Is it bad to use Fan Control?

So I was looking into running Boinc (donating CPU time to run science projects aka grid computing) on my computer and installed Fan Control so I turn up my fans to keep to comp cooler. I have hence been convinced that it isn't the best idea to run your CPU so high on an MBP since I didn't want to wear out the fan and/or damage any hardware near the CPU. I still have Fan Control installed. Is this okay? I have heard mixed things about manually controlling fan speeds? Should I go to the trouble of uninstalling, or can I just leave it on low settings? What settings should I put it on?
Thanks for all of your help!
And a shout out to all those students out there: Happy winter break! We made it!

MBP 15" - Mid 2009, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Dec 18, 2010 1:00 PM

22 replies

Elgs

Level 1

4 points

Jun 1, 2017 4:55 AM in response to kenny111

This is also my concern. I understand for the component in the computer, the cooler the better. However, what I'm afraid is when increasing the fan speed, the fans are also drawing more current from the main board. What I'm not sure is whether it could be a problem if the fans are drawing too much current? And how much is too much?

d31uz10n

Level 1

9 points

Jul 10, 2017 2:12 AM in response to kenny111

I think it’s a whole lot cheaper to replace the mac fans every few years (which incidentally, I’ve never had to do) instead of replacing the logic board because the GPU has failed due to heating problems.

MichelPM

Level 10

81,525 points

Jul 10, 2017 2:30 AM in response to d31uz10n

d31uz10n wrote:

I think it’s a whole lot cheaper to replace the mac fans every few years (which incidentally, I’ve never had to do) instead of replacing the logic board because the GPU has failed due to heating problems.

I totally agree.

WZZZ

Level 6

13,238 points

Dec 18, 2010 3:12 PM in response to lakewoodlawnman

And you don't have to uninstall it; it may yet prove useful. Two options: disable it or just leave it at the original default values.

Hellstan

Level 1

20 points

Feb 24, 2011 3:35 PM in response to aceofthumbs

One side effect of any fan controller like SMC Fan control : fans running faster also suck more dust in the system, which ultimately may build itself in unwanted parts, causing yet again more heat.

Feb 4, 2016 7:06 PM in response to WZZZ

If I delete the app will my computer operate normally as if I never installed it? I noticed that the fans stopped spinning at one point and would kick back on after the computer got fairly warm? I decided to delete it completely and wonder if by doing so my macbook would just return to normal fan settings as if i never messed with it. Or is there someone else I have to do to return my computer back to the way it was before the app was downloaded?

MichelPM

Level 10

81,525 points

Feb 4, 2016 9:34 PM in response to OnlineSalesJunkie

Why are two of you responding to a five year old posting?

It is much better to start a new posting of your issues rather than to tack onto a post that is very old and very solved or helped.

😉

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Is it bad to use Fan Control?