rMBP 15" 2.4 vs 2.7 vs 2.8 GHz noise level differences?

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rMBP 15" 2.4 vs 2.7 vs 2.8 GHz noise level differences?

Hey everyone,

I'm considering getting myself a new Retina MacbookPro.

Since I will use it in mostly *very* quiet environments, and since processor speed is not so much an issue, I was wondering if there's any difference in noise emission levels between the different processor speeds available, at full load, meaning when processor and graphics get pushed to the max.

To be clear, I really mean at maximum processor and graphics load. Since all Mac are almost inaudible at no load there's no difference there for me.

By default I'd go with the 2.4 ghz model, but since some extra bang can't hurt I'm trying to investigate before I get annoyed by noise.

tldr: Which one makes more noise? 2.4, 2.6 or 2.7? Or is there no difference?

Thanks for any insight I can get on this

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 2:05 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 21, 2013 2:30 AM in response to kentar_lux

No difference - the processors don't make noise, the flash storage doesn't make noise, tec. The only noise that you have to worry about on almost any computer is the fan noise. As you're engaged in more apps that tax the processor and GPU the fans are going to rev up to compensate for the heat. So that's the only 'noise' that you'll be able to hear from a rMBP....

Clinton

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Answer 2

kentar_lux Author

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Mar 21, 2013 2:51 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

It's exactly the fan noise I'm asking about.

Sorry for the unprecise formulation on my part.

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Answer 3

Mar 21, 2013 2:56 AM in response to kentar_lux

There won't be any difference in fan noise with either of the CPU's. They get hot, you're going to have fan noise. Right now, my fans are speeding along at about 5100+rpm each - but then I've multiple apps open, am cloning my hard drive and running Windows in Parallels. They'll usually settle down to about 2100rpm after the clone and I can't hear them at that speed.

But fans exist for a purpose - to keep your machine cool. The difference in the CPU speed is going to have little to no impact on the fan speeds.

Clinton

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Answer 4

kentar_lux Author

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Mar 22, 2013 1:09 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Ok, thanks a lot for the insight.

I huess that if the fans are the same between models, they'll eventually have to run at max speed and thus make the same amount of noise.

Thanks again for the help!

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Answer 5

Mar 22, 2013 1:14 AM in response to kentar_lux

Yep - if you can fit it in your budget, go for the 2.6GHz model - I believe that it's only $100 more than the 2.4. The 2.7 version is just TOO much for the small increase in speed, in my opinion.

Good luck,

Clinton

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