How to Monitor CPU & GPU Temperatures on Ubuntu with Sensors, Glances, and i7z

Even though hardware evolves rapidly, laptop overheating remains a common problem. Monitoring CPU and GPU temperatures helps identify the cause of overheating.

1. lm-sensors

sudo apt-get install lm-sensors

installs the lm-sensors package on Ubuntu. After installation, run sudo sensors-detect to probe all sensor chips. Then execute sensors to display current readings such as CPU temperature, fan speed, and ambient temperature.

dell_smm-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
Processor Fan: 2515 RPM
CPU:               +55.0°C
Ambient:           +38.0°C
SODIMM:             +42.0°C

coretemp-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
Package id 0:      +56.0°C (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)
Core 0:             +54.0°C (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)
Core 1:             +52.0°C (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)
Core 2:             +56.0°C (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)
Core 3:             +51.0°C (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)

2. Glances

Glances is a cross‑platform system monitoring tool written in Python that uses the psutil library. It can display CPU, memory, swap, load average, process list, network interfaces, disk I/O, sensors (including CPU temperature), battery, Docker containers, and more, adapting the displayed information to the size of the terminal.

Install it with sudo apt install glances -y, then start it by running glances. Press f inside Glances to view sensor details.

3. i7z

i7z reports real‑time information about Intel i3/i5/i7 CPUs, including Turbo Boost status, current frequency, multiplier, temperature, and C‑state residency.

Install it on Ubuntu with sudo apt install i7z -y and run it as root: sudo i7z. The tool prints detailed CPU information and debugging data.

These three command‑line utilities provide a quick way to monitor temperature and related hardware metrics on Ubuntu, helping you diagnose and address overheating issues.