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Late 2015 5k iMac fan always working

V

vmflapem

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 27, 2013
432
68
I just received my new 5k imac and realized that the fan is working all the time even when I'm not doing anything. It's not super loud but I can definitely hear it. Is this normal? Is there an option I have to change?

ps. i have a 1TB flash drive imac
 
I have a 2015 5K iMac and although the fan is always running I do not hear it. The fans will always run when the computer is on but at a very low speed unless under load. The only way I can hear my fan this way is if I have my head behind the computer plugging in a cable or something. Does it sound like its running fast? Maybe you have really good hearing. :)
 
MetalCores said:
I have a 2015 5K iMac and although the fan is always running I do not hear it. The fans will always run when the computer is on but at a very low speed unless under load. The only way I can hear my fan this way is if I have my head behind the computer plugging in a cable or something. Does it sound like its running fast? Maybe you have really good hearing. :)
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I'd say it's running fairly fast and it starts running as soon as I turn it on. I can also feel the air coming out of the vent at the back. Weird because my Macbook Pro is dead silent... Maybe I should return this?
 
vmflapem said:
I'd say it's running fairly fast and it starts running as soon as I turn it on. I can also feel the air coming out of the vent at the back. Weird because my Macbook Pro is dead silent... Maybe I should return this?
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No need to return it. If its brand new I would contact apple and let them know whats going on. Just give them a call 1-800-myapple. Does the computer have any updates? If you go to the app store and go under updates and if there are any update it. This may sound weird but a lot of times a update will fix weird issues like that. Is the air coming out of the back hot? The iMacs also have a temp sensor and if that is bad the fans will run at full speed no matter what. I would say best bet would be do the updates first (apple will have you do them anyway) and then call apple and let them know whats going on if you are still having the issue after.
 
here is mine using the same software so I would say that looks completely normal to me. and yes the fan will always be running when the unit is turned on. They just run at a lower speed when the machine is not under load.
 

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MetalCores said:
here is mine using the same software so I would say that looks completely normal to me. and yes the fan will always be running when the unit is turned on. They just run at a lower speed when the machine is not under load.
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Thank you! I guess mine is perfectly normal... Maybe I'm too sensitive? Compared to my MBPr, the fan is definitely much louder when the thing is turned on :(
 
I find my fans don't ramp up much and my temps are in the mid 30s to mid 40s (Celsius), so based on what I've seen with other replies and my experience your temps and fan speed is normal.
 
The 5K iMac is an awesome machine! Though, it can run very hot!

If there's a spot on the back of the iMac that is too hot to lay your hand on, bring it back to Apple!
Heat can shorten the components lifespan and this is a real problem for apple. Just look at the recent repair programs. Both the MacBook Pro and the Mac Pro currently have repair programs for heat related component(GPU) failure.

There is a real possibility the 5K iMac will have a similar repair program in 2017/2018
 
SolidCake said:
The 5K iMac is an awesome machine! Though, it can run very hot!
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The sklylake version of the 5k runs much cooler then its predecessor, I'm seeing 44c right now, while I'm only using office apps, gotomypc, playing music, and running TM for a full backup. I've not seen temps beyond 60c when pushing it harder.
 
vmflapem said:
Thank you! I guess mine is perfectly normal... Maybe I'm too sensitive? Compared to my MBPr, the fan is definitely much louder when the thing is turned on :(
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You might be too sensitive, the 2015 rMBP actually doesn't spin it's fans up at all until needed, there was some discussion on this when they came out.

However if it is making a noise that's quite audible it might have an issue with the fans, if you can try and listen to another one in a quiet shop or that a friend has and if yours is noticebly noisier then get it replaced.
 
Samuelsan2001 said:
You might be too sensitive, the 2015 rMBP actually doesn't spin it's fans up at all until needed, there was some discussion on this when they came out.

However if it is making a noise that's quite audible it might have an issue with the fans, if you can try and listen to another one in a quiet shop or that a friend has and if yours is noticebly noisier then get it replaced.
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You mean rMBP? My Macbook Pro is dead silent too. It's just my new 5K imac that's causing the audible fan noise (not loud though). My imac is fully maxed out version and I'm thinking maybe this is why? I'm also in a very quiet room so maybe this is why the fan noise is audible? I think 5K imac fan is ALWAYS spinning at 1200 RPM if I'm not mistaken.
 
vmflapem said:
You mean rMBP? My Macbook Pro is dead silent too. It's just my new 5K imac that's causing the audible fan noise (not loud though). My imac is fully maxed out version and I'm thinking maybe this is why? I'm also in a very quiet room so maybe this is why the fan noise is audible? I think 5K imac fan is ALWAYS spinning at 1200 RPM if I'm not mistaken.
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Yes the iMac will always be spinning at 1200rpm, but it should be whisper quiet at that speed, however in a very quiet room you will hear it.
 
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Samuelsan2001 said:
Yes the iMac will always be spinning at 1200rpm, but it should be whisper quiet at that speed, however in a very quiet room you will hear it.
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Yeah the problem was... I was expecting my imac's fan to be dead silent like my MBPr. I guess that's just not possible.
 
If you are comparing to what you'd describe as silent then there will be a little noise.

Would you say everyone could just hear it or would you need to explain to them what they are listening for?

My iMac is very quiet but not dead silent. I can hear but I doubt many other people could until the got used to the environment.
 
cynics said:
If you are comparing to what you'd describe as silent then there will be a little noise.

Would you say everyone could just hear it or would you need to explain to them what they are listening for?

My iMac is very quiet but not dead silent. I can hear but I doubt many other people could until the got used to the environment.
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Same, mine is very quiet and I don't think people will notice it unless they are told about it. Once they know about the noise, it's really hard to miss it if they're in a very quiet room. I think mine is completely normal :)
 
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