Fans Too Noisy - 2K RPMs

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Level 1

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Fans Too Noisy - 2K RPMs

My fans have always been running at 2000 RPMs. I downloaded an app from the mac app store which caused the CPU to overheat, and in order to control this I read that it was wise to download smcFanControl. I downloaded this and added 2 settings, 2.4K RPMs and 2.8K RPMs. This worked to cool down my laptop, and once I realised that my CPU is at 36 degrees celcius, I set the fans back to the default settings at 2000 RPMs. Now, my fans are constantly running at this speed according to smcFanControl and iStat. My core is cool, not even warm, yet all I can hear are the fans spinning fast to push hot air out of it, when there is none (I've put my ear to it to hear and feel the heat, there is no heat coming out).

I've had this laptop for less than 24 hours, it's a:

15' Macbook Pro late 2011

Intel Core i7 Quad Core 2.4gHz

7200RPM 750GB HDD

I'd appreciate some assistance. Also, this was not occuring prior to downloading smcFanControl (I've turned it off, deleted it, nothing works) - Even after turning off the laptop, the fans stopped, automatically after turning the laptop on the fans came back on.

This noise is really annoying me, so can someone help me out?

Some extra information:

When I put my ear to the bottom of the laptop, it sounds like a vibration.

Posted on Apr 12, 2012 4:52 PM

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Answer 1

stedman1

Level 10

264,622 points

Apr 12, 2012 4:55 PM in response to Teh Elitee

2000 RPM is the default fan speed. It can not be lowered below this value.

Stedman

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Answer 2

Teh Elitee Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 12, 2012 4:56 PM in response to stedman1

Yes, I know this. What I'm trying to say is why is it creating noise if it's been running like this prior to me downloading those programs.

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Answer 3

Courcoul

Level 6

18,684 points

Apr 12, 2012 5:03 PM in response to Teh Elitee

Have same MBP as you. 2k RPM is default speed indeed, will always be on at that speed until greater cooling needs spin them up. Seen them go over 6k.Need to take it to an Apple Store or Service Provider for appraisal; a fan motor could have bad bearings and be unnaturally noisy, meriting under-warranty replacement. But "noisy" is in the ear of the beholder; because of their size, the sound they make has a lot of high-frequency components which are more noticeable by some people.

Take it in.

Edit: BTW, "normal" CPU temp is around 50C for me.

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Answer 4

Teh Elitee Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 12, 2012 5:05 PM in response to Courcoul

Well, I just pushed it to nearly 85 degrees celcius to test the fans, they automatically jumped to around 3.7K RPMs and cooled it down back to 44 degrees within less than 60 seconds, and the sound of the fans was still the same as what it is now.

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Answer 5

Courcoul

Level 6

18,684 points

Apr 12, 2012 5:07 PM in response to Teh Elitee

Ear muffs? 😉

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Answer 6

Teh Elitee Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 12, 2012 5:10 PM in response to Courcoul

Haha, I'll pass on the ear muffs. 😉

I'd also like to stress that this noise is horrendous, it's just bugging the crap out of me. I like to think that this Laptop can withstand the programs I'll push it through, but the noise it's creating when the core is this cold in comparison to what it would be when encoding, hmm...

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Answer 7

Courcoul

Level 6

18,684 points

Apr 12, 2012 5:40 PM in response to Teh Elitee

Well, under normal (2k RPM) conditions, I can only hear mine if I stick the ear against the chassis. Even in the dead of night, when I'm checking on the last email in bed like the vicious Internet addict. And at full bore, the noise IS apparent but not bothersome, sort of like a noticeable hum, a smallish nest of angry bees.

My old Early 2008 MBP got a nasty buzz about 9 months into its life; the tech at the AASP heard it and ordered a set of replacement fans without any further comment; 48 hours later, silence was golden again. They ARE mechanical, and ambient dust IS a biotch...

Like I said, take it in.

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