smcFanControl Mac help!?

[flamer7]

Hey there guys I'm using smcFanControl on my mbp, and I'm just wondering if CONSTANTLY setting the fans on higher RPM will spoil it? Or is it ok?

[applebook]

I would rather have to replace the fans (easy and cheap) than have a toasted CPU/MOBO/GPU! 

 

What revs are yours at? 15/17-inch or single fan 13? 

 

If 13, I recommend no lower than 3,000rpm now and 4,000rpm during summer for moderate use. For gaming or other intensive work, full blast, baby

[Warcony]

Hey there guys I'm using smcFanControl on my mbp, and I'm just wondering if CONSTANTLY setting the fans on higher RPM will spoil it? Or is it ok?

 

It should be fine.

 

Used smcFanControl for years on my old Macbook pro 13 inch.  Played many hours of WoW a day on it with the fans running full blast for over 2.5 years.  After that I sold it, and everything was running fine (fan was a tad bit louder than when it was new, but that is to be expected regardless).  As @applebook said, much better a dead fan than a toasted component!

[flamer7]

I would rather have to replace the fans (easy and cheap) than have a toasted CPU/MOBO/GPU! 

 

What revs are yours at? 15/17-inch or single fan 13? 

 

If 13, I recommend no lower than 3,000rpm now and 4,000rpm during summer for moderate use. For gaming or other intensive work, full blast, baby

It's the 15 inch one, dual fans

[MrSuperb]

there is absolutely no need for smcfancontrol, but if you want to use it, then I would set the minimum to 1000-1500RPM higher than default.

 

 

seriously, I'd rather have a dead silent notebook that is a few degrees warmer, than the other way around.

 

2000RPM -> dead silent

3000RPM -> already hearable

4000RPM -> what a noise

6500RPM -> jet turbine

[MrSuperb]

I would rather have to replace the fans (easy and cheap) than have a toasted CPU/MOBO/GPU! 

 

 

that is neither easy nor cheap

[applebook]

that is neither easy nor cheap

 

I've cleaned the fans on several generations of 13 and 15 inch unibody Macbooks. It is easy: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Early+2011+Fan+Replacement/5145

 

$11 is cheap: http://www.amazon.ca/HDE%C2%AE-Replacement-Cooling-MacBook-Unibody/dp/B007PJB080

[applebook]

there is absolutely no need for smcfancontrol, but if you want to use it, then I would set the minimum to 1000-1500RPM higher than default.

 

 

seriously, I'd rather have a dead silent notebook that is a few degrees warmer, than the other way around.

 

2000RPM -> dead silent

3000RPM -> already hearable

4000RPM -> what a noise

6500RPM -> jet turbine

 

The difference between 2,000rpm and full blast at medium load isn't even close to a "few degrees warmer." Try 10+ Celsius depending on workload. It will be even more dramatic on the 15-inch model that the OP has.  

[coen113]

there is absolutely no need for smcfancontrol, but if you want to use it, then I would set the minimum to 1000-1500RPM higher than default.

 

 

seriously, I'd rather have a dead silent notebook that is a few degrees warmer, than the other way around.

 

2000RPM -> dead silent

3000RPM -> already hearable

4000RPM -> what a noise

6500RPM -> jet turbine

i think its nessisary, i dont like my laptop being 80 degrees, when doing practially nothing

[applebook]

i think its nessisary, i dont like my laptop being 80 degrees, when doing practially nothing

 

MacBooks are biased to run as silently as possible, so the fans really kick in automatically only when the temps are really undesirable for most of us who are used to PC temps. I found that when my old MBPs were doing heavy work like an OS reinstall (can't have smcF running), the fans were far too low for my liking, and after booting into the system, the temps would be 80C and the fans below 4,000rpm. Not good.

[flamer7]

So.. Leave it on full blast or what?

[ygohome]

Full blast ALL OF THE TIME would annoy the crap out of me.  I only turn SMC fan control to HIGH if I notice the temps climbing upwards of 85c.  Else I leave it to the default settings.

 

That said, if your system temps are always running hot (from gaming or whatever) then yeah, turn that sucker on full blast all of the time.

 

I've replaced fans in our MBPs and I've tried the cheap $15 fans... they are noticeable louder than the fans that come with the laptop.  Alot louder actually and probably not as efficient either.  So if you need to replace the fans, expect to pay the premium if you want to have quality/quiet fans.

[MrSuperb]

MacBooks are biased to run as silently as possible, so the fans really kick in automatically only when the temps are really undesirable for most of us who are used to PC temps. I found that when my old MBPs were doing heavy work like an OS reinstall (can't have smcF running), the fans were far too low for my liking, and after booting into the system, the temps would be 80C and the fans below 4,000rpm. Not good.

80° is pefectly fine for notebook components.

 

 

So.. Leave it on full blast or what?

The fans would go full blast if they would need to.

If you set the minium higher it also reches the maximum faster.

Setting minimu to full blast is just unnecessary and imho stupid.

[MrSuperb]

Just to be clear ...

 

There is aboslutely NO NEED to increase the minimum fan speed,

 

BUT it can help a) to keep the Macbook cooler (to touch) and b ) to avoid some throtteling (or at least delay it)

[applebook]

Who said that there was a need? 

 

Heat kills components in the long term. If you're OK with your processor running at 80C most of the time, then good for you. 

 

No one recommended "full blast" as the minimum except under full load, when the fans would automatically kick in at full blast anyway  :unsure:

[flamer7]

Full blast ALL OF THE TIME would annoy the crap out of me.  I only turn SMC fan control to HIGH if I notice the temps climbing upwards of 85c.  Else I leave it to the default settings.

 

That said, if your system temps are always running hot (from gaming or whatever) then yeah, turn that sucker on full blast all of the time.

 

I've replaced fans in our MBPs and I've tried the cheap $15 fans... they are noticeable louder than the fans that come with the laptop.  Alot louder actually and probably not as efficient either.  So if you need to replace the fans, expect to pay the premium if you want to have quality/quiet fans.

 

 

Just to be clear ...

 

There is aboslutely NO NEED to increase the minimum fan speed,

 

BUT it can help a) to keep the Macbook cooler (to touch) and b ) to avoid some throtteling (or at least delay it)

 

 

Who said that there was a need? 

 

Heat kills components in the long term. If you're OK with your processor running at 80C most of the time, then good for you. 

 

No one recommended "full blast" as the minimum except under full load, when the fans would automatically kick in at full blast anyway  :unsure:

Hey I only game on Bootcamp Windows and it gets very hot, so is there any fan app like smcfancontrol for windows?

[ygohome]

Hey I only game on Bootcamp Windows and it gets very hot, so is there any fan app like smcfancontrol for windows?

I use LubbosFanController in windows/bootcamp.  It is specific for Macbooks running windows in bootcamp (meaning that it has settings for particular mac model #s and their fan configurations).   But I've not had need to use it recently so there may be other/better software available now.