2012 Mac Mini Server Excessive Fan Noise Normal?

[ares1849]

Hello,

I recently picked up a Mac Mini 2012 Server with a 2.6 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 and while the machine is in great shape, as soon as I power it on the fan is incredibly loud. I installed Mac Fan Control and the fans are running on low at 1800 RPM and the Mini isn't warm to the touch. I tried to speed them up and they do get even louder (so that means they're not like immediately going full blast when I boot the machine). I opened up the Mini and it's very clean and still has all the original RAM and dual Apple branded SSDs, so I doubt it's been messed with.

Do server models just have a louder fan than the standard non-server versions? I had a basic 2010 model years ago and a 2014 that I used as an HTPC and don't recall them being so loud. Should I just replace the fan? The machine seems to be running fine otherwise. Thanks for your help!

 

[Boyd01]

I have that same mini, and the only time I ever hear the fan is when doing something very processor-intensive, such as ripping video in Handbrake, rendering in Final Cut Pro, extended multi-track recording in Logic, etc. I'd say something is odd about yours if the fan is "incredibly loud" when you first power it up. Mine has an original internal Apple 256gb SSD, so there's no spinning disk inside to make noise either.

 

[ares1849]

I have that same mini, and the only time I ever hear the fan is when doing something very processor-intensive, such as ripping video in Handbrake, rendering in Final Cut Pro, extended multi-track recording in Logic, etc. I'd say something is odd about yours if the fan is "incredibly loud" when you first power it up. Mine has an original internal Apple 256gb SSD, so there's no spinning disk inside to make noise either.

Thanks for your response, Boyd01!

 

[chrfr]

Hello,

I recently picked up a Mac Mini 2012 Server with a 2.6 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 and while the machine is in great shape, as soon as I power it on the fan is incredibly loud. I installed Mac Fan Control and the fans are running on low at 1800 RPM and the Mini isn't warm to the touch. I tried to speed them up and they do get even louder (so that means they're not like immediately going full blast when I boot the machine). I opened up the Mini and it's very clean and still has all the original RAM and dual Apple branded SSDs, so I doubt it's been messed with.

Do server models just have a louder fan than the standard non-server versions? I had a basic 2010 model years ago and a 2014 that I used as an HTPC and don't recall them being so loud. Should I just replace the fan? The machine seems to be running fine otherwise. Thanks for your help!

The server models are no different than the regular ones. They should be almost entirely quiet unless working hard. The problem isn’t likely to be the fan itself, but rather a sensor that’s not working properly.

 

[DeltaMac]

I know that some 2012 minis have the older fans that have mechanical bearings.
I have 2 2012s, and both have the maglev bearings, and I only notice that there is noise from airflow, no mechanical noise at all.
One way to tell which you have, is that the maglev fans go from 1800(idle) to 5500 (max) rpm, changing from either extreme completely within about 5 seconds. An older, mechanical bearing fan can take 30 seconds or more to change from high to idle, for example.

 

[sublunar]

We're getting into the realms of aging machines now - that 2012 model could be getting on for 8 years old. It could be something like the thermal paste on the heatsink drying out and becoming less efficient - hence fans spinning up to a higher level than expected. It's very invasive but would be up for re-applying thermal paste on the CPU/heatsink?

 

[DeltaMac]

There's nothing against re-applying thermal paste on an 8-year-old mini, but it "sounds" like the OP just has a noisy fan.
The OPs fan is spinning at 1800 rpm, which is normal idle speed for the 2012 mini.
It is usually effectively silent at that low speed. If that is the speed reported though software, and OP reports it as being noisy, it may simply be the older model fan, which is inherently noisier, with standard bearings. The newer "maglev" fans are noticeably less noisy.
Anyway, if the OP has the older, mechanical fan, he could try replacing the fan. I don't know how one would guarantee getting a maglev fan (the two are interchangeable), but might be worth a shot. A different fan may also be quieter simply because it is newer, not necessarily because of the quiet design of the bearings.

 

[sublunar]

There's nothing against re-applying thermal paste on an 8-year-old mini, but it "sounds" like the OP just has a noisy fan.
The OPs fan is spinning at 1800 rpm, which is normal idle speed for the 2012 mini.
It is usually effectively silent at that low speed. If that is the speed reported though software, and OP reports it as being noisy, it may simply be the older model fan, which is inherently noisier, with standard bearings. The newer "maglev" fans are noticeably less noisy.
Anyway, if the OP has the older, mechanical fan, he could try replacing the fan. I don't know how one would guarantee getting a maglev fan (the two are interchangeable), but might be worth a shot. A different fan may also be quieter simply because it is newer, not necessarily because of the quiet design of the bearings.

Aging components and worn bearings is another possible factor. While the 2012 has been a great model - I have one - the time soon comes when it's more cost effective to look to a newer model. Best of luck with any repair that needs doing though.