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My Mac is running hot...
- Thread starter tonywh
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Interesting, my CPU is at 71 C right now and my Mac is not hot to the touch anywhere. I do have a cold beer in one hand.
As a minimum, I would install iSlayer IStats Nano (which is a free Dashboard widget @ http://www.islayer.com/apps/istatnano/ ) and monitor its many internal FAN Speeds. Ensure that every fan is spinning and each changes RPM during different heat values. IMO, a utility program to monitor / display internal temps and showing each of their RPMs should be included with each iMac. For example, another panel within Activity Monitor. But, that's a topic for a different thread.
As a low cost solution, purchase a small 6" "silent running" fan and place behind the iMac chassis. Something that is small, silent and has different physical speed settings. Install 2 x fans if they are low cost (and set them on low speed). Blowing air against the back of the iMac case will help cool it down. re: http://www.techfresh.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/o2cool-mp3-speaker-fan.jpg
If a proactive person (like me), I would install iSlayer iStats Menu 3 (can be bought for under $20) and slightly increase the fan speeds. If wondering, I increase my iMac fan speeds to "minimum" 1,200 RPMs (instead of factory 1,000 RPMs) and the insides of my iMac are now 5C cooler. Some folks aren't comfortable with 3rd party software. IMO, a program like iSlayer Menu 3 (or something like it) should be included with Mac OSX. But, that's a topic for a different thread.
Internal temps / fan RPMs of my iMac:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/New iMac system/FanSpeedJune25-2011.png
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/New iMac system/InternalTemps2010-08-30.png
Note: Above show fan RPMs minimum @ 1,400 RPMs. I now have then set for 1,200 RPMs - with same internal temp readings.
Long mumblings short... If your iMac keeps burning out internal parts, I would install low cost "silent" external fans behind it and slightly increase its internal fan RPMs. Especially if your ambient temps are higher than normal... To me, "low cost" proactive cooling improvements are worth it...
Hope this helps...
.
As a low cost solution, purchase a small 6" "silent running" fan and place behind the iMac chassis. Something that is small, silent and has different physical speed settings. Install 2 x fans if they are low cost (and set them on low speed). Blowing air against the back of the iMac case will help cool it down. re: http://www.techfresh.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/o2cool-mp3-speaker-fan.jpg
If a proactive person (like me), I would install iSlayer iStats Menu 3 (can be bought for under $20) and slightly increase the fan speeds. If wondering, I increase my iMac fan speeds to "minimum" 1,200 RPMs (instead of factory 1,000 RPMs) and the insides of my iMac are now 5C cooler. Some folks aren't comfortable with 3rd party software. IMO, a program like iSlayer Menu 3 (or something like it) should be included with Mac OSX. But, that's a topic for a different thread.
Internal temps / fan RPMs of my iMac:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/New iMac system/FanSpeedJune25-2011.png
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/New iMac system/InternalTemps2010-08-30.png
Note: Above show fan RPMs minimum @ 1,400 RPMs. I now have then set for 1,200 RPMs - with same internal temp readings.
Long mumblings short... If your iMac keeps burning out internal parts, I would install low cost "silent" external fans behind it and slightly increase its internal fan RPMs. Especially if your ambient temps are higher than normal... To me, "low cost" proactive cooling improvements are worth it...
Hope this helps...
.
Tony....
The temp on your iMac's HDD @ 62C caught my eye. One of those "double take" looks.... If I remember correctly, HDDs like to operate within heat range of 30-40C. Call this "the green / cool" range. Under load, their temps increase to 40-50C range. Call this "the yellow" range. And, if ambient temp is high and under extreme loads, their temps may climb into 50-55C range. Call this a "red" range. Above 55C and its into "double red" range. Double RED is like driving the vehicle engine RPM way past its engine RPM red-line mark. re: Very, very bad. In summary, HDD temps should "consistantly be within 30-50 range. No higher than 55+ for long periods of time. Above 60C is very, very bad." When above 60C, vision bubbling eggs on an over cooked hot pan. Ouch!!!
For more details about HDD heat ranges (and other folks details), surf top posts within: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums...-Heat-Generation.-(Seagate-vs-Western-Digital)
With above in mind, your HDD @ 62C is currently being "over cooked". If sitting idle, this temp is way too high. If this temp now (at idle) and put under heavy loads, its HDD temp will probably climb into high 65C- 75C range. Which is "very, very" bad. High heat = "over cooking" = Heat Kills.
Are you sure all internal fans within your older 24" iMac are working properly? Load/run iStats Nano to confirm each internal fan is working. Perhaps one of them is dead? Also... If all working, perhaps their FAN Logic is confused, and they are improperly working. Suggest re-setting SMC Controller - to reset fans back to their factory defaults. And, to reset the SMC controller's brains. For details on SMC Reset, surf: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
Hope this helps as well....
The temp on your iMac's HDD @ 62C caught my eye. One of those "double take" looks.... If I remember correctly, HDDs like to operate within heat range of 30-40C. Call this "the green / cool" range. Under load, their temps increase to 40-50C range. Call this "the yellow" range. And, if ambient temp is high and under extreme loads, their temps may climb into 50-55C range. Call this a "red" range. Above 55C and its into "double red" range. Double RED is like driving the vehicle engine RPM way past its engine RPM red-line mark. re: Very, very bad. In summary, HDD temps should "consistantly be within 30-50 range. No higher than 55+ for long periods of time. Above 60C is very, very bad." When above 60C, vision bubbling eggs on an over cooked hot pan. Ouch!!!
For more details about HDD heat ranges (and other folks details), surf top posts within: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums...-Heat-Generation.-(Seagate-vs-Western-Digital)
With above in mind, your HDD @ 62C is currently being "over cooked". If sitting idle, this temp is way too high. If this temp now (at idle) and put under heavy loads, its HDD temp will probably climb into high 65C- 75C range. Which is "very, very" bad. High heat = "over cooking" = Heat Kills.
Are you sure all internal fans within your older 24" iMac are working properly? Load/run iStats Nano to confirm each internal fan is working. Perhaps one of them is dead? Also... If all working, perhaps their FAN Logic is confused, and they are improperly working. Suggest re-setting SMC Controller - to reset fans back to their factory defaults. And, to reset the SMC controller's brains. For details on SMC Reset, surf: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
Hope this helps as well....
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