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Is there an iMac that doesn't have loud fan noise on idle?

S

StrangeMagic66

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 19, 2013
25
1
Hi, I bought this machine: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...uad-core-Intel-Core-i5-with-Retina-5K-display

to replace an older iMac from 2010. I cannot believe how loud it is when I turn it on when nothing is connected to it and nothing is running. I put my hand in front of the back vent and I can feel fan blowing. I called AppleCare and the guy told me to return it. He said sounded broken. His iMac was "quiet as a church mouse". I did return it and the replacement has the same problem. I have had very poor support from AppleCare regarding this.

I find it so loud that it's distracting and for me. I would prefer not to send it back for a refund. I am wondering if there is an alternative desktop model I can trade it for that doesn't have this problem. I have searched the web and have found many complaints about the 5k Retina iMac fan noise. Can anyone advise?
 
I have this year's 21.5 inch iMac with 3 Ghz processor, 256 gigabyte internal SSD, and 16 gigs of RAM. This computer is dead silent even while running Handbrake.
 
redfirebird08 said:
I have this year's 21.5 inch iMac with 3 Ghz processor, 256 gigabyte internal SSD, and 16 gigs of RAM. This computer is dead silent even while running Handbrake.
Click to expand...

Can you please link to it? I am trying to determine what the difference is to the model I got.
 
Then you must have gotten a dud because non of the iMacs I own make a single sound, neither while idle nor while doing easy-to-medium tasks.

The only time I hear anything is when I do something taxing like video editing or similar heavy-duty tasks.

For reference, I own the 2017 27-inch 4,2GHz i7/580 Pro/24GB RAM/512GB SSD as well as the 2015 27-inch i7/395/24GB RAM/2TB Fusion iMacs.
 
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sartrekid said:
Then you must have gotten a dud because non of the iMacs I own make a single sound, neither while idle nor while doing easy-to-medium tasks.

The only time I hear anything is when I do something taxing like video editing or similar heavy-duty tasks.

For reference, I own the 2017 27-inch 4,2GHz i7/580 Pro/24GB RAM/512GB SSD as well as the 2015 27-inch i7/395/24GB RAM/2TB Fusion iMacs.
Click to expand...


Could it be because I got a refurb? I've had 2 duds then! (both refurbs). What I have read, though, is that the 5k is the one with these issues. Maybe I should get a 4k.
 
StrangeMagic66 said:
Could it be because I got a refurb? I've had 2 duds then! (both refurbs). What I have read, though, is that the 5k is the one with these issues. Maybe I should get a 4k.
Click to expand...

Mine are both 5k. This is most odd what you're experiencing. Normally, Apple has a great reputation regarding its refurb items. From what you have described, you do seem to have gotten unlucky twice, especially given that the Apple support rep said it sounded abnormal and offered a replacement machine.

I know it's frustrating, but I'd really return this one as well. Perhaps get a refund and then buy a new machine instead of a refurb.
 
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sartrekid said:
Mine are both 5k. This is most odd what you're experiencing. Normally, Apple has a great reputation regarding its refurb items. From what you have described, you do seem to have gotten unlucky twice, especially given that the Apple support rep said it sounded abnormal and offered a replacement machine.

I know it's frustrating, but I'd really return this one as well. Perhaps get a refund and then buy a new machine instead of a refurb.
Click to expand...

Thanks.
I am considering doing just that if it will rectify the problem. I am okay spending more money for a quiet machine. I'm just concerned because i have stumble upon a number of threads online from people complaining of this so I'm worried a new machine will do this. I am very sensitive so the fan noise bothers me. Here are some threads: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/please-review-your-2017-imac.2051475/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/please-review-your-2017-imac.2051475/

I am also considering buying a MacPro w/ a display monitor. Way more than I want to spend but I want the mac experience but noiseless. I cannot fathom buying a PC even though I do feel that the once stellar and unbeatable service of AppleCare has declined over the last few years.
 
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I've got an i5 3.8 with 580 and wish I had not listened to the snowflake wimps talking about noisy 2017 iMacs, because I would have bought the i7 THAT I REALLY WANTED.
 
StrangeMagic66 said:
Hi, I bought this machine: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...uad-core-Intel-Core-i5-with-Retina-5K-display

to replace an older iMac from 2010. I cannot believe how loud it is when I turn it on when nothing is connected to it and nothing is running. I put my hand in front of the back vent and I can feel fan blowing. I called AppleCare and the guy told me to return it. He said sounded broken. His iMac was "quiet as a church mouse". I did return it and the replacement has the same problem. I have had very poor support from AppleCare regarding this.

I find it so loud that it's distracting and for me. I would prefer not to send it back for a refund. I am wondering if there is an alternative desktop model I can trade it for that doesn't have this problem. I have searched the web and have found many complaints about the 5k Retina iMac fan noise. Can anyone advise?
Click to expand...

I have that same model, but with an SSD and I've upped the RAM to 32GB... no noise whatsoever... I honestly don't remember ever hearing the fan.
 
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dwfaust said:
I have that same model, but with an SSD and I've upped the RAM to 32GB... no noise whatsoever... I honestly don't remember ever hearing the fan.
Click to expand...

Ditto.....I too have the exact same configuration as dwfaust and never hear the fan.
FWIW...I purchased mine from the refurb store and I doubt that that has anything to
do with it.
 
Last edited:
I have a 2017 i7/580 that is silent unless I am doing a big Lightroom import/export or other heavy editing. And even then it’s not rocket loud.
 
StrangeMagic66 said:
I find it so loud that it's distracting and for me. I would prefer not to send it back for a refund. I am wondering if there is an alternative desktop model I can trade it for that doesn't have this problem. I have searched the web and have found many complaints about the 5k Retina iMac fan noise. Can anyone advise?
Click to expand...

The minimum fan speed is 1200RPM. If you can hear that, then it doesn't matter what configuration you have because it will always be at least that loud when the machine is powered on.

Based on posts, most people cannot hear the fans at that speed against ambient background noise. I personally do not hear them until they are around 1800-2000 RPM (maximum is 2700 RPM).

The iMac Pro is said to be a fair bit quieter than an iMac 5K at both idle and under heavy load due to the much larger cooling system allowing the fans to turn slower. Of course, the iMac Pro is considerably more expensive.
 
CWallace said:
The iMac Pro is said to be a fair bit quieter than an iMac 5K at both idle and under heavy load due to the much larger cooling system allowing the fans to turn slower. Of course, the iMac Pro is considerably more expensive.
Click to expand...
I actually think that the iMac Pro is slightly louder the than the 5K at idle, but it has a lower frequency sound. That said, I have to get my ear behind the machines to hear them. They are both very quiet at idle. Under load there's no comparison.
 
mollyc said:
I have a 2017 i7/580 that is silent unless I am doing a big Lightroom import/export or other heavy editing. And even then it’s not rocket loud.
Click to expand...

Really? When I install something with brew or install an update from the app store my 2017 i7 goes to 100C and the fans max out within 30 seconds. If Apple tried to make these things any thinner the entire thing would catch on fire.
 
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