You can speed up your graphics card fan using free software like MSI Afterburner. This works with any GPU brand. Just download the program, turn off auto mode, and move the fan speed slider to 60-70%. You can also create a custom fan curve that adjusts speeds based on temperature. For AMD graphics cards, the built-in Radeon Software has fan control tools. For NVIDIA cards, third-party software like MSI Afterburner gives you the most control.

The most common issue is GPUs running default fan curves that favor quiet over cool, often staying under 40% fan speed until hitting 167°F (75°C) or higher. Setting fans to 60-70% usually drops temperatures by 18-27°F (10-15°C) without being too loud. I've also seen dust buildup stop fans from spinning even though software showed 100%, so always check the actual fans if changes don't help. Not every system needs high fan speeds though. If your GPU stays under 167°F (75°C) during gaming, your default cooling is probably fine.

This guide shows you several ways to control your graphics card fan speed. Pick the method that works best for your setup.

Choosing the Right Fan Control Method

The best tool depends on what kind of graphics card you have:

  • AMD GPU Owners: Start with AMD Radeon Software. It comes with your graphics drivers and works great with AMD hardware.

  • NVIDIA GPU Owners: Use MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X1. NVIDIA's own software has few fan control options.

  • Any Brand: MSI Afterburner works with all graphics card brands and is the most popular choice.

  • Full System Control: Fan Control (open source) can manage GPU fans along with case fans and CPU coolers.

MSI Afterburner: Works With All Graphics Cards

MSI Afterburner is the most popular GPU fan control tool. Even though it has "MSI" in the name, it works with graphics cards from any company. This free program supports both NVIDIA and AMD cards.

How to Set Up MSI Afterburner

  1. Download and Install: Go to the official MSI Afterburner page and download the latest version. Use the default install settings.

  2. Open the Program: Start MSI Afterburner. You'll see a screen with several sliders and buttons.

  3. Turn On Manual Fan Control: Find the "Fan Speed (%)" slider on the right side. Click the "Auto" button next to it to switch to manual mode. The button should show a fan icon instead of "Auto".

  4. Set Your Fan Speed: Move the fan speed slider to the percentage you want. Try 60-70% for a good balance between cooling and noise. Click "Apply" to start using your new setting.

  5. Save Your Settings: Click one of the numbered buttons (1-5) at the bottom, then click the save icon. This keeps your settings for next time.

Creating Custom Fan Curves

A custom fan curve tells your graphics card how fast to spin the fans at different temperatures. This is better than a fixed fan speed because fans run slower when cool and faster when hot. You get good cooling when you need it and quiet operation when you don't.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 30 C 50 C 70 C 90 C 100 C Fan Speed (%) GPU Temperature ( C) 40 C: 20% 60 C: 40% 75 C: 70% 85 C: 100% Recommended GPU Fan Curve
Example fan curve showing the relationship between GPU temperature and fan speed percentage

  1. Open Settings: Click the gear icon in MSI Afterburner to open the settings window.

  2. Go to Fan Control: Click the "Fan" tab to see fan curve options.

  3. Enable Custom Curve: Check "Enable user defined software automatic fan control" and set the curve type to "Custom".

  4. Set Temperature Points: You'll see a graph with temperature on the bottom and fan speed on the side. Click and drag points to make your own curve. Note that GPU software shows temperatures in Celsius, which is standard for computer hardware. A good starting point for most users:

    • 104°F (40°C): 20% fan speed (quiet when idle)
    • 140°F (60°C): 40% fan speed (light gaming)
    • 167°F (75°C): 70% fan speed (heavy gaming)
    • 185°F (85°C): 100% fan speed (full cooling power)

    You can change these based on how much noise you can accept.

  5. Test Your Curve: Click "OK" to save, then play a game or run a test to make sure temperatures stay good and fan noise is okay for you.

Tip: MSI Afterburner includes RivaTuner Statistics Server. This shows GPU temperature and fan speed on your screen while gaming.

AMD Radeon Software: Built-In Fan Control

If you have an AMD graphics card, you can use AMD Radeon Software for fan control. This software comes with your AMD graphics drivers, so you might already have it installed.

How to Use AMD Radeon Software for Fan Control

  1. Check if It's Installed: Most AMD GPU owners already have Radeon Software. If not, download it from AMD's website.

  2. Open Performance Settings: Open Radeon Software from your system tray icon and click the "Performance" tab.

  3. Enable Fan Tuning: Go to "Tuning" and turn on "Fan Tuning" mode. You may need to accept a warning first.

  4. Set Your Fan Speed: Use the slider for a fixed fan speed, or create a custom fan curve that changes speed based on temperature.

  5. Test It: Play a game to make sure temperatures stay good and fan noise is okay.

AMD Feature: Radeon Software has a Zero RPM mode that stops fans completely when your GPU is cool. This keeps your computer silent when you're not gaming.

NVIDIA Graphics Cards: Fan Control Options

NVIDIA doesn't include full fan control in their official software. Here's what you need to know:

  • GeForce Experience: Some newer NVIDIA cards have basic fan settings in GeForce Experience under "Performance", but options are limited.

  • NVIDIA Control Panel: The standard control panel doesn't have fan speed controls at all.

  • Best Option: Use MSI Afterburner or another third-party program for full fan control on NVIDIA cards.

Other Fan Control Software Options

EVGA Precision X1

EVGA Precision X1 is made for EVGA graphics cards but works with most GPU brands. It has fan curves, monitoring, and works much like MSI Afterburner. Download it free from EVGA's website.

