January 25, 2025

Fedora 41 -- CPU temperature

I want to eyeball the CPU temperature whenever I feel like it.

gkrellm

This works, but is not as handy as I want. 
su
dnf install gkrellm
Then I just type "gkrellm" at the command line and get this vertical column of information. But no CPU temps by default. I configure them, but they don't stick. There is probably more to be learned here, but I think there is a better way .....

xfce4-sensors-plugin

I install this also: 
su
dnf install xfce4-sensors-plugin
Installing:
 xfce4-sensors-plugin    x86_64  1.4.4-4.fc41
Installing dependencies:
 hddtemp                 x86_64  0.3-0.57.beta15.fc41
 lm_sensors              x86_64  3.6.0-20.fc41
This pulls in 2 other bonus packages. Having lm_sensors means I can type: 
sensors
Package id 0:  +42.0°C  (high = +85.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 0:        +40.0°C  (high = +85.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 1:        +42.0°C  (high = +85.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 2:        +39.0°C  (high = +85.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 3:        +37.0°C  (high = +85.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
This certainly gives a quick answer when desired.

With the plugin, I am supposed to be able to add the sensors to my xfce4 panel. I go to the panel, get a menu, and select "add new items". I find "Sensor plugin" and add it.

It inserts itself at the far right of my panel. I click on it, configure it, and ask for all 4 core temps to be displayed. And there they are, all sitting at 40C more or less.

It is interesting that my Windows machine (with the same CPU) is at 50C and idle. It suggests (along with the 72C warnings I get sometimes) that my CPU fan and cooler on that machine are not doing their job.

Have any comments? Questions? Drop me a line!

Adventures in Computing / tom@mmto.org