Make your Macbook/Pro cold as ice!

[kbrening]

Fan Control Settings

sorry i haven't tried this out yet, but does the fan controlling program only run when you have that program open, then when you close the program, the computer goes back to the normal apple settings.

Fan Control runs as a preference pane application, so it's always running whenever your MB is on

I've found the following settings to ALWAYS keep my Enclosure temperature below 35 C (100 F):

Base Speed: 1500 RPM
Lower Temp: 44.0 C
Upper Temp: 74.0 C

The CPU temperature seems to hover between 48 and 54 C-- but I find it's the Enclosure temperature that really matters as that's what touches your nads! To see all of your computer's temperatures use Temperature Monitor (great app.)

My fans run between 2000 and 2500 RPM usually, and the case never exceeds 100 F (which is only a few degrees above body temp!)

I'm MORE than satisfied with this app. Apple should make their own....

 

[lavrishevo]

I wonder how this utility (fan control) and the settings affect battery life? I seemed to noticed with the base speed at 2500 it seems to drain the battery a lot faster. This might be true with the lower thresholds as well. Any comments?

 

[phungy]

If you have both programs installed and open, does Fan Control override smcFanControl?

 

[kbrening]

Power

I wonder how this utility (fan control) and the settings affect battery life? I seemed to noticed with the base speed at 2500 it seems to drain the battery a lot faster. This might be true with the lower thresholds as well. Any comments?

Fans take a very small percentage of the overall operating amperage in a laptop. Just look at it this way: the CPUs generate HEAT, which in effect is like running a small high-amperage heater in your lap, and the screen needs a BACKLIGHT, which is like running a lightbulb constantly. A fan, on the other-hand, generates very little heat and no light-- it uses so much less energy than either the CPU or the display that it is actually used to COOL them.

Point made I believe... Sure, fans use amps, but not NEARLY to the extent of the other parts of the laptop's systems.

Keeping your lap cool and comfortable is a choice that you can make with Fan Control. As for drawbacks, it's mainly the noise of the fans that turns most people off-- not the excess electricity usage.

I choose to keep my laptop cool, comfortable, and healthy


I love my country-- I just dislike our current leadership.

 

[brianbkny]

even after uninstalling Fan Control, my fans are still running at 2500 (which i set them to in the preferences). Whats the deal?

 

[Bunsen Burner]

fans use amps

While electrical appliances draw amps, they use watts.

BB

 

[kbrening]

While electrical appliances draw amps, they use watts.

BB

How very true. Ever get something wrong and then repeat it over and over because you aren't thinking about it anymore?

My brain must have short-circuited... My fault.

 

[docal97]

I have a new c2d, temp monitor shows both cores at 42-43c with surfing and email. The underside is barely warm after an hour of use. i really never see the thing go about about 52c, with multiple apps going, and i'm including viewing video on quicktime.

However, with my previous cd mbp, which i had replaced by apple due to excessive heat and shutdowns. My previous mbp ran HOT, routinely in the mid-uppper 70's but more noticable was the enclosure bottomside heat, which was unbearable.

But i wonder about the long term consequesnces of using a fan adjustment program with regards to warrenty isssues and more importantly it's effect on the life of the computer/fans, etc.

I also wonder how two units of the same model can have drastically different temps, unless it's all related to amounts of thermal paste applied, assuming all of the parts are not defective.

 

[tekhna]

Ok, so I just installed Fancontrol 1.1 and it is showing my right fan on my brand new macbook as running at -1rpm, is there supposed to be a functional right fan on this thing? This has me really scared. My CPU temp right now is 55 degress C and my HD at 31 C. Thanks guys!

 

[Gibson88]

Could anyone answer these questions for me?

-How do you uninstall Fancontrol1.1 i can see it in ap's or anything.

-in smcfanconrol does it speed the fans up if needed?

Thanks.

 

[emtp6811@yahoo.]

Ok, so I just installed Fancontrol 1.1 and it is showing my right fan on my brand new macbook as running at -1rpm, is there supposed to be a functional right fan on this thing? This has me really scared. My CPU temp right now is 55 degress C and my HD at 31 C. Thanks guys!

I'm having the same deal on my macbook. Either we have the same problem, or it's not a problem....

 

[emtp6811@yahoo.]

Ok, so I just installed Fancontrol 1.1 and it is showing my right fan on my brand new macbook as running at -1rpm, is there supposed to be a functional right fan on this thing? This has me really scared. My CPU temp right now is 55 degress C and my HD at 31 C. Thanks guys!

Could anyone answer these questions for me?

-How do you uninstall Fancontrol1.1 i can see it in ap's or anything.

-in smcfanconrol does it speed the fans up if needed?

Thanks.

Go back to the download page:
http://www.lobotomo.com/products/FanControl/

Underneath the screenshot are the uninstall instructions.

 

[kbrening]

I'm having the same deal on my macbook. Either we have the same problem, or it's not a problem....

I'd say that both of you DO HAVE a problem... I've never seen only one of my fans at work on my MBP C2D. They run in sync with each other, and by Apple's default settings should never run below 1500 rpm's each.

