Is it safe to ignore high CPU temperatures like 90–100°C?

Don't worry too much, your CPU has mechanisms to protect itself. At around 90°C, it'll start reducing its clock speeds to cool down, and at around 100°C, you might see shutdowns without warning if it gets too hot. But it's best to address the cooling issue before it reaches those levels to avoid potential long-term damage!

It's not just about performance drop; prolonged exposure to high temps could degrade the silicon over time. If it throttles properly, it’s usually okay, but you might start experiencing memory errors or crashes if the thermal management isn't sufficient. Plus, consider updating your BIOS; there could be fixes for temperature management on your 12th gen chip.

Your CPU has built-in failsafes. Initially, it will limit its speed to reduce heat, but if it keeps getting too hot, it will eventually shut down automatically, typically around 100–115°C. So, while it's not ideal, it won't just break instantly. But running it that hot definitely affects performance and could lead to issues over time.

When a CPU overheats, it starts thermal throttling to protect itself, which means it slows down to cool off. It's similar to what happens with smartphones when they get too hot. If you're hitting those high temps, try applying a good amount of thermal paste or cranking up your fan speeds to improve airflow.