Fan control in Windows 11 with ASUS Fan Xpert, MSI, and Gigabyte SIV

 

If you want to master the fan control in Windows 11 Using tools from leading manufacturers, here's a definitive guide focused on ASUS Fan Xpert (AI Suite 3 and Armoury Crate) and Gigabyte SIV calibration behavior. We've compiled the most common feedback from official support and forums so you can keep your PC sleek, cool, and quiet.

Let's break down how adjust curves, profiles and thermal sources, what key options like AI Cooling mean, how to choose the right motherboard connectors, and what to expect when Gigabyte's software performs its calibration with fan stops. We'll also discuss common limitations (shortcuts, CLI) and when to consider third-party software if you need something more specific.

Fan Xpert 4: What it is and what it does in Windows 11

Fan Xpert 4 is the ASUS utility to manage the fans connected to the motherboard, whether inside AI Suite 3 or integrated into Armory CrateWith it, you can detect all connected fans, create profiles, plot custom curves, and assign temperature sources so the speed responds to what really matters.

In practice, this tool stands out for three pillars that are shown in the official guides: automatic fan adjustment, the option to manually adjust fans and a set of settings and controls that allow you to get the most out of each head and operating mode.

How to use Fan Xpert 4 with AI Suite 3 step by step

When you use Fan Xpert 4 from AI Suite 3The logic is simple: detect, calibrate, and adjust. Even so, it's a good idea to follow a sequence so that everything works the first time and you don't miss any important options.

1. Open AI Suite 3 en Windows 11 and wait for it to fully load.
2. In the main panel, click Fan Xpert 4 to enter the fans section.
3. Select the global adjustment option (usually listed as Fan Tuning or Adjustment) to apply automatic tuning to all connected fans.
4. Let the tuning proceed uninterrupted; the process can vary the speed from maximum RPM to momentary stops during detection.
5. The interface will notify you when the process is finished and show the status as Available.
6. Choose a preset mode for all fans: Silent, Standard, Turbo or Full Speed, depending on your noise/performance preferences.
7. If you prefer, select a specific fan (use the left/right arrows) and configures its behavior individually.
8. Click on the fan diagram (curve) to enter the Advanced configuration.
9. In Smart Mode, move or drag the control point (the “blue dot” in some versions) to adjust the speed according to the temperature.
10. In that same mode, adjust There spin up/down to avoid sudden RPM changes in very short periods; if you select the automatic fan stop, you can stop it at very low RPMs.
11. With the Source option, select up to three thermal sources and let the speed respond to the highest temperature among them.
12. If you prefer something fixed, switch to mode. RPM setting and set the specific value with the slider arrow.
13. On compatible motherboards (e.g. ASUS series) Intel Z490), you can activate AI-Cooling so that the system automatically reduces RPM when the equipment is in a stable state, maintaining performance.

This flow covers the essentials: with auto tuning you make sure the curves respect the fan thresholds and with the modes you can switch from absolute silence at performance depending on the task at hand.

Fan Xpert 4 inside Armory Crate

ASUS also integrates Fan Xpert 4 into Armory Crate, which centralizes fan control with other components of the ecosystem. On modern motherboards, this is the recommended way to unify everything under a single application.

1. Open the Start menu and run Armory CrateIf you don't have it, you can check out the official guide "How to Download and Install Armoury Crate."
2. In Armoury Crate, go to the section FanXpert.
3. Click on Auto Tuning for the tool to apply the best custom configuration to the installed fans.
4. Wait for the adjustment to complete. The application will indicate the progress and the completion status.
5. After tuning, you can quickly change all fan settings to preset modes in two ways:
   • From Fan Xpert 4, selecting Silent, Standard, Turbo or Full Speed.
   • Or from the module Fan speed from the Armoury Crate Dashboard section, with those same four modes.
6. Select and customize individual fans from the list (for example, the CPU fan).
7. In Smart Mode, click and drag the control (usually shown as a red button) to adjust the power or % at different temperatures; you can check the table on the side for the Minimum supported RPM at each point.
8. Adjust the acceleration and deceleration times to smooth out the response. If needed, enable the Extreme Silent Mode to minimize noise, then activate Fan Stop, which will stop the fan when the speed is very low. Note: To activate Extreme Quiet, you must have previously run the tuning.
9. By clicking on the temperature source icon (for example, on Chassis Fan 2), you will be able to choose up to three thermal sources; the speed will be adjusted based on the highest one.
10. If you are using Fixed RPM Mode, drag the arrow to define a set speed and avoid, if possible, values excessively high or low that affect performance or temperature.
11. Active AI-Cooling to automatically decrease RPM when the system enters a steady state load, minimizing noise without impacting performance; when enabled, it will override Smart Mode's Extreme Quiet feature.

A compatibility note: Fan Xpert in Armoury Crate is compatible with Intel 600 series motherboards, AMD AM5 and newer. On older boards, Fan Xpert is still available within AI Suite 3. For installing or cleaning AI Suite 3, ASUS offers utilities and support guide.

Preset modes and advanced customization

The four preset modes (Silent, Standard, Turbo and Full Speed) are shortcuts for quickly switching priorities between noise and performanceThey are useful for everyday use, but where Fan Xpert really shines is in its curve customization.

In Smart Mode, the curve relates temperature and speed. You can move points so that, for example, up to 40°C the fan stays at a very low regime, and gradually increase the speed beyond a certain threshold. Always leave room to avoid sudden steps and adjust Spin Up/Down to smooth transitions.

If you need total silence while standing still, the Extreme Silent Mode, followed by the option Fan Stop, you can turn off the fan at low temperatures. Caution: Make sure the chassis' airflow allows for this and that temperatures remain within recommended limits.

