I recently changed the CPU fan, CPU_OPT fan, and three system fans from Normal to Silent mode in the motherboard settings. I also set the temperature interval to 3 for each fan. The computer is about five years old, and I've never adjusted its fan curves or temperature settings before. I mainly want the fans to run more quietly and reduce background noise while recording. Is this safe, and should I switch back to the original settings during demanding tasks such as gaming?
2 Answers
The main downside is possible thermal throttling under a heavy load. If the CPU gets too hot, it may automatically reduce its performance to protect itself. For normal use, Silent mode is usually fine, but switching back to a more aggressive profile for large games or sustained workloads can provide extra cooling headroom.
That should generally be safe. Silent mode usually reduces fan speed at lower temperatures, but the fans should still ramp up as the system gets hotter. Keep an eye on CPU temperatures during demanding workloads and make sure the fans actually increase their speed when needed.
I tested the system while running FL Studio, OBS, and Premiere Pro at the same time, and the CPU stayed around 50°C. I’ll probably use the quieter profile for recording and a stronger fan profile when gaming.