Since you are also experiencing higher than expected temperatures, personally I would seek help at a Genius Bar, or call Apple's Help Line at 800.APL.CARE. See what they have to say about it. My bet is that both of your units with go in for repair or they will swap you out.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[Gosh]

Ok, so I just installed Fancontrol 1.1 and it is showing my right fan on my brand new macbook as running at -1rpm, is there supposed to be a functional right fan on this thing? This has me really scared. My CPU temp right now is 55 degress C and my HD at 31 C. Thanks guys!

Single fan in MacBook, twin fans in MBP!

 

[Sesshi]

EDIT: Ignore that first bit, I only read the first page before I posted, duh.

I find Fan Control indispensable - my MBP's range from uncomfortable to practically unusable otherwise. At the borderline-readily-noticeable fan speeds which I run them at, the Macbook Pros aren't as cold as ice - but it does make them as cool as most other properly set-up notebooks.

 

[Sesshi]

Fan Control runs as a preference pane application, so it's always running whenever your MB is on

I've found the following settings to ALWAYS keep my Enclosure temperature below 35 C (100 F):

Base Speed: 1500 RPM
Lower Temp: 44.0 C
Upper Temp: 74.0 C

The CPU temperature seems to hover between 48 and 54 C-- but I find it's the Enclosure temperature that really matters as that's what touches your nads! To see all of your computer's temperatures use Temperature Monitor (great app.)

My fans run between 2000 and 2500 RPM usually, and the case never exceeds 100 F (which is only a few degrees above body temp!)

I'm MORE than satisfied with this app. Apple should make their own....

Where are you measuring enclosure temp?

 

[RoboCop001]

I always keep hearing about these fan control programs.

Is it necessary for the health of the laptop or something?

What're the pros and cons?

Basically, I use my MacBook Pro (C2D, 2.33GHz) to do graphics and 3D, and probably eventually compositing. The fans only spin up when it's rendering for a while in Cinema 4D.

So should I get this fan control thing, or is it just one of those nice things to have?

 

[mmmcheese]

thank you for the app!

my macbook pro gets super hot, this is awesome!

one question.....is it normal for the fans to sound like they are hitting the sides of the casing when they run faster? i cranked the speed up a pretty high and they were really loud and noisy, not like "whirrrrr" but "clack clack clack"

anyone know?

Macbook pro, 10.4.8, 1.83ghz, 1.5 gbRAm

It means you have bad fans and they need to be replaced....sooner rather than later as they will eventually seize up and then you'll not have any cooling. It's minor computer surgery, so it's not the end of the world...they can do it in 20 min once the parts are in stock.

 

[kbrening]

Temperature Monitor is GREAT

Where are you measuring enclosure temp?

I use a program called Temperature Monitor (actually I prefer the "Lite" version which downloads along with the full app). I run this and have it display up in my menu bar, and if you click on the displayed CPU Temp. in the menu, it will display all available hardware monitors-- I count 10 different places that my MBP C2D measures temperature...

You'll love the application, as it provides very useful information that the System Profiler does not show.

HOPE FOR BEATLES TO SHOW ON ITUNES BEFORE VALENTINES DAY

 

[Allstermac]

I guess no one can appreciate that the MBP runs warm and is very usable compared to my old Toshiba that would make a neuter a man if ya left it on the lap to long
Yes MBP gets warm during itunes for some reason and a few other apps... all in all, no complaints compare to PC scalding 101

 

[Sesshi]

I guess no one can appreciate that the MBP runs warm and is very usable compared to my old Toshiba that would make a neuter a man if ya left it on the lap to long
Yes MBP gets warm during itunes for some reason and a few other apps... all in all, no complaints compare to PC scalding 101

I guess few here can appreciate than some of us are actually voicing problems after comparison with practically like-for-like machines (MBP 17" vs HP nx9420, MBP 15" vs Dell D620, etc), and that the MBP gets to actual burn-causing temperatures in areas where finger / hand contact is very likely during normal use.

I use a program called Temperature Monitor (actually I prefer the "Lite" version which downloads along with the full app). I run this and have it display up in my menu bar, and if you click on the displayed CPU Temp. in the menu, it will display all available hardware monitors-- I count 10 different places that my MBP C2D measures temperature...

You'll love the application, as it provides very useful information that the System Profiler does not show.

HOPE FOR BEATLES TO SHOW ON ITUNES BEFORE VALENTINES DAY

I see. The 'Enclosure' sensor seems to be off. I use an IR thermometer.

 

[MACDRIVE]

Do you guys have the fans running when the only application open is your browser? What about right now while you're reading this?

My PowerBook fans never run while attending MacRumors.

 

[phungy]

Right now the fan is at 2800rpms. I have Firefox open with about 7 tabs and iTunes running in the background. Can't hear the fan at all. Super quiet.

I use FanControl but smcFanControl is still installed. I believe FanControl overrides smcFC.

 

[macobsession11]

broke right fan?

I have a macbook pro 13" and i installed that fan control app and my right fan says its running a rpm of -1? why? does this mean my fan is broke? i just got this laptop. the laptop is running at about 125 degrees.

 

[mikes70mustang]

I have a macbook pro 13" and i installed that fan control app and my right fan says its running a rpm of -1? why? does this mean my fan is broke? i just got this laptop. the laptop is running at about 125 degrees.

Theres lots of temp threads. Your app is probably wrong. But it could be broke. BTW, your more likely to get more answers on a thread that isnt 2 yrs old.