How to change the RPM of your graphics card fans

If your computer's noise is driving you crazy or you notice your graphics card running hotter than normal, you may be looking for a way to fix it. adjust the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the fans of your GPU. Although most modern cards handle this task automatically, many gaming enthusiasts hardware They prefer to take the reins to find the perfect balance between performance and silence.

In this article we are going to teach you How to change the RPM of your graphics card fans safely, whether to improve cooling, reduce noise, or simply because you like to have total control of your equipment. In addition, we will explain what the most effective programs for this task and how to customize temperature curves for smarter thermal management. Sit back, the ride is long but effective.

Is it necessary to manually control the fan RPM?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it's important to know if it's really worth tinkering with these settings. Modern graphics cards already come with fairly efficient automatic cooling systems. Depending on the GPU's temperature, the system automatically adjusts the fan speed to keep it cool and prevent overheating.

However, in certain scenarios, such as when overclocking, looking for quieter operation, or simply wanting to fine-tune thermal performance, Controlling RPM manually can have many benefits. Additionally, there are cases where the automatic system doesn't respond well, such as when the sensors aren't entirely accurate or there are bugs in the firmware. You can find more information about the controlling the fan speed of a PC to better understand how these settings work.

MSI Afterburner: The Ultimate RPM Control Tool

One of the best known and most used programs to control the speed of a GPU's fans is MSI Afterburner. Although it was originally designed for MSI cards, today it works perfectly with most cards. NVIDIA and AMD in the market.

To get started, the first thing to do is download and install MSI Afterburner from its official website. During the installation, it's recommended to also select the option to install RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS), which will allow you to have an overlay with temperature, FPS and fan speed data while you play.

Once installed, when you first open it, it may look like an airplane control panel. Don't be alarmed: most of the interface is decorative or simply informative. The one we're interested in is at the bottom, in the fan speed control. If you want to learn more about how to use it, Change fan settings in Windows 10, it may be useful to you.

Activate manual fan control

To start managing the fans to your liking, you need disable automatic modeYou do this directly from the main Afterburner interface:

• Click the icon that says “Auto” next to the Fan Speed ​​% control.
• This will unlock the slider that allows you to manually adjust the percentage of speed you want to apply.
• Modify the value according to your needs and then click the check button to apply the settings.

With this you will have the fan running at the speed you have defined, but if you want to go a step further, the really interesting thing is create a custom curve.

How to customize the ventilation curve

The fan curve allows you to define the speed your GPU's fans should reach based on the current temperature. This way, you can ensure that at low temperatures the fans spin slowly (or even remain off), and only speed up when really necessary. This is especially useful if you consider Why GPU fans don't spin.

To access this option:

• Click on the gear icon (Settings).
• In the new window, go to the “Fan” tab.
• Check the box “Enable user program for automatic fan control.”

In this section a graph will open with the horizontal axis representing the temperature and the vertical axis representing the percentage of fan speed. You may:

• Drag existing points to modify the response at different temperatures.
• Add more points by clicking on the curve line.
• Delete points by selecting them and pressing the Delete key.

You can choose a gradual or stepped curve, depending on whether you prefer a smooth transition or more abrupt jumps. If you have a graphics card with multiple fans, you can configure them separately by unlocking synchronization between them (by tapping the chain icon next to Fan Speed).

Avoid sudden changes with thermal hysteresis

A little known but very useful feature of MSI Afterburner is the temperature hysteresisThis option prevents the annoying constant on-and-off behavior of the fans when the GPU temperature reaches a threshold value.

Imagine the fans turning on at 20% when you reach exactly 50°C. If the temperature drops to 49°C, they turn off. If it rises back to 50°C, they turn on again. This cycle can repeat infinitely, causing wear and tear or annoying noise. By setting a hysteresis of, say, 10°C, you'll avoid this loop: the fans won't turn off until the temperature drops to 40°C.

Save custom profiles and automate them

Once you've configured the curve to your liking and want to have control over the fan RPM, you'll want to save that configuration so it applies every time you start your computer:

• Click the “Save” button.
• Choose one of the numbered profiles to save the settings.
• Optional: Click the “floppy disk” icon to set it as the default profile.
• So that it loads only at startup Windows, activate the “Startup” option.

This way you won't have to worry anymore: the system will automatically apply the curve you defined as soon as you turn on the computer. Remember that if you want a more complete guide on how to change the fan speed in Windows 11, you can consult it here.

Alternative options to MSI Afterburner

MSI Afterburner It's a great tool, but not the only one in its category. There are other options, some valid for AMD or NVIDIA GPUs, in scenarios where Afterburner doesn't work properly or isn't your favorite.

Fan Control with AMD Radeon Software (WattMan)

If you have an AMD GPU, you can use WattMan, integrated directly into Adrenalin, the software of drivers from AMD. To access this option:

• Open the Adrenalin panel.
• Go to “Performance” → “Tuning”.
• Activates manual adjustment and advanced control.

In this section, you can also configure the ventilation curve, as well as control P-States, overclocking, voltages, and clock speeds. It's an all-in-one solution for those using AMD hardware.

Graphics card manufacturer software

Most manufacturers, such as Gigabyte, ASUS, or EVGA, offer their own software to control the thermal behavior of their graphics cards. These applications typically offer preset modes such as "Silent" or "Performance," allowing you to set profiles with a single click.

They're not as advanced as Afterburner or WattMan, but they'll work if you're just looking for a quick and easy setup without going into detailed customizations. If you're looking for a more specific solution, consider checking out NVIDIA automatic overclocking app for more information on this topic.

What to do if the fans do not spin

It's completely normal for the fans on some graphics cards to remain idle when temperatures are low. However, if the fans still don't move under load, there may be a problem:

• Check that the “Fan Stop” option is not active.
• Check if your GPU drivers are up to date.
• Check with other software if the sensors are working.

If they still don't activate, there's likely a hardware failure, such as a faulty fan or defective sensors. For more information on fan issues that aren't spinning, visit this article.

Considerations when using second-hand graphics cards

Buying a used graphics card—especially one from a crypto mining rig—can come with hidden problems. In many cases, these graphics cards have been modified with custom firmware and disabled fans to improve mining efficiency, which ruins the original thermal profile.

If you have purchased a GPU and its fans are not responding to the modifications you make, it is possible that it has a BIOS altered or the fans physically disconnected. In these cases, it's a good idea to check if you can reflash the original BIOS or simply consider a more reliable unit.

Additionally, the GPUs used for IA or custom liquid cooling can come without fans, which may be surprising if you are not familiar with these types of setups.

Before you start tweaking the settings of a used GPU, make sure it's working properly out of the box to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Controlling the fan speed on your graphics card can not only help you keep temperatures in check, but also give you the ability to make your rig run quieter or more stable. Whether you use MSI Afterburner, WattMan, or a program from the manufacturer, having the power to decide how and when the fans should run is a considerable advantage for any enthusiast. However, it's always essential to be careful: randomly modifying parameters can end up being worse than leaving it to the automatic firmware. But if you know what you're doing, you can have customized thermal performance in just a few clicks.