Adjust your CPU fan speed to control cooling performance.
Adjust your CPU fan speed to control cooling performance.
Hey everyone, I just upgraded my CPU to an i5-12400 and a few other components. I'm using the stock cooler and have noticed some high temperatures. That made me wonder—can I boost the cooler's fan speed? How would I do that, and what could be the downsides?
To adjust the CPU fan speed, I typically use the BIOS settings. It varies between different motherboards, so the exact location isn’t always clear. Possible downsides include increased noise and higher power consumption. Updated on June 1, 2022 by LennyD
You can adjust settings in BIOS, consult the manual with your motherboard, and look for instructions on configuring fan curves. The main drawback is excessive noise, potentially as loud as a leaf blower.
The CPU might consume more power, or the fan could be the main consumer. The fan is linked to the motherboard directly, but your B660 GB RAM setup includes software for adjusting fan speeds during installation. Since you haven’t interacted with it yet, results may vary.
That's why the main drawback I mentioned was that it will be a leafblower. It all depends on what you mean by "high temps." If your CPU is around 85°C, turning the fan into a leafblower won't significantly help its performance—though it might not be ideal for long-term use. In that case, I'd prefer higher temperatures over noise since they're safe for the CPU, even if they seem high to you. But if the temps are above 90°C, then running the fan at full speed would be necessary.
Avoid using low-quality gigabyte apps for tasks you can handle directly via BIOS. Uninstall unnecessary programs and adjust the BIOS settings instead. The built-in Windows applications are quite poor and often lead to issues. For a reliable fix, simply modify the BIOS settings.
The issue seems manageable now. As Origami Cactus mentioned, the noise would be the bigger concern. Adjust the RPM in the BIOS settings—it’s the most reliable solution and outperforms any software fixes.
Settings are stored in the BIOS, and I'm not sure what specific high temperatures you're asking about.