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The best 'Fan Control' software?

I

iMacBoy

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 24, 2009
363
0
Hi, so my fans max out due to changing the hard driver on the late '09 iMac bla bla bla..

I was using this fan control application .. http://exirion.net/ssdfanctrl/

And i loved it but after a few restarts of the iMac the app going all glitchy and the fan speeds say there at '65000' rpm and so my iMac fans max out to there top rpm '6000'.

I have tried 'SMCfanControl' and 'Fan Control for Mac' but they are way to complicated, all i want is a simple app to set the speed of my HDD fan too about 1600rpm, and it will keep it at that when ever i boot up mac etc.. until i tell it to stop.

Thanks.
(Also some apps ive read about people say they can't uninstall them etc.. none of those please :))
 
You don't need any 3rd party fan control app. Your Mac knows how to manage temps and fan speeds without any intervention by the user or 3rd party apps.
 
So your telling me my iMac is working correctly when i am only using safari and twitterific and them HDD temp is 35 degrees.. and the fan is at 6300rpm..

Maybe the temperature sensor isnt connected properly to the HD from when i changed it.. but for now i just want to use 3rd party application until i get the time to open up the imac and check it.

Thanks.
 
iMacBoy said:
So your telling me my iMac is working correctly when i am only using safari and twitterific and them HDD temp is 35 degrees.. and the fan is at 6300rpm..

Maybe the temperature sensor isnt connected properly to the HD from when i changed it.. but for now i just want to use 3rd party application until i get the time to open up the imac and check it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
If your fans are spinning up without increased heat, try resetting the SMC.
 
iMacBoy said:
I've tried this, thanks though, the only thing i can think of now to be honest is the sensor cable not being connected to the HD properly??
Click to expand...
That's certainly possible. If that's the case, no fan control software will help, anyway, as they control the lower limit, not the upper limit.
 
GGJstudios said:
That's certainly possible. If that's the case, no fan control software will help, anyway, as they control the lower limit, not the upper limit.
Click to expand...


But that application i named at the top did work.. I'll try connecting the cable again.. but if not then i don't have a clue?:(
 
iMacBoy said:
But that application i named at the top did work:( I'll try connecting the cable again.. but if not then i don't have a clue?:(
Click to expand...
Any fan control software that limits the maximum fan speed is not recommended, as it can cause overheating.

The Intel processors used in Macs are designed to automatically shut down to prevent damage if they truly overheat (around 100C/212F - 105C/221F, depending on your processor). iStat Pro will give you accurate readings of your temps and fan speeds, among other things.

Unless there is a rare defect in a Mac, most temps are well within the normal operating range, considering the workload being put on it. Websites with Flash content, games and other multimedia apps will put higher demand on the CPU/GPU, generating more heat. This is normal. If you're constantly putting high demands on your system, such as gaming or other multimedia tasks, expect temps to rise and fans to spin up accordingly. It's just your Mac doing its job to maintain temps within the normal range.

It is also quite normal for your Mac to become extremely hot to the touch during intensive operations. The aluminum body transfers heat more effectively than other materials used in computer casings, so you will feel the heat more. This doesn't indicate that it's overheating and will not harm the computer to be hot to the touch.

Your fans are always on when your Mac is on, spinning at a minimum of 2000 rpm (for MBPs) or 1800 rpm (for MBAs, MBs and minis). iMacs have 3 fans with minimum speeds in the 800-1200 range. They will spin faster as needed to keep temps at a safe level. If they're spinning up without increased heat, try resetting the SMC. (PRAM/NVRAM has nothing to do with these issues, so resetting it will not help.)

The intake and exhaust vents are in the back of the computer near the hinge on all Mac notebooks. The iMac vent is a slot on the back near the top of the computer. Make sure the vents remain unblocked to allow your computer to perform at its best.

Learn about the fans in your Mac
Apple Portables: Operating temperature

For Flash-related issues:
 
.

