16" fans are audible even when idle

[domenicop]

Just got the machine.

Basically, when the machine runs at 2300RPM (70% of the idle time it's attached to an external monitor) is audible and there are lots of report of this problem online.
One thing that I've noticed is that even when it runs at 1700RPM (which is the minimum level of speed/noise) is audible, albeit at a lower volume.

To the fan boys out there, please don't take this as a critique, you're still a great person for buying a MacBook Pro.

Anyway, what's your experience?
Can you tell when your MacBook is on or off? Can you hear it?

 

[chabig]

My experience is that the sound environment in the room determines whether or not I hear the fans. If the room is very quiet--sure I hear them. If the room has some ambient noise--not so much.

 

[domenicop]

I am posting this to determine whether I should try swapping for another MBP or I'm better off just getting a desktop pc, since I'm quarantined and that's the use I'm doing of this anyway. I really loathe the noise even if low as I am at the PC for work (so 8 hours/day)

 

[chabig]

I doubt that another machine of the same type will be any different.

 

[domenicop]

I got my current machine from Amazon Warehouse deals so the suspicion is this might've been faulty from the start, but I'm posting here because I'm afraid this will be very hard to test at an Apple Store anyway since it's obv a very noisy environment and I don't want to get another machine that I need to return again

 

[chabig]

Then I suggest you return the machine and get a desktop.

 

[domenicop]

It'd be the best thing for me atm, and then maybe buy version 2 of this piece of **** later on if they improve the thermals. After all, this is only the first iteration of the redesign

 

[sdp77]

My new MBP 16”, when I started downloading photos right after set up, the fans got so loud that, for a couple of seconds, I didn’t know what was going on. I have reinstalled the OS hoping that there was a glitch somewhere. Nope. Just browsing the internet the fans turned on. I have sent it back and just ordered a new one.

 

[jmonte2016]

Just got my new 2.3 8 core 5500m 4g model and have not had any issues regarding the fans, when browsing web with chrome and playing video multiple tabs I'm around 40-50c temp and fans are 16-1800rpm each side. Not having any issues.

 

[trifid]

I have a 16" 2.3 8-core i9, 16GB 5500m 4g connected to a 4K display and a 1080p display and fan noise is almost always there, usually at around 3000 RPM, it's annoying for my taste but livable. I did have to turn off turbo mode though.

Check out this thread, especially my post there at the end where there is a video showing some recommendations like how to turn off turbo mode, and how to change fan profile speeds. None of this fixes the real issue, but at this point I don't think there is a solution, it just seems the 16" is thermally more demanding than previous generations.

MacBook Pro (16 inch) fan noise in idle mode

It seems when connecting on an external display the noise is constant according to some. I came across this video which I found really helpful on being able to reduce noise by changing fan profiles with 3rd party app or toggling turbo mode:

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Alex W.]

Just got the machine.

Basically, when the machine runs at 2300RPM (70% of the idle time it's attached to an external monitor) is audible and there are lots of report of this problem online.
One thing that I've noticed is that even when it runs at 1700RPM (which is the minimum level of speed/noise) is audible, albeit at a lower volume.

To the fan boys out there, please don't take this as a critique, you're still a great person for buying a MacBook Pro.

Anyway, what's your experience?
Can you tell when your MacBook is on or off? Can you hear it?

I barely hear my fans even when stressing the system hard, sounds like an issue tbh.

 

[Dhock_Holiday]

Are the fans audible when you're just using the built in display? Also I highly recommend when you get a used computer to do a clean install of macOS, this will completely wipe the drive of any residual software and load it with fresh OS.