# GPU Fan Controller - Windows Installation Guide ## Package Information - **Version**: 2.3.1 - **Architecture**: x64 (64-bit) - **Installer**: GPUFanController_Setup_v2.3.1.exe --- ## Installation ### Step 1: Run the Installer 1. **Double-click** `GPUFanController_Setup_v2.3.1.exe` 2. **Windows SmartScreen** may show a warning (because the app is not digitally signed): - Click **"More info"** - Click **"Run anyway"** 3. **Follow the setup wizard**: - Accept the license agreement - Choose installation folder (default: `C:\Program Files\GPU Fan Controller`) - Select optional desktop shortcuts - Click **"Install"** ### Step 2: Grant Administrator Permissions The installer will request **Administrator privileges** - this is required to access GPU hardware. ### Step 3: First Run After installation completes: - Check **"Launch GPU Fan Controller"** to start immediately - Or launch from Start Menu: **GPU Fan Controller** --- ## What Gets Installed ### Applications - **GPU Fan Controller** (GUI) - Visual interface with graphs and controls - **GPU Fan Controller Console** - Command-line interface for advanced users ### Locations - **Installation**: `C:\Program Files\GPU Fan Controller\` - **Start Menu**: `GPU Fan Controller` folder - **Desktop**: Optional shortcut (if selected) ### Documentation - README.md - Full documentation - FEATURES.md - Feature list - QUICKSTART.md - Quick start guide - README.md - Project overview and documentation --- ## Usage ### GUI Application **Start Menu**: GPU Fan Controller → GPU Fan Controller **Features**: - 🎮 Multi-GPU support (select from dropdown) - 🌡️ Real-time temperature monitoring - 💨 Fan speed display (RPM and %) - 🎚️ Manual fan control slider - 🤖 4 automatic fan curve profiles: - Silent (quiet, higher temps) - Balanced (default, good for most) - Performance (cooler, louder) - Aggressive (maximum cooling) - 💾 Save/Load custom fan curve presets - 🔧 Settings and diagnostics ### Console Application **Start Menu**: GPU Fan Controller → GPU Fan Controller Console **Command Line**: ```powershell "C:\Program Files\GPU Fan Controller\console\GPUFanControllerConsole.exe" ``` --- ## First Time Setup ### 1. Select Your GPU If you have multiple GPUs, select the one you want to control from the dropdown. ### 2. Choose Control Mode #### Automatic Mode (Recommended) 1. Check **"Enable Auto Mode"** 2. Select a profile: - **Silent** - Quiet operation, temps up to 75°C - **Balanced** - Good balance, temps around 65-70°C - **Performance** - Aggressive cooling, temps 55-65°C - **Aggressive** - Maximum cooling, temps below 55°C 3. Click **"Start Auto"** #### Manual Mode (Advanced) 1. Check **"Enable Manual Control"** 2. Move the slider to set fan speed (0-100%) 3. Click **"Apply"** 4. ⚠️ **Warning**: Never set below 30% for extended periods! --- ## Features ### Multi-GPU Support - Control each GPU independently - Simultaneous monitoring of all GPUs - Per-GPU auto mode settings ### System Tray - Minimize to system tray - Quick access to restore window - Shows GPU temperature in tray icon - Right-click for quick menu ### Startup Options - **Start with Windows** - Auto-launch on boot - **Start minimized** - Launch to system tray ### Presets - **Save** custom fan curves - **Load** saved presets instantly - **Delete** unwanted presets - Presets stored in: `%AppData%\GPUFanController\` --- ## Requirements - **OS**: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) - **GPU**: NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel GPU with fan control - **Permissions**: Administrator privileges required - **Disk Space**: ~50 MB --- ## Supported GPUs ### ✅ NVIDIA - Desktop GPUs (most models) - Some laptop GPUs (check compatibility) - Requires NVIDIA drivers installed ### ✅ AMD - Desktop Radeon cards - Requires AMD drivers installed ### ✅ Intel - Arc GPUs - Some integrated graphics with fan sensors --- ## Troubleshooting ### "No compatible GPU detected" 1. **Install latest GPU drivers**: - NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/drivers - AMD: https://www.amd.com/en/support - Intel: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center/home.html 2. **Run as Administrator** (right-click → Run as Administrator) 3. Click **"Diagnostics"** button to see detailed GPU info ### "Failed to set fan speed" - Your GPU may not support manual fan control - Some laptop GPUs have locked fan curves - Click **"Diagnostics"** to check fan control support ### Windows SmartScreen Warning - Normal for unsigned applications - Click **"More info"** → **"Run anyway"** - The app is safe - source code available on GitHub ### App Crashes on Startup 1. Check Windows Event Viewer for errors 2. Try running as Administrator 3. Update GPU drivers 4. Check `%AppData%\GPUFanController\` for error logs --- ## Updating When a new version is available: 1. Click **"Check Update"** button in the app 2. Or re-run the installer - it will upgrade automatically 3. Your settings and presets are preserved --- ## Uninstallation ### Method 1: Start Menu 1. **Start Menu** → **GPU Fan Controller** → **"Uninstall GPU Fan Controller"** 2. Follow the uninstall wizard 3. Choose to keep or remove settings ### Method 2: Windows Settings 1. **Settings** → **Apps** → **Installed Apps** 2. Find **"GPU Fan Controller"** 3. Click **"..."** → **"Uninstall"** ### Clean Uninstall To remove all settings and presets: ```powershell Remove-Item "$env:APPDATA\GPUFanController" -Recurse -Force ``` --- ## Safety & Best Practices ### ⚠️ Important Safety Information **DO:** - ✅ Monitor temperatures regularly - ✅ Use automatic mode when unsure - ✅ Keep fan speed above 30% under load - ✅ Test new settings while monitoring temps - ✅ Have good case airflow **DON'T:** - ❌ Set fan to 0% or very low speeds - ❌ Ignore high temperature warnings - ❌ Leave manual mode unattended for hours - ❌ Block GPU air vents ### Safe Temperature Ranges - **Normal**: 40-75°C - **Warning**: 75-85°C - **Dangerous**: 85°C+ If temps exceed 85°C: 1. Increase fan speed immediately 2. Check for dust/blockage 3. Consider better cooling solution --- ## Analytics & Privacy The application collects **anonymous usage analytics**: - ✅ App launches - ✅ Active usage (heartbeat every 5 minutes) - ❌ NO personal information - ❌ NO GPU serial numbers - ❌ NO fan speed settings Analytics help improve the app. Data is collected via Google Analytics 4. --- ## Support & Documentation ### Documentation Included - `README.md` - Complete documentation - `FEATURES.md` - Full feature list - `QUICKSTART.md` - Quick setup guide - Location: `C:\Program Files\GPU Fan Controller\` ### Online Resources - GitHub: https://github.com/93miata25/GPUFanController - Issues: Report bugs via GitHub Issues --- ## Keyboard Shortcuts - **F11** - Toggle fullscreen - **ESC** - Exit fullscreen --- ## Command Line Arguments ### Start Minimized ```powershell GPUFanController.exe --minimized ``` Useful for startup shortcuts. --- **Enjoy controlling your GPU fans!** 🚀 **Remember**: Always monitor temperatures when using manual fan control!