Reduce fan speed below default

b99 wrote:
Which is the number in the plist file? I don't see anything like 2000, but the slowest speed available on the sliders is 2000.

The plist should be called "com.eidac.smcFanControl2.plist" in your home folder, library, Preferences folder...

if you have a plist editor, like the one with xcode its easier, but you can open it in OmniOutliner or other apps. When you do have open there is a setting for Presets, and the first entry is for the default entry. it has each fan listed under it and an entry for minimum an max speeds, which by default will be set for 2000 and 6000, but you can edit the 2000 down to 1000 and save... restart SMCfancontrol and it should work. make sure you change left and right fan both

Unfortunately, no. 😟

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support' (designed exclusively for an iPhone/iPod touch)

You can if you download this fan control program.

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/23137

My base fan speed is set for 1600 and usually runs 1725 rpm to maintain 120F

yes... i use SMCfancontrol, and for extra battery power on the go, I have my normally 2000rpm fans running at 1000rpm, it doesn't seem to be a problem, but it can throw off your cooling, so you have to keep a closer eye and manual control of your fans when you do that.

if it wont let you select under 2000, you have to go manually edit the plist file so the default setting min is set as 1000

Message was edited by: doh1231

I feel that it should be mentioned that people should not be lowering the lowest fan speeds on these machines permanently, and they should not be doing it unless they will be constantly watching the temperature +the entire time+. You could easily completely fry your computer doing this. Most users should take heed of this disclaimer and not do this.

--Travis

Travis A. wrote:
I feel that it should be mentioned that people should not be lowering the lowest fan speeds on these machines permanently...

This does not override the SMC controlling the fan. Even set to 1000, if it gets hot the fans still spin up by themselves all the way to 6000... unless you edit the plist and make the MAX speed 1000... just make sure you set each fan to minimum speed 1000, and max speed 6000.... its about the only thing I do extra to get more than 5 hours of battery life.

This does not override the SMC controlling the fan.

Right. I was just trying to imply that for the users who may read this thread (or stumble across it through Google) who are not expert users should not be attempting to modify plist files to change their fan control settings. One wrong move in there (like putting 1000RPM in for the max speed instead of minimum, as you've said) could result in damage to the machine that their warranty would not cover. It's way too easy for the inexperienced user to accidentally screw something up that could seriously damage their machine.

Just to be clear: I do enjoy reading about the more "technical" way of doing things (like you've posted) but some people in the forums may interpret this as something that they can just do "willy-nilly", and I don't consider it to be like that at all. Only expert users should consider doing something along these lines.

Thank you, though, for sharing the method. I do enjoy reading things of this nature!

--Travis

Travis A. wrote:


Right. I was just trying to imply that for the users who may read this thread (or stumble across it through Google) who are not expert users should not be attempting to modify plist files to change their fan control settings.

yeah, i always closely watch my heat and fan speeds, and i recommend anyone who pushes their MBP hard quite often to do so... never hurts to be careful.

I can even hear my fans at 2000 rpm in a quiet room. What sort of noise issue are you trying to isolate?

My understanding of SMC fan control is that the software is designed to NOT interfere with the native settings on the MBP. I believe around 2,000 rpm give or take 5 to 8 rpm is the minimum fan setting for the MBP. It's a safety feature. I rarely use SMC fan control, but when I do - I have noticed that when I have the fans set at something like 4,000rpm....if I am doing something that is really taxing the native MBP fan settings take over and increase the fans to a higher setting (like they are supposed to)

Other more tech savy may know of a way around this, but it's probably not recommended to do this.

M.