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If you’re a gamer or someone who frequently uses their computer for intensive tasks, you know how important it is to keep your CPU cool. Overheating can lead to damage, decreased performance, and potential hardware failure. A common solution to combatting heat is to use a CPU fan, but did you know you can control the speed of that fan? In this article, we’ll be discussing how to control CPU fan speed with MSI Afterburner.
Introduction
MSI Afterburner is a popular overclocking and hardware monitoring app that can also control fan settings. It’s compatible with most graphics cards and packs a lot of features for fine-tuning your PC’s performance. Fan speed control is one of these features.
Controlling fan speed is important because it allows you to find the perfect balance between performance and noise. Fan noise can be very distracting, especially in quiet environments, so keeping it at an acceptable level is key. In addition, different tasks require different levels of cooling, and a static fan speed may not always suffice. The ability to change fan speed on the fly is very useful in this regard.
However, not all systems are built the same, and MSI Afterburner is not the only tool available for fan control. In this article, we’ll be discussing the pros and cons of using MSI Afterburner for fan speed control specifically, and whether it’s the right choice for you.
Pros
1. Versatility
MSI Afterburner is compatible with a variety of graphics cards, including NVIDIA and AMD ones. It also works in tandem with other overclocking tools, such as RivaTuner Statistics Server. This gives you a lot of options when it comes to fine-tuning your system.
2. Customizability
Afterburner’s fan control isn’t limited to just speed settings. You can also set up custom fan curves, which dictate how the fan speed changes based on temperature. This means you can make sure your fan speed is always proportional to your CPU temperature, ensuring optimal cooling.
3. User-Friendly Interface
The interface for MSI Afterburner is well-designed and easy to use. Even if you don’t have much experience with overclocking or fan control, you should be able to navigate it with ease.
4. Free
One of the biggest selling points for MSI Afterburner is that it’s entirely free. This makes it very accessible, especially for those who are on a tight budget.
Cons
1. Overclocking Focus
As mentioned earlier, MSI Afterburner is primarily an overclocking tool. This means that some of its features, including fan control, may not be as refined as those in dedicated fan control software. If you’re looking for the absolute best fan control experience, there may be better alternatives.
2. Limited Compatibility with CPUs
While MSI Afterburner works with a wide variety of graphics cards, it does not have any support for CPU fans. This means that if you’re looking to control your CPU fan speed specifically, you’ll need another tool entirely. Granted, this article is about controlling CPU fan speed with MSI Afterburner, but it’s still an important point to consider.
3. Technical Knowledge Required
If you’re going to be using MSI Afterburner for fan control, you’ll need to have at least a basic understanding of how it all works. While the interface is user-friendly, there are still a lot of options and settings you’ll need to be familiar with to fully utilize the tool.
How to Control CPU Fan Speed with MSI Afterburner
Now that we’ve gone over the pros and cons of using MSI Afterburner for fan control, let’s get into how to actually do it. Before we begin, make sure you have both MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner Statistics Server installed on your computer.
Step 1: Launch MSI Afterburner
The first step is to launch MSI Afterburner. You should see a window like this:
Step 2: Click on the Settings button
In the bottom right corner of the main window, you’ll see a Settings button. Click on it.
Step 3: Select the Fan tab
In the Settings window, you’ll see a number of tabs on the left-hand side. Click on the Fan tab.
Step 4: Check the “Enable user-defined software automatic fan control” box
You should see a checkbox labeled “Enable user-defined software automatic fan control”. Check it.
Step 5: Click on the “Auto” button
You’ll see a new button appear labeled “Auto”. Click on it.
Step 6: Adjust the fan curve
You should see a graph appear, which represents the fan curve. This dictates how fast the fan spins based on temperature. You can adjust the curve by clicking and dragging points on the graph. For example, if you want the fan to spin faster at lower temperatures, you would drag the leftmost point upwards.
Step 7: Save your settings
Once you’re satisfied with your fan curve, click on the “Apply” button and then the “OK” button to save your settings.
