Built by Enthusiasts,
for Gamers
TempCore is an independent PC hardware resource maintained by a team of hardware enthusiasts and gamers. We built the tools we wanted to exist — a straightforward FPS estimator that actually accounts for CPU ceilings and laptop TGP limits, a GPU temperature checker based on real thermal spec sheets, and guides grounded in real benchmark data rather than anecdote.
All tools are free, ad-free, and have no paywalls. We generate no revenue from product recommendations. Our only goal is to help people understand their hardware.
This About page documents exactly how each tool works, where the numbers come from, and the limitations you should be aware of. If you spot an error or a missing model, the feedback link in the footer is the fastest way to reach us.
How FPS Estimates Are Calculated
GPU Performance Multipliers
Each desktop GPU is assigned a multiplier relative to the RTX 4090 at 1440p High (= 1.0). These are weighted averages derived from aggregated benchmark data across GamersNexus, Digital Foundry, TechPowerUp, and HardwareUnboxed reviews — typically 6–10 titles per GPU. We do not cherry-pick scenes or use synthetic benchmarks.
CPU Gaming Ceiling
Each CPU has a maximum gaming FPS ceiling — the point beyond which the GPU can't push frames faster regardless of GPU tier. Values are derived from GPU-bottleneck-excluded benchmarks (pairs like i9-14900K + RTX 4090 at 1080p Low) sourced from GamersNexus and TechPowerUp CPU gaming charts. The final FPS = min(gpuFPS, cpuCeiling).
Laptop TGP Scaling
Laptop GPU multipliers are calibrated at maximum TGP. When a specific laptop model is entered, the actual manufacturer TGP (sourced from NotebookCheck.net and official spec sheets) is applied via an empirical formula: scale = 0.45 + 0.55 × (tgp / maxTGP). This reflects the non-linear relationship between power limit and GPU performance observed across 50+ laptop reviews.
Game Base FPS Values
Each game has a base FPS value representing RTX 4090 performance at 1440p High, native resolution. Values are taken from the same source pool as GPU multipliers, cross-referenced across at least 3 publications. CPU sensitivity (cpuScale), RAM sensitivity, and upscaling boost are calibrated per game from the same datasets.
cpuCeiling = cpu.fps × game.cpuScale × resFactor × ramTypeMult // CPU bottleneck ceiling
finalFPS = min(gpuFPS, cpuCeiling) // whichever limits first
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Laptop: gpuFPS ×= tgpScaleFactor(model.tgp, gpu) // TGP adjustment
DLSS/FSR: finalFPS ×= game.upscaleBoost // Quality mode upscaling estimate
Sample comparisons between TempCore estimates and published benchmark averages (averaged across GamersNexus, TechPowerUp, and Digital Foundry where all three cover the config). Native resolution, no upscaling.
| GPU | CPU | Game / Settings | TempCore Est. | Published Avg. | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 4090 | i9-13900K | Cyberpunk 2077 · 1440p · Ultra | 65 FPS | 61–68 FPS | ✓ In range |
| RTX 4070 | Ryzen 5 7600X | Cyberpunk 2077 · 1440p · High | 57 FPS | 54–63 FPS | ✓ In range |
| RTX 3060 | i5-12400F | CS2 · 1080p · High | 200 FPS | 185–215 FPS | ✓ In range |
| RX 7800 XT | Ryzen 7 7700X | Alan Wake 2 · 1440p · High | 51 FPS | 48–57 FPS | ✓ In range |
| RTX 4060 Ti | i5-13600K | Elden Ring · 1080p · Maximum | 60 FPS | 60 FPS | ✓ Exact (capped) |
| RTX 4050 Laptop (60W) | Ryzen 7 7735HS | Cyberpunk 2077 · 1080p · High | 32 FPS | 29–38 FPS | ✓ In range |
| RTX 4070 Laptop (115W) | Ryzen 7 7745HX | Fortnite · 1080p · Epic | 115 FPS | 108–125 FPS | ✓ In range |
Published averages sourced from GamersNexus, TechPowerUp, Digital Foundry, and NotebookCheck (laptop). Elden Ring is 60 FPS-capped natively.
Where the Numbers Come From
We do not run in-house benchmark labs. Instead, we aggregate and cross-validate published benchmark data from the most rigorous hardware review outlets. Every multiplier, TGP value, and CPU ceiling in our database was traced to at least one of these sources.
Limitations You Should Know
For mainstream GPU + CPU combinations in well-benchmarked titles, estimates fall within ±10–15% of published averages. Outliers exist for games with unusual engine characteristics (e.g. very high CPU sensitivity like Dragon's Dogma 2) or GPUs with limited benchmark coverage.
Driver updates and game patches can shift performance 5–20% in either direction. Our estimates reflect data at the time of calibration. A newly patched game (like Cyberpunk post-2.0 update) may differ significantly from pre-patch numbers in published benchmarks.
Laptop GPU performance varies ±20% based on OEM cooling solution, chassis design, and whether the MUX switch (discrete GPU mode) is enabled. Even with a known model TGP, real-world results can diverge from our estimate. The figure we show should be treated as a well-informed estimate, not a guarantee.
Temperature Data Methodology
GPU safe-temperature ranges in the checker tool are derived from manufacturer TJ Max specifications (the point at which thermal throttling begins, per official data sheets) combined with community-validated safe gaming thresholds from TechPowerUp and Gamers Nexus thermal testing.
Junction temperature (hotspot) data for modern Ampere, Ada Lovelace, and RDNA 2/3 GPUs is sourced from TechPowerUp reviews and NVIDIA/AMD documentation. Hotspot temps can run 10–20°C above core temperature — our checker accounts for this when flagging hotspot warnings.
Found an Error? Missing a GPU?
Our databases are maintained manually. If you spot a wrong CPU spec in the laptop database, an incorrect TGP value, a missing GPU model, or a game FPS estimate that's clearly off — please let us know. Use the thumbs-down button in any tool, or mention the specific config (GPU + game + resolution + actual FPS you're seeing).
New GPU and laptop models are added within 4–6 weeks of release once sufficient benchmark data is available from at least two independent sources. Database updates are noted in the tool's "Last Updated" date.