If the fans are "stuck" going super fast, I would "turn off" 3rd party fans speed software, and reset the SMC Controler as well. Get your iMac back to factory settings. Then, one can customize it anyway one wants.

After iMac fans are reset and back to running great at factory default setting, do investigate SMCfanControl software. Newest 2.3 version is: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23049/smcfancontrol

Note: For this specific application, simply create a new profile within it (for example, `My iMac` and set its fans to 200 RPMs faster (for example, set at 1,200 RPMs). Let run for 7-9 days and see if it helps lower internal temps.

If wondering, I use SMCfanControl ver 2.3 within iMac and only set the fans 200 RPMs faster (faster than factory defaults). It makes the internals of my iMac run 5-8 C temps lower. Just like automobile transmissions, running them cooler than factory default is better "in the long run". And at 1,200 RPMs, I cannot hear its fans.

Hope this helps...
 
Last edited:
Thanks but.. i don't understand because literally now i have safari open with facebook, twitter and this open and twitterific application. Thats it.. everytime i boot the mac the HDD fan max out (takes about half an hour but the HDD fan speeds gradually inscreases)

It is only the HDD fan that maxes out.. the other two fans remain between 800 - 1200rpm

So i actually have no clue tbh...

Spike88 said:
.

If the fans are "stuck" going super fast, I would "turn off" 3rd party fans speed software, and reset the SMC Controerl as well. Get your iMac back to factory settings. Then, one can customize it anyway one wants.

After iMac fans are reset and back to running great at factory default setting, do investigate SMCfanControl software. Newest 2.3 version is: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23049/smcfancontrol

Note: For this specific application, simply create a new profile within it (for example, `My iMac` and set its fans to 200 RPMs faster (for example, set at 1,200 RPMs). Let run for 7-9 days and see if it helps lower internal temps.

If wondering, I use SMCfanControl ver 2.3 within iMac and only set the fans 200 RPMs faster (faster than factory defaults). It makes the internals of my iMac run 5-8 C temps lower. Just like automobile transmissions, running them cooler than factory default is better "in the long run". And at 1,200 RPMs, I cannot hear its fans.

Hope this helps...
Click to expand...

Hi, do you mean i should do a clean install?

If you are then i will open the mac up check the cables are connected put it back together, test it and then if it still doesnt work then i will do this.

Thanks everyone.
 
Last edited:
iMacBoy said:
So your telling me my iMac is working correctly when i am only using safari and twitterific and them HDD temp is 35 degrees.. and the fan is at 6300rpm..

Maybe the temperature sensor isnt connected properly to the HD from when i changed it.. but for now i just want to use 3rd party application until i get the time to open up the imac and check it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

HDD fan control is made specifically for this. It uses the S.M.A.R.T. sensors rather than the stupid connector Apple puts on the drive.

www.hddfancontrol.com
 
Yes iMacBoy.

IMO.... Remove 3rd party FAN Control software and reset its SMC controller. Get your iMac running on factory defaults. Get it stable (on its factory configs) and after its stable for 5+ days, then re-apply any customizations to it.

Its like souping up a vehicle thing. If you install a new air filter and it starts to "act up" later on, one should re-install factory parts. Get it stablized with factory parts / factory settings. Then... After its running stable again.... Then, reinstall your customization "wants". If you think the 3rd party item isn't right for you, then install a different company 3rd party item. Like SMART fan speed control software instead.

This approach works for me...
 
Alright thanks everyone, and i have iStat Pro, this is what i use to monitor fan speeds and temps etc..

I will try reconnecting the cable to see if i can get the fans to run normally as they should then if not.. i will do a clean install and see if it works then.

Thanks again all for your help.

iMacBoy
 
iMacBoy said:
Hi, so my fans max out due to changing the hard driver on the late '09 iMac bla bla bla..

