MBA Noise - Idl low CPU

[bp1000]

Can you hear your MBA from arms length when idle in a quiet environment if you listen out for it?

I recently swapped mine because my first one was faulty. I don't remember hearing it as much as i do this one.

All it sounds like is a constant, typical fan noise, faint but can be heard if listening out for it. Not sure if i'm just tuned in now.

Depends if you guys can hear it.

 

[Eidorian]

The fan is on even at idle.

 

[bp1000]

The fan is on even at idle.

Yes i understad the fan runs at 2k RPM or there abouts i believe

It's just i can't remember it being so audible on my first unit. You do have to listen out for it tho.

 

[Eidorian]

Yes i understad the fan runs at 2k RPM or there abouts i believe

It's just i can't remember it being so audible on my first unit. You do have to listen out for it tho.

My original MacBook fan was much more audible than its replacement. I guess it depends on your luck and the brand that was installed.

 

[warfed]

Yeah, I can hear mine. On top of that it's not a typical fan noise (to me anyway) there is an added "buzzing" sound. I guess sounds like a really small fan.

 

[redache]

SMC Reset

You could try resetting the SMC to see if that stops it, I had some fan noise issues with my Air but resetting the SMC fixed it (I guess it had a bad fan profile). Now the fan comes on at speed when it should rather than at random times .

Apples SMC Reset Guide should help you.

 

[bp1000]

I tried the SMC reset but it didn't change anything

I'm pretty sure that i have a noisy/faulty fan.

If i hold the MBA's left side up to my ear, i can clearly distinguish between the whoosh of the fan and this high pitched sound

I installed fan control 1.2 and i increased the speed to 3500rpm - as the fan increased the pitch of this noise also increased suggesting that it's the fan that is noisy, perhaps a loose bearing maybe... i dont know how these things work these days and would the fan create a high pitched noise itself..... ?

One thing is for sure, i can defiantly distinguish between the normal fan sound pushing air and this high pitched noise.


My only worry is if it's the power supply unit which can sometimes emit a high pitched noise and the faster airflow just distorts the pitch... i'm not sure if that is possible?

 

[calvol]

The fan probably has a bad sleeve, off-balance, or the shroud is touching the blades. See if the Genius Bar will replace it.

 

[warfed]

I tried the SMC reset but it didn't change anything

I'm pretty sure that i have a noisy/faulty fan.

If i hold the MBA's left side up to my ear, i can clearly distinguish between the whoosh of the fan and this high pitched sound

I noticed the exact same thing, but I'm pretty sure it's just the way fan sounds. There is a little electric motor running the fan, and that's what you're hearing.

When I first noticed it, it drove me nuts. But then I checked all my electronics (OCD much?)... other laptops, ps3, pvr, etc. everything that had a fan sounded very similar when putting your ears close.

 

[Nioxic]

my fan runs 2000 rpm atm.

35 degrees C.

i can't hear it at all.. and its the distance of 1 foot from my face right now