MSI BIOS Issues Concerning Fan Curves and Temperature Sensors
MSI BIOS Issues Concerning Fan Curves and Temperature Sensors
Looking at the available options, these temperature sources differ mainly in their heat capture areas and responsiveness. The CPU core default is usually the baseline, while the GPU intake fan is tailored for the GPU’s cooling needs. The exhaust and in-line CPU fans serve to move air but don’t directly regulate temperature. When designing a fan curve, you’d pick the source that best matches where heat is generated. If your GPU gets hotter than the CPU, prioritize the GPU intake fan; if the exhaust is the bottleneck, focus on that. “System” typically refers to overall case temperature, and “PCIE 1” generally indicates GPU temperature. Using alternative sources for the GPU fan can improve cooling efficiency, especially if you want a higher curve there.
CPU Core - Indicates CPU socket temperature, meaning the CPU reports its socket's heat. Integrated system - Shows overall motherboard temperature using sensors across the board. MOS - Refers to VRM temperature of the chipsets. Chipset temperature - PCIe 1, likely the main slot for the graphics card, indicating GPU heat.
Chris your comments are helpful, haha! So “System” is most similar to case temperature, right? Is “PCIE 1” really just the GPU temperature? Most studies suggest you need third-party tools to adjust a system fan curve to GPU temp—BIOS usually can’t do that. (That would be great!) Regarding the temperature sensor, it likely measures the actual heat from the PCIe slot itself, not just the connected GPU or chip temps.
It was a solid inquiry, and yes you adjusted the last fan to PCIE 1 with the greater curve. That’s precisely what I did when I observed the temperature rising during idle, the fans activating, temperatures dropping, fans slowing, and then rising again.
System is probably close to ambient, or the temperature inside your case, but it could be affected by a lot of different factors. Probably close enough for horseshoes and hand grenades, though. Saying it's GPU temp is probably a misnomer. It can't really see what the actual GPU temp is. This is probably similar to CPU socket temperature, but for the PCIe card. There's just a temperature sensor there, so if the graphics card is hot, it generally will be hot too.
I can verify that the real GPU temperature and PCIe temperatures differ, indicating a location near the GPU on the board. Considering this, it remains a helpful temperature reference to some extent.
Thanks @TPA50! The screenshot looks good. I agree, the PCIe temperature isn’t the GPU temperature. Interesting how your system temperature is higher than the PCIe reading. I’ll check mine later to compare. Curious about the placement of those sensors on the board.