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Hi! I have a 2019 iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch) with 3.7 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i5 with 32 GB of memory. Every time I use any video call apps (Zoom, Slack, FaceTime) the fan will run for at least 20 minutes. I just made the latest update to macOS Big Sur 11.4, but still no help with the fan. I've also reset the SMC multiple times, and none of those times helped.
Any advice on how to address this issue?
iMac Line (2012 and Later)
Your video calls are taxing the CPU and GPU and that generates non-standard heat. Hence the fans are triggered and things must get beaucoup warm to have those fans running for 20 minutes after the call ends. The operating system choice won't change the hardware heat sensors in the iMac.
Your video calls are taxing the CPU and GPU and that generates non-standard heat. Hence the fans are triggered and things must get beaucoup warm to have those fans running for 20 minutes after the call ends. The operating system choice won't change the hardware heat sensors in the iMac.
I use both Zoom and Webex They are very high-demand apps for the reason Viking OSX states.
While conferencing, either one will run up the temps as high as those produced by some games and sims with very hi-res graphics on my quad-core i7 2017 iMac 5K.
To keep the fans from being intrusive during a call or meeting, I use a fan control app to proactively set the fans speed to about 2000RPM before the meeting starts. That is fast enough to cool to the point where the fans get no faster, and quiet enough that others cannot hear them.
You can also check you work area for obstructions that can raise temps. Do not set anything between your desk's surface and the air intakes:
Avoid tipping the display fully forward. To do so can cause the upper portion of the stand to partially occlude the exhaust vent.
About twice a year check the intake vents to make sure they are not blocked by dust.
You are very welcome!
PS: "...before I look into more RAM."
Adding RAM won't change the temps. I believe I can say with confidence that you are not using all of your 32GB RAM now. My 2017 iMac 5K has only 16GB RAM, and Activity Monitor ( in the Utilities folder) never shows it needing RAM, even after a Zoom or Webex call.
In Activity Monitor, the "Memory" tab has a little summary box at the bottom. If "Pressure" is in the green and "swap" is zero or very low (under ~500MB) you are not starved for RAM. Here is mine at this moment:
Happy camper 🏕
Note: "Pressure" and "Swap" became the new Mac RAM metrics with macOS 10.9 Mavericks in Oct 2013. "Used" is no longer the operable Mac metric because those changes made seven years ago implemented the concept that "unused RAM is wasted RAM." Apple now stages RAM for faster access. It is a very smart system.
Anyway, keep us posted and enjoy the weekend!
Looks like it was my security app (Sophos) that was eating up the CPU usage, and causing the fan to run overtime. I checked the vent and there was very little dust. I uninstalled Sophos, made a call, and had no fan issues. I then downloaded the latest version and still had CPU/fan issues. I'll be bringing this to Sophos' attention to address.
Thanks for all the input and education on the matter!
Oh wow, I had no idea, but this makes a lot of sense. I haven't ever checked the intake vents before, so I'll definitely do that before I look into more RAM.
Thanks Viking and Allan for your insight!
Wowee, I will definitely keep you all updated on this! I was looking at Activity Monitor, but not at the Memory tab. I'll do that during and after my next call!
Thanks so much!
iMac fan running after video calls?
