Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

thinkfan VS CoreCtrl

Compare thinkfan VS CoreCtrl and see what are their differences

thinkfan logo thinkfan

Thinkfan is a simple, lightweight fan control program.

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.
  • thinkfan Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-16
  • CoreCtrl Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-29

thinkfan features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Thinkfan is a minimalistic utility that consumes very few system resources, making it ideal for systems with limited processing power.
  • Customizable
    Thinkfan allows users to define custom temperature thresholds and fan speed levels, providing granular control over system cooling.
  • Compatibility
    Designed to work well with ThinkPad laptops but can be used on other systems by configuring manually, offering broader applicability.
  • Ease of Use
    Thinkfan is relatively straightforward to set up and use for those familiar with Linux command-line tools, providing a simple approach to fan control.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, thinkfan allows users to contribute, modify, and enhance the code, fostering community-driven improvements.

Possible disadvantages of thinkfan

  • Limited GUI
    Thinkfan lacks a graphical user interface, which can make configuration and usage more challenging for users unfamiliar with command-line operations.
  • System Specific Setup
    Although it can be adapted for various systems, thinkfan requires manual configuration, potentially leading to a steeper learning curve for non-ThinkPad users.
  • Potential Risk
    Incorrect configuration may lead to inadequate cooling and overheating, which poses a risk to system stability and hardware integrity.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to some other fan control utilities, thinkfan provides basic functionalities without advanced features like fan profiles or logging.
  • Requires Understanding of System Sensors
    Users need some understanding of the system's thermal sensors to effectively configure thinkfan, which may be a barrier for less experienced users.

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.

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.

thinkfan videos

Lenovo W520 Fan Control using thinkfan

More videos:

  • Review - Thinkfan on Thinkpad T410 - thinkpad_acpi doesn't seem to support fan_control (2 Solutions!!)
  • Review - Ubuntu: thinkfan control doesn't use the fan full potential when needed (2 Solutions!!)

CoreCtrl videos

CoreCtrl 1.0 overview

More videos:

  • Review - CoreCtrl - Talvez você precise disso

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to thinkfan and CoreCtrl)
Monitoring Tools
21 21%
79% 79
Log Management
26 26%
74% 74
Device Management
24 24%
76% 76
Error Tracking
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using thinkfan and CoreCtrl. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, CoreCtrl should be more popular than thinkfan. 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.

thinkfan mentions (14)

  • [Linux@T460] Fan running non-stop (every now and then)
    I use Thinkfan on my T420, T440, X230 and X1 that run Linux. I linked the author's github page, but I believe it's available straight from the package manager in Ubuntu/Mint, so elementary might have it too. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Fans issue on my Lenovo Thinpad P16s AMD on Ubuntu
    I have found Thinkfan seems to be a good way to control Thinkpad fans on Ubuntu. Https://github.com/vmatare/thinkfan. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Black screen after suspend resume - gnome wayland
    Solved that with Thinkfan (https://github.com/vmatare/thinkfan). Source: over 2 years ago
  • The minimum viable fan control script
    The second solution on this page probably isn't reliable, because hwmon paths like `hwmon3` depend on module load order. That's likely the same reason for the `card*` workaround mentioned above. I am using thinkfan for this and it works really well: https://github.com/vmatare/thinkfan. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Problem building thinkfan from source: DSO missing from command line
    As thinkfan (https://github.com/vmatare/thinkfan) doesn't come prepackaged with my Debian version I tried to build it myself. I installed all the libraries as instructed in the README file, and followed the build instructions. Running cmake works fine, but then when I run make I get the following linker error that I cannot solve no matter what I try (this is actually my first time building a project!):. Source: almost 3 years ago
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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 / almost 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: 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

What are some alternatives?

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

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.

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

smcFanControl - [Download] smcFanControl 2.

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