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Alex_Gamer Posted: October 26, 2023, 10:30 AM

Custom Fan Curves: Optimizing Your PC's Cooling

Welcome to the guide on creating custom fan curves for your PC! Properly configuring your fan speeds can lead to a quieter system during idle or light loads, while ensuring adequate cooling when your components are under stress. This guide will cover the basics and provide actionable steps.

Why Use Custom Fan Curves?

  • Noise Reduction: Quieter operation when not gaming or performing demanding tasks.
  • Optimal Cooling: Ensures fans ramp up sufficiently to prevent overheating during intense workloads.
  • Component Longevity: Maintaining lower temperatures can extend the lifespan of your hardware.
  • Personalization: Tailor your system's acoustics and performance to your specific needs.

Understanding Fan Control Software

Most modern motherboards and dedicated fan controllers come with software that allows you to adjust fan curves. Popular options include:

  • Motherboard BIOS/UEFI: Accessible during boot-up, offers fundamental control.
  • Manufacturer Software: e.g., ASUS AI Suite, MSI Dragon Center, Gigabyte EasyTune.
  • Third-Party Software: e.g., FanControl (highly recommended for advanced users), SpeedFan (older but still functional).

For this guide, we'll focus on concepts applicable to most software, with a nod towards the flexibility of tools like FanControl.

Key Concepts

A fan curve is a graph that plots fan speed (usually in Percentage or RPM) against a temperature reading (usually CPU or GPU temperature). The key points on this graph are:

  • Minimum Fan Speed: The lowest speed the fan will run at. Many modern fans have a minimum speed they can physically operate at.
  • Maximum Fan Speed: The speed the fan will reach at its highest temperature threshold.
  • Temperature Thresholds: Specific temperatures at which the fan speed will change.
  • Hysteresis: A delay or buffer to prevent fans from rapidly cycling up and down when temperatures fluctuate around a threshold.

Creating Your First Fan Curve

Here's a general approach:

  1. Identify Your Target Temperatures: What are your idle and load temperatures? What are acceptable maximums for your CPU and GPU? (e.g., Idle: 30-40°C, Load: 60-75°C for CPU; Idle: 30-50°C, Load: 65-80°C for GPU).
  2. Access Your Fan Control Software: Whether it's BIOS or dedicated software, find the fan control section.
  3. Choose Your Temperature Source: Typically CPU or GPU temperature. Some software allows for combined or other sensor inputs.
  4. Set a Quiet Idle Speed: For temperatures below 40-50°C, set a low fan speed (e.g., 20-30%) that is inaudible or very quiet.
  5. Define a Ramp-Up Point: As temperatures rise (e.g., around 50-60°C), start increasing the fan speed more noticeably.
  6. Set a Max Cooling Speed: At higher temperatures (e.g., 70-80°C), ensure fans reach a higher speed (e.g., 70-100%) to effectively dissipate heat.
  7. Implement Hysteresis: If available, set a small delay (e.g., 1-3 seconds) or a temperature buffer (e.g., 3-5°C) to prevent constant fan speed changes.

Example Curve (CPU Fan):


Temperature (°C) | Fan Speed (%)
-----------------|--------------
0                | 20
45               | 25
60               | 50
75               | 80
85               | 100

Advanced Tips & Considerations

  • Case Fans vs. CPU/GPU Fans: Case fans often benefit from a smoother, less aggressive curve than CPU or GPU fans.
  • Fan Quality: Higher-quality fans are quieter at higher RPMs, allowing for more aggressive curves without excessive noise.
  • Dust Build-up: Over time, dust can reduce cooling efficiency, requiring higher fan speeds. Regular cleaning is crucial.
  • Ambient Temperature: Room temperature significantly impacts component temperatures. Adjust curves accordingly.
  • Testing: Use stress-testing software (e.g., Prime95 for CPU, FurMark for GPU, or demanding games) to monitor temperatures and fan behavior under load.
  • FanControl Software: For the ultimate flexibility, explore FanControl. It allows for complex curves based on multiple sensor inputs, custom fan groups, and detailed logging. You can find it on GitHub.

Troubleshooting

Fans not spinning: Check minimum RPM requirements. Ensure fans are connected correctly.

Fans too loud: Lower the fan speed at lower/medium temperatures. Invest in quieter fans.

Overheating: Increase fan speeds at higher temperatures. Ensure good airflow within the case and clean dust filters.

Constant fan fluctuations: Increase hysteresis settings.

Experimentation is key to finding the perfect balance for your system. Happy tuning!