In Fixed RPM Mode, you lock in a specific speed; this is useful for diagnosis or tests, but it is not usually the best option for daily use because it does not react to temperature.

Thermal sources: when to use several and why

Fan Xpert allows you to select up to three sources of temperature per fan, and the logic chooses the highest. This feature is golden if you want your case fans to respond to both GPU and CPU heat, or even sensors like M.2, and not fall short when one component is hot but the other is cold.

A rule of thumb: link the CPU fan to the processor temperature and, on chassis fans, combines CPU and GPU (or M.2) to maintain a balanced flow that avoids hot spots.

AI Cooling: less noise when the system is stable

The AI ​​Cooling function, available on compatible motherboards (e.g., ASUS Intel Z490 on AI Suite 3 and modern boards in Armoury Crate), automatically reduces the speed of all fans when the computer enters a steady load state. Its goal is to reduce noise without affecting the effective yield of the System.

When enabled in Armoury Crate, AI Cooling replaces Extreme Quiet in Smart Mode, so the silence management It's up to the automatic algorithm. If you prefer full manual control, you can disable it and return to your custom curves.

Compatible connectors and motherboard headers

Not all headers participate equally in certain functions. For AI Cooling and advanced control to work, ASUS specifies that the fans must be connected to CPU_FAN, CPU_OPT, CHA_FAN, M.2_FAN, H_AMP or RAD_FAN (Available models vary.) Check your motherboard's manual to ensure you don't lose functionality due to an unsupported header.

Also remember to distinguish between fans PWM and DC; Fan Xpert detects the type during tuning, but if a fan is not responding as it should, check that it is in the correct mode at BIOS or in the utility itself.

Troubleshooting (Official FAQ Summary)

If a fan is not turning or is behaving erratically, it is worthwhile to take a thorough look at the diagnostic steps recommended by the ASUS support.

• The fan does not work: Rerun the tune in Fan Xpert 4, check that all cables are properly connected, try another fan on the same header, and if the problem persists, contact ASUS service center: https://www.asus.com/es/support/.
• I can't set the speed: Repeat the auto-tuning in Fan Xpert 4; if that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall AI Suite 3. ASUS details the procedure here: AI Suite 3 Installation/Uninstallation Guide.
• Which models support AI Cooling?: ASUS indicates compatibility in the series Intel Z490 (in AI Suite 3) and, in Armoury Crate, on Intel 600 and AMD AM5 and later boards.
• Are all headers suitable for AI Cooling?: Connect them to CPU_FAN, CPU_OPT, CHA_FAN, M.2_FAN, H_AMP or RAD_FAN; the available ones depend on the model.

Gigabyte System Information Viewer (SIV): Calibration and Security

Some users report that when starting Gigabyte System Information Viewer (SIV)The tool performs an aggressive calibration: first, it sets the fans to maximum and then gradually reduces power until they stop completely. In this process, the CPU fan may even stop for several seconds.

The CPU fan stopping for about 10 seconds during calibration may be disturbing, but it doesn't automatically imply damage. Modern processors incorporate thermal protections that prevent critical overheating; furthermore, calibration is usually performed at rest or under low load, which limits the risk.

Even so, it is advisable to take precautions: perform the calibration with the cold and unloaded system, monitor temperatures with a reliable tool and, if you are not satisfied with the performance, try disabling or skipping automatic calibration if the software allows it. If during the test you detect anomalous peaks, cancel any heavy tasks and let the CPU fan resume normal speed before continuing.

The inability to interrupt hot calibration can be frustrating, so schedule these tests when you don't have time to do so. you play stability and have time to supervise. If you suspect the shutdown is exceeding a reasonable limit or is repeated under load, consider updating your software/BIOS or contacting Gigabyte support.

Quick profiles, shortcuts, and mouseless control

A common request is to switch between Quiet, Standard, Turbo or Full Speed ​​with keyboard shortcuts or from the line of commands. There is no direct support for hotkeys or CLI within Fan Xpert in the official sources described, so switching profiles requires entering AI Suite 3 or Armoury Crate.

If you need to automate profile switches (for example, when launching a specific game or application), you may need to go to third party software that allows you to assign external curves or triggers. Before doing so, check if the preset modes in the Panel/Fan Speed ​​module of Armoury Crate are sufficient, as they make quick changes with just a few clicks.

MSI Dragon Center and other alternatives

Although we focus here on Fan Xpert and SIV because the content is detailed in the sources, it is common to manage fans from MSI Dragon Center (or its replacement, MSI Center, on modern machines). If your machine is MSI, check out its fan module for similar features: preset profiles, temperature curves, and low-RPM shutdown options.

The general idea is the same: calibrate first, choose the mode that best suits your usage, and if you need finer detail, adjust the smart curve and thermal sources if available. Make sure to run the calibration with the system unloaded, as recommended in ASUS tools and the observed behavior in Gigabyte SIV.

Good practices to extend the life of your fans

Beyond software, there are habits that help maintain a system cool and quiet Without any surprises. Keep dust off the filters and propellers, make sure the fans are oriented correctly (intake/exhaust), and avoid voltage spikes with overly aggressive curves.

Set acceleration and deceleration times so that the RPM does not change sudden jumps, use multiple heat sources to react to the part actually heating up and don't force minimum speeds below what the fan can maintain without hesitation.

With all this, you've got fan control in Windows 11 covered with the best of ASUS Fan Xpert (AI Suite 3 and Armoury Crate) and what you'd expect from Gigabyte SIV calibration; choose preset modes for everyday use, adjust curves and sources whenever you want. fine-tune to the millimeter And if you need to switch profiles without a mouse, consider third-party options, knowing that official tools prioritize stability and security over shortcuts.