CoreCtrl
CoreCtrl is a free, open-source GNU/Linux application for controlling computer hardware through profiles.
What CoreCtrl is
CoreCtrl is a free, open-source GNU/Linux application for controlling computer hardware through profiles. Its strongest controls are for AMD GPUs, including fan, frequency, and power settings, plus sensors and hardware and software information. CPU support is more limited: it provides a frequency scaling governor control, a package maximum frequency sensor, and CPU package information.
Profiles can be linked to Linux or Windows applications and activate when an associated application launches, with settings restored when it ends. Users can also activate a manual profile, which takes priority over automatic profiles. Only one manual profile can be active at once, and automatic profiles require a binary executable name rather than a script or interpreted language. Available controls depend on the Linux kernel and hardware. The project recommends distribution package managers and says it is in maintenance mode, focused on bug fixes rather than new features or hardware support. Full AMD GPU control with the amdgpu driver requires a boot parameter and reboot.
Good
- Free and open-source GNU/Linux application
- Profiles can activate with associated applications
- Manual profiles override automatic settings
- AMD GPU fan, frequency, and power controls
Watch out
- CPU support is basic
- Automatic profiles do not support scripts or interpreted languages
- Only one manual profile can be active at a time
- Project is in maintenance mode
Who it suits
CoreCtrl suits GNU/Linux users who want application-linked or manual hardware profiles, particularly those seeking AMD GPU controls. Its basic CPU controls may suit users who only need the listed governor control and package information.
Verdict
CoreCtrl offers AMD GPU controls and profile-based hardware settings without a listed price. Consider its maintenance status, profile limits, and hardware-dependent functionality before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From CoreCtrl's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| CoreCtrl | Free | Free and open source · Linux desktop application · AMD GPU controls |
The facts
Each one read from CoreCtrl's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- AMD GPU controls
- The project describes full AMD GPU controls, including fan, frequency, and power controls, sensors, and hardware and software information.checked 30 Sep 2026
- AMD GPU support
- The project states that it provides full AMD GPU controls for models up to the RX 9000 series, subject to driver and firmware limitations.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Automatic profiles
- A profile can activate automatically when its associated application launches and its settings are restored when the application ends.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Command line
- The project exposes command-line options for activating and deactivating manual profiles, logging commands and logging the profile stack.checked 15 Oct 2026
- CPU controls
- CoreCtrl provides basic CPU controls rather than the full range of GPU controls.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Documentation is provided through GitLab wiki pages covering installation, setup, profiles, dependencies and known issues.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Fan control
- RX 7000 systems gained automatic and curve fan controls, while fan-stop controls require Linux 6.13 or later.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Full-control setup
- Full amdgpu control requires adding amdgpu.ppfeaturemask=0xffffffff to the bootloader configuration and rebooting.checked 15 Oct 2026
- GPU setup requirement
- The setup page says full AMD GPU control with the amdgpu driver requires the boot parameter amdgpu.ppfeaturemask=0xffffffff and a reboot.checked 30 Sep 2026
- GPU tuning
- The changelog documents GPU frequency, voltage, power-limit, power-profile and fan controls, with feature availability dependent on GPU and kernel support.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Hardware limits
- The exposed functionality depends on the Linux kernel version and available hardware.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Installation
- Official instructions list packages or installation paths for Arch Linux, Fedora, Gentoo, openSUSE, Debian and Ubuntu, plus source builds for other systems.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Automatic profiles recognize native Linux applications and Windows executables, including Wine-launched programs.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Latest dated release
- CoreCtrl 1.5.2 was released on 2025-09-05 to fix compilation with custom Polkit policy-file install directories.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- CoreCtrl source files are licensed under the GNU General Public License; bundled third-party components retain their own licences.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: AMD-only
- MusaBase says CoreCtrl is designed for AMD GPUs using the amdgpu driver and does not support NVIDIA cards.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: kernel parameter setup
- MusaBase reports that advanced overclocking and voltage controls remain hidden until the amdgpu.ppfeaturemask boot parameter is added and the system is rebooted.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: known driver issues
- The project's known-issues history records unreliable settings on RX 7000 hardware, crashes during performance-mode switching and AMD driver-quality cautions.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: narrow audience
- Diolinux concluded that the software is powerful but mainly useful to users who specifically need Linux hardware tuning.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: no in-game overlay
- MusaBase states that CoreCtrl handles hardware tuning but does not provide an in-game performance overlay, so it pairs the tool with MangoHud.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: privilege configuration
- MusaBase explains that passwordless startup requires both autostart configuration and a matching Polkit rule.checked 15 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Application profiles
- Profiles can automatically configure hardware when a program launches, including Windows programs run on Linux.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Application support
- Profiles can be associated with Linux and Windows applications.checked 30 Sep 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2019checked 28 Sep 2026
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