proper temperature for iMac

I couldn't agree more!

;)

WZZZ wrote:

Csound1 wrote: In my experience Apple cooling system works, overheating machines have other issues that should be cured rather than disguised by running the fans at high speed permanently

I never mentioned overheating machines. That is your invention. I really don't have the patience for this discussion yet again. I've responded in full elsewhere on numerous occasions. If you care to, just do a search using the terms "smcFan + WZZZ site:discussions.apple.com"

I don't use it to disguise or mask the symptoms of an overheating machine, although the native SMC fan controller can be one cause of that, since Apple appears to prefer quiet running fans to cooler hardware and doesn't allow the fans to ramp up sufficiently fast enough to meet changing conditions. I use it to prevent hardware damage long term.

I'll take the word of a very knowledgeable Apple bench tech with considerable experience with machines that failed due to Apple's SMC fan design over yours any day.

And you are free to do that, I on the other hand have never found a need to augment or assist the cooling system, there is always a reason for high temperatures, Smc is a panacea for a sympton, not a cure.

As we obviously disagree you just carry on with the advice you give and I will carry on with mine.

You can disagree, that's fine. But I think you should be supplying facts and evidence to support your opinion -- which you still have not done --not simply reply with a pat, throw-off answer, as you did. Otherwise, I think it is fair to completely ignore what you say.

WZZZ wrote:

You can disagree, that's fine. But I think you should be supplying facts and evidence to support your opinion -- which you still have not done --not simply reply with a pat, throw-off answer, as you did. Otherwise, I think it is fair to completely ignore what you say.

Facts and evidence?

Every Mac I have ever seen with a heat problem (that may have caused a user to play with fan control) had a separate issue causing high CPU usage, once that was fixed the temperature declined to safe levels.

Now, how about some facts and evidence from you that SMC is required to keep a Mac cool (note that I have not said there is anything wrong with SMC, just that it is not necessary and can disguise symptoms that should be attended to rather than disguised)

Every Mac I have ever seen with a heat problem (that may have caused a user to play with fan control) had a separate issue causing high CPU usage, once that was fixed the temperature declined to safe levels.

That's a very narrow base of evidence. Like an inexperienced auto mechanic claiming that the only reason for engine failure is a failed oil pump, because that's the only kind of engine failure he's ever seen. And exactly how many of those high CPU usage-smcFan scenarios did you witness? Five, six, ten, a hundred, four hundred? Anything statistically meaningful? I haven't encountered one here yet. I wouldn't call this great science on your part.

The HD fan in most Intel Macs, to my knowledge, will not ramp up until the temp has reached well into the 50s C, getting uncomfortably close to the upper temperature limit for most drives, which may be 55C. I never once saw the HD fan in my G5 ramp up above the default, even in the low 50s. This is only one of a number of reasons to use smcFan, as I can keep the drive cooler than Apple would normally allow. I want to keep this computer going for as long as possible, and smcFan is one tool to help me do that.

You might want to acquaint yourself with this article on heat and drive damage. It's from several years ago, but no less relevant today. Drive technology is still pretty much the same.

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2006/12/hard-drive-temperatures-be-afraid.html

And it's not only the drive that will eventually fail from long term sub-lethal heat.

If it's not necessary, you don't have to use it. It may not be needed by everyone, but don't, out of ignorance, tell others not to.

...note that I have not said there is anything wrong with SMC, just that it is not necessary

No, this is what you said when you first bombed into this thread.

Good, now leave smcfancontrol off the machine permanently, it is of no value at all.

I'm finished here.

WZZZ wrote:

Every Mac I have ever seen with a heat problem (that may have caused a user to play with fan control) had a separate issue causing high CPU usage, once that was fixed the temperature declined to safe levels.

That's a very narrow base of evidence. Like an inexperienced auto mechanic claiming that the only reason for engine failure is a failed oil pump, because that's the only kind of engine failure he's ever seen. And exactly how many of those high CPU usage-smcFan scenarios did you witness? Five, six, ten, a hundred, four hundred? Anything statistically meaningful? I haven't encountered one here yet. I wouldn't call this great science on your part.

The HD fan in most Intel Macs, to my knowledge, will not ramp up until the temp has reached well into the 50s C, getting uncomfortably close to the upper temperature limit for most drives, which may be 55C. I never once saw the HD fan in my G5 ramp up above the default, even in the low 50s. This is only one of a number of reasons to use smcFan, as I can keep the drive cooler than Apple would normally allow. I want to keep this computer going for as long as possible, and smcFan is one tool to help me do that.

