Linux Mint 18.1 lacks fan control for loud fans
Linux Mint 18.1 lacks fan control for loud fans
The Linux system doesn't manage case fans, causing them to run loudly. The sensor readings shown in the image indicate this issue. After upgrading to version 18.1 and kernel 4.4.0-72.93, no improvements occurred. Assistance needed? In Windows, fans can be adjusted using the AI suite 3, which functions well. My motherboard is an ASUS Sabertooth Z97 Mark 2.
These boards offer excellent fan speed configurations by design.
I've already attempted that, but something unusual is occurring. When I enabled PWM mode for fan1, its speed reached maximum (around 1900 RPM) even though I set a custom speed. This behavior appears in Windows too, as it disregards my profile in the AI suite. When I switched it back to DC, fan1 returned to 1200 RPM in BIOS and 630 RPM in Windows, then increased speed when needed. The photos below are from fan1. The PWM sound is much louder than DC!!!
Fan control works on Linux, but unless you need it, BIOS control is preferable. The issues with SW control include: lack of specifications from some chip makers → no support or unstable support on Linux. Subproblem: ACPI implementation problems with fan chips can cause conflicts; sometimes ACPI must be turned off. No GUI apps or featureless GUIs are allowed. Search for your MB sensor or fan controller chip to check compatibility. Avoid posting screenshots—just share the text.
Your BIOS appears to lack PWM support, which likely causes the fan to run at maximum speed regardless of voltage settings. This also explains why Windows no longer recognizes fan modes. How many fans are installed? Did you connect or disconnect the CPU header? On certain boards only a few headers (1-2) can handle PWM, and BIOS might not always recognize this correctly. Try running the Q-Fan "auto-optimize all" utility. Sometimes the BIOS struggles to find the lowest effective fan speed, leading to higher RPM than necessary. If your motherboard has recent BIOS updates that mention fan controls, consider upgrading—older BIOS versions can have faulty fan management features.