Quick Answer
Kombustor is safe. It's MSI's GPU benchmarking tool; it stress-tests the GPU to measure stability, temps, and FPS during predefined workloads.
What is kombustor.exe?
kombustor.exe is the executable file for MSI Kombustor GPU benchmarking tool. It launches OpenGL workloads to push the graphics card and gather performance data, including FPS, temperatures, and clock speeds, during a test sequence.
Kombustor uses OpenGL-based workloads to saturate the GPU, reporting real-time FPS, power usage, temperatures, and fan speeds while executing predefined tests on supported GPUs.
Quick Fact: Kombustor provides a quick, reproducible GPU stress test suitable for stability checks and driver comparisons.
Types of Kombustor Processes
- Benchmark Process: Main kombustor.exe instance running tests
- OpenGL Worker Threads: Threads handling individual GPU workloads
- Monitoring Module: Reads temperatures, clocks, and fan speeds
- UI Process: User interface that displays results (if enabled)
- Telemetry/Logging: Saves benchmark results to a log file
Is kombustor.exe Safe?
Yes, kombustor.exe is safe when it's the legitimate MSI Kombustor file downloaded from MSI's official site or bundled with MSI utilities.
Is kombustor.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real kombustor.exe is NOT a virus. Malware masquerading with similar names can exist, so verify the source and signature.
How to Tell if kombustor.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\MSI\Kombustor\kombustor.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\MSI\Kombustor\kombustor.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show signer as "MSI" or "Micro-Star International".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage when benchmarking is high GPU load but moderate CPU usage. Abnormal network activity or constant CPU spikes when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Kombustor should run only when benchmarking is started. Unexpected background benchmarking or services is a red flag.
Red Flags: If kombustor.exe is located outside MSI folders (e.g., Temp, AppData), runs without starting a benchmark, or lacks a valid signature, scan your system with antivirus immediately.
Why Is kombustor.exe Running on My PC?
kombustor.exe runs when you start MSI Kombustor or when a benchmark is scheduled to run, and it may run briefly to initialize OpenGL workloads or monitor hardware states.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Benchmark Run: You're actively running a Kombustor benchmark to push the GPU and extract performance data.
- Background Monitoring: The tool monitors GPU temperatures, clocks, and fan speeds during tests, which keeps kombustor.exe active.
- Startup or Tray Launch: Kombustor may be configured to launch at system startup or from MSI utilities tray.
- Driver/Utility Integration: GPU drivers or MSI utilities may trigger Kombustor components during benchmarks or compatibility checks.
- Cooling and Thermal Throttling Tests: The benchmark may extend or repeat workloads to assess thermal behavior under stress.
Can I Disable or Remove kombustor.exe?
Yes, you can disable kombustor.exe. If you don't benchmark, you can close it or remove MSI Kombustor from your system.
How to Stop kombustor.exe
- End Benchmark: Click Stop or Close in the kombustor UI, or press Esc to exit the test, if available
- Close Application: Close the Kombustor window; ensure no benchmark is running in background
- End All Processes: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find kombustor.exe, and End Task
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager -> Startup tab -> Disable MSI Kombustor if present
- Uninstall: From Windows Settings -> Apps -> MSI Kombustor -> Uninstall
How to Uninstall Kombustor
- ✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> MSI Kombustor -> Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> MSI Kombustor -> Uninstall
- ✔ If bundled with MSI software, use MSI Dragon Center or MSI software manager to remove
Common Problems: High GPU Load or Performance Issues
If kombustor.exe causes unusual GPU load or instability, use these checks and fixes.
Common Causes & Solutions
- GPU Thermal Throttling or Overheating: Improve cooling, reapply thermal paste if needed, increase fan speed via MSI Afterburner or in Kombustor settings
- Outdated GPU Drivers: Update to the latest drivers from the GPU vendor and MSI utilities
- Incompatible Settings: Reduce test duration, lower quality presets, or disable extreme workloads in Kombustor
- Background Applications: Close other heavy apps consuming GPU resources; disable other GPU benchmarks
- Faulty Hardware: Test on another system to determine hardware fault; check power supply and RAM
- Corrupted Installation: Reinstall Kombustor from MSI official source
Quick Fixes:
1. Close any unnecessary programs that use GPU
2. Update GPU drivers to the latest version
3. Run Kombustor with default/low presets to verify stability
4. Increase cooling and ensure fans are working
5. If issues persist, reinstall MSI Kombustor
Frequently Asked Questions
Is kombustor.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate kombustor.exe from MSI is not a virus. However, always verify the file location (C:\Program Files\MSI\Kombustor\kombustor.exe) and the digital signature from MSI.
What is Kombustor used for?
Kombustor is MSI's GPU benchmarking tool used to stress-test graphics cards, measure temperatures, clocks, and FPS to assess stability and performance.
Is Kombustor safe to run?
Yes, when obtained from MSI's official sources, Kombustor is safe but it will heavily load the GPU during tests.
Why does Kombustor use so much GPU?
Kombustor runs OpenGL workloads designed to push the GPU to its limits to test stability and cooling. High usage is expected during benchmarks.
How do I uninstall Kombustor?
Uninstall via Windows Settings -> Apps -> MSI Kombustor -> Uninstall, or use the MSI software manager if bundled.