How To Adjust PC Fan RPM

Adjusting PC fan RPM is an important step in the building/setup process! Let's walk through how to take care of it!

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[GregSalazar]

Curious! Do you control CPU and system fan curves with your BIOS/UEFI or third-party software? If the latter, which one specifically?

[Huckleberry]

This is why I like this channel it talks about things that most youtube tech channels assume you already know, But is extremely helpful for the new people

[Ballacha]

General rule of thumb: the first node should be the maximum speed of your fans that’s silent (for me it was 40% speed for cpu fan and 50% speed for case fans). The temperature should correspond to a temperature that is 5 degrees C higher than your room temp. For example, I have my cpu fan set at 40% from 0 to 35 degree C as first node before ramping up. The the second node should be your “usual load” fan speed. For me i set it at 70% at 60C. The final node is your emergency anti-throttling fan speed. You need to set the fans at full speed at 15 to 20 degrees below your cpu’s throttling temperature to be safe. I set it at 100% speed at 75 degree C.

Case fans generally should follow cpu fan mapping. But it’s also a good idea to set their speed up slightly higher (ramping up earlier) than your cpu fan to ensure cpu fan gets fed fresh cool air all the time.

[dansvet]

I use flat fan steps as a constant speed is less noticeable. The ramping up and down is more annoying more then the sound itself.
Start by moving all points to top right at 100% then drag the first/lowest temp one down to work out what pwm% = fan speed. I like 800rpm idle and 1200rpm gaming but adjust as needed.
Then set first temp marker at top end of “idle temp”, i use 45’C/800rpm so anything under 45’ is at this fixed speed of 800rpm.
Then next is gaming load area. Mine is set to 46’C to 65’C as a flat line holding at 1200rpm. Set per your system needs.
Then depending on points left you can ramp up as needed above this. But during normal gaming loads the fans should stay constant.
Then last set a warning temp and fans to 100%. I use 80’C with a little ramp up prior. You will hear this and know something isnt right temp wise and it will blast cool air in to help.
If set right your pc will be very quiet at idle and watching movies but also Cool and at a constant volume during games.

[BS-Reviewz]

Nice. Just made a 5600G build. I have all but the rear fan hooked to the CPU header. I want the rear fan at full power always and now I’m gonna set the curve for the rest.
I want positive pressure inside my case. 2x120mm and 2x140mm even at low rpm should still be more cfm than than 1 120 at full speed.
Thanks, Greg. You have taught me so much.

[cptwhite]

Worth mentioning if you're using 4 pin (PWM) fans, ensure PWM is selected in the top right (as seen in the video), if using 3 pin (Voltage control) fans, ensure "DC" or "Voltage" is selected in the top right toggle. If you have PWM selected and use 3 pin fans for example, it won't apply the curve.

[adielhavocsklyar]

Thanks for the help! My CPU fan was running like an helicopter even after tuning it in the BIOS, but now it's way better

[DEEGAMING]

I can’t tell you how your videos have saved me from headaches and money. Keep doing what you’re doing. Oh yeah, move to Massachusetts lol

[brando]

Oh man! I was totally wondering about this recently, great timing!

[shootinbruin]

Personally, I find myself to be more sensitive to changes in fan noise than the noise itself. Hearing the fan repeatedly ramp up and down is far more intrusive to me than a constant white noise. So I set my curve with only 2 points. First, I experiment to find the fastest speed in which I can run the fans before they become annoying (55% for my QL120s). I then set the BIOS to maintain this speed up to the highest temp my CPU will hit during everyday use (say the 65C I see while gaming). Then I set the fans to 100% at 80C. The "curve" is therefore whatever slope that connects these two points. This slope may seem steep, but the whole idea is that during normal use you will never hit the slope to begin with.

I'm doing this with a 360mm AIO so perhaps it won't work in a system with less headroom, but in my personal case at least, doing this ensures that outside of stress tests my fans pretty much never ramp up. Hope this helps

[MacVerick]

It’s like you read my mind sometimes with the videos you make! Great one!

[StopaskingformynameYouTube]

I use Argus monitor.
It can controll every pwm fan in regards to ANY sensor, or a combination of several sensors instantly or on an average temperature over a given time that you can define.
It's really configurable, and it is resource friendly.
It's really cheap, and you can skin it if you want to.
You can also add your own sensors and fan controllers using arduino as they provide the communication protocols, and you can interface this with nzxt, corsair ect.. controllers.

I just love it, it's the best piece of software i ever bought!

[originalbukatv]

This actually is the FIRST video I have seen on the internet that specifically addresses this issue and IT IS SO IMPORTANT! THANK YOU for making this video! I have been on the internet since 1988 and this is the FIRST video to take about this in-depth. no joke!

[andyclarkeofficial]

Super helpful. I installed new fans and never thought about this. It’s always so loud

[yr.Old.Nerdin]

I agree with Greg. Use BIOS settings and avoid extra software whenever possible. I tried using some ASRock software to adjust my fans from Windows, but it would often glitch out. BIOS seemed most reliable.

My voltage/DC fans will go as low as 20% duty. I'm often surprised to hear how much people discredit DC fans (some even implying DC fans have *no adjustment*), but I've never had much for issues.

[Jinars.]

Thanks a lot. It's my first time building a PC and my CPU hit temps as high as 112C. I've set my fans and CPU cooler to 100% once the CPU hits 60C and my temps are 70-80C during gaming.

[yonson_racing]

I usually select silent, then manually tweak the 100% down to about 65 degrees, because if it's getting that warm I'm either gaming, or doing something CPU intensive... I'll also put in a 2 or 3 second delay as well so it doesn't ramp them up for a small spike in temperature.

[landonjohnson]

Thanks Greg, This video is perfect, I was always curious on how to set up the most reasonable fan speed to temperature graph in the BIOS.

[jaquestraw]

Good guide Greg. There are many ways to set up fans, yours is a very simple and effective method pretty much the same as I've been doing for years.

[neverenoughguitars]

I got a Windows 10 pro key for 15 bucks Canadian! So glad I watched this video!