27" 3.8 Fan Noise Really?

[xzebra]

I am looking to purchase either a 3.5Ghz or a 3.8Ghz 2017 27" iMac and want to stay away from the 4.2Ghz due to fan noise.

Can anyone please tell me if the 3.8 is as bad as 4.2 in the fan noise category/temp? I really like the fact that the 3.8 has the Radeon Pro 580 with 8GB, but don't think I can live with the fan noise.

Seems like all forums and articles are only specific to the 4.2 which has nearly the same power consumption.

 

[mja1228]

I am looking to purchase either a 3.5Ghz or a 3.8Ghz 2017 27" iMac and want to stay away from the 4.2Ghz due to fan noise.

Can anyone please tell me if the 3.8 is as bad as 4.2 in the fan noise category/temp? I really like the fact that the 3.8 has the Radeon Pro 580 with 8GB, but don't think I can live with the fan noise.

Seems like all forums and articles are only specific to the 4.2 which has nearly the same power consumption.

I just bought the 3.8 and there’s no fan noise.

 

[xzebra]

Thanks mja1228.

Out of curiosity, what kind of loads have you put on it?

 

[mja1228]

Thanks mja1228.

Out of curiosity, what kind of loads have you put on it?

to be fair, not a lot at all.. I don't do anything heavy with it

 

[spencecb]

I haven't noticed my 3.8 GHz i5 get very loud. The fans were running while playing a game but because of the audio could not hear them, and they died down within about 20 seconds of exiting the game.

 

[J.Gallardo]

I haven't noticed my 3.8 GHz i5 get very loud. The fans were running while playing a game but because of the audio could not hear them, and they died down within about 20 seconds of exiting the game.

Exactly same behaviour here. I would point that during normal tasks, default fan revs are inaudible. Perhaps a very low hiss in a very quiet room... only perceptible when you shut off and notice the slight difference.
Quite happy with 3.8+R580 and not having chosen the i7 upgrade.

 

[SkyLinx]

I have the 3.8 and I never heard the fan. Temp is at 46-48C while surfing the Internet or programming , never seen it above 70C during video editing/encoding. Really happy with it.