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Mike07335i

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 10, 2009
64
1
I have a new 2.0 aluminum macbook, and I have noticed my fans NEVER go above 2000, even when the CPU is sitting at 70oC?

Is this normal, as my old macbook would light the fans up at this point..

Thanks for any help as I am 3-days away from my 14-day return period..

Mike
 

DeusInvictus7

macrumors 68020
Aug 13, 2008
2,377
28
Kitchener, Ontario
That sounds about right. I don't think the fans really kick in until 75-80* C or so. You're fine.

If you are paranoid about the fans revving up, download SMCfancontrol, and make presets so that you can just change it when your temp goes up to cool the computer down. That's what I do.
 

jav6454

macrumors Core
Nov 14, 2007
22,303
6,257
1 Geostationary Tower Plaza
Thats good. My MacBook revs up from 2000rpm to 4000 rpm or higher if need be when it reaches 78*C.

However, I didn't like the normal 62-70*C operating temp, so I got smcFanControl and rev'd up the fans to 2800rpm. Now, my MB hoovers from 50-64*C.

smc is good if you are going to do something heavy and you know before hand (like encoding a movie or playing a game). I always rev up the fans to 5300 rpm for games or all the way up to 6200 rpm before video encode 2 minutes before starting. That gives my MacBook the most perfect temperature when the heavy tasks start.
 

DeusInvictus7

macrumors 68020
Aug 13, 2008
2,377
28
Kitchener, Ontario
However, I didn't like the normal 62-70*C operating temp, so I got smcFanControl and rev'd up the fans to 2800rpm. Now, my MB hoovers from 50-64*C.

Well, what do you do that constitutes it as "normal"?

I am doing my "normal" stuff (firefox with a couple tabs, adium running, and itunes playing), on a pillow, and I'm at 53* C.
 

NewMacbookPlz

macrumors 68040
Sep 28, 2008
3,266
0
The only times that I've seen them go over 2000rpm is when I'm watching Flash based HD-streaming TV shows online
 

Mike07335i

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 10, 2009
64
1
Thanks for the replies. I thought that maybe the fans were busted, or the temp sensors weren't feeding the signal to the fans.

I am just use to my old blackbook lighting up the fans at every turn. Must be the video card, as my old blackbook had the crappy Intel GMA950.

Mike
 

jav6454

macrumors Core
Nov 14, 2007
22,303
6,257
1 Geostationary Tower Plaza
Well, what do you do that constitutes it as "normal"?

I am doing my "normal" stuff (firefox with a couple tabs, adium running, and itunes playing), on a pillow, and I'm at 53* C.

Normal since I was in bed with sheets and pillow covering the vents. However, on a flat surface at 2000 rpm I could go low as 50*C.

Right now with smc and a flat surface I am hovering between 39-45*C
 

hmai18

macrumors 6502
Mar 26, 2008
270
0
My normal temps doing everyday tasks hover between 45-50C. My fans will only ramp up if I'm watching HD content online.
 

DeusInvictus7

macrumors 68020
Aug 13, 2008
2,377
28
Kitchener, Ontario
Normal since I was in bed with sheets and pillow covering the vents. However, on a flat surface at 2000 rpm I could go low as 50*C.

Right now with smc and a flat surface I am hovering between 39-45*C

Hmm, I'm on my bed right now, and I'm running at 43* C doing normal everyday things. This is actually the coolest it has been for a long time. On average, I am at 50* or so. That is on a bed. On a flat surface, I am usually at 45* or even lower.

Woah, my temp is actually dropping, it's now at 41*. :D
 

CSilver

macrumors 6502
Jan 14, 2009
257
0
Canada
Mine goes up to around 4000 when I play Spore and WOW so I guess we could say at certain point the fan goes and spins at the right temperature.

I am not sure if I should download smcFanControl and manage the fan or not...

-Chris-
 

youssefm

macrumors 6502
Oct 7, 2008
386
0
lucky lol.. if your machine doesnt heat up then the fans have no reason to start up.. i usually get my fans at about 6000RPM when playing the sims lol
 

NewMacbookPlz

macrumors 68040
Sep 28, 2008
3,266
0
Thanks for the replies. I thought that maybe the fans were busted, or the temp sensors weren't feeding the signal to the fans.

I am just use to my old blackbook lighting up the fans at every turn. Must be the video card, as my old blackbook had the crappy Intel GMA950.

Mike

Also due to the fact that the plastic case holds more heat than the Aluminum case (insulator vs. conductor)
 
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