Unlike most components in a computer such as the processor, graphics card, and RAM, which have protection against high temperatures that allows them to shut down abruptly once the maximum limit is exceeded to avoid burning or permanent damage, storage units like SSDs and HDDs do not have a similar technology. Despite being more sensitive to high temperatures than any other component inside the computer, they can continue to work even if the temperature rises and exceeds the maximum limits.
Why is Monitoring Storage Unit Temperature Important?
Manufacturers of computer storage units, both SSDs and HDDs, set a maximum temperature limit ranging between 30 to 65 degrees Celsius or 86 to 149 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on your use of the device, this limit may be exceeded. Unfortunately, the user will not notice the rise in hard drive or SSD temperature despite these units already including temperature sensors, just like the processor, graphics card, and RAM. But unless the user uses an external program to monitor the temperature, they will not notice the hard drive exceeding the maximum limits.
How to Check the Maximum Temperature Recorded by Your SSD or HDD
For this explanation, we will rely solely on the Hard Disk Sentinel program, which specializes in monitoring and analyzing computer storage units, whether HDD or SSD. It provides the user with precise details about storage performance, unit problems, ways to fix them, and ensuring they work as intended.
Among the details that the program displays, derived from the S.M.A.R.T technology (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology), is the current temperature and average temperature over the day, in addition to displaying the highest temperature the hard drive has reached since it was first turned on!
After running the program, quick information about the state of the hard drive or SSD will appear, such as the overall performance of the storage and the estimated duration of the storage unit’s operation since it was connected to the computer.
You can also find out the estimated remaining lifespan of the hard drive based on the status report. Anyway, what we need now is to select the hard drive from the sidebar, then go to the “Temperature” section to display information regarding the temperature. Here you will find the highest temperature recorded by the hard drive or SSD under the indicator (Maximum Temperature (during entire lifespan)).
One of the most important features of the Hard Disk Sentinel program is launching alerts or executing tasks when a problem is detected, such as a significant increase in temperature. In this way, the safety of the hard drive can be maintained and its lifespan extended by avoiding exposing it to high heat for a long period. To activate this feature, all you have to do is click on the Configuration menu from the toolbar, then select Preferences from the dropdown menu.
From the window that appears, go to the Alerts section and scroll to “When temperature is too high”, then put a checkmark (✔) parallel to the Sound alert column in front of “℃ Above 50”. Unfortunately, you cannot edit the maximum temperature at which you are alerted unless you purchase the full version. But you can rely on other programs to do this specific role, such as Open Hardware Monitor.
