iMac SMC Firmware Update 1.1 - Fan Noise - Late 2013 27 iMac

[richard13]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R6qpiid_zY&feature=youtu.be


Check out mine. It's a bit exaggerated in the video though. It's not software related. The fans after some usage sound like this. It could be either a design fault or faulty bearings. The fans have a constant speed of 1190 - 1200 rpm.

Ok, that is definitely loud. Is that really how it sounds or did you get some extra gain in the mic while recording?

It ran twice for me... not sure why then?

Huh… This doesn't make any sense unless the firmware didn't get applied the first time. A successful, actual firmware upgrade would not get rolled back from a clean install of the OS.

Um... I did record it with my iPhone, but It's hard to tell. lol

anyways, here's the video, I am going to clean install it and see how it goes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4f8wfUewug

I can't hear anything here even with my volume cranked all the way up.

 

[propower]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R6qpiid_zY&feature=youtu.be
Check out mine. It's a bit exaggerated in the video though. It's not software related. The fans after some usage sound like this. It could be either a design fault or faulty bearings. The fans have a constant speed of 1190 - 1200 rpm.

That sounds like a bearing - definitely a mechanical sound and not a good one. So it is almost a clicking you hear live in the room instead of just a gentle whoosh - right? I will try recording mine with an iphone tomorrow to see if the phone distorts the sound but I have listened to mine extensively and that is not right. That would piss me off in a very big way - search my name - fan noise was a MAJOR consideration and any change like that would be more than annoying... for me that is...

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Um... I did record it with my iPhone, but It's hard to tell. lol

anyways, here's the video, I am going to clean install it and see how it goes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4f8wfUewug

This one sounds about right to me. Are you saying this is worse than before??

 

[istop]

That sounds like a bearing - definitely a mechanical sound and not a good one. So it is almost a clicking you hear live in the room instead of just a gentle whoosh - right? I will try recording mine with an iphone tomorrow to see if the phone distorts the sound but I have listened to mine extensively and that is not right. That would piss me off in a very big way - search my name - fan noise was a MAJOR consideration and any change like that would be more than annoying... for me that is...

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This one sounds about right to me. Are you saying this is worse than before??

Yes, before I updated to the Mavericks and all other firmware updates, I didn't hear anything. Now I can hear it, it's not that bad, but I do hear it all the time.

The mic isn't picking up the noise, I guess maybe I am too sensitive to it.

Last thing I want to update, I tried a clean install, it doesn't change anything...
took me 3 hours to do it.

 

[iraklis9]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R6qpiid_zY&feature=youtu.be


Check out mine. It's a bit exaggerated in the video though. It's not software related. The fans after some usage sound like this. It could be either a design fault or faulty bearings. The fans have a constant speed of 1190 - 1200 rpm.

I have to say that the sound is amplified through the phone mic. It's not so audible unless there are no background noises. Nevertheless it's definitely louder than what it used to be. The nature/quality of the fans used by apple is the issue here as i think most of the new iMacs are deemed to have the issue sooner or later. Anyway, i'm not taking back my iMac because of this as i don't want anyone tinkering in my machine and causing other problems more serious. Since the fan cools the internals adequately, i think i will bear this unless it gets really loud.

While i write this, the fans are dead quiet. I've recorded the noise again in case anyone is interested. I don't know whats up here as the fan speed is the same as before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_sM7x52RTU

 

[IA64]

I have to say that the sound is amplified through the phone mic. It's not so audible unless there are no background noises. Nevertheless it's definitely louder than what it used to be. The nature/quality of the fans used by apple is the issue here as i think most of the new iMacs are deemed to have the issue sooner or later. Anyway, i'm not taking back my iMac because of this as i don't want anyone tinkering in my machine and causing other problems more serious. Since the fan cools the internals adequately, i think i will bear this unless it gets really loud.

While i write this, the fans are dead quiet. I've recorded the noise again in case anyone is interested. I don't know whats up here as the fan speed is the same as before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_sM7x52RTU

It's still loud. My machine is dead silent.

 

[Chippy99]

It's still loud. My machine is dead silent.

No it isn't.

Why do people keep saying this??? It does my head in.

 

[bp1000]

I have to say that the sound is amplified through the phone mic. It's not so audible unless there are no background noises. Nevertheless it's definitely louder than what it used to be. The nature/quality of the fans used by apple is the issue here as i think most of the new iMacs are deemed to have the issue sooner or later. Anyway, i'm not taking back my iMac because of this as i don't want anyone tinkering in my machine and causing other problems more serious. Since the fan cools the internals adequately, i think i will bear this unless it gets really loud.

While i write this, the fans are dead quiet. I've recorded the noise again in case anyone is interested. I don't know whats up here as the fan speed is the same as before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_sM7x52RTU

Your fan noise which is probably due to a bearing or a loose connection to the seating or an off centre spindle is exactly what i had.

It drove me mad and i am awaiting a replacement.

I am 99% sure it only occurred after applying the SMC firmware update 1.1 which made the fans spin super fast. I've submit a report to the iMac team but heard nothing back.

