I'm sick of using smcFanControl. I'd prefer automation, but OS X just doesn't seem to care about how hot my laptop is running. I've seen my CPU and GPU shoot up to temps around +80˚ Celsius, and the fans stay at 2000 rpm. Does my processor need to melt first before the fans start working? What the hell is the deal?? When exactly do the fans actually start running above 2000 rpm?? Did that software update actually do anything? No. Try rendering HD video in FCP, and watch the fans go NOWHERE while your processor temp goes off the charts!
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When exactly do the fans kick in?
- Thread starter Hat7
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80 Celsius is very close to normal operating temperature. If you were around 100 without faster fans, that would be a problem, but I don't see the issue here.
No, we know. Trust us.
Go ahead and think it will melt and spend the next five years using it to its fullest. 
If I'm ever rendering or encoding video I'll just let it sit with SMC fan control on high. I've seen my temps hit 200+ F with no response from the fans, they seem to kick in with prolonged high-temp runs. Macs just seem to run a little on the hot side.
I never understood people that live their lives by SMCFan control. Seriously people, the system will take care of it! It's like running Norton AntiVirus on OSX.... Let it go!
istat would make you look at your computer temperatures and become paranoid that you need smcfancontrol
There actually is a legit reason to run SMCFanControl, but paranoia isn't it.
In my case, I like to use my 17" on my lap. It gets hot. I want it to be as cool as possible, so my legs sweat less, and I'm willing to sacrifice some additional noise to that end. Thus, I use SMCFC to set the fans to a moderately high baseline level and ramp up somewhat more quickly than they normally would. Bottom side of the MBP is cooler than with the default settings, and my legs are happier.
There you have it, acceptable reason to use it. I have no delusions whatsoever that it's necessary, though, and I can't say I'd encourage its use for any other reason.