iMac 27, Mid 2011 is boiling!!!

[jivago]

Hi there!

I have an iMac 27-inch, Mid 2011. After working for 2 hours or so, the computer is boiling, literally! Yesterday for the first it even gave me problems by almost freezing..

I installed a temperature monitor software to try to know what's going on.. Here's the results ;

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Ambient Air: 25℃
CPU A Heatsink: 56℃
CPU A Proximity: 59℃
Display Screen Proximity: 49℃
Graphics Processor Heatsink 1: 61℃
Graphics Processor Temperature Diode: 63℃
Main Logic Board: 58℃
Optical Drive: 49℃
Power Supply Position 2: 74℃
Primary Heatsink: 75℃
SMART Disk WDC WD1001FALS-403AA0
(WD-WCATR8284643): 58℃
Secondary Heatsink: 83℃
CPU Core 1: 60℃
CPU Core 2: 58℃
CPU Core 3: 60℃
CPU Core 4: 60℃
---------------------------------------

Do somebody know what's going on? I guess it is a fan that is dead or something but I's like to have some opinions before trying to open it (I guess? Unless somebody tells me it is a really bad idea!)

THANKS!

 

[GGJstudios]

Your temps are quite normal, and certainly not boiling.

If you're not already doing so, use iStat Pro (free) or iStat Menus ($16) to get accurate readings of your temps, fan speeds, etc., rather than relying on your sense of touch or sound. A forum member has posted a copy of iStat Pro that has been "tweaked" to enhance compatibility with Mountain Lion. You can download it here.

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The Intel processors used in Macs are designed to automatically shut down to prevent damage if they truly overheat. CPU Tjmax = 105C (221F), GPU Tjmax = 100C (212F) on i3, i5, i7 processors. (Source: Intel)

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Unless there is a rare defect in a Mac, most temps are well within the normal operating range, considering the workload being put on it. Websites with Flash content, games and other multimedia apps will put higher demand on the CPU/GPU, generating more heat. This is normal. If you're constantly putting high demands on your system, such as gaming or other multimedia tasks, expect temps to rise and fans to spin up accordingly. It's just your Mac doing its job to maintain temps within the normal range.

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It is also quite normal for your Mac to become extremely hot to the touch during intensive operations. The aluminum body transfers heat more effectively than other materials used in computer casings, so you will feel the heat more. This doesn't indicate that it's overheating and will not harm the computer to be hot to the touch.

The bottom of your Mac notebook may become very warm during normal use. If your notebook is on your lap and gets uncomfortably warm, move it to a stable work surface that allows for good ventilation.

Your fans are always on when your Mac is on, spinning at a minimum of 2000 rpm (for MBPs) or 1800 rpm (for MBAs, MBs and minis), or 1200 for the newest MBAs. Older iMacs have 3 fans with minimum speeds in the 800-1200 range, while the newest iMacs have a single fan, spinning at a minimum of about 1400 rpm. They will spin faster as needed to keep temps at a safe level. If your fans are spinning up without increased heat, try resetting the SMC. (PRAM/NVRAM has nothing to do with these issues, so resetting it will not help.)

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The intake and exhaust vents are in the back of the computer near the hinge on all Mac notebooks (except the new MBP with retina display, which has intake vents along the sides at the bottom). The iMac vent is a slot on the back near the top of the computer. Make sure the vents remain unblocked to allow your computer to perform at its best.

Learn about the fans in your Mac

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Mac Portables: Operating temperature​

For Flash-related issues:

• Find your Flash version and make sure it's the latest version available.
• Install ClickToFlash (Safari), Flashblock (Firefox) or FlashBlock (Chrome) to control which Flash content plays on websites.
• Use the YouTube HTML5 Video Player to watch YouTube videos, when available. (May impact fullscreen viewing. See link for details.)

 

[martinm0]

Nothing about those temps looks problematic to me. When I run Handbrake I would be upwards of about 80C on the iMac, and on the Mac Mini it would run between 90-95C.

Keep in mind that Macs use aluminum chassis to help dissipate heat, so if its hot to the touch, its doing its job. The components will shut down if they breach there temp threshold, so don't worry about it. Just keep the vents clear of clogs and make sure you have enough air flow around it.

 

[26139]

Huh?

You DO know that the boiling point of water, which is what I assume most of us are referring to when we reference "boiling", is 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit, yes?

Those temps seem normal to me.