How to increase fan speed on CPU for optimal performance?
How to increase fan speed on CPU for optimal performance?
I have been experiencing higher temperatures on my CPU lately, especially when running demanding applications or games. I’ve read that one effective way to manage these temperatures is by increasing the fan speed. However, I’m not entirely sure of the exact steps to take to achieve this. My computer tends to get quite hot, and I worry that consistently high temperatures could eventually lead to hardware damage or performance issues. I would like to know about the different methods available for increasing the fan speed on my CPU, whether through the BIOS, software, or other manual adjustments. Understanding these methods will help me keep my system cooler and potentially prolong its lifespan. Can anyone elaborate on how to increase fan speed on CPU effectively?
7 Answers
Here is another approach for those who prefer command line tools. If you’re using a Linux-based system, you can control fan speed using ‘lm-sensors’ and ‘fancontrol’ utilities. Here’s how:
1. Install ‘lm-sensors’ and ‘fancontrol’ using your package manager (e.g., ‘sudo apt-get install lm-sensors fancontrol’).
2. Run ‘sensors-detect’ and follow the prompts to locate your sensors.
3. Create a fan profile by running ‘sudo pwmconfig’. This script will help configure the ‘fancontrol’ utility by spinning up your fan at various speeds and noting the RPM.
4. Start the ‘fancontrol’ program with ‘sudo fancontrol’. You can edit ‘/etc/fancontrol’ to fine-tune the settings and ensure the fans kick in sooner and run at a higher speed when your CPU gets hot.
As someone who prefers not to fiddle with BIOS settings, I opted for an external method by cleaning the system internals:
1. Unplug all cables and open up the case of your desktop computer.
2. Use a can of compressed air to blow dust and debris out of the CPU fan and heat sink. Accumulated dust often impedes fan efficiency.
3. Check that cables are out of the way, ensuring there are no obstructions to the fan’s airflow.
4. Reconnect and power on your computer to test if there’s an improvement in temperature and fan speed. Regular maintenance like this can often result in more efficient cooling without requiring changes to fan settings.
If you’re gaming and don’t want to delve deep into software or BIOS settings each time, you might consider just increasing the fan curve in your motherboard’s companion software. Many manufacturers like ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte have utilities such as ASUS AI Suite or MSI Dragon Center. Here’s how:
1. Open your motherboard’s utility software.
2. Navigate to the fan control section.
3. Adjust the fan curve. Most utilities present an easy-to-use graphical interface where you can set fan speeds at different temperature thresholds by moving dots on a curve.
4. Save your settings and apply them. This approach is user-friendly and can be done quickly whenever you start a session of a demanding application or game.
Another unique aspect to consider is ensuring your overall system cooling is optimized, not just the CPU fan:
1. Ensure that your case has proper airflow by checking the placement and number of fans. Intake fans should be at the front and bottom, while exhaust fans should be at the top and rear.
2. Consider upgrading your case fans to higher performance ones. High static pressure fans work well for radiators and heatsinks.
3. Configure your fan setup with a fan controller. This hardware device allows you to adjust the fan speeds of multiple fans in your case without delving into BIOS or software.
To increase the CPU fan speed through the BIOS, make sure to follow these steps:
1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup. Typically, you can do this by pressing a key such as F2, F10, DEL, or ESC during the initial startup screen. The exact key can vary depending on your motherboard manufacturer.
2. Navigate to the Hardware Monitor or similar section in the BIOS. Look for fan speed settings which might be listed under a tab called ‘Hardware Monitor,’ ‘Status,’ or ‘Power.’
3. Adjust the fan speed settings. You should find an option to change the fan speed from automatic to manual mode. This allows you to set the fan speed to a higher percentage. Make sure to save your changes before exiting the BIOS.
You can use third-party software like SpeedFan to increase your CPU fan speed. Follow these steps:
1. Download and install SpeedFan, which is freely available online.
2. Open SpeedFan and look at the readings for the various fans inside your system. Typically, the software will identify which one is the CPU fan.
3. Change the fan speed by moving the slider to a higher percentage. SpeedFan lets you manually control the fan speeds and save these settings so that the changes apply on startup. It’s user-friendly and provides flexibility in managing different fans.
On my laptop, I faced a similar issue and found that using a dedicated cooling pad, along with tweaking the system settings, worked wonders. Here’s what I did:
1. I bought a cooling pad designed for laptops, which resulted in a noticeable difference in temperature.
2. In Windows power settings, I adjusted the cooling policy to ‘active,’ ensuring the fan ran more aggressively. This setting is found under the advanced power options, specifically within the processor management settings.
3. I also used proprietary software from the laptop manufacturer, which included options to control the fan speed. Many manufacturers provide utilities that let you customize the cooling performance to your needs.