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To set a CPU fan curve, open your motherboard’s BIOS or UEFI fan controls, select the CPU fan header, choose the control mode that matches the fan, and set fan speed to rise as CPU temperature rises. Save the change, then check fan RPM and CPU temperatures in normal use. Menu names and options vary by motherboard, so use the manual for your exact model.
Find the CPU fan controls
- Restart the PC and enter BIOS/UEFI. Use the startup key shown by your PC or motherboard maker; the key and timing vary by system.
- Open the fan-control page. Depending on the board, it may be called ASUS Q-Fan, GIGABYTE Smart Fan 6, Hardware Monitor, Fan Control, or Smart Fan. ASUS describes its Q-Fan controls in its UEFI BIOS EZ Mode guide; GIGABYTE identifies Smart Fan 6 features on its A620M H support page.
- Select the header that controls the cooler fan. It is commonly labeled CPU_FAN. If another cooler fan is connected to CPU_OPT, or the fan uses a splitter or hub, check which header the curve applies to. ASUS’s interface lets you select a fan or connector before changing its settings.
Choose the right fan-control mode
Set the header to a mode compatible with the fan connected to it. A 4-pin fan generally uses PWM control; a 3-pin fan generally uses DC (voltage) control. Some boards offer Auto detection. ASUS documents Auto, PWM, and DC options for supported hardware, and ARCTIC also advises matching DC or PWM to the fan type. Check your motherboard and fan documentation if the options or behavior are unclear: ASUS Q-Fan guidance, ARCTIC’s UEFI fan-setting guide.
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If the mode does not match, the fan may run at full speed, respond poorly, or fail to follow the curve. Verify the fan’s actual connection and the board manual before changing unrelated firmware settings.
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Choose Manual or a preset profile, if your board offers one. For a manual curve, set fan speed to increase as CPU temperature increases. Firmware interfaces differ in the number of adjustable points and how they label speed; follow the on-screen controls and your board’s documentation. ASUS illustrates a rising curve in its Q-Fan interface guide, while Supermicro describes linking fan control to CPU temperature in its C9-series user manual.
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- [Product specification]AX120R SE; CPU Cooler dimensions: 125(L)x71(W)x148(H)mm (4.92x2.8x 5.83 inch); Product weight:0.645kg(1.42lb); heat sink material: aluminum, CPU cooler is equipped with metal fasteners of Intel & AMD platform to achieve better installation
- 【PWM Fans】TL-C12C; Standard size PWM fan:120x120x25mm (4.72x4.72x0.98 inches); fan speed (RPM):1550rpm±10%; power port: 4pin; Voltage:12V; Air flow:66.17CFM(MAX); Noise Level≤25.6dB(A), the fan pairs efficient cool with low-noise-level, providing you an environment with both efficient cool and true quietness
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There is no universal set of curve temperatures or fan percentages established for every system. The right balance depends on the CPU, cooler, fan, case airflow, workload, and motherboard firmware. Start with a conservative profile or a gradual manual curve, then validate temperatures and fan response under the workloads you actually run.
How presets differ
Names and behavior are board-specific, but the general trade-off is noise versus cooling response. A Silent profile generally keeps fan speed lower; Turbo or Full Speed prioritizes cooling or maximum fan speed. Standard offers a default balance, while Manual lets you set the curve yourself. ASUS lists Standard, Silent, Turbo, Full Speed, and Manual in its Q-Fan controls. Check the available options and descriptions for your board rather than assuming profiles behave identically across manufacturers.
Rank #2
- [Brand Overview] Thermalright is a Taiwan brand with more than 20 years of development. It has a certain popularity in the domestic and foreign markets and has a pivotal influence in the player market. We have been focusing on the research and development of computer accessories. R & D product lines include: CPU air-cooled radiator, case fan, thermal silicone pad, thermal silicone grease, CPU fan controller, anti falling off mounting bracket, support mounting bracket and other commodities
- [Product specification] Thermalright PA120 SE; CPU Cooler dimensions: 125(L)x135(W)x155(H)mm (4.92x5.31x6.1 inch); heat sink material: aluminum, CPU cooler is equipped with metal fasteners of Intel & AMD platform to achieve better installation, double tower cooling is stronger（(Note:Please check your case and motherboard for compatibility with this size cooler.）
- 【2 PWM Fans】TL-C12C; Standard size PWM fan:120x120x25mm (4.72x4.72x0.98 inches); fan speed (RPM):1550rpm±10%; power port: 4pin; Voltage:12V; Air flow:66.17CFM(MAX); Noise Level≤25.6dB(A), leave room for memory-chip(RAM), so that installation of ice cooler cpu is unrestricted
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- 【Compatibility】The CPU cooler Socket supports: Intel:115X/1200/1700/17XX AMD:AM4;AM5; For different CPU socket platforms, corresponding mounting plate or fastener parts are provided（Note: Toinstall the AMD platform, you need to use the original motherboard's built-in backplanefor installation, which is not included with this product)
Set response timing if available
Some firmware lets you adjust fan step-up and step-down or response time. These controls affect how quickly fan speed changes as temperature moves. A longer delay can reduce audible speed swings caused by brief temperature spikes, but it can also delay ramp-up; a short delay makes the fan react faster and may make speed changes more noticeable. Adjust gradually based on observed behavior. ASUS documents configurable CPU-fan step timing in its ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING II BIOS manual.
Apply the settings and verify them
- Use the firmware’s Apply control if it has one, then choose Save & Exit. ASUS documents Apply and Exit in Q-Fan and Save & Exit in BIOS.
- After the PC boots, check that the CPU fan is spinning and that its reported RPM changes as expected.
- Observe CPU temperatures during the workloads you normally use. If temperatures rise unusually or the fan does not respond, return to firmware, use a more conservative profile, and troubleshoot the header, mode, and wiring.
Troubleshoot common fan-curve problems
The fan stays at full speed
Confirm that automatic or smart control is enabled for the selected header and that the PWM/DC mode matches the fan. Check whether the fan is connected to a motherboard header or to a separate controller that may bypass firmware control. The ARCTIC UEFI guide covers fan type and control mode.
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The fan does not spin at low temperature
Some boards provide a minimum-speed limit or fan-stop behavior. Consult the board manual to check whether fan stop is enabled, and confirm the fan restarts as temperature rises. ASUS’s cited BIOS manual includes a low-speed warning threshold and profile settings.
The fan repeatedly surges and slows
Review the curve for abrupt changes and, if available, adjust step-up or step-down timing gradually. Compare behavior under the same workload after each adjustment so you can tell whether the change helped without losing track of cooling.
Rank #4
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- 【Silent Fan Size】 Model: TL-C12C-S X3, Size: 120*120*25mm, Speed: 1550RPM±10%, Noise ≤ 25.6dBA Connector: 4pin pwm, Current: 0.20A, Air Pressure: 1.53mm H2O, Air Flow: 66.17CFM, Higher air flow for improved cooling performance.
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The curve does not control the fan
Check that you selected the header the fan actually uses, and inspect any splitter or hub wiring. A pump or external controller may have its own control path. Fan menus are header-specific, and features differ by motherboard; see the relevant ASUS documentation or GIGABYTE B650M H support page for examples.
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The ASUS ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING II BIOS manual says, “We suggest raising your fan/pump duty to 100% if your CPU temperature exceeds 75°C.” This is guidance for that board’s manual, not a universal threshold for all CPUs, coolers, or motherboards. Use your own board and CPU documentation when deciding how to respond to temperature.
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