I was using this fan control application .. http://exirion.net/ssdfanctrl/

And i loved it but after a few restarts of the iMac the app going all glitchy and the fan speeds say there at '65000' rpm and so my iMac fans max out to there top rpm '6000'.
Click to expand...
There are only 2 people who reported this phenomenon and I fixed it just an hour ago. An update will be released this weekend (too busy now), but you can contact me if you like to try the fix right now :)

The problem was caused by a very fast boot (fast SSD) and the machine not being ready for initializing the fan controller yet. Somewhat lazier initialization fixed it.
 
Ok so found an old iMac for sale on Craigslist that was so cheap I couldn’t let it get away.

It had the usual lines on the screen issue but I knew that connecting an external monitor would sort that. The other issue was that the hard drive was shot, so I went and bought a cheap refurbished hard drive and replaced the one that was in there.

BUT … of course the refurbished hard drive didn’t have a heat sensor connection on it so I had to leave that unconnected.
My word, how the iMac’s fan roared. :eek: It would almost make you want to use ear defenders! ;)

So I googled iMac Fan Control and came across this forum. Read all the posts above and went ahead and downloaded SMC Fan Control 1st. That program did sweet F all for me. Then I said I'd try SD Fan Control.
Sparked up the application and clicked on SMART
SILENCE at last.:cool:

I will repost when my iMac fries from overheating, so if there is no follow up post, you can take it that the iMac has not exploded yet! :p
 
Try iStat Menus. It's not free, but it's the best monitoring software I've seen so far.
 
Exirion said:
There are only 2 people who reported this phenomenon and I fixed it just an hour ago. An update will be released this weekend (too busy now), but you can contact me if you like to try the fix right now :)

The problem was caused by a very fast boot (fast SSD) and the machine not being ready for initializing the fan controller yet. Somewhat lazier initialization fixed it.
Click to expand...

So, what is the fix? I have a late 2009 iMac as well and have been using SMCfan for sometime. What is the better option? My iMac gets really hot. Thanks so much!!
 
Macs Fan Control is great. There is a Windows bootcamp version, and a OSX version.
 
One. Thank you for your application! It's great. Two. Any way to have your fan control software run minimized?


Exirion said:
There are only 2 people who reported this phenomenon and I fixed it just an hour ago. An update will be released this weekend (too busy now), but you can contact me if you like to try the fix right now :)

The problem was caused by a very fast boot (fast SSD) and the machine not being ready for initializing the fan controller yet. Somewhat lazier initialization fixed it.
Click to expand...
 
GGJstudios said:
That's certainly possible. If that's the case, no fan control software will help, anyway, as they control the lower limit, not the upper limit.
Click to expand...

Several of the ones I've used control both limits, Macs fan control & TG for example. I have the exact same issue, near max fans at 50C was too much, dropped it to min below 75 and max as it hit 80...worked like a champ for years in both my macbook pro and imac. The imac pro could use a little more fan as it seems not to kick in until it hits 93. I don't trust temps that high, especially after going through 8 motherboards when I was told hitting 105C was "normal." I guess "normal" equates to a motherboard change every 8 months. Since setting 80 as the top limit, I haven't had an issue with a single system since.
 
I had the same roaring fans problem. "SD Fan Control" didn't work for me, but "Macs Fan Control" did (after a little experimentation). It's from the folks who brought you iStats Menu:

https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/47386/macs-fan-control#

Background: iMac 21.5", late 2009, to be repurposed for lighter duties. Replaced 500GB HDD with 250GB SSD. Followed instructions on the internet :) and used the kit from OWC computing, including the hardware heat sensor. Restored from Time Machine backup. Rebooted. Everything was fine. It could not have gone better - except for the roaring fans. So I tried SD Fan Control - nada. Reset SMC and tried again - no change.

I couldn't face removing the glass and the display again to futz with the hardware. I was about to take the machine in for repair, but hey presto! No need now.

Hope this helps in the future.
 
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