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Fan noise -- 2011 MacBook Pro

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pgp78

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 29, 2010
20
0
I noticed what seemed like a constant fan noise coming from just the right side of my 15" MacBook Pro (left side was quiet). After running software like HandBrake that revs the computer higher, I realized that what I was hearing before on just the right side was likely just hard drive's constant rotation. It took running HandBrake and the fans getting to 3000 rpm before I could hear the fans on both sides.

Is constant rotational noise from the hard drive normal? Not the "accessing" noise that occurs when the hard drive is busy -- but rather the smooth sound of rotation..

My previous 2010 13" had a Seagate and was whisper quiet. The 2011 unit has a Hitachi. Would appreciate your input
 
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pgp78

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 29, 2010
20
0
This is just a 5400 rpm Hitachi drive on the base 2011 15" MBP. Unless the noise is the fan and is only audible on the right side -- but I doubt it since istat is reporting 2000 rpm for both fans yet I can only hear something coming from the right side (the left side is whisper silent)...
 
daneoni

daneoni

macrumors G4
Mar 24, 2006
11,598
1,146
Its definitely the HDD. Hitachi is notorious for often being nosier compared to the competition.
 
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pgp78

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 29, 2010
20
0
Thanks for confirming. I'm fine with the CPU fans -- but this hard drive rotation is unacceptable. Based on the posts for 2011 MBPs I've seen complaining about the fan being audible while idle, I suspect a lot of people got stuck with Hitachi drives. The Seagate I had in my 2010 MBP was whisper quiet.
 
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pgp78

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 29, 2010
20
0
I used to do computer repair in the past. I'm 100% certain that most of the loud CPU fan complaints people are having with the 2011 MBPs when not revving their CPU are tied to having a Hitachi hard drive. Its not the fan they're hearing -- its the drive's constant rotation.
 
A

ata

macrumors member
Mar 21, 2007
55
0
ECUpirate44 said:
Apple employees are known for bending the rules. If there is a WD or Seagate HDD available, asking is not a bad idea.
Click to expand...

It's not even really bending the rules. The hard drive and memory are officially customer-replaceable parts in this batch of MBPs; it's in the manual, and it says you can do it yourself without voiding the warranty (as long as you don't break anything in the process).
 
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pgp78

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 29, 2010
20
0
Would you mind sharing the model?

Mac symbol -> About this Mac -> More Info -> Serial ATA
 
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brentsg

macrumors 68040
Oct 15, 2008
3,578
936
Capacity: 320.07 GB (320,072,933,376 bytes)
Model: ST9320325ASG
Revision: 0009APM1
 
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Blue Sun

macrumors 6502a
Feb 11, 2009
984
330
Australia
daneoni said:
Its definitely the HDD. Hitachi is notorious for often being nosier compared to the competition.
Click to expand...

Yep, it is definitely the HDD. I had a 320GB Hitachi in my MBP before I put an SSD in there. They are extremely noisy.

Interestingly, the noise will dampen if you rest your wrist on the space just to the right of your trackpad.
 
ECUpirate44

ECUpirate44

macrumors 603
Mar 22, 2010
5,750
8
NC
ata said:
It's not even really bending the rules. The hard drive and memory are officially customer-replaceable parts in this batch of MBPs; it's in the manual, and it says you can do it yourself without voiding the warranty (as long as you don't break anything in the process).
Click to expand...

Thats not what i'm talking about. Replacing a HDD in a computer with a different brand HDD that was originally installed may be bending the rules.
 
ghostlyorb

ghostlyorb

macrumors 6502a
Jan 9, 2010
920
0
Virginia, USA
I don't see a name for mine... just see Nvidea.. I have the '09 with a 7200RPM. It's pretty quiet. In the room I'm in now.. it's super quiet.. I can only hear the fans running at 2000 RPM. My hard drive is always quiet.
 
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websterMBP

macrumors newbie
Mar 26, 2011
2
0
Harddrive noise

My 2011 MBP 15" 2,0ghz has the Seagate harddrive and it's pretty silent. On my previous2009 MBP 13" I think the harddrive was a tad more silent, but then again, I'm not sure because the 15"MBP has 2 fans and the 13"Mbp only one fan. Yes the sound derives from the right hand side of the trackpad but maybe the noise mingles with the fans. I really coudn't tell but it's a faint hissing sound. Anyway, the Seagate harddrive of which we are talking has got quiet good reviews:http://www.testseek.com/computers/harddrives/sata/seagate_momentus_5400.6_500gb_sata300_st9500325asg-p-1a608e86-c572-c922-d0cc-a82abeaa6d69.html
 
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macbahia

macrumors newbie
Jun 7, 2011
2
0
HD Fan Noise iMac bought in 2010

HD Fan Noise iMac bought in 2010
This two softwares resolved my problem in 1 minute and it cost me just 10 US$:

1. To see and check all tree fan speeds inside your iMac:

iState Pro 2.0 (free)

2. Download Software which controls HD Fan speed called HHD Fan Control:

http://www.hddfancontrol.com/


good luck
 
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