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Mid 2014 13" Retina MBP, fan struggle

G

GWA123

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 1, 2011
29
0
So, I promised myself I wouldn't go out looking for issues and to just use this machine normally without worry. Well, I noticed something today that caught my ear.

I have attached a video.

Notice how when the fan is set to high (6200 RPM), it takes a second to get up to speed and you can hear it spin up. This 13" retina fan sounds much different than my previous 13" retina. Once at speed, it sounds just fine. It's just the sudden push to get it up to speed that sounds a bit odd.

http://youtu.be/hEJ-llhPPMw
 
GWA123 said:
So, I promised myself I wouldn't go out looking for issues and to just use this machine normally without worry. Well, I noticed something today that caught my ear.

I have attached a video.

Notice how when the fan is set to high (6200 RPM), it takes a second to get up to speed and you can hear it spin up. This 13" retina fan sounds much different than my previous 13" retina. Once at speed, it sounds just fine. It's just the sudden push to get it up to speed that sounds a bit odd.

http://youtu.be/hEJ-llhPPMw
Click to expand...

I've never even had my fan cut on. It sounds normal to me but I could be wrong.
 
a) what are you doing to ramp the fan up to 6,200rpm so quickly ?

Usually the thermal profile map will cause the fan to increase in stepped increments, starting at around 2,000 then up.

Having said that, the first noise I hear (the "waarble" like sound) before it reaches full speed does indeed remind me of a case fan or cpu fan where the bearing is unseated / about to go.

Not sure if the rMBP have bearings in their fan design or what would cause the noise you mention, but yes, I do hear it.
 
I didn't notice any issues with the fan noise. I don't think it's problem but if you're worried take it into Apple have them look at it.
 
maflynn said:
I didn't notice any issues with the fan noise. I don't think it's problem but if you're worried take it into Apple have them look at it.
Click to expand...
Like maflynn wrote: that's the normal noise of the fan starting up.
Whats the problem?
 
I am using iStat 5.

And yes, I'm referring to the initial warrble sound. I can't recall my previous retina doing this.
 
GWA123 said:
So, I promised myself I wouldn't go out looking for issues and to just use this machine normally without worry. Well, I noticed something today that caught my ear.

I have attached a video.

Notice how when the fan is set to high (6200 RPM), it takes a second to get up to speed and you can hear it spin up. This 13" retina fan sounds much different than my previous 13" retina. Once at speed, it sounds just fine. It's just the sudden push to get it up to speed that sounds a bit odd.

http://youtu.be/hEJ-llhPPMw
Click to expand...

I only have experience with my 15", but that does not sound normal. My fans make no noise other than the actual sound of the fan moving air. No whining, grinding, anything.
 
Tourgott said:
I have got the Mid 2014 13" rMBP. If you want I can test it for you tomorrow. Just tell my how and what exactly. :)
Click to expand...

All you need to do is install iStat Menus and record the fan spinning from 1300 to 6200 RPM (default to max)

I have an appointment in a few hours with a Genius.
 
GWA123 said:
All you need to do is install iStat Menus and record the fan spinning from 1300 to 6200 RPM (default to max)

I have an appointment in a few hours with a Genius.
Click to expand...

It sounds like your fans may be starting from an off position where as the other video that someone posted is from his fans already spinning. It may be already and if it's in, the voltage is being raised too quickly and it's slipping. (think 3 phase motors being fed a higher hz than it's rated for) It just sounds like the voltage is too low and the fan starts to wobble back and forth before starting. It's quite common when trying to undervolt fans to make them quieter (in large desktop builds) and some fans are just loud while be undervolted. It's not cause for concern though :)

my Guess...
 
GWA123 said:
So, I promised myself I wouldn't go out looking for issues and to just use this machine normally without worry. Well, I noticed something today that caught my ear.

I have attached a video.

Notice how when the fan is set to high (6200 RPM), it takes a second to get up to speed and you can hear it spin up. This 13" retina fan sounds much different than my previous 13" retina. Once at speed, it sounds just fine. It's just the sudden push to get it up to speed that sounds a bit odd.

http://youtu.be/hEJ-llhPPMw
Click to expand...


Be honest, you couldn't resist hitting that max RPM on iStat to listen out for anything dodgy ;)

On a serious note, that light grinding noise doesn't sound too normal. But I can only speak from a 15" MBP perspective. Worth having checked out. Just my two-cents.
 
Hustler1337 said:
Be honest, you couldn't resist hitting that max RPM on iStat to listen out for anything dodgy ;)

On a serious note, that light grinding noise doesn't sound too normal. But I can only speak from a 15" MBP perspective. Worth having checked out. Just my two-cents.
Click to expand...

Alright you caught me, but honestly, isn't it wiser to run a machine through its paces before lapsing the 14 day return window?

I just hope they replace it on the spot and not attempt to fix it, I am a high school teacher with mounds of lesson plans that need to get submitted in less than 2 weeks. If they don't, I might just return it and buy a new one on the spot. Do they allow that?

Edit: They took the bottom off, and he said he could physically feel that the fan and concluded that it didn't feel right. They are going to replace it on the spot.
 
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Alright, new machine. Fan sounds great! Spins up much quicker!

So far so good :)

Craziness, this MBP is only 29 days old! Insane. I checked it through CoconutBattery.

Edit: 8 Gt? What's a Gt? lol
 

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Mine does not make that grinding sound when I ramp up the fan to the highest setting with iStat menus 5. Mine also ramps up a lot quicker so you might have a dodgy fan.
 
Hustler1337 said:
Wow, they just gave you a brand new machine just like that? I'm impressed



Maybe go in for another replacement? lol
Click to expand...

Rebooted and it returned to 8 GB

And yep, once the genius also aknowledged, he offered to send it in for repairs (he said shipping it off was faster then ordering the part, go figure). I then said, so what would happen if I returned this one, and bought a new one on the spot. He said, sure! That works too!
 
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