You might want to acquaint yourself with this article on heat and drive damage. It's from several years ago, but no less relevant today. Drive technology is still pretty much the same.

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2006/12/hard-drive-temperatures-be-afraid.html

And it's not only the drive that will eventually fail from long term sub-lethal heat.

If it's not necessary, you don't have to use it. It may not be needed by everyone, but don't, out of ignorance, tell others not to.

...note that I have not said there is anything wrong with SMC, just that it is not necessary

No, this is what you said when you first bombed into this thread.

Good, now leave smcfancontrol off the machine permanently, it is of no value at all.

I'm finished here.

You post extracts from my post (only the bits that suit you) and then twist what is left, show me where I have said that SMC is anything other than 'of no value' Then you fail to offer any 'Evidence or Facts' supporting your claim that Apple's cooling is inadequate. (Other than an ancient article). But you are right, you are done with me, I see you now.

Hi,

Would someone be able to tell me if the below temperatures are too high and if they are not, what would be considered too high?

I asking because the room that the iMac is in seams to be quite warm and the iMac's back cover is really hot!

Thanks!

The HD is running too hot. The nearer to 45C the better for the drive.

And I'd like to see the CPU come down too. Don't know what model, but if it's before 2012, try running a small fan at the back. Could also try smcFan Control, which will allow you to create different pre-set fan speeds. Difficult to say what those speeds should be--it's trial and error--but don't boost the speeds more than +400 rpm, so you don't burn up the fan motors.

Also, it's normal to see the temps rise during video or graphics intensive use.

Thanks for your response!

The computer is only used for surfing the web that has minimal video processing and general word-processing. But it still seams to get too hot!

I had no idea I an external fan would make a difference on my late 2012 iMac, I'll give that a shot. The app above says it's never been tested on my iMac's model.

As soon as the cover is as hot as it was yesterday, I notice that performance gets slower. So would you say the below points would be the temperature points where I should hibernate and let the computer cool down?

45º for HDD

50º for CPU and power supply

55º Mem controller

20 minutes ago the temperatures was as the first below screen grab, but that's because it was on hibernate all night. Today will reach 37º (it's currently 33º outside, but still only 27º inside), so I'll see what the temperature reaches...

However, after only 10 minutes of use (writing this and checking emails), the temperature has risen a fair bit, as in the screen grabs below.

30 minutes ago - start up

20 minutes ago

10 minutes ago

Now - I quit monitoring here as I needed to do something else.

What is the model of your iMac? Go to About this Mac and click through until you reach model identifier.

I had no idea I an external fan would make a difference on my late 2012 iMac, I'll give that a shot.

I mentioned that you could do this if it's pre-2012. If it's a late 2012, then you can't use the fan at the back because it will impede the exhaust air flow coming from the grille behind the stand-- that grille, pre-2012, used to be used for intake is now for exhaust.

smcFan Control may say not tested on your model, but doesn't mean it won't work. It may.

I think what you have may not be a late 2012. They only have one fan.

I've taken three screengrabs that show the model, hope that helps.

The last screengrab is of the temperatures after about 2 hours since I left the computer and a quick comparion will lead to the concludtion that most temperatures have increased. The computer would have been mainly idling (no tasks were given).

I believe these temperatures are too high even if I was using the computer right?

<Image Edited by Host>

Those temps look fine. The ideal for the drive is not to go much above 45. Sometimes, it may be necessary to go somewhat higher. Use smcFan, if you can get that working, to run the fans a bit faster if that happens. You have a mid-2010, therefore, it's fine to use the fan at the back. Be sure to aim it from low to high, so as to not interfere with the exhaust at the long slot running along the top.

Also, don't publicly disclose your serial no.

Thank you for clarifying that! Will get on the fan ASAP.

I just need to find something small enough on eBay that can clip on the rear of the stand.

Also, I didn't know about the serial no. so my apologies for that.

I've just bumped the speeds by 200rpm (1200rpm for optical drive, 1300rpm HDD and 1400rpm CPU) and I'll monitor it over 2 hours to see if it brings the temperatures down.

If that doesn't work, I'll add another 200rpm and monitor if over the following 2 hours and just hope that isn't too much to burn the fans if used over sevral weeks.

Thanks for your help again!