How To Control Fan Speed on Windows Computers (2024)

When it comes to keeping your Windows computer running smoothly, one of the most important things to consider is temperature control. Overheating can cause damage to your system, so it's essential to ensure that it stays within safe operating temperatures. Fans play a vital role in cooling down your computer, but they can be noisy when running at high speed.

Most computers have at least 2 fans in them, one cooling the CPU and one cooling the GPU. Especially under heavy loads, these fans can cause a lot of noise and vibrations. In other cases, the fans might not spin fast enough to efficiently cool your hardware, causing it to overheat. This is why it's important to know how to control the fan speed on your Windows computer.

In this article, we'll explore the different ways to control the fan speed on Windows computers and why it's important to do so.

Table of Contents

1. Why Control the Fan Speed on Your Computer?
2. Ways to Control Fan Speed on Windows Computers
3. Control Fan Speed From BIOS
4. Use a Third-party App
5. How to Control Fan Speed With SpeedFan
6. How to Control Fan Speed With Fan Control
7. How to Control Fan Speed With Argus Monitor
8. How to Control Fan Speed With Commander Pro

Why Control the Fan Speed on Your Computer?

Your computer generates a lot of heat while running, and this heat needs to be dissipated to prevent damage to your system. Fans are an essential part of the cooling system in your computer, and they help to regulate the temperature by drawing in cool air and expelling hot air.

However, when they run at high speeds, they can generate a lot of noise, which can be distracting and irritating. Controlling fan speed can help to strike a balance between cooling your system and maintaining a quiet working environment.

Ways to Control Fan Speed on Windows Computers

There are several ways to control the fan speed on your Windows computer. Here are some of the most common methods:

Control Fan Speed From BIOS

To keep your Windows computer running well, you need to control the speed of your fan. You can do this using special settings in the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). If your fans use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), they can be controlled with BIOS which will help manage noise and heat levels in your computer. Even non-PWM fans can usually be regulated through the BIOS. All CPU and case fans are typically handled this way.

Here's how to control your fan speed from BIOS:

1. Turn on your computer and press the key to enter the BIOS (usually F1, F2, F10, Delete, or Esc).
2. Navigate to the "Hardware Monitor" or "Fan Control" section of the BIOS. The location of this is based on your motherboard and BIOS version. If you can't find it, we recommend searching online for instructions specific to your system.
3. Look for an option that says "CPU Fan Speed Control" or something similar. Enable this option if it is not already enabled.
   

   

4. Set the desired fan speed in the "CPU Fan Speed" or "CPU Fan Speed Control" option. This is typically a percentage of the maximum fan speed. For example, setting it to 50% means the fan will run at half the maximum speed.
5. Repeat the process for other fans in your system, such as case fans or GPU fans, if applicable.
6. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.

The BIOS controls the fan speed based on the temperature of specific components in your computer, such as the CPU and motherboard. It's important to note that most of the time, you should let your BIOS control the fan speeds in your system. However, if you find that you need something out of the ordinary, then you may need to use additional software.

Use a Third-party App

If you notice something wrong with your fan speed, or you just want more control over it, then a third-party application can be very helpful. There are several software programs available that can monitor and adjust fan speeds on Windows computers. We compiled a list of the 5 best fan control programs for Windows.

How to Control Fan Speed With SpeedFan

SpeedFan is a program that keeps track of the voltage, fan speed, and temperature of different parts of your computer. It can also access other important information, like the temperature of your hard disk. SpeedFan is compatible with different types of computers, like those running on XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows Server.

By using SpeedFan, you can adjust the speed of your computer's fans to help reduce noise. It does this by monitoring the temperature of different parts of your computer and changing the fan speed accordingly.

1. Open SpeedFan and check the temperature of your PC's core components. A tick means it's running at expected temperatures, a down-arrow means it's cool, and a flame means it's too hot. If it's over 85C, you should be concerned.
2. Click "Configure".
   

   

3. In the "Advanced" tab, select your entry that starts with “IT” and ends with “ISA”. If you don't have an IT-ISA entry, look for switches with "PWM 1 mode", etc. to find available fan controllers.
   

   

4. Change each PWM entry to "Software controlled". Optionally, check the "remember it" box to save changes.
   

   

5. Identify which PWM controls the fan for each component by adjusting their values to 0 individually and noting the temperature rise. Set them back to their previous values afterward.
6. Tick "Automatic fan speed" and then click the “Configure” button for more complex fan control.
   

   

7. In the "Speeds" tab, set minimum and maximum percentages for each fan. Be aware of each hardware component's temperatures before adjusting.

How to Control Fan Speed With Fan Control

Fan Control is a powerful software tool that allows you to customize and control your PC's fan speed with ease. What's great about this software is that it requires no installation, making it a highly accessible and convenient option for users. It is also low on resources, meaning that it won't hog your computer's memory or CPU power.

Despite its small footprint, Fan Control provides you with a wealth of options and controls for your system's cooling. With Fan Control, you can fine-tune the speed of each fan in your system, adjust temperature thresholds, and set up custom profiles for different scenarios.

Whether you're a power user looking to optimize your system's cooling or just someone who wants to keep their PC running smoothly and quietly, Fan Control is definitely worth checking out.

How to Control Fan Speed With Argus Monitor

Argus Monitor is a software program that allows you to control and customize the fans in your computer. Whether you have fans connected to your motherboard, AIO cooling system, or external fan controller, you can use Argus Monitor to adjust the fan speed based on different temperature sources such as CPU, GPU, HDD/SSD, or motherboard sensors.

The program provides several options for fan control, including setting fixed values or configuring control curves. You can even use the multi-controller feature to run multiple controllers at the same time for each fan and then use the maximum control value to set the fan speed. This helps to keep the fan speed steady and maintain a comfortable temperature for your PC.

For those who want even more control, Argus Monitor has an open hardware project called Argus Controller, which allows you to add custom temperature sensors and fan control channels within the program. Overall, Argus Monitor is a versatile and powerful tool for anyone who wants to optimize their PC's cooling and keep their system running smoothly.

How to Control Fan Speed With Commander Pro

If you want to take control over your fans, the absolute best way to go about it is by purchasing a fan controller like the Corsair Commander Pro. The Commander Pro is a powerful device that allows you to control and monitor your PC's cooling system from anywhere using an intuitive interface and easy-to-use software.

The CORSAIR Commander PRO is a powerful and compact device that controls up to six case fans and two RGB lighting channels in your PC. This device is perfect for those looking to monitor the temperature of their computer's CPU, graphics card, and motherboard. It comes with four repositionable temperature sensors that accurately monitor temperatures throughout your PC case with the help of the CORSAIR iCUE software.

The software also lets you customize RGB lighting, monitor hardware and coolant temperatures, and adjust fan and pump speeds, all from a single interface. You can even set up custom fan curves and lighting profiles to automatically adjust fan speeds and RGB lighting as your system heats up and cools down.

The CORSAIR Commander PRO controls up to six 3-pin DC or 4-pin PWM fans, including the ability to run in a Zero-RPM fan mode for total silence. With its powerful software and compact design, this device is perfect for PC enthusiasts who want to customize and control their system's performance and aesthetics.

Conclusion

Taking control of your fan speed is a great way to ensure that your computer runs smoothly, efficiently, and quietly. Knowing how to control the fan speed on Windows computers can help you maximize system performance and minimize noise levels. Keep an eye on the temperature of your system and adjust the fan speed accordingly for optimal performance.

Keeping your computer cool is essential for maintaining its performance and longevity. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to easily control the fan speed on Windows computers. If you experience any difficulties or need more help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a professional technician.

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