I too can't understand why people say their iMacs are silent. I do have sensitive hearing but i can't believe people can't hear the faint whoosh of the fans.

I've had 3 iMacs now. First i replaced due to needing a bigger ssd, second had a electrical crackle, third had this noisy fan (bearings as in the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R6qpiid_zY&feature=youtu.be ). All 3 had equal fan whoosh noise which i class as normal.

 

[iraklis9]

How do you make sure that the replacement has the smc 1.1 update already installed? Because if it hasn't you will have this issue again.

 

[MacOG728893]

How do you make sure that the replacement has the smc 1.1 update already installed? Because if it hasn't you will have this issue again.

This is really unfortunate. I think it's time to make a call to Apple. Does anyone know why or how a firmware update could cause this?

 

[Chippy99]

I too can't understand why people say their iMacs are silent. I do have sensitive hearing but i can't believe people can't hear the faint whoosh of the fans.

I've had 3 iMacs now ... All 3 had equal fan whoosh noise which i class as normal.

I agree. I do NOT have particularly sensitive hearing, and yet sitting at my desk working away, any iMac is plainly audible. I can only conclude people saying they are silent are either working in a noisy environment, are deaf, or are exaggerating. They are beautiful, very quiet and unobtrusive systems, but they are NOT silent.

 

[IA64]

I agree. I do NOT have particularly sensitive hearing, and yet sitting at my desk working away, any iMac is plainly audible. I can only conclude people saying they are silent are either working in a noisy environment, are deaf, or are exaggerating. They are beautiful, very quiet and unobtrusive systems, but they are NOT silent.

Take it or leave it.

My iMac is in my bedroom and I have had one from late 2009 and another mid 2011.

I repeat, my machine is dead silent at 1200 RPM. DEAD SILENT. My 2 meters away UPS fan is louder although it's rated at 41dBa < 1meter

And I wear earplugs before bed because I have over-sensitivity issues, I get headaches quickly. ( hearing frequency range up to 17.1KHz as per last year audiologist test )

I can hear the fans @1600 RPM but not @1200 RPM at 3 in the morning.

 

[CrAzYLiFe]

I sit around 30 cm if not closer away from my iMac and I feel I'm pretty sensitive about sound, I would have picked up any fan noises,

I have yet to even hear my fans speed up even while gaming (unlike my MacBook Pro)

I must say my late 2013 iMac is pretty close to being silent any one who tells me I'm wrong has no idea what there talking about, maybe some people are unlucky with the fans quality? My room is also very quite as well.

 

[MartinAppleGuy]

There was a Mavericks update that put the fans on full blast for a few seconds during its restart. Boy; are they Jet Engines lol

 

[MacOG728893]

There was a Mavericks update that put the fans on full blast for a few seconds during its restart. Boy; are they Jet Engines lol

Yes this was the SMC update. Ever since then, my fans are now audible.

 

[MacOG728893]

Update: I've contacted Apple. They have no idea about the issue. They assured me it should be dead silent at idle and that I must make an appoint at an Apple store in order to get it fixed.

Extremely annoying. I've sent a report to Apple engineers in hope they will come up with something. If nothing comes up after the New Year, I will go in. Please continue to update and report your new findings, they are truly helpful!

 

[Chippy99]

Take it or leave it.

My iMac is in my bedroom and I have had one from late 2009 and another mid 2011.

I repeat, my machine is dead silent at 1200 RPM. DEAD SILENT.

No it isn't. All you are saying is "I can't hear it" (which is ubelievable enough). I am shocked some people are so completely deaf.

You will probably protest and give me more audiological test bollocks, but how on earth else do I explain it? The iMac has a fan, which spins at 1200 rpm and produces airflow, which can be heard. Fact. Then you say you can't hear it. Conclusion: you must have duff hearing, (or are lying, and I will not accuse you of that). There can be no other explanation.

Yes, it is very quiet. Easily drowned out and inaudible with even the smallest of background noises from elsewhere, but it is not silent. This is not a point of view, it is a statement of fact, measurable with even a basic sound level meter.

 

[CrAzYLiFe]

No it isn't. All you are saying is "I can't hear it" (which is ubelievable enough). I am shocked some people are so completely deaf.

You will probably protest and give me more audiological test bollocks, but how on earth else do I explain it? The iMac has a fan, which spins at 1200 rpm and produces airflow, which can be heard. Fact. Then you say you can't hear it. Conclusion: you must have duff hearing, (or are lying, and I will not accuse you of that). There can be no other explanation.

Yes, it is very quiet. Easily drowned out and inaudible with even the smallest of background noises from elsewhere, but it is not silent. This is not a point of view, it is a statement of fact, measurable with even a basic sound level meter.

My imac is inaudible, so silent I can't hear any fans. The only sound in my room is when I'm playing music.

My hearing is perfect, also if it is making any noise I swear only a dog could hear it.

