Check activity monitor. It sounds like you have a process running in background.
Or perhaps this is Intel Power Gadget itself....
What update frequency do you have it set on?
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2018 mini 3.2ghz I7 temps?
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Or perhaps this is Intel Power Gadget itself....
What update frequency do you have it set on?
Thanks for the feedback, Spectrum. I quit all apps running in the background and the results (I think) are better. Screen shot added. What do you mean by "What update frequency do you have it set on"? Where would I find this? Thx.
(UPDATE): I believe I found the culprit. I run a Control Panel app called SoundGrid Studio. I require it for use with the DigiGrid IOS Audio Interface. Is this a good or bad thing when it continually reads 4.30 and over? Another screen shot attached, with SoundGrid Studio running in the background, and then Off. Thx
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If I use the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for the audio output, in my Mini, it goes to those frequencies but only when the audio is playing, not all time.
I think it may not be that good to remain at 4.3 because the processor is in constant stress, but if you need it and it is in actual use, I don't see a problem there (unless it is constantly hot and the fans spinning?)
I think it may not be that good to remain at 4.3 because the processor is in constant stress, but if you need it and it is in actual use, I don't see a problem there (unless it is constantly hot and the fans spinning?)
The Mac is somewhat hot but the fans do kick in when necessary. Even when the fan registers around 1700 rpm, the Frequency remains around 4.3, which I find odd. As you mentioned, it may not be good for it to remain at the level but it seems I don't have much of a choice. Thanks for the info.
Well, the actual CPU usage and wattage is low, so despite being at max frequency, it isn't actually doing much work. Perhaps a very intermittent call on the CPU such that in power gadget it looks constant, but it actually isn't.
If this was a laptop I would be concerned about battery life.
I'm actually glad to hear that. I found it strange that with nothing running in the background, other than the SoundGrid app, the CPU levels is extremely low but the Freq. reading is off the charts but I believe you are correct. Now, if only I can keep the temp down. Thanks, Spectrum.
On topic, my 3.2GHz i7 MM2018 is really cool (I'm talking about the temperatures, but is is also cool as in nice).
It stays at about 33°/35°C in normal day to day use (dreamweaver/BBedit/MAMP/browsers) and the fan at 1700rpm.
My 2012 i7 MM would normally be at 50°C with the same work type.
My fear of a hotter Mac was unfounded and this Mac is not only more silent, less hot and also uses less electricity (I've also measured the Watts).
It stays at about 33°/35°C in normal day to day use (dreamweaver/BBedit/MAMP/browsers) and the fan at 1700rpm.
My 2012 i7 MM would normally be at 50°C with the same work type.
My fear of a hotter Mac was unfounded and this Mac is not only more silent, less hot and also uses less electricity (I've also measured the Watts).
Yes.
I was very surprised to see those values, even with a steady 1700rpm fan (it fluctuates between 1699/1713 rpm).
The average frequency is normally at 2/2.5 GHz.
I'm using iStats Menu to gather the temperatures, since Intel Power Gadget gives me even lower temperatures.
The only time I heard the fan was when I created a clone of my system with CCC, I chose the compressed image, and when it was compressing it, it finally took the temperature to 100°C and the fans kicked in (vey loudable, more than with my 2012 Mini), but that was the only one time.
Now that I have 32GB of RAM I expect it to be even more stable.
One important note: I use an external SSD for my files, I only use the internal SSD for the OS and Apps, I think that may matter in terms of temperature.
Bumping this thread to mention the i7 in bootcamp runs HOT while playing games w/ an eGPU. The fans literally never turn on. I can practically burn myself on the surface of the mini and the fans just do not turn on, I don't get it.
The fans are plenty capable of decreasing the temperature too as once I get back into the Mac side I run Macs Fan Control and manually bring down the temperature after a couple of minutes (at only half the max RPM). It's infuriating to know that the fans are plenty capable of maintaining a healthy temperature for the computer but the software just does not activate it for whatever reason.
The fans are plenty capable of decreasing the temperature too as once I get back into the Mac side I run Macs Fan Control and manually bring down the temperature after a couple of minutes (at only half the max RPM). It's infuriating to know that the fans are plenty capable of maintaining a healthy temperature for the computer but the software just does not activate it for whatever reason.
This is vastly different from my experience. My Mini is between 50-60 just browsing and runs at 90-100 as soon as I use Logic or play any type of game. The fans almost never kick in, so it seems the Mini wants to operate at these temperatures.
I'm a bit worried about this honestly
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Yes! I'm going to be so mad at Apple if this is actually damaging to the computer. If it isn't well, then they did good
Anyone using manual fan control with the mini? Does anyone notice that if you control the fans yourself, they stop for half a second every 10 seconds or so? This doesn't happen if the fans are system controlled
Unfortunately you can’t modify it in real-time in boot camp due to the 2018 mini’s T2 chip:
https://www.crystalidea.com/blog/fan-control-on-apple-computers-with-t2-chip-on-windows-boot-camp
Only solution is to set a manual RPM before booting into boot camp, then booting back into Mac side to re-adjust.
Yeah I've noticed when I set the fan to speed up in-between a set of temps, it will randomly speed up for a second or so then come back down. I notice the temperature it's gauging from also jumps up randomly which kicks off the fans, for example jumping from 50 to 70 in a second.
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Oh really..? I have an iMac 2017, didn't know T2 chip even puts its nose in that thing also.
What I mean is if I set the fan to Medium in iStat menus, I hear it spinning for 10 seconds. Then it stops for half like one second, then runs 10, stops 1 and so on
Hi guys, my usual studio computer has always been macbook pro, last one was the 2018, since it failed on me i got the mac mini i7. On my mbp i used to turn off turbo boost, with this it would run at least 10-20 degrees cooler peaking at about 80C under maximum loads, audio, video renders etc.
