iMac 10.6.7 21.5'' 3.2GHz Heat Problem

[Dan2142]

I recently purchased a new iMac. It is a great machine, but I have noticed that when it has been running for an hour or two, it gets extremely hot. I used a thermometer to check the temperature of the case (from the outside). I got on the first test: 102.1F Second: 105.4F Third: 107.2F Fourth: 108.3F. Each test was done ~5min apart. Should I be concerned about this?

 

[Onimusha370]

try downloading 'SMC fan control', and check the temperature of the CPU and HDD and report back.
don't be worried about it though, the casing on the imacs gets very hot because its helping the heat leave the inside of the machine (advantage of being aluminium). also, your imac will shut itself off before any damage is done by heat, so you have no need to be worried

 

[rWally]

Those numbers sound about right. Internal temps are what really matter. Try downloading iStatPro at http://www.islayer.com/apps/istatpro/ to monitor your internal temps.

Hard drive bay temps should be below 55 degrees Celsius, CPU temps should be under 90 degrees Celsius.

So yeah, it gets pretty hot. Not a lot to worry about.

 

[Spike88]

Some say to "run a device" until it automatically shuts down. To me, when it shuts down - the damage is already done. Just like when a vehicle over heats and its dummy light comes come. I call it the "too late" light.

I'm a proactive person by nature. I like to install aux ATF coolers in my vehicle (to make them run cooler - especially when under loads) and I also run 3rd party fan control within my iMac as well. Its fan speed and inner temps are:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/... iMac system/iMacFansettingsonJune16-2011.png
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/New iMac system/InternalTemps2010-08-30.png

As seen within above urls, my iMac fan speed is "slightly" faster and it does reduce inner heat build up. The air rising out the top of my iMac's slotted vents are very cool.

If worried about "too much" inner heat and wanting to make a device last as long as possible, do install 3rd party fan speed control as well. Many different fan control products on the free market.

Good luck.

 

[Spike88]

Forgot to mention....

Do download / install iStat Nano (free widget from iSlayer) to monitor your fans current RPMs and inner temps. If one fan appears to be "0" RPM, it might be broken. Time to get it serviced / replaced. Hopefully, the many fans within your iMac are working and their speed increases when its inner temps go up.

For iStat Nano, surf: http://www.islayer.com/apps/istatnano/

Hope this helps as well...