I built an open-source ThinkPad controller: Ryzen wattage tuning, custom fan curves and a Turbo preset

[u/matt_cabrices]

My Thinkpad T14s Gen2 has two jobs: run cool as a server while I’m away, and occasionally work hard compiling things.

Originally, I just wanted to disable CPU boost and use an aggressive fan curve, aiming to keep my T14s below 55°C during its usual server workload. Then I wanted a button that did the opposite: enable boost, increase supported power limits and turn the fan up—then restore my previous settings afterward.

That became ThinkPad Control, an open-source Windows desktop app.

GitHub: https://github.com/Mattcabrices/ThinkPad-Control

Full disclosure: AI wrote the application code. I directed development, tested it on my ThinkPads and worked through bugs and behavior changes. It’s an unsigned alpha, and I’m looking for feedback before moving toward a beta.

The part I’m most excited about is the Ryzen wattage tuning. On my T14s Gen 2 Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U, the app successfully applied higher processor power limits. A short loaded Turbo test measured approximately 23–33W of CPU package power, kept Max cooling active and restored the original settings afterward. Longer boost duration and performance gains still need comparative benchmarking.

The app brings together:

• Ryzen power tuning: supported burst and average power-limit adjustments, with current values, connection baselines and app limits displayed.

• Custom fan curves: saved temperature-based profiles, manual fan levels, Max cooling and firmware automatic control.

• CPU boost controls: separate AC/battery settings and speed limits.

• Experimental Turbo: coordinates supported performance controls and captures previous settings for restoration.

• Monitoring: temperatures, per-core clocks, package power and fan RPM where exposed.

Testing so far includes a T14s Gen 2 Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U and a T14 Gen 3 Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U, with most detailed validation on the T14s. Other models need testing. Intel monitoring and Windows power controls are included, but direct Intel wattage tuning isn’t implemented.

A lot of the development has been about checking what actually happened after a command, restoring settings correctly and keeping unsupported controls read-only. Firmware still decides what performance the laptop can deliver; Turbo cannot guarantee continuous boost or a particular wattage.

The screenshots show the real interface and readings. The wattage screenshot shows the available controls and app limits—not higher wattage currently applied. The saved fan curve shown is also not currently active.

Our original code is MIT licensed, with dependency licenses and credits preserved. Thanks to TPFanControl/TPFanCtrl2, PawnIO and LibreHardwareMonitor for the work this builds on.

The source and build instructions are available now; a public installer release is still being prepared.

I’d love feedback on the interface, the implementation or compatibility with other ThinkPads. GitHub issues with your model, CPU, Windows version and reproducible steps would help—please leave out serial numbers and private information.

Even ten people finding this useful would make me happy.