7 a month |
The first 8 of 19 plans, as alcpu.com lists them, read 24 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word. Every plan
Verdict
Core Temp focuses on direct processor-core temperature readings with monitoring, alerts, plug-ins, and an Android companion. It is free for private use, but hardware access requires administrator privileges and commercial use requires machine-based licensing.
Facts from Core Temp's own pages
- Add-ons
- Official add-ons include Core Temp Gadget, RGBPlugins, Core Temp Remote Server, Core Temp MC, Core Temp Grapher and a Core Temp mIRC script. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Administrative access
- Core Temp requires administrator privileges because it loads a kernel-mode driver at runtime to access hardware information. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Commercial licensing
- The commercial license page says one license is required per physical machine. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Compatibility limit
- Some AMD processor families expose only one thermal sensor, so Core Temp can show only a single CPU temperature reading for them. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- CPU vendors
- The software supports processors from Intel, AMD and VIA. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Customization
- Core Temp is described as easy to use while enabling customization and expandability through plug-ins. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Custom sensor support
- No · alcpu.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · alcpu.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Latest listed release
- The homepage lists Core Temp version 1.20.1 dated 2 May 2026. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Operating systems
- The stated requirements list Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, 7, XP and multiple Windows Server versions. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Overheating protection
- The official FAQ says Core Temp implements overheating protection through its Options menu. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Per-core readings
- It can display the temperature of each individual core of every processor in the system. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Privacy practices
- ALCPU says it uses security measures to protect personal information and does not sell, trade or rent users' personal identification information. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Processor requirement
- The stated processor requirement is an Intel, AMD or VIA x86-based processor. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Core Temp is a compact program for monitoring processor temperature and other vital information. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Remote monitoring
- Core Temp Monitor for Android and Windows Phone can monitor machines remotely when used with Core Temp Remote Server. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Security update
- Version 1.20 lists a fix for a driver security vulnerability and a fix for a BSOD with Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection enabled. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Sensor method
- Core Temp collects readings directly from Digital Thermal Sensors located in processor cores rather than external motherboard sensors. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Support
- ALCPU provides a support forum and lists postal and email contact information for inquiries. · alcpu.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows; Android companion app · alcpu.com, 24 Sept 2026
Where Core Temp stands on Freedom251
- Hardware Monitoring Software#11 of 59
- Hardware monitoring tools#19 of 59