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Any Heat Issues with 2.4GHz vs. 2.8GHz Extreme?

R

Rob55

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 22, 2007
8
0
New Jersey
Hello all! Just looking for some thoughts on heat issues (if any) with the 2.4GHz vs. the 2.8GHz Extreme 24" iMac. I was at the Apple store yesterday and the 2.4Ghz 24" machine was warm to the touch. I want the extra speed but I'm worried about excessive heat. I wouldn't want the iMac to run as hot as my AppleTV runs. Besides the usual web, e-mail, iTunes, Handbrake and iPhoto, I'll also be running Adobe CS3 and FCS2. Or maybe I should be looking at the Mac Pro. My thinking was for the price of the base 2.66GHz Mac Pro, I could get a very nicely equipped iMac.

Thanks
 
Rob55 said:
Hello all! Just looking for some thoughts on heat issues (if any) with the 2.4GHz vs. the 2.8GHz Extreme 24" iMac. I was at the Apple store yesterday and the 2.4Ghz 24" machine was warm to the touch. I want the extra speed but I'm worried about excessive heat. I wouldn't want the iMac to run as hot as my AppleTV runs. Besides the usual web, e-mail, iTunes, Handbrake and iPhoto, I'll also be running Adobe CS3 and FCS2. Or maybe I should be looking at the Mac Pro. My thinking was for the price of the base 2.66GHz Mac Pro, I could get a very nicely equipped iMac.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Can you change the thread title so that it looks like a _question_ instead of looking like a _statement of fact_?

And the machine is supposed to feel warm. Guess what: Warm case means that the heat is removed from the processor and moved to the outside.
 
Heat has been discussed a lot on here and the general consensus is that they are not running hotter they are just hotter on the outside because the aluminum conducts heat so well. This should actually help keep the inside cooler and while it is warm near the vent at the top it is actually cold near the fans at the bottom. As far as deciding between the iMac and the Mac Pro, this is a money issue. If you can make enough money with the computer to pay for the pro then it might help you be a little more productive. If you are not making money with it don't let heat stop you from getting a sweet iMac.
 
gnasher729 said:
Can you change the thread title so that it looks like a _question_ instead of looking like a _statement of fact_?

And the machine is supposed to feel warm. Guess what: Warm case means that the heat is removed from the processor and moved to the outside.
Click to expand...

Why the attitude? I know the machine is supposed to feel warm to the touch because the aluminum frame is acting as a heat sink but I was concerned/curious if it would get excessively hot if I taxed the processor. I know my AppleTV is a completely different animal, but it also uses it's aluminum chassis as a heat sink and the thing can get really hot. Bottom line is, if the machine gets really hot when pushed, then I think I'd rather get a Mac Pro as I don't necessarily need the all-in-one form factor of the iMac. It just seemed like a potentially economical solution compared to a MacPro/Cinema Display solution. I also didn't want to get one of the current Cinema Displays as they've been out for quite a while and I got burned once before where I bought the existing product and a new model came out a month later (my 17" PBG4 and the MBP15").

Thanks
 
Rob55 said:
Why the attitude? I know the machine is supposed to feel warm to the touch because the aluminum frame is acting as a heat sink but I was concerned/curious if it would get excessively hot if I taxed the processor. I know my AppleTV is a completely different animal, but it also uses it's aluminum chassis as a heat sink and the thing can get really hot. Bottom line is, if the machine gets really hot when pushed, then I think I'd rather get a Mac Pro as I don't necessarily need the all-in-one form factor of the iMac. It just seemed like a potentially economical solution compared to a MacPro/Cinema Display solution. I also didn't want to get one of the current Cinema Displays as they've been out for quite a while and I got burned once before where I bought the existing product and a new model came out a month later (my 17" PBG4 and the MBP15").

Thanks
Click to expand...

Why do people care if the computer is hot? Aslong its running i don't care what temp it is
 
Compared to my wind tunnel G4 Quicksilver which ran REALLY hot, i mean it would make my office HOT with the door shut, the new iMac is silent and runs cooler than the G4. I was doing some work last night in After Effects and FCP and the top did get pretty warm, but nothing to worry about.
 
Rob: I have a 2.8 Ghz. 24" iMac. It runs warm in my lingo - not hot. I just switched from a quad core QX6700 (2.67 extreme) PC and it ran so hot it was unbelievable. What the guys are telling you is right about the aluminum case - if it's warm (hot?) it's doing its job.
I don't believe for a second that Apple would build a Mac that runs too hot. My 2 cents - it's a non-issue. If you need the speed, get the 2.8.

Rich :cool:
 
RichardI said:
Rob: I have a 2.8 Ghz. 24" iMac. It runs warm in my lingo - not hot. I just switched from a quad core QX6700 (2.67 extreme) PC and it ran so hot it was unbelievable. What the guys are telling you is right about the aluminum case - if it's warm (hot?) it's doing its job.
I don't believe for a second that Apple would build a Mac that runs too hot. My 2 cents - it's a non-issue. If you need the speed, get the 2.8.

Rich :cool:
Click to expand...

