trainheist wrote:
... what's a good fan speed for smc fan control to set for a mac ...
I think it depends on which iMac model you have. My 20" white 2.16 GHz
has the following default fan speeds -- but I believe I've seen different
defaults for ALU iMacs. They might also be different for 20" versus 24".
ODD: default 800, maximum 5000
HDD: default 1400, maximum 5000
CPU: default 800, maximum 3600
Also, on my machine, the standard fan control algorithm increases the
speed of all three fans when the CPU temperature rises -- even if the
HDD and ODD temperatures remain the same. I have no information on
how the control algorithms would respond to high ODD or HDD temps,
but I wouldn't be surprised if all three fan speeds increased.
Here's a handy freeware app that allows you to raise the CPU temp by
adding load to the CPU. If the fans don't respond, something's wrong.
http://www.bresink.com/osx/SystemLoad.html
BTW, my iMac runs cool -- ODD, HDD, CPU all in the 35C to 38C range
with all fans idling near their default speeds -- so, I've had no need for
smcFanControl.
Looby