Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 best fan control software is SpeedFan.
- Fan control programs allow you to fine-tune the various settings for one or multiple fans, tailoring the system cooling to your specific requirements.
- Most types of fan control software for Windows offer much more than fan speed customization. These programs include system temperature monitoring and even overclocking functionalities.
- Depending on your system brand and type, you may be able to use proprietary software, or you may have to settle for a generic one.
Whether you’re a gamer or a developer, keeping your Windows system cool can prolong its lifespan. However, investing in outstanding fans might not be enough. If you can’t fine-tune the cooler to match your requirements, vital components such as the CPU or GPU may overheat and get damaged.
This is where fan control software steps in. These programs allow you to micro-manage the various fan settings, monitor the system temperature, and even help you safely overclock your PC. But from the myriad of programs out there, which one should you download or buy?
To find an option that’s worth your while, check out our rankings for the best fan control software in 2023.
| Fan Control Software | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SpeedFan | CPU fan speed control GPU fan speed control System temperature monitoring | Free |
| MSI Afterburner | CPU fan speed control GPU fan speed control Safely overclock PC | Free |
| ASUS AI Suite | Controls all ASUS motherboard fans | Free |
| Corsair iCUE | CPU fan control GPU fan control AIO cooler fan Case fan on Corsair PCs | Free |
| Easy Tune 5 | CPU cooler fan control Overclocking utility | Free |
| Argus Monitor | CPU fan speed control GPU fan speed control Customized fan curve | $13.95/year |
| Zotac Firestorm | GPU fan control | Free |
History-Computer’s Top Picks for the Best Fan Control Software for Windows PCs
#1 Best Overall: SpeedFan
The SpeedFan is one of the most well-known fan control programs out there, so it’s no wonder it ranks first on our list.
This software allows you to control the CPU fan, but it can do much more than this. You can also use it to execute a CPU fan speed test or simply check the current speed of your system fans. Moreover, the program monitors the CPU, motherboard, and HDD temperature.
Free to download, the SpeedFan is incredibly intuitive to use. This software scans your PC as soon as it’s installed and reveals the current fan speed and temperature in a split window. From this same window, you can adjust the temperature at which you want the fan to start and the desired RPM of the fan.
Alternatively, you can check the automated fan speed box. This option enables the software to control the CPU and case fan speeds automatically. The SpeedFan uses SMART and SCSI sensors to display the temperature of the hard drives and provide information on their status, but the program is old, and it might not be compatible with newer motherboards.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free to download and use. | This software is rather old, and it might be incompatible with newer systems. |
| SMART and SCSI sensors can help you keep the hard drives under control. | |
| Various features allow you to control all system fans, from the CPU to the case cooler. |
Best for Overclocking: MSI Afterburner
The MSI Afterburner is one of the few fan control programs designed specifically for overclocking.
For this purpose, you must pair the software with a benchmarking tool to stress test your graphics card, but the software is not limited to that.
Along with overclocking, you get real-time monitoring of the CPU and GPU temperature, memory usage, GPU voltage, frequency, and frames per second. The software also allows you to set up to five fan speed setting profiles, each with its own customized fan curves.
This feature is ideal for shared PCs or different purposes. For instance, you can adjust the fan settings for gaming and content creation or development so that you can ensure maximum performance in various scenarios.
As its name suggests, the MSI Afterburner is primarily designed for MSI PCs with AMD GPUs. However, it is compatible with almost all graphics cards, including NVIDIA.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One of the greatest GPU overclocking programs with on-screen real-time monitoring. | Primarily designed for AMD GPUs, so it might not be compatible with a different graphics card. |
| You can set up to five profiles and save different fan speeds and core parameters fpr each of them. | |
| Easy to pair with most benchmarking tools. |
©Maryia_K/Shutterstock.com
Best for ASUS Motherboards: ASUS AI Suite
Catering to ASUS PC owners, the brand’s AI Suite allows you to control all proprietary hardware connected to your motherboard.
In other words, you can use this software to monitor the CPU and GPU temperature, voltage, and frequency. In original ASUS systems, the software also controls all of the fans connected to the motherboard. However, in hybrid systems that use some ASUS components on non-ASUS motherboards, this program will only monitor the fan speed of the ASUS components (e.g., an ASUS graphics card).
Like most ASUS programs, the AI Suite is intuitive to use. Its only downside is the incompatibility with other hardware brands, except for the Ryzen CPUs. However, even in this case, the software often fails to monitor the processor’s parameters accurately, so you might be better off with a different program for all non-proprietary hardware.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Seamless compatibility with the ASUS hardware. | The software is incompatible with non-ASUS components, except for the Ryzen processors. |
| Monitoring and control of all motherboard fans in original ASUS systems. | |
| The software is very intuitive to use. |
Best for Corsair CPUs: Corsair iCUE
Similar to the ASUS AI Suite, the Corsair iCUE is a brand-specific program that monitors and controls all Corsair products on your computer.
You can use it to monitor real-time temperatures, control the fan curves, and change the fan speed. A customizable alert system can change the PC’s lighting effects to let you know when the temperatures rise, and you can also use the program to synchronize the RGB lighting on all of your compatible Corsair devices.
