Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CoreCtrl VS smcFanControl

Compare CoreCtrl VS smcFanControl 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.

smcFanControl logo smcFanControl

[Download] smcFanControl 2.
  • CoreCtrl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-29
  • smcFanControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-20

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.

smcFanControl features and specs

  • Temperature Management
    smcFanControl allows users to manually adjust the fan speed of their Mac, helping to prevent overheating and potentially prolonging the lifespan of the device.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software features a simple and intuitive interface, making it accessible for users who are not technically inclined.
  • Customizable Settings
    Users can define multiple presets for different environments or tasks, facilitating quick adjustments in fan speed based on current needs.
  • System Monitoring
    The application provides real-time monitoring of CPU temperature and other vital statistics, allowing for ongoing assessment of system health.

Possible disadvantages of smcFanControl

  • Compatibility Issues
    smcFanControl may not work on all newer Mac models, as Apple frequently updates hardware and software which can render third-party applications inoperable.
  • Potential Noise Increase
    Increasing the fan speed results in higher noise levels, which may be disruptive in quiet environments.
  • Limited Feature Set
    The application is focused solely on fan control and lacks additional features or integrations that might be found in more comprehensive system management tools.
  • Risk of Incorrect Settings
    Users who set fan speeds too high or too low can inadvertently cause damage or performance issues, requiring careful management and potentially voiding warranties.

CoreCtrl videos

CoreCtrl 1.0 overview

More videos:

  • Review - CoreCtrl - Talvez você precise disso

smcFanControl videos

How to Cool down your Mac! With smcFanControl

More videos:

  • Review - SMCFancontrol Review! Run a cooler Mac for Gaming/ Editing!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CoreCtrl and smcFanControl)
Monitoring Tools
72 72%
28% 28
Log Management
71 71%
29% 29
Device Management
70 70%
30% 30
OS & Utilities
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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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 / over 1 year 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 / over 1 year 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: almost 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: almost 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: almost 2 years ago
View more

smcFanControl mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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.

GreenWithEnvy - Utility to provide information and overclock your NVIDIA card

iMac HDD Fan Control - iMac HDD Fan Control is an HDD fan control for the Mac operating systems by using which the Mac users can control the speed and noise of the fan of the Mac.

Macs Fan Control - Macs Fan Control is an iMac, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Mini and Mac Pro fan control that is the solution of two basic issues namely noise problems and overheating problems.

iStat Menus - "An advanced Mac system monitor for your menubar."