Currently using my g4 mini as an alarm clock, however the noise of the fan, even when at idle is really irritating (fussy sleeper), is there any method of controlling the fan speeds to prevent them from spinning quite so fast, without frying my poor g4, as I assume it won't thermal throttle.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Mac Mini G4 Idle Fan Speed
- Thread starter snipecaik
- Start date
-
- Tags
- macmini
- Sort by reaction score
I had an app that did this exact thing on my iBook G4, but now I can't find it. At least we know it exists. 
Seriously, though, considering using an alarm clock as your alarm clock and a computer as your computer. The mini isn't meant to be left on all night, it's meant to be turned on when you use it and sleeping when you're not.
Seriously, though, considering using an alarm clock as your alarm clock and a computer as your computer. The mini isn't meant to be left on all night, it's meant to be turned on when you use it and sleeping when you're not.
Which model is it? I think the 1.42/1.5 version had a bigger fan, which might be a little quieter. Also, if there's something CPU intensive running, (like the flurry screen saver) the fan will be going pretty good even when "idle." You can use Activity Monitor to see what's running.
The 1.42GHz version, however I've had a look at the fan and heatsink, and neither are particularly big.
G4FanControl
May or may not work, depending.
I have NEVER managed to get it to work on any G4 I have ever installed it on. However, I seem to be an anomaly.
May or may not work, depending.
I have NEVER managed to get it to work on any G4 I have ever installed it on. However, I seem to be an anomaly.
$14.99? I found a free option, I used it on my iBook G4 a few months ago, and didn't pay anything
. It's gotta be out there.
https://www.andreafabrizi.it/2007/06/11/G4FanControl/$14.99? I found a free option, I used it on my iBook G4 a few months ago, and didn't pay anything
It's a life-saver for my 12" G4 Powerbook and my ears!
As I've read recently the developer made it freeware now(but I don't regret the 12 bucks I paid for it).
Don't know, if it works on a mini.
I would risk a look inside the mini - the are to collect a lot of dust inside.
Maybe fan-action is related to something like that...
You could repaste the heatsink on it, or even replace with a copper one off the web. I am sure you can find a copper heatsink that can be cut to fit. Pretty east to drill the 4 holes where you need them for the 4 nylon bolts that hold it down. This should keep CPU temps low enough to keep the fan at a minimum.
Sadly G4FanControl can't control the Minis fan. And the heatsink is way too small and not copper. I really wonder why they didn't take care of that by the time. My 1.5 model fan starts spinning after approx 4 minutes of usage. Same applies to the eMac by the way. Running the fan at 100% all the time? Why apple, why???
Whereas they did quite an impressive job with the iBook. Can't hear that even with 8 Safari tabs open and Mail, Calendar and Spotify running in the background
Whereas they did quite an impressive job with the iBook. Can't hear that even with 8 Safari tabs open and Mail, Calendar and Spotify running in the background
The eMac's fan does not run at 100% when the machine is idle. eMacs' cooling is very well designed and most of the time the fan never goes about 25% of it's maximum speed. While it may get loud, it is not at full speed. Just like the G4 iMacs. You'll know when one of those goes to 100% because it'll sound like a vacuum cleaner.
Mine always run at 100% :/ i compared the 1 and 1.25 with one unregulated and one using the zalman fan mate - zalman at full power was same like the unregulated. Then I used a modified cable and plugged the yellow one in my windows tower to read the rpm signal on both eMacs and they were (nearly) the same - unregulated and zalman at 100. Maybe the 1.42 is able of controlling tha fan, but the 1 and 1.25 are clearly not
That is indeed what I did
sounds like a helicopter... I bet they used an eMac in Apocalypse Now