Is smcFanControl safe to use?

[nintendew]

I agree. smcFanControl is absolutely necessary in my case.

Before my warranty expired, Tiger was running flawlessly. Then Leopard and its inadequate drivers/firmware came along and pushed my iMac beyond its limits.

I think Apple sent a patch for the Aluminum iMacs. I'm still waiting for mine.

 

[applemagic123]

form over function, definately.

If you guys remember the melting powerbooks, then yes, apple DOES have a rep of their systems running TOO hot.

SMCfancontrol is used for when you're running intensive tasks. Any video or audio encoding is a MUST for SMCfancontrol.

My best friend's macbook, 2.0 Ghz, mid 2007, core2duo, lasted only 2 years. She did a low of youtubing (flash, which is intensive no matter what), dvd ripping (very intensive) all without using smcfancontrol. I've done the same stuff, but I use SMCfancontrol. This is the 3rd year I've had my macbook and no problems.

Apple does not use ACTIVE cooling until the temperatures get TOO high. It's used as a last resort. Just because a CPU can get to well over 200 degrees ferenheit, doesn't mean that it's good for it. Apple cares more about having QUIET computers than cool computers.

 

[Phantom Gremlin]

thermal cycling is a problem

Hey, nothing like reviving a 2 y/o thread!

As others have mentioned, there are a plethora of causes of failures (e.g. power surges, electromigration, etc). However, IMO thermal cycling is often a much bigger source of problems than power surges, electromigration, etc. It's what tripped up Nvidia. Here's some info from their CEO:

The flaw, Huang said, was due to the thermal cycling between full-performance and low-power states that notebook chips must endure.

"This has been a challenging experience for us," Huang added. "​

 

[newmbpuser]

Enough already

Ok, so sure apple is full of good engineers that designed the default speeds for a reason, so why change the fan settings?

Well I am new to macs, and all I hear is "smcfancontrol is the best! gotta have it!"

So of course I jumped to the conclusion that I should regulate my temps on my own, especially if they reach 100 C. But the fact is these computers are made to run around that temp, and most average users stay in the ok range. Now while I agree that the engineers did it all for a reason, but windows has been engineered for decades by ppl that think they know what they are doing but they always have problems. So you have to think: who does apple aim their efforts for? A: the average computer user who only uses itunes and safari ect... (basic fun stuff)

So basically you dont need to change the settings for your fans... UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING! If you run your mac harder than others, and do alot of complicated things on it, then you better be monitoring the temps and keeping them down if they are going too high. And smcfancontrol appears to be the trick.

Now I dont use it, my mac has never gone higher than 90 C, and thats only when i do a lot of different things on it. So in summary everyone is right: trust apple, but know your stuff when s**t "hits the fan" (pun intended)

 

[jincongz]

Ok, so sure apple is full of good engineers that designed the default speeds for a reason, so why change the fan settings?

Well I am new to macs, and all I hear is "smcfancontrol is the best! gotta have it!"

So of course I jumped to the conclusion that I should regulate my temps on my own, especially if they reach 100 C. But the fact is these computers are made to run around that temp, and most average users stay in the ok range. Now while I agree that the engineers did it all for a reason, but windows has been engineered for decades by ppl that think they know what they are doing but they always have problems. So you have to think: who does apple aim their efforts for? A: the average computer user who only uses itunes and safari ect... (basic fun stuff)

So basically you dont need to change the settings for your fans... UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING! If you run your mac harder than others, and do alot of complicated things on it, then you better be monitoring the temps and keeping them down if they are going too high. And smcfancontrol appears to be the trick.

Now I dont use it, my mac has never gone higher than 90 C, and thats only when i do a lot of different things on it. So in summary everyone is right: trust apple, but know your stuff when s**t "hits the fan" (pun intended)

Please do notice, Apple DOES go for quietness first, cool second. It all depends on where your limit is. It is possible to maintain 80ºC at x rpm, but it takes x + 1000 rpm to maintain a much cooler 70ºC maximum.

You say that your mac has never gone over 90ºC. 90ºC is too hot. Imagine it's like a car engine. Sure, you can always run it near the redline. But it'll wear out a lot faster than if you kept the rpms down. And unlike an engine, you can't go in and fix parts of it.

You might not know, being part of the laptop generation, but desktops run way cooler. My desktop with a quad-core running at 3.2 ghz (compare to
whatever your laptop runs) runs at around 35, hits 40 when it becomes maxed out. Just imagine how much longer a chip with the same durability will last at that temp?

Now, in order to be fair, I'll make an argument against my point. You might take the engine argument, and flip it at me. Say that running the FAN at higher rpms will kill it faster. As far as I'm concerned, it will last the 3 years applecare lasts. So what happens? You'll have to pay for the repairs. Would you rather pay for the repair for a $10 fan, or for a $100 CPU?

End of argument.

 

[Spike88]

IMO....

Many "todays" items are built at minimum strength and minimum durability. Items are made for the average environment (ambient temp) conditions and for average load expectations. For example: Computers, vehicles, boats, etc. If one is using their iMac or vehicle or boat under "the average" usage in the average room temp, then default factory build is perfect. "Don't touch what isn't broke" things in life. But..... If one is driving their computer, vehicle or boat above & beyond "normal" operating conditions on a consistant basis, then do proactively upgrade it. Upgrade with more cooling via slightly higher RPM fans or perhaps other cooling means - like a seperate fan behind the iMac screen - pushing air against its back cover. Do remember the iMacs currently have "low energy" consumption stamp. They consume less energy then its previous models. One method to obtain lower power consumption is to have less energy demand (to power internal fans) for internal cooling. Less cooling is ok for the normal / average usage but for systems being pushed outside the norm, they need something better (better then factory). Like, slightly higher RPM fans and/or additional cooling air pushed against their back cover.

If wondering, I installed 3rd party program to "fine tune" the internal fan RPMs within my iMac as well. Within my iMac, this custom improvement drove its internal temps 5 C lower (on average) lower. To me, even 5 C degrees lower (when compared to factory settings) is a "good thing". And yes, I'd install Fan Control program again. To me, its worth it. Especially since I like things running cooler (especially internal computers, vehicle engines and boat engines). Just like I installed an optional aux cooler within my "hauling / tow" vehicle (to keep its transmission temp lower) as well. Less heat (especially when item is driven above "normal loads") is a good thing in the long run... High heat is bad on many things.

To view my iMac's setups, surf:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/New iMac system/InternalTemps2010-08-30.png
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/... iMac system/FanControlSettings2010-08-30.png

Note: If your iMac is running in 50+ Cs and you do NOT want to tweak its internal fan speeds, may I suggest installing a 110/120 volt 6"-8" fan behind your iMac - blowing slow speed air against its back cover. Thus, getting more cooling without tweaking its internal settings. I hear this helps to lower internal temps as well...

Good luck - which ever you decide for your iMac...

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