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2019 iMac Fan Noise.

For the first time I noticed the fans and they were loud today. I had numerous apps open and then went to convert a video using Handbrake and the fan fired up for a few minutes. It kind of startled me how loud it was.

After the video was done, everything returned to normal. I barely notice it's on.
 
gmacattack73 said:
I'm experiencing some fan noise on my new 2019 iMac, and wanted to see if anyone else who's purchased one of the new machines is having a similar issue.

I have a CTO model, with 3.7 Intel Core i5, 8 gb ram, Radeon Pro 580x 8 gb, and a 500 gb SSD.

The fan is audible upon login, with no apps running. It's not running full blast or anything, but it is always audible when using the machine and the room is relatively quiet. In fact, when I check in Mac Fan Control the fan speed is hovering between 1195-1205 rpm, the lowest speed, and all the temps seem normal: 28 degrees ambient and between 35-40 for CPU and GPU.

I want to know if anyone else who purchased a similar machine is also noticing this. I don't remember hearing the fan on any of my older iMacs, but I could be crazy or Apple could have opted to be more aggressive with the fan on this model to keep things cool.
Click to expand...

I bought a fully loaded 2019 iMac and ended up sending it back due to the continuous fan noise at a higher frequency. Even under no load the fan was noticeable and when in use for 3D modelling much louder so back it went.
 
Last edited:
tbcuthbert said:
I bought a fully loaded 2019 iMac and ended up sending it back due to the continuous fan nosie at a higher frequency. Even under no load the fan was noticeable and when in use for 3D modelling much louder so back it went.

The iMac Pro has dual fans and I was really hoping that the new iMac 2020 had added an extra fan but so far no one has confirmed an extra fan. With the HDD replaced by SSD hopefully they used some of the room for more cooling.

So I guess I have 3 choices: 1. buy loaded iMac and live with the extra fan noise; 2 buy low end iMac and hopefully have less noise; or stay with my quieter 2008 iMac which no longer gets updates.
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Sadly I doubt that they will improve the cooling situation until a complete redesign.
 
You guys must have never had 2011 iMacs. Just typing on the keyboard made those fans spin. The 2019 is extremely quiet until I render something in Media Encoder or Premiere, then they go crazy. But it's still much more silent than my 2011 ever was. Top spec 2019 here.
 
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I'm having major issues with my fan, never heard a peep until 9 months later. Almost impossible to do anything that requires me to hear what's going on like movie editing, listening to music or watching youtube. Opened up Activity Monitor and the fan will kick on with less than 3% CPU Load. Can have everything closed and it will kick on, have contacted Apple Support several times and mainly told the fan kicking on is normal, my question is, why did it take 9 months!
 
papabrett said:
I'm having major issues with my fan, never heard a peep until 9 months later. Almost impossible to do anything that requires me to hear what's going on like movie editing, listening to music or watching youtube. Opened up Activity Monitor and the fan will kick on with less than 3% CPU Load. Can have everything closed and it will kick on, have contacted Apple Support several times and mainly told the fan kicking on is normal, my question is, why did it take 9 months!
Click to expand...
Check the bottom vents for dust or a obstruction
 
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