MacPro 2013 Fan becomes loud and performance slows

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Level 1

6 points

MacPro 2013 Fan becomes loud and performance slows

Bought my late 2013 MacPro in December 2016. The problem I have with the machine is intermittent: with the machine relatively cool, the fan quickly increases in speed and noise and any software running becomes progressively more unresponsive. I have called Apple Support and they have suggested unloading all software and gradually reinstalling to identify whether it's a software problem.

This machine is my main workhorse and following this suggestion would cost me a lot of work time (and hence money). A forum post suggested this was consistent with an SMC problem and recommended closing down, unplugging from mains, waiting 15 seconds; reconnecting and rebooting. I have tried this but the problem recurs -- again, intermittently.

Any suggestions?

Mac Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.6), I Tb Ram 3.5 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon

Posted on Feb 8, 2018 8:18 AM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

427,151 points

Feb 8, 2018 11:04 AM in response to Sardonicus48

Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - https://support.apple.com/HT201295 - Learn when and how to reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on an Intel-based Mac.

Other things to do (my personal thoughts):

- Run a copy of the free Mac Fans control to monitor fan speed on your menu bar. Don't try to control it but it makes it easy to keep an eye on it.

- Menu Meters lets you similarly monitor CPU.

- Keep Console open and periodically have a look at it to see what's going on in the background when this happens.

- Same for Activity Monitor.

- Maybe run a copy of Etrecheck though this may only pick up on what's wrong if it is actually happening when running teh check.

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Answer 2

Sardonicus48 Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 8, 2018 11:05 AM in response to Limnos

Thanks for this. I'll look into these monitoring apps. My main reason for posting is to get some ideas of how to take things forward.

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Answer 3

Sardonicus48 Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 8, 2018 11:07 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for this. My thoughts exactly. But given that the activity monitor shows that the CPU and RAM are not under pressure and internal temperature seems fine I'm scratching my head.

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Answer 4

Feb 8, 2018 11:05 AM in response to Sardonicus48

The fan speed is controlled in a feedback loop based on measured temperatures inside your Mac. If the fan speed increases, it is a symptom of other trouble, NOT the cause of the trouble.

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MacPro 2013 Fan becomes loud and performance slows

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