Coming back to mini, it jumps temperatures a lot, browsing, youtube etc 70-75C, add audio softwares and more load eaaily 90-100. I have also noticed with my experience that with turbo on the temperatures jump a LOT! Same on the 2018 2.6ghz 6core mbp and the mac mini, you open few more apps and on every new click you can see temperatures jumping 10-15deg. I have tried all the fan settings but it doesn’t help much, so i tried switching off turbo boost when I don’t need it and honestly the mini runs very stable, does not jump temperatures as much, idle at 45-50, browsing/youtube/mails 60-65 and 80C max on heavy workloads, it will barely cross 80, exactly like my MacBook pro. And honestly i am not comfortable on the mini constantly running at 90-100C most part of the day, i would rather use it at base clock speed 3.2 and it isn’t much of a difference, i used turbo boost switcher app for this task. I will test further and upload screenshots here soon.
Coming back to mini, it jumps temperatures a lot, browsing, youtube etc 70-75C, add audio softwares and more load eaaily 90-100. I have also noticed with my experience that with turbo on the temperatures jump a LOT! Same on the 2018 2.6ghz 6core mbp and the mac mini, you open few more apps and on every new click you can see temperatures jumping 10-15deg. I have tried all the fan settings but it doesn’t help much, so i tried switching off turbo boost when I don’t need it and honestly the mini runs very stable, does not jump temperatures as much, idle at 45-50, browsing/youtube/mails 60-65 and 80C max on heavy workloads, it will barely cross 80, exactly like my MacBook pro. And honestly i am not comfortable on the mini constantly running at 90-100C most part of the day, i would rather use it at base clock speed 3.2 and it isn’t much of a difference, i used turbo boost switcher app for this task. I will test further and upload screenshots here soon.
That's partly the point of turbo. You get better single thread performance at the cost of power and temperatures, relying on the temperature sensors to tell the CPU how much headroom it has for cranking things up. And turbo boost does use a lot more power vs the extra perf you get, and a lot of that goes to extra waste heat.
When uncapped (which is how Apple leaves the CPUs rather than try to cap the turbo boost to their thermal designs), it will effectively ramp up until it's at the max boost clock, or at 95-100C, whichever it hits first.
Another option you may wish to explore (which maintains single core turbo performance) is using the "Instruments" app in Xcode to either disable hyper threading, or disable the number of cores.
i.e. Turn the processor into a 6 core/6 thread design (like an i5, but with higher max turbo[4.6 vs 4.1]), or turn it into a 4 core/8 thread, or 4 core/4 thread design (like an i3, but with much faster single core speed[4.6 vs 3.6]).
Perhaps the best solution would be if there were a tool that could limit the maximum turbo speed rather than disable it all together. Going from 3.2 to 4.0 probably produces far less additional heat than going from 4.0 to 4.6 for example.
And, of course, the best solution would be a better fan/heatsink that can handle the 90W+ of heat/power that this CPU generates at max load. I'd love to see some custom designs hit the market...
My Mini should be here this week. Can I ask how you turn off Turbo Boost?
I have Turbo Boost turned of on my Dell XPS laptop. I don't need it and I don't want my box getting hot.
I have an i7 mini due in a few days and I plan to test it under load. If temperature becomes an issue I am inclined to simply buy a small cooling pad like those typically used with laptops. It worked wonders when I tried this with an MBP that can work hard all day now without any fuss.
I have only tried one, so that is the only one I can suggest, though others may be just as good or better.
It is a "TECKNET 12"-17" Quiet Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad Stand" that is powered via USB. It has three fans inside, though there are alternatives.
To avoid draining the battery on the laptop I used a plug adaptor that went straight to the wall socket. They do accumulate a bit of dust, so once every few weeks you may want to pass over with a vacuum just to keep the inside reasonably clean.
The big upside of using this with the laptop is that it keeps icy cool now, even under stress. The battery lasts longer and I suspect the computer will last longer.
[automerge]1587646212[/automerge]
I've just found an article listing some alternatives https://www.imore.com/best-cooling-pads-mac-mini
It is a "TECKNET 12"-17" Quiet Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad Stand" that is powered via USB. It has three fans inside, though there are alternatives.
To avoid draining the battery on the laptop I used a plug adaptor that went straight to the wall socket. They do accumulate a bit of dust, so once every few weeks you may want to pass over with a vacuum just to keep the inside reasonably clean.
The big upside of using this with the laptop is that it keeps icy cool now, even under stress. The battery lasts longer and I suspect the computer will last longer.
[automerge]1587646212[/automerge]
I've just found an article listing some alternatives https://www.imore.com/best-cooling-pads-mac-mini
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I have 6 Macs, including the DTK , and none get nearly as hot at idling as my Mac Mini 2018 i7 3.2 GHz (64 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD).
iStat shows every temp, from CPU over GPU, SSD and Memory, in the 42-48 deg C area, with the Mac (10.15.6) being idle at 98-99% for a while. The case feels similarly warm, like a little oven (which I really don't need during these hot summer days, thank you). The fans don't run noisily.
I wonder if that's unusually high, ie. that my Mac has a defect (such as a bad heat sink connection) and should be serviced.
What do others see when their i7 is idling? Same range, or are the temps below the 40s C?
iStat shows every temp, from CPU over GPU, SSD and Memory, in the 42-48 deg C area, with the Mac (10.15.6) being idle at 98-99% for a while. The case feels similarly warm, like a little oven (which I really don't need during these hot summer days, thank you). The fans don't run noisily.
I wonder if that's unusually high, ie. that my Mac has a defect (such as a bad heat sink connection) and should be serviced.
What do others see when their i7 is idling? Same range, or are the temps below the 40s C?
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