Reduce fan speed below default

Is there any way to reduce fan speed below the default values of 2000 rpm? I want to do this on a trial basis only to isolate some sources of noise.

Mac mini (intel), MacBookPro 17 (unibody, glossy), Mac OS X (10.5.7), 320 GB, ACD 23"

Posted on May 25, 2009 5:10 PM

24 replies

GM1941

Level 1

11 points

May 26, 2009 4:15 PM in response to b99

I have my settings as follows:

Base fan speed 1600
Lower Threshold 122 degrees
Upper Threshold 187 degrees.
@ 117 - 120 degrees my fans run at 1700 rpm +/-
With these settings I find the low end speed to be fine and as the work load increases the fans speed up a lot faster then without using the fan program. Much better then Mac control.

I just tried for the heck of it putting the base fan speed to 1000 rpm and leaving all else the same and fans reduced to 1100 rpm @ 113 degrees.

b99 Author

Level 2

293 points

May 26, 2009 5:02 PM in response to GM1941

GM1941--are you using Fan Control 1.2 or smcFanControl 2.2.2? I tried the former without success and have been trying the latter, again without the experience that others have had apparently. If you are using Fan Control 1.2 did you do anything special to reduce the minimum fan speeds? If your MBP is not an early 2009 unibody model I wonder if that would make a difference (mine is).

GM1941

Level 1

11 points

May 26, 2009 5:40 PM in response to b99

I believe that I am using 2.2 but can't find the program info. The only way I can get to the settings is through the system pref. settings.

this may help:

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20061018090636706

I can attach a picture of my settings but don't no how attach it in this forum

carl wolf

Level 6

14,631 points

May 26, 2009 5:46 PM in response to b99

"I want to do this on a trial basis only to isolate some sources of noise. "

If there is a problem with your MBP, why not let Apple take a peek at it? Too, at 2000 rpm, the fans are virtually silent and, if that level of noise is preventing you from isolating the location of another noise, you have a fine pair of ears.

carl wolf

Level 6

14,631 points

May 26, 2009 5:49 PM in response to b99

carl wolf

Level 6

14,631 points

May 26, 2009 5:49 PM in response to b99

b99 Author

Level 2

293 points

May 26, 2009 6:04 PM in response to carl wolf

If they are virtually silent then I'm definitely hearing the hard drive.

GM1941--I take it you are using smcFanControl.

GM1941

Level 1

11 points

May 26, 2009 6:07 PM in response to b99

How do I attach a picture. I can show you the program. Some how it is in system prefs and not a separate program in the applications program. It also shows up in the istat menu

b99 Author

Level 2

293 points

May 26, 2009 6:32 PM in response to b99

It sounds like Fan Control 1.2 which has an icon of a fan in the system preferences under "Other". I have also set my base speed to 1000 rpm and my temps to your values but still the fan speeds are 2000 rpm. I've just sent off an email to the developer. Thanks for the offer of the photo.

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Reduce fan speed below default