The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Controlling fan RPM?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Thors.Hammer, May 13, 2012.

  1. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216
    I currently have TPFanControl installed on my X301 and have been experimenting.

    By default the X301 fan runs at about 5000rpm. Thankfully the fan design on the X310 is unique so 5000rpm isn't as bad as you might think from a noise level.

    If I set tpfancontrol on manual with a setting of 2, it runs at about 4500rpm and keeps the temp at 47C.

    If I set manual to 1, it knocks the fan speed down to about 1800rpm but heats up to 58-59C.

    Is it possible to specify something in between? I would like to run the fan at 3500-4000rpm. Do any of the tools allow you to set the RPM?
     
  2. ha1o2surfer

    ha1o2surfer Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    75
    Messages:
    556
    Likes Received:
    121
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Not posting a solution, but why does it run so hot at 1800RPM? I just tested mine by setting it to BIOS, which causes it to run around 1800RPM and it only brings my temps up to 46-49C.
     
  3. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Are you using a X301?
     
  4. ha1o2surfer

    ha1o2surfer Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    75
    Messages:
    556
    Likes Received:
    121
    Trophy Points:
    56
    yeah I have an old one that I just booted up. It is running Windows XP though...
     
  5. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    744
    Messages:
    3,546
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    116
    On two of the desktop machines that I built, I use SpeedFan that offers minute control of fan speeds vs. CPU temperatures. It's only because I was being cheap and bought Foxconn mobos that have very rudimentary BIOS. Anyway, I set up SpeedFan as a scheduled process that runs right after the desktop appears.

    :D If XP runs cooler, then I guess Linux runs ice-cold.
     
  6. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Thanks. I will look into it and see if it handles what I want to do.
     
  7. ha1o2surfer

    ha1o2surfer Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    75
    Messages:
    556
    Likes Received:
    121
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I doubt Speedfan is compatible with Thinkpads though. I use to LOVE Speedfan until I started to get newer laptops which didn't have support. :(


    yup :) I should try Linux since I never use this laptop anymore. It's the U9400 CPU with Windows XP.. also I told a fib, I have it undervolted too.
     
  8. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216
    That might be one reason for the difference in temps at certain fan levels. :D
     
  9. Colonel O'Neill

    Colonel O'Neill Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    300
    Messages:
    935
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Might as well undervolt anything you can. Only benefits, no drawbacks.
     
  10. not.sure

    not.sure Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    101
    Messages:
    480
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    At some point I was (under Linux) fiddling with PWM to control the fan. Not sure any more whether that worked...
     
  11. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Speedfan doesn't display and support any control of the fan on my X301.
     
  12. not.sure

    not.sure Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    101
    Messages:
    480
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
  13. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    982
    Messages:
    5,162
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    216