2017 27" iMac Noise Question

[jayfromnova]

Hello,

I've been waiting a long time to purchase an iMac, and the new ones look great to me. While I want to future proof by going on the way with an i7 processor and the Radeon 580, I know how important having the computer nearly silent is to me. So, if I'm doing something intensive like exporting a video, noise is fine. But I really do want it nearly silent during everyday photo editing and surfing. Can I safely go all the way, or does noise start becoming a factor? Am I safer with the i5 and/or a lower Radeon?

BTW: Planning to go 512 SSD if that matters in answering the question.

I am ready to pull the trigger, but don't want to regret it later. Informed opinions great appreciated!
Thanks,
JayFromNoVa

 

[-Ryan-]

There is a very faint noise of the fan running at low RPM at all times with any iMac. There is very little difference between the different CPU/GPU configurations. Having an SSD of course makes the computer slightly quieter as well as there is no noise of the spinning disk.

 

[MacScott]

Just curious on the OP's question. How much future proofing would I get by picking the i7 vs. the i5. It is only a couple hundred bucks difference.

 

[drthom]

JayFNV:

You've asked T-H-E question!

There are quite a few current threads dealing with this issue. I recommend you look around and learn what you can; there seem to be several "highly credible" posts. I find it frustrating to learn that these noise issues go back several years and several iMac models.

I have three questions that I hope address your issues (and not screw up your thread):

1) Several posts seem to express alarm that fans are spinning at 1200 rpm at idle. Is not 1200 rpm the system minimum speed? (Ie, if it is noisy at 1200 rpm you have a bad fan.)

2) If the i7 "future proofs" the machine for an additional year, that's pretty valuable! Can I keep the i7 cool and quiet somehow -- blocking hyper threading, blocking turbo boost, lowering clock speed? If "yes" then how?

3) Can't remember the third -- a senior moment. Don't get old!

Thom

 

[Glockworkorange]

Just curious on the OP's question. How much future proofing would I get by picking the i7 vs. the i5. It is only a couple hundred bucks difference.

I don't think getting an i7 is "future proofing" anything if the only tasks you do really only require an i5.

In terms of "future proofing" (a term I hate), probably best to spend the money to get the biggest SSD (and perhaps graphics card) you can afford.

 

[Fishrrman]

Just get the model you want and upgrade the internal drive to an SSD (either 512gb or even 256gb).

If the time arrives in the future where you need more storage, just add an external USB3 SSD. No use "paying up front" for highly-priced SSD space that you might never use.

The whole idea of "future proofing" can be an exercise in futility, a wild goose chase. You may want a new Mac before the old one is seriously deprecated.

My 10-year-old base model 24" white Intel iMac still remains modestly usable, even though it's far out-of-date.

 

[jayfromnova]

Well, I've been reading all these threads and reviews and I guess it has me more leaning towards the i5. Still not sure which GPU. Honestly, I have been using a Mac Mini 2011 w dual core 2.7Ghz i5 for 6 years and never considered it too slow. I just really want that 5K monitor and so I should be ok with the i5 quad core. By the way, my mini's fan runs all the time at 1800 RPM and is inaudible. So I guess the iMac is a bigger fan to be so noticeable. I did replace the fan a couple of years ago.

 

[Nismo73]

Well, I've been reading all these threads and reviews and I guess it has me more leaning towards the i5. Still not sure which GPU. Honestly, I have been using a Mac Mini 2011 w dual core 2.7Ghz i5 for 6 years and never considered it too slow. I just really want that 5K monitor and so I should be ok with the i5 quad core. By the way, my mini's fan runs all the time at 1800 RPM and is inaudible. So I guess the iMac is a bigger fan to be so noticeable. I did replace the fan a couple of years ago.

We've been talking about how much fan noise there is since the late '12 was introduced. It's still basically the same design inside with the single fan that constantly spins (1200 rpm) and is barely audible in a quiet room. Some have said they don't really hear it, but it's there. When you start putting demand on it, it'll start to spin up more and hear the air blowing out the back, but it's not bad.
People are just getting these new CPU/GPU combos in hand, so it'd be interesting to see what the idle temp is compared to previous year CPUs, and how quickly fan speeds ramp up in a comparable demand scenario.

Gonna be interesting to see how the iMac Pros are with fan noise since it's a total redesign that I'd guess we'll see in the regular iMacs maybe next year or two.

 

[colinsky]

On my late 2015 iMac, I never hear the fan while doing Photoshop or Dreamweaver work while I'm watching the Giants game. I can hear it when rendering a video. I notice it if I have two TV news channels and a ball game running while I'm watching an episode of BOSCH.
I've never yet heard it to be "loud."
3.3 GHz i5, M395, 256 GB internal, 1 TB external SSD.

 

[Glideslope]

Just curious on the OP's question. How much future proofing would I get by picking the i7 vs. the i5. It is only a couple hundred bucks difference.

The i7 for $200 should be a no brainer, IMO.

 

[jojellybean]

Hello,

I've been waiting a long time to purchase an iMac, and the new ones look great to me. While I want to future proof by going on the way with an i7 processor and the Radeon 580, I know how important having the computer nearly silent is to me. So, if I'm doing something intensive like exporting a video, noise is fine. But I really do want it nearly silent during everyday photo editing and surfing. Can I safely go all the way, or does noise start becoming a factor? Am I safer with the i5 and/or a lower Radeon?

BTW: Planning to go 512 SSD if that matters in answering the question.

I am ready to pull the trigger, but don't want to regret it later. Informed opinions great appreciated!
Thanks,
JayFromNoVa

Do you happen to have a static electric buzz noise coming from behind the iMac exhaust if you put your ear to it? It happens only when scrolling, minimizing windows, and increasing brightness.