 

[bp1000]

Well this feels pretty ridiculous

My iMac replacement turned up today, the third

1) Electrical crackling from the panel

2) Fan sounds like a faint machine gun

3) The latest - Has both of the above

Interestingly this one came in a mavericks box. It has the fan rattling type issue but it hasn't had the SMC 1.1 update. Annoyingly it also has the horrible crackling sound at low brightness.

I've given up now but feel ridiculous. Can't believe none of these units have been good. All my other apple computers have worked perfectly, no strange noises, no noisy fans, no creaking, no screen issues.

 

[Chippy99]

My imac is inaudible, so silent I can't hear any fans. The only sound in my room is when I'm playing music.

My hearing is perfect, also if it is making any noise I swear only a dog could hear it.

Apple themselves do not claim the iMac is silent (because it isn't), even when idling. The fact is many (most?) people can hear the faint air rushing noise. Just because you cannot, does not mean it is therefore silent.

 

[apple_iBoy]

No it isn't. All you are saying is "I can't hear it" (which is ubelievable enough). I am shocked some people are so completely deaf.

You will probably protest and give me more audiological test bollocks, but how on earth else do I explain it? The iMac has a fan, which spins at 1200 rpm and produces airflow, which can be heard. Fact. Then you say you can't hear it. Conclusion: you must have duff hearing, (or are lying, and I will not accuse you of that). There can be no other explanation.

Yes, it is very quiet. Easily drowned out and inaudible with even the smallest of background noises from elsewhere, but it is not silent. This is not a point of view, it is a statement of fact, measurable with even a basic sound level meter.

Why is everyone an absolute in this argument?

I can imagine a lot of factors influencing the perceived noisiness or silence of an iMac. What sort of surface is it sitting on? How far away are the nearest walls? What is the material of the walls? What's the flooring of the room? How much other sound-absorbing material is scattered around? Is there anything nearby that will accentuate sound reflection?

The same machine could probably sound abnormally loud or abnormally quiet depending on the environment it's situated in.

 

[Jaguarxl]

I did the SMC update, after restart fans went spinning like crazy and went normal. Right now it's working perfectly fine and silent.

 

[Chippy99]

Why is everyone an absolute in this argument?

I can imagine a lot of factors influencing the perceived noisiness or silence of an iMac. What sort of surface is it sitting on? How far away are the nearest walls? What is the material of the walls? What's the flooring of the room? How much other sound-absorbing material is scattered around? Is there anything nearby that will accentuate sound reflection?

The same machine could probably sound abnormally loud or abnormally quiet depending on the environment it's situated in.

Agree with all of that. But people keep emphatically saying they are silent, which is patently wrong. What they mean is "I can't hear mine".

 

[iraklis9]

Does anyone know if imacs under warranty having the fan noise issue are opened up and fixed or are they replaced with new ones?

 

[IA64]

No it isn't. All you are saying is "I can't hear it" (which is ubelievable enough). I am shocked some people are so completely deaf.

You will probably protest and give me more audiological test bollocks, but how on earth else do I explain it? The iMac has a fan, which spins at 1200 rpm and produces airflow, which can be heard. Fact. Then you say you can't hear it. Conclusion: you must have duff hearing, (or are lying, and I will not accuse you of that). There can be no other explanation.

Yes, it is very quiet. Easily drowned out and inaudible with even the smallest of background noises from elsewhere, but it is not silent. This is not a point of view, it is a statement of fact, measurable with even a basic sound level meter.

Dude get a brain before writing crap. Go live in denial and learn how to address yourself to people in a polite way in the first place.

Some people have yellowish screens, other don't. The machine is perfectly sealed and the airflow is not noticeable unless you're sticking your face to the screen. Other people here confirmed, as well as my family member, in the quietest environment that the machine is dead silent and Apple feedback to MacOG728893 was that his iMac fan noise is not normal

Stop calling people deaf or liars just because their observation is different. And I seriously don't give a darn about your noisy machine. Enjoy your ultrasonic hearing meanwhile as well as your machine.

 

[Chippy99]

Dude get a brain before writing crap. Go live in denial and learn how to address yourself to people in a polite way in the first place.

Some people have yellowish screens, other don't. The machine is perfectly sealed and the airflow is not noticeable unless you're sticking your face to the screen. Other people here confirmed, as well as my family member, in the quietest environment that the machine is dead silent and Apple feedback to MacOG728893 was that his iMac fan noise is not normal

Stop calling people deaf or liars just because their observation is different. And I seriously don't give a darn about your noisy machine. Enjoy your ultrasonic hearing meanwhile as well as your machine.

I didn't call anyone a liar. I couldn't give a darn that you couldn't give a darn. Maybe you should read up on Apples' OWN specs for the machine noise levels and on fan noise and how a completely silent fan is impossible before making a fool of yourself. Or maybe not. Go ahead. I am not the one in denial mate, you are. You said the machine is totally silent and it just is not. It's very very quiet and you can't hear yours, got that.

EDIT: I just noticed you said the machine is perfectly sealed. It isn't. It has vents for the airflow.