imac intel 24 inch overheating
Why is my imac overheating when the computer has been on for a couple of hours?
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Why is my imac overheating when the computer has been on for a couple of hours?
What do you mean by overheating? Does it actually shut down or do you just think it gets too hot?
Yeah, please define 'overheating'! Is it shutting down or does it just feel hot? An iMac's normal operating temp is around 60-65'C, which will make it feel hot to the touch and radiate some heat, but it is normal. Install a free widget called iStat Pro and post back with the temps listed after some extended use, then 'overheating' can be defined, but I think it is just normal. The aluminum body os an imac is also used to conduct and remove heat from the system,
Yes, the mac screen goes either grey stripes or black so all you can do is switch the mains off and wait for half hour or so before turning back on
That is a pretty big problem, but the cause isn't necessarily overheating. Try installing the 'iStat Pro' widget like Silly rabbit said and see what temperatures it indicates.
Thanks. I've tried to download a temperature widget as you suggest. Using the search engine to find iStat Pro, several widgets show up, but there was one relating to temperature which when I tried to download showed the Error Message 404. Please can you tell me where to locate this widget? Again thanks.
Thought it was to do with overheating because it only happens when the Computer has been on continuously for a few hours. If it is put to sleep at regular intervals then it works fine.
grumpysun wrote:
Please can you tell me where to locate this widget?
Please let me know how it turns out, thanks!
Thanks to R-C-R for the link. I've downloaded the widget and will monitor the temperature for awhile. Think I may have to take my imac to an apple centre (british spelling of center) sometime though.
grumpysun wrote:
Think I may have to take my imac to an apple centre (british spelling of center) sometime though.
You might want to run the Apple Hardware Test before doing that to see if it turns up any issues with your iMac's hardware.
also you might want to crack it open and doing some dusting. that dust builds up really fast, i crack all my pc open and dust every 3months. also try resetting the smc..check this link to apple support.
I did try that a good while ago and it didn't bring up any hardware issues. I've been using the istat pro widget for a time now and notice the GPU Diode runs aprroximately 6 deg lower than the GPU Heatsink. Is this normal?
Thanks carlfromhayden for your suggestions. Not sure how confident I feel about cracking it open and giving it a dust. What does smc stand for?
Sorry just noticed your links so now know what the smc stands for.
smc= system management controller.http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4117#..read if you want, it explains indetail.
nothing to worry about, when opening up a imac. just Google "how to open an imac". it's easier to watch/read on how do it than me tring to explain. just use some common sense, power down your mac, unplug power cord. i've built computers for years and set up small home/ office networks, etc.. its just like dusting your furniture at home. from time to time it just needs to happen to your computer as well.
grumpysun wrote:
I've been using the istat pro widget for a time now and notice the GPU Diode runs aprroximately 6 deg lower than the GPU Heatsink. Is this normal?
Nothing to worry about.
Not sure how confident I feel about cracking it open and giving it a dust.
The biggest problem with doing that for many users is getting dust trapped behind the glass during reassembly, or getting fingerprints on it. It's a good idea to move the glass panel far from the iMac if you open it to dust it out & to vacuum the area after blowing the dust out with compressed air & letting it settle. Using a vacuum inside the iMac is not a good idea (because of possible static buildup & because you might damage something with the nozzle or brush if you aren't careful).
It isn't really that much like dusting furniture because the exposed electronics are much more delicate than furniture. Also, it takes a lot of dust to materially affect cooling so you probably won't see much difference if you try it. Personally, I think once every 3 or 4 years is more than often enough to prevent any overheating problems, unless maybe your iMac lives in a very dusty location.
imac intel 24 inch overheating