iMac 27inch - 3.8

[mja1228]

Yesterday I bought a 3.8 27inch iMac and upgraded the ram to 32 before turning it on. I will say that this machine is a powerhouse. I also have a mid 2013 MacBook Pro 15inch that still works like brand new. Granted, I don't really use it for anything heavy whatsoever. Also, this iMac will be used for recreational purposes only. However, I'm a tech geek and I just love having power.

However, after reading these forums, I'm going to be a neurotic watching the temperature gauges.

Based on everything I've been reading, the i7 runs much hotter than the 3.8 i5. I'm pretty sure I have nothing to worry about. However, what temperature gauge programs does everyone use? I'm currently using iStats, and I downloaded Intel's Power Gadget

Who out there with a 3.8 i5 can calm my nerves right now.

 

[Lammers]

Despite all the concern year after year over iMac temperatures on this and other forums, there is no evidence as far as I’m aware of any actual overheating issues with any of the models. Apple has been making iMacs for many years, presumably sells millions of them every year, certifies them to work in ambient temperatures far higher than anyone would likely want to work on their computer (35C / 95F), and evidently has arguably the best hardware engineers on the planet. I don’t think you need to worry too much.

 

[Strider64]

I was a PC person for 30+ years, was a certified PC Technician and built my own computers. I can attest that contrary to what you read on this forum (and others) that the CPU is a pretty robust piece of technology. I once had the temperature go to 170F on one of my builds for I hooked up the cpu fan wrong and didn't notice it wasn't working. I thought for sure I toasted that cpu, but after fixing the problem plus applying TIM better (It was one of my first builds) that everything worked perfectly. New motherboards/cpus have thermal protection where the system will shutdown preventing scenarios like I just described until you get the problem(s) fixed. Sure if you keep ignoring the shutdowns and keep turning the computer on without fixing it then you'll cause further damage to the computer. I don't know what the upper limit of temperature on a modern day setup for I don't even bother to check them. Heck I don't even know where to look on my iMacs. Though if I notice my computer shutting down frequently or my fans spinning at a high rate for a very extended period then it's off to Apple to get it repaired.

 

[EugW]

The easiest way not to watch the temp values is to uninstall the temp monitoring software.

If you must check out the temps, then install the software, use it for a week, and then delete it. That's what I've done.

I did return my i7 because of the temps, but that was because of the fan noise, not the temp values per se. The fan would occasionally come on and it was annoying. With my i5-7600 3.5 GHz, the fan almost never comes on with my usage.

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I'm kind of curious though why you didn't wait for a 6-core model though. They'll likely be out in a couple of months. You'd probably be able to get a 6-core i5-8400 or i5-8500 for the price of the current 4-core i5-7500 3.4 GHz.

 

[mja1228]

The easiest way not to watch the temp values is to uninstall the temp monitoring software.

If you must check out the temps, then install the software, use it for a week, and then delete it. That's what I've done.

I did return my i7 because of the temps, but that was because of the fan noise, not the temp values per se. The fan would occasionally come on and it was annoying. With my i5-7600 3.5 GHz, the fan almost never comes on with my usage.

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I'm kind of curious though why you didn't wait for a 6-core model though. They'll likely be out in a couple of months. You'd probably be able to get a 6-core i5-8400 or i5-8500 for the price of the current 4-core i5-7500 3.4 GHz.

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I wouldn’t benefit from a 6 core processor for what I use the Mac for. I really use it for Photos, Outlook and Parallels. With the 32gigs of ram and 2tb fusion drive, I can’t ask for much else. I don’t play games so I don’t even know what I’ll use the video card for lol.

I needed a new desktop at home and just went for the current iMac. I can’t justify the price of the iMac pro since I only use my home computer for recreation.

Thank you everyone for the feedback.
[doublepost=1523737087][/doublepost]

Despite all the concern year after year over iMac temperatures on this and other forums, there is no evidence as far as I’m aware of any actual overheating issues with any of the models. Apple has been making iMacs for many years, presumably sells millions of them every year, certifies them to work in ambient temperatures far higher than anyone would likely want to work on their computer (35C / 95F), and evidently has arguably the best hardware engineers on the planet. I don’t think you need to worry too much.

Thank you!!

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Used iMacs from the original 233MHz Bondi Blue to 2016 model which will be replaced later this and have never seen a heat issue with any. Some folks this 90ºF is terrible and use fan controlling software and that is the biggest danger to the iMac design to control heat.