Rich,

Thanks for the feedback. I know what you mean about the PC, the new iMac will be replacing my PC which runs as hot as a space heater and is as loud as a hair dryer. And yes, I think I'll get the extra speed.
 
prs986 said:
Compared to my wind tunnel G4 Quicksilver which ran REALLY hot, i mean it would make my office HOT with the door shut, the new iMac is silent and runs cooler than the G4. I was doing some work last night in After Effects and FCP and the top did get pretty warm, but nothing to worry about.
Click to expand...
That's good to hear, I like the "quiet" aspect as well. Thanks.
 
togermano said:
no? Why do i care? Unless my finger is on the cpu why do i care what temp it runs at plus it keeps the room warmer in the winter.
Click to expand...

Yes but it also keeps the room warmer during the summer. If you didn't see that coming....:D
 
Richard says, " What the guys are telling you is right about the aluminum case - if it's warm (hot?) it's doing its job. I don't believe for a second that Apple would build a Mac that runs too hot."

But in the past Apple has sold too-hot machines, like the G5 iMac. And aluminum that is warm/hot means it is radiating heat outward (which is good) but this doesn't mean the rate of heat outflow is satisfactory. It's the internal temperature of components that matters, and maybe the new thinner case causes a less efficient airflow for cooling the components.

and Ironjaw says,
"Mines great never runs hot, just perfect
CPU 1 - 37 C ....."

Thanks. Data is useful.
But I'm wondering….
• Is this similar to the temps others are finding?
• How do these temps compare with those for older (white) 24" and 20" ?
• What temp-ranges are considered OK for different components? i.e., How much do various temp-increases decrease the life of different components?
• And how much does the internal temp increase when an iMac is run in a warm room? My room isn't air conditioned, with its temp ranging from 75 F to 93 F (24 C to 34 C) with an average of about 82 F (28 C), so how would this affect the temp of internal components, compared with running in a cooler room at 70 F (21 C) ?

Craig
 
This conversation comes up every time a new processor is introduced. Processors have been getting faster and faster each year since the old G3's and they haven't gotten any hotter than before. Computers run quite a bit of electronics on the inside so they will get hot and we just have to live with that.

Intel doesn't make faster processors that just get hotter and hotter, it's quite the contrary, they get more efficient. The company would be out of business if they kept frying computers.

An earlier poster who's Tivo's hard drive got fried was from his own doing because he swapped out the drive so he modified the factory specs and that's risky.
 
What's with all the concerns over temperatures recently? And what does "but in the past Apple has sold too-hot machines, like the G5 iMac" mean? G5's have not been keeling over from excessive heat!

I've posted this about 3 times now: Apple will have tried to run those iMacs into the ground before they were released. We're talking maximum load for days on end.

And as for heat harming components, everything electronic has a lifespan but if you're sitting there monitoring temperatures and worrying you've got to have some sort of problem!

My white iMac at work gets so hot it burns your finger if you stick it in the vent at the back, but I couldn't give two hoots.
 
Anyone with heat concerns can simply download smc fan control. I love it. Sometimes the reason for the excessive heat is due to the fans not being timed properly to turn on and they generally don't spin fast enough to cool the computer down. Smc fan control really helps out!
 
Well, heatwave is back in Beantown. 87F ambient room temp. CPUs running pretty consistent at 120F (49C).

Happy that the CPUs aren't hitting 180+F that my imac G5 used to - but the aluminum is very hit - the upper left (as looking at it) is almost too hot to touch (no surface temp sensors here in the home). Not sure how good or bad that is, but the CPUs seem happy...
 
HLdan said:
Intel doesn't make faster processors that just get hotter and hotter, it's quite the contrary, they get more efficient. The company would be out of business if they kept frying computers.
Click to expand...
Yes, this was a major reason for Apple shifting to Intel (who could make cool chips) from IBM with their powerful yet overly hot G5. But whatever chip Apple is using, they must decide how close to "push the limits" of tolerable heat in their computer designs. And maybe they pushed too far in their G5-iMacs:

johnmcboston said:
Well, heatwave is back in Beantown. 87F ambient room temp. CPUs running pretty consistent at 120F (49C). Happy that the CPUs aren't hitting 180+F that my imac G5 used to
Click to expand...

A friend emailed that, compared with an iMac, the Mac desktops are "potentially less susceptible to heat problems. My dad got a G5 iMac when they first came out, and he did eventually have a [probably heat-induced] problem with the power supply."

Evidently johnmc's new model (20"? 24"?) is running cooler than his old G5 iMac. Since I'm debating between an old-24 and new-24 (or waiting for Rev B of the new model) it would be useful to know how they heat-designed these two models.

ironjaw said:
Aren't there any technical documents from Apple on expected Operating Sytem temperatures?
Click to expand...
Yes, it would be useful to have this information for both models, old-24 and new-24. Does anyone know if it's publicly available -- maybe it isn't, for reasons of legality and marketing -- and where to find it? But if Apple won't publish this info, has anyone else made careful measurements of internal temperatures for various components in both models?

Craig
 
craigr577 said:
Evidently johnmc's new model (20"? 24"?) is running cooler than his old G5 iMac.
Click to expand...

24". I couldn't resist. :)

Was at McStore and they didn't seem to know of any heat concerns. Their new imacs were hot to the touch as well, and they're on and being used all day. I think as long as the CPUs stay reasonable, we may be squalking about nothing...

oh, and the new machine doesn't sound like a snowblower all the time either. :)
 
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