Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CoreCtrl VS MSI Afterburner

Compare CoreCtrl VS MSI Afterburner and see what are their differences

CoreCtrl logo CoreCtrl

CoreCtrl is a Free and Open Source GNU/Linux application that allows you to control with ease your computer hardware using application profiles.

MSI Afterburner logo MSI Afterburner

Tool to manage video cards. Shows video card stats (temp, GPU usage, etc.).
  • CoreCtrl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-29
  • MSI Afterburner Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-29

CoreCtrl features and specs

  • Open Source
    CoreCtrl is open source software, meaning it can be freely used, modified, and distributed. This promotes community involvement and continuous improvement.
  • Extensive Hardware Control
    CoreCtrl offers extensive control over various hardware aspects including CPU, GPU, and power management, allowing users to optimize performance and efficiency according to their needs.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The graphical user interface is designed to be intuitive, making it easier for users to monitor and manage hardware settings without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
  • Platform Compatibility
    CoreCtrl supports various Linux distributions, providing a versatile solution for users across different Linux-based systems.

Possible disadvantages of CoreCtrl

  • Limited to Linux
    CoreCtrl is designed specifically for Linux operating systems, which limits its usability for users on other platforms such as Windows or macOS.
  • Hardware Support Limitations
    While CoreCtrl supports a wide range of hardware, some newer or less common components may not be fully compatible or supported.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, new users or those less familiar with hardware settings may still experience a learning curve when trying to utilize all the features effectively.
  • Development Activity
    Being an open source project, the rate and consistency of updates and improvements can vary, potentially leading to periods where bugs or needed features are not addressed promptly.

MSI Afterburner features and specs

  • Comprehensive Overclocking Tools
    MSI Afterburner offers a robust set of features for overclocking your GPU, including core voltage control, power limit adjustments, and custom fan profiles.
  • Real-Time Hardware Monitoring
    The software provides real-time monitoring graphs for various GPU metrics like temperature, usage, clock speed, and voltage, allowing users to track performance and make adjustments as needed.
  • Custom Fan Profiles
    Users can create custom fan profiles to adjust fan speeds according to temperature thresholds, enabling better thermal management and reducing noise levels.
  • Compatibility
    MSI Afterburner is compatible with a wide range of graphics cards from different manufacturers, not just MSI branded ones.
  • In-Game Overlay
    The software includes an in-game overlay feature, providing real-time performance data displayed during gameplay without the need for a second monitor.
  • Screen Capture and Video Recording
    MSI Afterburner includes tools for screen capturing and video recording, adding value for gamers and content creators.

Possible disadvantages of MSI Afterburner

  • Complexity for Beginners
    The variety of features and settings can be overwhelming for beginners, making it challenging to use effectively without some prior knowledge of overclocking and hardware monitoring.
  • Risk of Hardware Damage
    Improper use of overclocking features can potentially damage the graphics card or other system components, especially if voltage and temperature limits are not adhered to.
  • System Stability Issues
    Altering GPU settings can sometimes lead to system instability, crashes, or compatibility issues with certain games and applications.
  • User Interface
    While functional, the user interface of MSI Afterburner may not be as intuitive or visually appealing as some newer or more streamlined overclocking tools.
  • Software Conflicts
    MSI Afterburner may conflict with other system utilities or monitoring tools, requiring users to troubleshoot and resolve conflicts for smooth functionality.

Analysis of CoreCtrl

Overall verdict

  • CoreCtrl is a highly regarded tool in the Linux community, known for its effectiveness and reliability in system management. It is especially praised for its customization options and user-friendly approach, making it a valuable addition for users who want more control over their hardware.

Why this product is good

  • CoreCtrl is a powerful system performance and monitoring tool, primarily for Linux users. It offers advanced features like GPU overclocking, fan speed control, and CPU performance management, which are particularly beneficial for users looking to optimize their system's performance. Its open-source nature allows for community contributions and transparency. The intuitive interface makes it accessible even for users who are not deeply technical.

Recommended for

  • Linux enthusiasts and advanced users who want to optimize system performance.
  • Gamers looking to enhance their gaming experience through better resource management.
  • Developers and power users who require fine-tuned control over their hardware.

Analysis of MSI Afterburner

Overall verdict

  • Overall, MSI Afterburner is considered a good utility for users interested in optimizing their graphics card performance. It is user-friendly and provides powerful tools for both beginners and experienced users who want to fine-tune their system's performance.

Why this product is good

  • MSI Afterburner is widely regarded as a reliable tool for monitoring and tweaking your GPU's performance. It offers features such as overclocking, custom fan profiles, and real-time monitoring of system performance metrics. Its compatibility with a wide range of graphics cards, not just those manufactured by MSI, adds to its appeal. Additionally, it provides users with control over their hardware, potentially enhancing gaming performance or system efficiency when used correctly.

Recommended for

    This software is recommended for PC gaming enthusiasts, overclockers, system monitors, and anyone interested in customizing or improving their GPU's performance. It's especially beneficial for those looking to push their hardware to its limits and optimize gaming experiences.

