To manually turn on or control your MSI fan, you typically use MSI's dedicated software utilities such as MSI Dragon Center or the newer MSI Center, or by accessing your system's BIOS/UEFI settings. These methods allow you to switch from automatic fan control (often called "Smart Mode") to a "Manual Mode" where you can precisely adjust fan speeds.
Utilizing MSI Software for Fan Control
MSI provides powerful software suites that offer comprehensive control over your system's hardware, including cooling fans.
1. MSI Dragon Center (Older Systems) / MSI Center (Newer Systems)
These applications are your primary tools for managing fan speeds directly from your Windows operating system.
Steps to Manually Control Fans:
- Download and Install: Ensure you have either MSI Dragon Center (for older motherboards/laptops) or MSI Center (for newer motherboards/laptops) installed on your system. You can find these on MSI's official support website.
- Launch the Software: Open MSI Dragon Center or MSI Center.
- Navigate to Fan Control:
- In MSI Dragon Center, look for sections like "User Scenario," "Fan Speed," or "Cooler Boost." Often, you'll find fan control under "Features" or "Gaming Mode."
- In MSI Center, navigate to the "Features" section and then look for "User Scenario" or "Fan Speed."
- Access the CPU Fan Control Panel: Within the fan control interface, you'll find a dedicated "CPU Fan control panel" or a similar section.
- Switch to Manual Mode: The CPU Fan control panel provides both Smart Mode (automatic control) and Manual Mode. To take manual control, click the Smart Mode and Manual Mode buttons on the top of the CPU Fan control panel to switch to Manual Mode.
- Adjust Fan Curves/Speeds: Once in Manual Mode, you can typically:
- Set Fan Curves: This involves dragging points on a graph to define how fan speed (RPM or percentage) responds to temperature changes (e.g., CPU temperature, GPU temperature).
- Set Fixed Speeds: Some interfaces allow you to set a constant fan speed percentage for specific fans.
- Utilize Cooler Boost (Laptops): Many MSI gaming laptops feature a "Cooler Boost" button or setting in Dragon Center/MSI Center. Clicking this instantly spins all fans to their maximum RPM for aggressive cooling during intense tasks.
- Apply Settings: After making your adjustments, ensure you click "Apply" or "Save" for the changes to take effect.
Example of Fan Control Interface (Conceptual)
| Fan Type | Control Mode | Settings Example |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Fan | Manual Mode | Custom fan curve based on CPU temperature (e.g., 50% at 60°C, 100% at 80°C) |
| GPU Fan | Manual Mode | Independent fan curve based on GPU temperature |
| System Fans | Manual Mode | Fixed speed (e.g., 70% constant) or case temperature curve |
BIOS/UEFI Settings for Fan Control
For more fundamental control, especially for your CPU and chassis fans, you can adjust settings directly in your system's BIOS/UEFI. This method is applied before Windows even loads.
Steps to Adjust Fan Speeds in BIOS/UEFI:
- Restart Your PC: Reboot your computer.
- Enter BIOS/UEFI: Press the designated key repeatedly during startup (commonly
Delete,F2, orF11for MSI motherboards) to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. - Navigate to Fan Control: Look for sections such as "Hardware Monitor," "Smart Fan Control," "Monitor," or "Settings > Fan."
- Select Fan: Choose the specific fan you want to control (e.g., CPU Fan, System Fan 1).
- Switch to Manual Mode: Similar to the software, you'll often find options to switch from "Smart Fan Mode" or "PWM/DC Mode" to a "Manual" or "User Defined" setting.
- Adjust Settings:
- Fan Curve: Define temperature thresholds and corresponding fan speed percentages.
- Min/Max Speed: Set the minimum and maximum operational speeds.
- Save and Exit: Save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI. Your system will restart with the new fan settings.
Important Considerations
- Noise Levels: Running fans at maximum speed (100%) will provide the best cooling but will also generate significant noise.
- Temperature Monitoring: When manually controlling fans, it's crucial to monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures using tools like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to ensure your components are adequately cooled, especially under load.
- System Stability: Improper fan settings can lead to overheating and system instability. Always ensure your fans are providing sufficient airflow.
- Different Fan Types: CPU, GPU, and chassis fans may have independent controls. Ensure you're adjusting the correct fan settings for your needs. GPU fans are often best controlled through MSI Afterburner for precise, real-time adjustments linked to GPU temperature.
By leveraging MSI's powerful software or directly configuring your BIOS/UEFI, you can gain complete manual control over your system's cooling, optimizing for performance, acoustics, or a balance of both.