Fan Control (Free and Open Source)

Fan Control is a free program that controls all your computer's fans, not just the GPU. This is great if you want your case fans, CPU cooler, and GPU fans to all work together.

  • Download: Get it free from getfancontrol.com

  • Setup: After you install it, the program finds all your fans. Pick the GPU fan, choose a temperature sensor, and set your fan curve points.

  • Learn More: Check the documentation for advanced features.

BIOS Fan Control (Limited for GPUs)

Your computer's BIOS can control fans, but this usually works only for CPU and case fans, not graphics card fans. Most GPUs need software control instead. If you want to try:

  1. Restart your computer and press F2, F10, DEL, or ESC during startup to enter BIOS.

  2. Look for "Hardware Monitor," "Advanced," or "Fan Control" sections.

  3. If GPU fan options appear, you can change speed settings here.

  4. Save and exit to apply changes.

Most motherboards don't have GPU fan settings in BIOS, so software like MSI Afterburner is usually the better choice.

Safe GPU Temperatures

Knowing what temperatures are normal helps you decide if you need to change your fan speeds.

Temperature Ranges to Know

  • Idle Temperature Range: 86-113°F (30-45°C) shows proper cooling when the GPU handles light tasks. Many modern GPUs stop fans fully at these temperatures for silent operation.

  • Gaming Load Temperature: 149-185°F (65-85°C) is the normal range during heavy gaming or video work. If your GPU stays in this range, your default fan curve is working well.

  • Maximum Safe Threshold: 194-203°F (90-95°C) triggers thermal throttling in most graphics cards, which slows down performance to prevent damage. This is when you need to change your fan speed settings.

  • Critical Shutdown Point: 212°F+ (100°C+) causes emergency shutdown to stop permanent hardware damage

Quick Guide: If your GPU stays below 167°F (75°C) during gaming, your fan speeds are probably fine. Change settings only if you see sudden FPS drops or temperatures above 176°F (80°C).

Signs Your GPU is Too Hot

  • FPS Drops: Sudden slowdowns in games that ran smoothly before

  • Visual Glitches: Strange colors, lines, or shapes on your screen

  • Crashes: Blue screens, shutdowns, or program crashes during gaming

  • Loud Fans: Fans running at full speed all the time

How to Check Your GPU Temperature

Use these free programs to watch your GPU temperature:

  • MSI Afterburner: Shows temperature on your screen while gaming

  • GPU-Z: Shows detailed graphics card information and temperature history

  • HWiNFO64: Monitors all your computer parts including GPU

If Faster Fans Don't Help

Sometimes higher fan speeds aren't enough. Here are other things that can help lower GPU temperatures:

Clean Your Graphics Card

Dust buildup is a common cause of high temperatures. Carefully clean dust from your GPU fans and heatsink using compressed air. This alone can drop temperatures by several degrees.

Improve Case Airflow

  • Front Fans: Bring cool air into your case

  • Rear/Top Fans: Push hot air out of your case

  • Cable Management: Keep cables organized so air can flow freely

GPU Undervolting

Undervolting lowers the power your GPU uses without hurting performance. Less power means less heat. You can do this in MSI Afterburner or AMD Radeon Software. Start with small changes and test stability.

Thermal Paste

If your graphics card is a few years old, the thermal paste between the GPU chip and cooler may have dried out. Replacing it can improve cooling, though this requires taking apart your card. For detailed guidance, read How to Replace GPU Thermal Paste.

Things to Keep in Mind

  • Watch Your Temperatures: After changing fan settings, check that temperatures actually go down

  • Noise vs. Cooling: Find a fan speed that keeps things cool without being too loud for you

  • Keep It Clean: Clean dust from your GPU regularly so fans work their best

  • Overclocking: If you've overclocked your GPU, you'll need higher fan speeds to handle the extra heat

Why Speed Up Your GPU Fan?

Faster fans help your graphics card in several ways:

  • Lower Temperatures: Faster fans move more air, keeping your GPU cooler

  • Better Performance: Cool GPUs don't slow themselves down to avoid overheating

  • Longer Life: Running cooler puts less stress on your graphics card over time

Finding the Right Balance

More fan speed isn't always better. Consider these points:

  • Noise: Fans above 70% are usually louder. If your GPU stays below 167°F (75°C), extra speed may just add noise

  • Fan Life: Running at 100% all the time can wear out fans faster. Use custom curves instead of constant max speed

  • When It Matters: Higher speeds help most during long gaming sessions, video editing, or if your case has poor airflow

Troubleshooting Fan Control Problems

Fan Speed Won't Change

  • Check Support: Some older or budget GPUs don't support software fan control

  • Restart the Program: Close and reopen MSI Afterburner

  • Update Drivers: Get the latest GPU drivers from NVIDIA or AMD

  • Run as Admin: Right-click the program and choose "Run as administrator"

Still Too Hot Even With Faster Fans

  • Clean It: Remove dust from fans, heatsink, and vents

  • Check Thermal Paste: Old thermal paste may need replacing

  • Improve Airflow: Make sure your case has good air circulation

  • Look for Damage: Check for fans that aren't spinning or blocked vents

Software Can't Find Your GPU

  • Try Other Software: If MSI Afterburner doesn't work, try EVGA Precision X1

  • Check Installation: Make sure you installed all parts including RivaTuner Statistics Server

  • Antivirus: Your antivirus might be blocking hardware access