CoreCtrl videos

CoreCtrl 1.0 overview

More videos:

  • Review - CoreCtrl - Talvez vocรช precise disso

MSI Afterburner videos

MSI Afterburner - How to setup On-Screen Display

More videos:

  • Tutorial - MSI Afterburner Complete Guide & Tutorial 2019
  • Review - MSI Afterburner! GPU Overclocking for Beginners.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CoreCtrl and MSI Afterburner)
Monitoring Tools
53 53%
47% 47
Log Management
100 100%
0% 0
Device Management
30 30%
70% 70
System Information
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare CoreCtrl and MSI Afterburner

CoreCtrl Reviews

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MSI Afterburner Reviews

Top 8 BEST NZXT CAM ALTERNATIVES
MSI Afterburner is a program similar to Nzxt CAM that monitors and enhances the performance of your computer. It has a lesser FPS impact than Fraps while yet offering the same capabilities. Along with the video capture, the beta versions feature audio streaming. The software is responsible for monitoring the performance of a componentโ€™s Graphics Processing Unit. You can use...
Source: gisuser.com
10 Best Nzxt CAM Alternatives
One advantage MSI Afterburner has over Nzxt CAM is the OC Scanner, which detects the optimal overclocking settings for your computerโ€™s graphics card. This way, you donโ€™t have to manually adjust the graphics card settings.
11 Best CPU Temperature Monitor For Windows PC To Check Accurate CPU Temp Readings
MSI Afterburner is the worldโ€™s most famous graphics card overclocking software that is used by millions of users even in 2021. If you want to overclock your CPU or GPU then you can download MSI Afterburner. You can also check CPU temp and GPU temp, monitor CPU fan speed, CPU frequency, load.
Source: www.softlay.com
Top 10 Best Game Booster Software Windows 2020
Last yet not the least in the rundown of best Game Booster programming for Windows, MSI Afterburner is an incredible sponsor for Windows 10. This is one of only a handful couple of programming like GameBoost which offers overclocking alternatives. Aside from the typical capacities, it gives the client a chance to tweak the fan speed, benchmark video record, and screen. It...
Source: techigem.com
11 Best Game Optimizers and Boosters for Windows PC
Meet the best game booster software, MSI Afterburner for your Windows 10 machine. This is one of the few solutions which offer overclocking options. Apart from the usual functions that every top game speed boosting tool provides, it lets the user customize the fan speed, benchmark video record, and monitor. It offers full control over the GPU voltage and frequency. You can...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, CoreCtrl seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 103 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

CoreCtrl mentions (103)

  • I forked SteamOS for my living room PC
    > I only want some decent fan control instead of relying on random scripts off github. AMD has to release some sort of GUI panel for sure. Have you tried CoreCtrl [0]? > My 5800x3D and 6800XT deliver an outstanding Linux gaming experience. I have a 7900XTX and performance under Linux has been at least on par with Windows, sometimes better (though not by much). > May I ask what driver features are you missing? I'm... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • AMD's 7900 XTX achieves better value for Stable Diffusion than Nvidia RTX 4080
    > The AMD experience on Linux is vastly better than the Nvidia one. I just wish we had an equivalent of AMD Software on Linux, so I could mess around with the settings more. For example, I like to limit the GPU to 50-75% of it's total power for ambient heat/cooling reasons, or UPS/PSU/electricity bill reasons when specific games make it hard to cap framerates. With AMD Software on Windows, it's no big deal. On... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • AMD really need to fix this. (7900 XTX vs 4080 power consumption)
    If you set it to POWER_SAVING instead of 3D_FULL_SCREEN, it uses the highest boost clock a lot less. Or if you use something like corectrl's application profiles (maybe the Windows vendor driver control panel has them?), you can selectively disable boost clock states in specific games. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Motherboard for Gamers
    I'm bias toward Asus motherboards. I have an "Asus TUF GAMING B550-PLUS WIFI II" and a "Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Hero (WI-FI) ATX". Both boards have a fan control feature in the BIOS/EFI. On the Windows side both boards come with Ai Suite 3 software. On the Linux side you might want to take a look at Corectrl ==> https://gitlab.com/corectrl/corectrl. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Where/how can I get Radeon Adrenaline software for Linux
    I think CoreCtrl might offer some of what you're looking for. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

MSI Afterburner mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of MSI Afterburner yet. Tracking of MSI Afterburner recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing CoreCtrl and MSI Afterburner, you can also consider the following products

Open Hardware Monitor - Monitors temperature sensors, fan speeds, voltages, load and clock speeds, with optional graph.

xScan - xScan is an application for viewing the behavior of your computer and Mac.

CPU-Z - CPU-Z is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system : Processor name and number, codename, process, package, cache levels.

SpeedFan - Hardware monitor for Windows that can access digital temperature sensors located on several 2-wire SMBus Serial Bus. Can access voltages and fan speeds and control fan speeds. Includes technical articles and docs.

Geforce Experience - GeForce Experience is a new application from NVIDIA that optimizes your PC in two key ways.

Radeon Profile - A simple application to read current clocks and fan speed of ATI and AMD Radeon cards.