Conclusion
Controlling CPU fan speed with MSI Afterburner is a simple process, but it may not be the right choice for everyone. MSI Afterburner is primarily an overclocking tool, and while its fan control features are robust, they may not be as refined as those in dedicated fan control software. Furthermore, the software doesn’t support CPU fans specifically, so you’ll need another tool if you want to control those.
That being said, MSI Afterburner is still a popular and useful tool for controlling fan speed. Its customizability and versatility make it a great choice for those who want to fine-tune their system. If you’re a gamer or someone who puts their computer through a lot of intensive tasks, you owe it to yourself to keep an eye on your system’s temperature and adjust fan speed accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use MSI Afterburner to control my CPU fan speed?
No, MSI Afterburner does not support CPU fan control. It only supports graphics card fan control.
2. How do I uninstall MSI Afterburner?
You can uninstall MSI Afterburner like any other program. Go to the Control Panel in your Windows settings, find MSI Afterburner, and click on “Uninstall”.
3. What is a fan curve?
A fan curve is a graph that dictates how fast a fan will spin based on temperature. It allows for fine-tuned control of fan speed, ensuring optimal cooling while keeping noise at an acceptable level.
4. Is MSI Afterburner free?
Yes, MSI Afterburner is entirely free to use.
5. Can I use MSI Afterburner to overclock my graphics card?
Yes, MSI Afterburner can be used to overclock your graphics card. However, be sure to do some research and be careful when overclocking, as it can potentially damage your hardware.
6. What is RivaTuner Statistics Server?
RivaTuner Statistics Server is a component of MSI Afterburner that allows for in-game hardware monitoring and statistic displays.
7. Does MSI Afterburner work with all graphics cards?
MSI Afterburner is compatible with most graphics cards, but there may be some exceptions. Check the MSI Afterburner website to see if your specific card is compatible.
8. Why is my fan not spinning even though I’ve set a fan curve?
There could be a number of reasons why your fan isn’t spinning despite a fan curve. Make sure your graphics card is compatible with MSI Afterburner, make sure you’ve enabled fan control in the settings, and make sure your driver software is up-to-date.
9. How do I update my drivers?
You can update your drivers through your graphics card manufacturer’s website or through Windows Device Manager.
10. Are there any risks to controlling fan speed?
Controlling fan speed can potentially increase wear-and-tear on your hardware, as well as increase power consumption. However, as long as you’re monitoring your system’s temperature and not pushing it too hard, these risks should be minimal.
11. Can I set different fan curves for different tasks?
Yes, you can set up different fan profiles for different tasks in MSI Afterburner.
12. Is MSI Afterburner compatible with Windows 10?
Yes, MSI Afterburner is compatible with Windows 10.
13. Can I set a fan curve without enabling automatic fan control?
Yes, you can manually set fan speeds in MSI Afterburner without enabling automatic fan control. However, this is less efficient and may result in less optimal cooling.
Closing Words
Controlling CPU fan speed with MSI Afterburner can be a great way to ensure your computer stays cool and quiet during intense tasks. However, it’s not the only tool available, and it may not be the best choice for everyone. Be sure to do your research and consider all the strengths and weaknesses of different fan control solutions before making a decision. And as always, be sure to monitor your system’s temperature and avoid pushing it beyond its limits.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| MSI Afterburner | MSI Afterburner is an overclocking and hardware monitoring app that can also control fan settings. |
| Fan speed control | Fan speed control allows users to change fan speed on the fly to find the perfect balance between performance and noise. |
| CPU fan | A CPU fan is a fan specifically designed to cool your CPU. It helps prevent overheating, which can lead to decreased performance and potential hardware failure. |
| Custom fan curve | A custom fan curve dictates how the fan speed changes based on temperature. This allows users to make sure the fan speed is always proportional to the CPU temperature. |
| Overclocking | Overclocking is the practice of increasing a computer’s clock rate, usually for the purpose of improving performance. |
| RivaTuner Statistics Server | RivaTuner Statistics Server is a component of MSI Afterburner that allows for in-game hardware monitoring and statistic displays. |
| Temperature | Temperature is the measure of how hot or cold something is. In the context of computers, temperature is important to monitor to prevent overheating and potential hardware damage. |
| Wear-and-tear | Wear-and-tear refers to the damage that occurs to hardware over time due to regular use. |