Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

MSI Afterburner VS NoteBook FanControl

Compare MSI Afterburner VS NoteBook FanControl and see what are their differences

MSI Afterburner logo MSI Afterburner

Tool to manage video cards. Shows video card stats (temp, GPU usage, etc.).

NoteBook FanControl logo NoteBook FanControl

This software detects and optionally controls speed of CPU fan of many PC-Systems.
  • MSI Afterburner Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-29
  • NoteBook FanControl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-09

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.

NoteBook FanControl features and specs

  • Open Source
    NoteBook FanControl is an open-source application, meaning that its source code is publicly accessible and modifiable, providing transparency and customization options for advanced users.
  • Cross-Platform
    The software supports multiple operating systems, including Windows and Linux, making it versatile for users with different system requirements.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application boasts a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it relatively easy for users to control and customize their laptop's fan speed.
  • Wide Range of Supported Devices
    NoteBook FanControl supports a variety of laptop models and manufacturers, ensuring broad compatibility and utility for many users.
  • Community Support
    With an active user community, users can seek help and share configurations, enhancing the resource pool available for new users.

Possible disadvantages of NoteBook FanControl

  • Potential for System Instability
    As with any fan control software, improper use can lead to overheating, system instability, or hardware damage if settings are not configured correctly.
  • Limited Manufacturer Support
    Since it's not an officially supported tool by laptop manufacturers, users may experience issues with compatibility or functionality on certain models.
  • Requires Manual Configuration
    Initial setup and configuration can be challenging for non-technical users, as it may require manual input of fan control settings.
  • Varying Performance
    Performance and effectiveness can vary significantly between different laptop models and configurations, which might lead to inconsistent user experiences.
  • Risk of Warranty Voidance
    Using third-party software to modify hardware settings could void the warranty of the laptop, as manufacturers typically do not support such modifications.

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.

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.

NoteBook FanControl videos

How to Control Laptop Fan Speed w/ NoteBook FanControl

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MSI Afterburner and NoteBook FanControl)
Monitoring Tools
81 81%
19% 19
Device Management
91 91%
9% 9
Log Management
0 0%
100% 100
System Information
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

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...

NoteBook FanControl Reviews

We have no reviews of NoteBook FanControl yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, NoteBook FanControl seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 3 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.

MSI Afterburner mentions (0)

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

NoteBook FanControl mentions (3)

  • How can I change my fan speed on my TUF gaming , I tried Amoury Crate but it didnโ€™t work?
    You have access to the fan curves only thru Armoury Crate's manual mode . I haven't personally tried this but there was an app called "notebook fan control", it might be helpful . I used to run it on my GL502VY laptop back in the day where it was kinda impossible to change the fan speeds. You can find it on github. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Embarrassing disappointment - first day with G14.
    I used to use on my old HP a program called Notebook fan control https://github.com/hirschmann/nbfc/releases It's not that easy to setup, but it's a real saviour if it knows how to work with a particular fan controller. Did anybody try that, is there a support for G series? I'm doing my own investigation but no results yet. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How does laptops detect its temps?
    You can use Notebook Fan Control to manually control your fans, although it might take some tricky setup if your laptop doesnโ€™t work with any of the presets. Source: over 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing MSI Afterburner and NoteBook FanControl, 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.

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.

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

smcFanControl - [Download] smcFanControl 2.

Guru3D - Guru of 3D: PC Hardware Reviews and tests