How to Control MSI Laptop Fan Speed

How-To
How To Control Msi Laptop Fan Speed

MSI laptops are known for their performance, especially for gaming and high-end applications like video editing. However, these tasks often generate significant heat, leading to increased fan noise or, in some cases, overheating. Controlling your MSI laptop’s fan speed is an effective way to manage both performance and noise levels. This guide will walk you through various methods to control the fan speed on your MSI laptop.

Why Control Your Laptop’s Fan Speed?

Before we explore how to control fan speed, it’s important to understand the reasons behind it:

  • Prevent Overheating: High workloads, such as gaming or video editing, can cause your laptop to heat up. Managing fan speed ensures the system stays cool, preventing thermal throttling and potential hardware damage.
  • Noise Reduction: Laptops often increase fan speed unnecessarily, causing loud noise. By controlling fan speed, you can reduce noise without sacrificing cooling performance.
  • Optimized Performance: Lowering temperatures by controlling the fan speed ensures your laptop performs at its best without thermal throttling.

Now, let’s look at different ways to control the fan speed on an MSI laptop.

Method 1: Use MSI Dragon Center

MSI Dragon Center (or the newer MSI Center) is the manufacturer’s official software for controlling various aspects of your MSI laptop, including fan speed. This is the easiest and most reliable method for managing fan speeds on MSI laptops.

Steps to Control Fan Speed via MSI Dragon Center:

  1. Install MSI Dragon Center: If Dragon Center is not already installed, download it from MSI’s official website and install it on your laptop.
  2. Open Dragon Center: Once installed, open the software and allow it to scan your system.
  3. Navigate to “User Scenario”: Inside Dragon Center, find the “User Scenario” tab. Here, you’ll find different performance profiles such as Silent, Balanced, and Extreme Performance.
  4. Select a Profile: Choose the profile that best fits your needs. For quieter fan speeds, select “Silent” mode. For better cooling, choose “Extreme Performance.”
  5. Customize Fan Speed with “Advanced” Settings: For more control, click on the “Advanced” tab under User Scenario. This will allow you to customize fan curves manually. You can set different fan speeds based on temperature ranges to better balance performance and noise.
  6. Apply and Save: After making your adjustments, click “Apply” to save the settings. Dragon Center will automatically adjust fan speeds based on the parameters you’ve set.

Pros of Using Dragon Center:

  • Official MSI software designed specifically for MSI laptops.
  • User-friendly interface with customizable fan curves.
  • Offers performance profiles for different needs.

Cons of Using Dragon Center:

  • Limited to MSI laptops only.
  • Advanced options might not be available on older models.

Method 2: Control Fan Speed via BIOS

Another method to control fan speed on an MSI laptop is through the BIOS. This approach is more straightforward but might have fewer customization options compared to Dragon Center.

Steps to Control Fan Speed in BIOS:

  1. Restart Your Laptop: Save your work and restart your laptop.
  2. Enter the BIOS/UEFI Menu: When the laptop begins to boot, press the Delete or F2 key repeatedly to enter the BIOS/UEFI menu.
  3. Navigate to “Hardware Monitor” or “Fan Control”: Use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Hardware Monitor” or “Fan Control” section. Here, you’ll find options to control your laptop’s fans.
  4. Adjust Fan Speed: Within the fan control settings, you can adjust the fan speed either by choosing preset profiles (Silent, Normal, Performance) or manually setting a fan curve based on system temperatures.
  5. Save and Exit: After making your changes, save the settings by pressing F10, and restart your laptop. Your new fan speed settings will take effect after the reboot.

Pros of BIOS Control:

  • No additional software required.
  • Direct access to hardware-level controls.

Cons of BIOS Control:

  • Limited customization options.
  • Requires restarting the laptop to make changes.

Method 3: Use MSI Afterburner for Fan Control

MSI Afterburner is primarily known as a GPU overclocking tool, but it also allows for fine control of GPU fan speeds. If you want to control the fan speed of your GPU (especially in gaming scenarios), MSI Afterburner can help.

