Level 1

27 points

Constant fan noise on 2017 iMac even at rest

Hey Everyone,

I just upgraded from a 2012 to a 2017 iMac. I noticed yesterday that the fan is constantly on with the new iMac - even in rest mode (not rendering or moving data etc...). I saw some articles about this. It's really annoying especially if you work in the evening hours and the house is quiet and you want to work in absolute silence.

My old iMac had no problem with that. Do others have the same problem? Is there anything else besides earplugs I can do? Would an SSD drive make a difference or a different processor type that require less energy and create less heat?

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks,

Holger

27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display

Configuration

• 3.8GHz quad-core 7th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz

• 8GB 2400MHz DDR4

• 3TB Fusion Drive

• Radeon Pro 580 with 8GB video memory

iMac with Retina 5K display, (2017, 27-inch )

Posted on Aug 17, 2017 9:36 AM

Top-ranking reply

Roberto Bob

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Feb 18, 2018 9:46 PM

UPDATE--- Possible "fix"

So I went way above and way beyond an Apple Genius... I went to my 18 y.o. son! and I think he may have a solution or fix. There is a program called "Mac Fan Control."I did the SMC thing and it rebooted with the fan going right from the start. I was ready to return the unit, when my son walked by and I told him. Daniel.. get's the credit. This program running on "Based on Ambient" seems to prevent most of the fan noise. I ran the following programs: activity monitor showing "coreservicesd" at 48-94% of CPU as I had a lot of programs running: duplicates application running while Photoshop open, while messenger, keynote, iTunes, Canvas, iPhoto, Excel, Word, and about 2 more. My Ram used was only about 13 GB. On "Auto" mode the fan got up to about 2800 RPM immediately and was VERY loud. On the "Based on Ambient" setting with the 3 preferences checked off, the fan speed kept generally less than 1900RPM and minimally audible. Below 1600 it's barely audible to those trying to hear something you can but not much.

Try this app and I FULLY SUGGEST YOU PAY THE people who made the application THE $14. You would have spent 5 x's that amount in time and frustration and gas to return your iMac. Thanks Daniel for pointing me in the right direction!, love dad PS feel free to pay Daniel too (college $ ) lol

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46 replies

Dec 10, 2017 6:13 AM in response to Burgerb

I spoke with an apple technician about this and after much troubleshooting, apparently its normal behavior. Big computer, big fan, never turns off. Has anyone else got to this conclusion?

onlyse

Level 1

4 points

Dec 29, 2017 6:44 PM in response to Denver Craston

return it. I have lost my faith on Apple's IMAC for now. Look into getting yourself a i5 or a mac pro refurb.

onlyse

Level 1

4 points

Oct 31, 2017 8:14 PM in response to JackLePage

I had the 4.2Ghz, 16GB RAM, 3TB Fusion. The fan was super loud and today was my 14th day. I returned it. Using my 2011 iMAC and its super quiet. Hoping to get another iMAC in the future or the Mac Pro system.

ewl9394

Level 1

8 points

Mar 21, 2018 12:10 AM in response to Burgerb

I just got mine yesterday. I was reading a lot about fan noise and was a bit worried. But at idle and in most applications so far, it is just very quiet. I noticed when I tried to watch 8k YouTube video, then the fan will go on. As soon as I picked 4k or 5k option, the fan quieted down again. My config:

Configuration

4.2GHZ QC I7, TB UP TO 4.5GHZ
8GB 2400MHZ DDR4 - 2X4GB
FLASH STORAGE
AMD RADEON PRO 580 W/8GB VRAM

Sep 2, 2017 10:26 PM in response to Burgerb

I have the same issue on my 2017 27inch i7 iMac... The fan sounds like our vacuum cleaner..so it is a common issue. And I was only up-loading photos to my on-line back-up

onlyse

Level 1

4 points

Dec 3, 2017 6:55 PM in response to rkaufmann87

I returned the iMac. Got another one with 16gb ram and 3tb fusion. Same issue so returned that as well.

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Aug 17, 2017 9:43 AM in response to Burgerb

What's causing the fan activity depends on which fan it is. But if the fan is that noisy, I'd suggest you use your free Apple Support to get in touch with them and have it checked.

Have you tried n SMC reset?

Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

Wienandy

Level 1

8 points

Sep 10, 2017 4:23 AM in response to Burgerb

I also have a similar problem with a 2017 iMac. Diagnostics show no problems both at home and at the Apple support service provider. Although Apple agreed to a replacement a shipping problem by Apple means I am well past my 14 days to return the machine. Apple Support are now very quiet and I still have a noisy iMac. Any ideas anyone?

Mac_lyn

Level 1

8 points

Sep 18, 2017 12:31 AM in response to JackLePage

I am having the same issue with my new iMac. Similar specifications to JackLePage:

Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017
4.2 GHz Intel Core i7
8 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
Radeon Pro 580 8192 MB

There's a constant hum of fan noise compared to the whisper quiet iMac 2015 3.1 GHz Intel Core i5 / 8GB 1867 MHz DDR3 / Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 1536 MB. With the exception of Safari and email, I really haven't started using it yet and I am fearful it's going to get noisier as I start using the Applications.

I too am considering returning it within the 14 days of delivery. What is the cause for the fan noise? Is it the Intel Core i7 and/or video card? Would upgrading the RAM help in anyway?

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,488 points

Dec 3, 2017 8:16 AM in response to alexeijanssen

99.9% of the users out there need no-where near 64GB of RAM. In most cases 8-12GB is fine and 16GB great. 64 GB of RAM would only be used by professionaly that are using their iMacs for professional video production or music production or some other VERY heavy duty graphics app. They would also need to be working with VERY VERY large files to need that much RAM, I'm talking 100GB +at a time.

In addition for many typical users a Fusion drive is fine if they are doing the basics such as e-mail, surfing the web, some home photographs, maybe a little fun with Garageband etc... For those that insist on the fastest and most reliable then use a SSD is necessary.

onlyse

Level 1

4 points

Dec 3, 2017 1:02 PM in response to alexeijanssen

So you popped in 64GB RAM but running a Fusion Drive?

Also what are the specs to your computer?

I have tried 32gb and 16gb with Fusion and exporting Photographs in lightroom was a Disaster (The Fan was SUPER loud).

Nick2Bob

Level 1

4 points

Dec 14, 2017 10:30 PM in response to Nick2Bob

Also wanted to add, i added 1 photo to the photos app in the iMac to edit, the fan came on and was very loud for just a simple retouch of a small line in the picture. My older iMac (2013) was able to do the editing job better and faster and with no fans to come on loud.

onlyse

Level 1

4 points

Dec 15, 2017 11:49 AM in response to Nick2Bob

Apple messed up the i7 core iMAC. Probably release a new line next year to make up for their mistake. Rest assured i wont be purchasing an iMAC again. I am looking at purchasing a 2013 MAC PRO, 6core, 1TB SSD, 32GB RAM, D500 - $4k

Dec 30, 2017 7:55 AM in response to onlyse

Thanks. I’ve begun the return process. I did not spot the issue in my research prior to buying. Apple has abused my trust with its surreptitious iPhone slowdown. I’ll try keeping Mac Mini SSD instead of selling it.

Mark1864

Level 1

8 points

Jan 14, 2018 4:53 AM in response to bwpecatore

Yeah, I think I'm now reaching that conclusion too. My new iMac's fan is hardly under stress and obviously running at its nominal speed, always, whether I have 4 apps open or none. In fact the slight air rushing noise from the rear vent didn't really bother me - until I read that other users had totally silent iMacs.

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Constant fan noise on 2017 iMac even at rest