A highlight is the possibility to customize the fan speed based on your activity. Default modes include Game, Movie, and Quiet, but you can also create custom modes for working, performance, productivity, and more. Like the ASUS AI Suite, the Corsair iCUE is free to download and intuitive to use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This Corsair-specific program can monitor all the proprietary products on the motherboard. | Incompatible with non-Corsair hardware. |
| Real-time monitoring and overheating alerts. | |
| Customizable modes allow you to set the fan speed based on activity. |
Best Gigabyte Fan Control Software: Easy Tune 5
Originally an overclocking application, the Easy Tune 5 is now Gigabyte’s best core monitoring and fan control software.
The program boasts a simple user interface that allows you to check and manage everything, from fan speed to temperature and voltage. On Gigabyte motherboards, you can use the Easy Tune 5 to manage all types of fans, including CPU, GPU, HDD, and case fans.
The software also checks the system status to ensure your PC’s health, and you can still use the overclock function to enhance your system’s performance. When used at its full potential, this fan controller can maintain an ideal core temperature of no more than 60°C.
The main downside is that it can sometimes over-volt the system, leading to high power usage.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This software is the best choice for Gigabyte motherboards. | It could over-volt the system. |
| Monitors and controls the speed of all the fans, including the HDD and case coolers. | |
| The overclocking function allows you to boost the system’s performance. |
Best for Case Fans: Argus Monitor
The German Argus Monitor is a fan control software designed specifically for case fans.
Its greatest highlight is that it can control all of the case fans connected to the motherboard, so the brand is really unimportant. You can use the program to check and create your own fan curve configurations but also to monitor other components.
Similar to the SpeedFan, the Argus Monitor uses SMART sensors to check and display real-time CPU, GPU, HDD, and SDD temperatures. On a sidebar, the software also displays essential info, such as the fan RPM, CPU usage, and frequency.
However, you can’t use this software to actually control the GPU, CPU, or HDD fan, nor can you use it for overclocking. Some users may feel these limitations don’t justify the software’s price, which currently costs $13,95 per year. However, a free 30-day trial can help you decide whether this program is worth it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compatible with all case fans connected to all motherboards. | It doesn’t include overclocking and motherboard fan control. |
| Temperature monitoring functions. | |
| The paid software comes with a 30-day free trial. |
Best GPU Fan Speed Controller: Zotac Firestorm
A free software, the Zotac Firestorm is the best choice for controlling the fan speed and overclocking graphics cards.
The downside is that you can’t use this software to control the fan speed of any other components, so you might have to install an additional program for the CPU, case, and HDD fans. That said, the Firestorm is one of the best choices for GEFORCE RTX graphics cards.
Three settings allow you to choose from auto, manual, and advanced fan control. The latter is the most complete option, from where you can set fan curves and monitor most parameters. You can also use the Zotac Firestorm for GPU overclocking, a feature that could be useful when creating content or playing demanding games.
Apart from controlling the fan speed and monitoring GPU parameters, this software also allows you to adjust the fan’s RGB settings.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This controller allows for seamless adjustability of the GeForce RTX GPUs fans. | It can’t control or monitor the fan speed and parameters of other components. |
| It can be used for overclocking the GPU. | |
| The software can adjust the fan’s RGB settings. |
©Kiklas/Shutterstock.com
How to Pick the Best Fan Control Software for Windows PCs: Step-by-Step
When choosing a fan control software, there are three main considerations for most users.
- The number of fans it can control.
- Monitoring functions.
- Overclocking.
Let’s see how each of these factors can impact your decision-making.
Number of Fans it Can Control
One of the most important features of any fan control software is the number of fans it can control. Some programs can control the speed of all the fans connected to the motherboard, including the HDD and case fan. Other programs are specifically designed for CPU or GPU fan control. If you’re only concerned about one component, brand-specific software is often the best choice. However, if you want to keep an eye on all fans, a generic program could be your best bet.
Monitoring Functions
In addition to controlling the fan speed, most fan control programs include monitoring functions. For instance, they can monitor the real-time temperature of the CPU or GPU, check the voltage and frequency, and so on. These parameters can help you adjust the settings to boost performance, so you should consider whether they are important to you.
Overclocking
Overclocking allows you to temporarily increase the CPU’s or GPU’s speed to boost the system’s performance. Some fan control programs include overclocking features that enable you to increase the speed while maintaining the component’s temperature under control. Doing so prevents damage, but if you don’t have a need for overclocking, you might want to opt for simpler software that is easier to use.
What to Know Before Using a Fan Control Software
All Windows PCs control the speed of the various fans and adjust their performance on-demand through the system’s BIOS. The fan control software can help you monitor vital functions and adjust the fan speed based on your needs, but these programs are not able to override the BIOS. In some cases, the software can get into conflict with the BIOS and fail to work properly.
If you want more control over the fan’s speed, you should disable any smart controls from the BIOS and set a manual speed of around 50 percent as a fallback. Then, you can download, install, and use the desired fan control software.
Using a Fan Control Software: What It’s Like
Using fan control software gives you more control over the various components compared to the BIOS. Beyond controlling the fan speed, you can use these programs for safe overclocking, monitoring the temperature of the various components, and setting fan curves, to name just a few. Most programs are intuitive to use, so even beginners can give them a try.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Aleksandr Grechanyuk/Shutterstock.com.