Steps to Control GPU Fan Speed via MSI Afterburner:

  1. Download and Install MSI Afterburner: Download MSI Afterburner from the official website and install it on your laptop.
  2. Open MSI Afterburner: Once installed, open Afterburner and look for the fan speed control slider at the bottom.
  3. Enable Custom Fan Control: Click on the gear icon to open the settings menu. In the “Fan” tab, enable “User Defined” fan control and set your preferred fan speed curve by adjusting the sliders at different temperature points.
  4. Apply Settings: After customizing your fan curve, apply the settings. The fan speed will now automatically adjust based on your custom curve, keeping your GPU cool during intense gaming sessions.

Pros of MSI Afterburner:

  • Excellent for controlling GPU fan speeds during gaming.
  • Offers advanced control with custom fan curves.

Cons of MSI Afterburner:

  • Only controls GPU fan, not CPU/system fans.
  • May require some technical knowledge to configure correctly.

Method 4: Use Third-Party Software for System Fan Control

If you want to control your laptop’s fans outside of the MSI ecosystem, several third-party software options provide fan speed control, such as SpeedFan, Argus Monitor, or NoteBook FanControl. These tools offer more flexibility and control over your entire system, including CPU and chassis fans.

Popular Third-Party Software:

  • SpeedFan: SpeedFan allows you to monitor and control your fan speeds manually or automatically. It can be used to control both CPU and system fans, though it requires some setup and may not support all MSI laptops.
  • Argus Monitor: Argus Monitor offers real-time monitoring of temperature sensors and allows you to adjust fan speeds based on temperature thresholds. It is user-friendly and works well with many MSI laptops.
  • NoteBook FanControl (NBFC): This lightweight tool allows you to control fan speed on various laptop brands, including MSI. It provides manual fan control and offers pre-configured profiles for different models.

Steps to Control Fan Speed via SpeedFan:

  1. Download and Install SpeedFan: Visit the SpeedFan website and download the software. Install it on your MSI laptop.
  2. Launch SpeedFan: Open the software and let it detect your laptop’s fan and temperature sensors.
  3. Configure Fan Control: Once the sensors are detected, navigate to the “Fan Control” tab. Here, you can manually adjust fan speeds or set automatic control based on the laptop’s temperature.
  4. Monitor Performance: Keep an eye on your system temperatures and fan speeds. Adjust the settings as needed to ensure optimal cooling and noise levels.

Pros of Third-Party Software:

  • Advanced control and customization.
  • Works with multiple laptop models.
  • Supports both CPU and system fan control.

Cons of Third-Party Software:

  • May not support all MSI models.
  • Requires more technical setup.

Method 5: Clean Your Laptop’s Fans

If your fans are running at high speeds constantly, the problem might not be software-related but hardware-related. Dust and debris can clog the fans, reducing cooling efficiency. Cleaning your fans can significantly improve airflow and reduce the need for high fan speeds.

Steps to Clean Your MSI Laptop Fans:

  1. Turn Off and Unplug Your Laptop: Always power off your laptop and disconnect it from any power source before cleaning.
  2. Open the Laptop Case: Use a screwdriver to carefully remove the screws on the back of your laptop to access the fans.
  3. Clean the Fans: Use a can of compressed air to blow out dust and debris from the fans. You can also use a soft brush to clean hard-to-reach areas.
  4. Reassemble the Laptop: Once the fans are clean, reassemble the laptop by securing the screws back in place.
  5. Test the Fan Speed: Power on your laptop and monitor the fan noise and speed. Cleaning the fans often improves cooling efficiency and reduces fan noise.

Pros of Cleaning:

  • Improves cooling performance.
  • Reduces fan noise.

Cons of Cleaning:

  • Requires opening up the laptop, which may void the warranty.
  • Risk of damaging components if not done carefully.

Conclusion

Controlling the fan speed on your MSI laptop can help you maintain optimal performance while reducing noise and preventing overheating. Whether you use MSI Dragon Center, BIOS, third-party software, or clean the fans manually, the right method depends on your needs and technical comfort level.

When adjusting fan speeds, always monitor your laptop’s temperatures to ensure it remains within safe operating ranges. With the right fan control strategy, you can enjoy a quieter and cooler MSI laptop that performs at its best during high-performance tasks.

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