2018 MM w/i7 & 32GB RAM - possible to keep the fan speed down?

[austinuser]

Hi,

I have a 2018 MM with a Core i7, 32 GB of RAM, and 1 TB SSD.

Is there any way I can limit the fan speed, even if it limits system performance?

OR is there a way to limit performance so the fans don't run at full speed? (I use Volta on my 2014 MacBook Pro to do this, but it doesn't appear to work on the 2018 Mac Mini).

my goal - reduce the noise of my mac mini.

Thanks!

 

[austinuser]

ok, looks like i fixed my issue using Turbo Boost Switcher. I went ahead and got the Pro version, but my fan is now quiet (I set it to stay below 2500 rpm) and I notice to change in system performance!
(I'm using about 20 browser tabs, discord, slack, outlook, word, excel... nothing that seems too intensive to me.)

ahhhhhhh...quiet....

ps-it looks like iStat Menus will also let me limit the max fan speed.

 

[Derekq]

To control the fan speed, first you need to approach the Mac’s fan settings. For this, you will have to install an app named Macs Fan Control.

This app allows you to adjust the Mac’s fan quite easily. After installing the app, please launch it.
Now it's the time to adjust the fan speed. To do so, copy the following steps.
Step 1. Launch your Macs "Fan Control" by clicking it. Then select the Custom button. And customize the left side fan.

Step 2. Then Fix the speed of the mac's fans. Then click on OK.

Step 3. There is also a option to select sensor-based valuation for both the fans. After that click OK.

 

[Honza1]

This seems rare case when someone wants to reduce fan speed on these 2018 minis. Are you sure you do not need to reset PRAM/SMC = that the fans are running right?
If quiet system is critical, get M1 mac and you'll be happy. Even with 100% of all CPUs used, I have yet to hear the fan on my M1 mini. Running Handbrake for hours, all cpus at 100% all the time, and body gets mildly warm with CPU temperatures below 50C.
For my 2018 i5 (CPU temperature ALWAYS above 60C) I am actually forcing the fans faster to keep the system cooler. That thing us like mini pizza oven in default state - Apple is running the fans at bare minimum speed to reduce the noise while still not to overheating the CPU/GPU. I use iStat Menus and setup higher than normal speeds to keep this at reasonable temperatures inside. Not sure if I want to run mini at >100C all the time. I know, it should not damage itself, but man, that thing gets hot...

 

[Beavix]

This seems rare case when someone wants to reduce fan speed on these 2018 minis.

Indeed. I rarely hear the fan on my 2018 Mac mini (top i7 model, using graphic design apps all day long).

 

[frou]

If you are actually maxxing out all cores for a sustained period (e.g. compiling code in parallel) then this thing sounds like a hairdryer. It's objectively not a quiet machine under full load.

 

[idmean]

I would recommend to open Activity Monitor next time your fans go crazy and check which applications have high CPU usage (high memory might also be an indicator). Works for me every time.

 

[Honza1]

If you are actually maxxing out all cores for a sustained period (e.g. compiling code in parallel) then this thing sounds like a hairdryer. It's objectively not a quiet machine under full load.

I agree, that when loaded my i5 spins up fans and you can hear it. How much depends on your hearing and where it is. But slowing down fans under these conditions - as OP wants to do - seems, well, not the smartest idea in the world... I get the need to keep it quiet, but there is one simple and well working solution today = get M1 mini. I really did not yet hear fans on that and I keep loading all CPUs for hours and hours. As long as it runs your software it is amazingly better from power/thermal point of view.

 

[MacCheetah3]

The 2018 model has one of the most power hungry and thus high heat generating CPUS of recent Mac minis. Thus with heavy CPU load, the fan is going to ramp up significantly.

That aside, having the mini (any model) vertically seems to notable improve cooling performance (i.e., airflow through and around the system).

There are clean, simple, fairly inexpensive stands available. For example, I use this...

Tinpec Alloy Desktop Stand for Apple Mac Mini, Aluminum Vertical Stands Holder with Anti-Slip Rubber Feet Compatible with Apple MAC Mini 2010-2022 Silver

www.amazon.com