Retina Macbook Pro Different Fan Speeds?

[boto]

I know I am paranoid, but is it normal to receive fans speeds of around 2160 RPMs on the left and 2000 RPMs to the right in normal conditions, such as web browsing, email, and other minor usages? I want to clarify if my rMBP is defective or not, since I noticed classic MBPs have similar ranges. It seems I can never get both fans to rotate at the same level, it is always a 160 difference.

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[Acidsplat]

I may be wrong, but one fan is on the CPU and the other is on the GPU. If you get the processor to start working along with the integrated graphics, it'll need to cool more cause they're on the same die. Since the dedicated GPU isn't being used, it doesn't need to cool more than it does idle.

The left fan covers the processor, so if the processor and/or integrated Intel graphics is working, it'll need to cool more than the GPU side on the right as its not being utilized.

 

[boto]

Can anyone confirm if this is normal?

 

[bizzle]

It's normal.

 

[Puevlo]

It sounds like one fan is getting far less electricity than it needs to function. I'd suggest jump starting it with some jumper cables.

 

[57004]

I may be wrong, but one fan is on the CPU and the other is on the GPU.

Not exactly, they're both on the same heatpipe in the retina model, but one is closer to the CPU and one closer to the GPU so in that sense it is right. But they should share the load more evenly than the previous model.

 

[Rajpdx]

normal.

 

[markp99]

The RPM mismatch drives the OCD side of me CRAZY!

 

[TheMacBookPro]

You can use smcFanControl and set it so the fan speeds are synced

I'm more worried about the fact that it can't seem to read the computer's temperature though.

 

[VFC]

Not exactly, they're both on the same heatpipe in the retina model, but one is closer to the CPU and one closer to the GPU so in that sense it is right. But they should share the load more evenly than the previous model.

Since the heatpipe on the right side is attached to both the CPU and discrete GPU, it may be possible that some of the heat from the CPU/HD4000 chip is being absorbed by the GPU chip and surrounding circuitry before it gets to the right fan-sink. Just a theory.....

The L/R fan speed on my cMBP is evenly matched in "normal" mode. I would expect that to be the case since the two heatpipes are exactly centered between the CPU and GPU.

 

[Tankmaze]

Sorry for bringing up old post.

But just got the retina mbp, coming from cmbp late 2011. and indeed the right and left fan speed is not in sync. the left side is usually higher,
so I guess this is normal ? appreciate it if anyone can reply or confirm. thanks

 

[Samuelsan2001]

The RPM mismatch drives the OCD side of me CRAZY!

It's deliberate to help direct air flow.

 

[Mnowell69]

Yeah, it was okay then and it's ok now.

 

[Tankmaze]

It's deliberate to help direct air flow.

Awesome, didn't know about this.

Yeah, it was okay then and it's ok now.

Thanks for the confirmation, I'm glad it is normal.

 

[snaky69]

I know I am paranoid, but is it normal to receive fans speeds of around 2160 RPMs on the left and 2000 RPMs to the right in normal conditions, such as web browsing, email, and other minor usages? I want to clarify if my rMBP is defective or not, since I noticed classic MBPs have similar ranges. It seems I can never get both fans to rotate at the same level, it is always a 160 difference.

.

Yes, you are paranoid. Yes it can happen under certain circumstances. The left fan is closer to the CPU and GPU and sometimes works harder than the right one.

 

[hiranya47]

I may be wrong, but one fan is on the CPU and the other is on the GPU. If you get the processor to start working along with the integrated graphics, it'll need to cool more cause they're on the same die. Since the dedicated GPU isn't being used, it doesn't need to cool more than it does idle.

The left fan covers the processor, so if the processor and/or integrated Intel graphics is working, it'll need to cool more than the GPU side on the right as its not being utilized.

You are not wrong.
[doublepost=1494631011][/doublepost]

Can anyone confirm if this is normal?

Yes this is normal.