Mac Mini 2,6 i7 issue

[CatchTheDragon]

Hi, I noticed strange behaviour with my 2012 i7 Mini regarding cpu temperature under high load and how i placed my mini.

i was encoding video with Handbrake with my mini placed horizontally and cpu temperature fluctuated between 90-95 celcius, fans at about 5000 rpm.No problems there... But when i placed the mini on it's side with the power button at the bottom the cpu temp suddenly hits 104 degrees with fans at 5500rpm

The fps in handbrake also went from about 130 fps to 40-45 fps at that point meaning the cpu had to throttle down to prevent overheating.

Looks like my mini doesn't like to be set on it's side. Could it be broken? Do all the new mini's do this? I could ofcourse just use my mini horizontally at all times but i also want to place it on it's side when i want to save some space on my desk.

Thanks

 

[Intell]

It's designed to be used horizontally. Putting it vertically hampers the cooling system because it is designed to be used only in a horizontal position.

 

[niteflyr]

Lots of posts here claim vertical is best. Try it power button up and see if it makes a difference. Just curious.

 

[CatchTheDragon]

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA22804?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

"You can place your Mac mini on its side and use it if you like. Just be sure not to rest the computer on its front or back side or you'll block access to the slot-loading optical drive in front or port connectors in back."


Also, when i place the mini on the other side with the power button upwards it does cool properly, weird.

 

[chrfr]

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA22804?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

"You can place your Mac mini on its side and use it if you like. Just be sure not to rest the computer on its front or back side or you'll block access to the slot-loading optical drive in front or port connectors in back."

Given that article was last updated in February and is marked as archived, it may not apply to the current mini, but if it cools in one orientation, then maybe it's ok. Probably worth paying attention to just to be sure it's not running hotter than ideal.

 

[53x12]

It's designed to be used horizontally. Putting it vertically hampers the cooling system because it is designed to be used only in a horizontal position.

 

[philipma1957]

it is cooler on its side with the power button high not low. reason is the psu gives off heat so if the psu is on the bottom its heat rises and affects the cpu temp. if the psu is on top the heat goes to the top edge and never passes across the cpu.


The psu is 85% efficient, so if you are doing handbrake and the mini is pulling 40 to 45 watts at a kill-a-watt meter The psu is bleeding 4 to 4.5 watts of heat into the mini's case.

If at the bottom that heat is pulled by the fan as it rises. If at the top it radiates on the top edge.