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Mac studio v1 fan noise - it's going to be one of the loudest Macs at idle.
- Thread starter AdamSeen
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(MistD) You wrote earlier the PSU crickets (unrelated to the whinning) are now gone on your second unit. I'm experiencing those on my unit unfortunately. Just making sure you are sure they are gone and thus I should replace my unit. Thanks.
Not nearly as useful as one person who had exposure to multiple Studios (who knows what the sound is and is clearly capable of identifying/hearing it). The people answering the poll could have their units in louder ambient environments, or have some amount of hearing loss (or simply not have good hearing to begin with).What about the poll here where 70% reported no whine, 30% said there was some. There seems to be evidence that some whine, but the notion of all seems to be discredited ? Using the 30% whiners number, statistically there is a good chance an individual would have 10 of them. Seems like about 10% of those that have a whiney child are annoyed, where 90% don't care.Regardless, 30% is not a good thing IMHO.
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1000% sure they are gone !
My first unit had those “chirping” noises coming from the bottom intake holes when i put my ear next to it.
Those were totally distinct from the main whistling coming from the exhaust in the back.
I had the first unit in the same environment, same room, same power wall socket … just 1-2 months apart.
On my second unit, those “crickets” coming from the bottom are gone, i got only the main whine.
Now, if i put my ear on the bottom intake i can hear only the distant whine from “above” … no more separate “crickets” from the PSU
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Coil whine gone on current unit (Replacement). Just have the whine from fan RPM change. Hopefully people can tell the difference between PSU coil whine sounds and fan whine, they are not the same.
I wonder if there's any chance of silent hardware changes on Apple's part to address this. I don't know if they ever do that.
I was hoping the same, for Apple to silently fix it, since March it's like 6 months now. I don't think they will do it.
Also, I have a gut feeling that they are re-packaging some returned units and sell them again as brand new.
My second one came with an additional hard transparent tape underneath the usual paper "pull" tab, I noticed the difference right away when unboxing (the first one didn't have it, if I'm not mistaken).
That , together with the odd suddenly change in delivery date (my second one jumped suddenly in delivery date and came 2 months earlier than quoted) ... makes me a little paranoid.
Anyway, it's a great machine. Too bad for all the issues.
Also, I have a gut feeling that they are re-packaging some returned units and sell them again as brand new.
My second one came with an additional hard transparent tape underneath the usual paper "pull" tab, I noticed the difference right away when unboxing (the first one didn't have it, if I'm not mistaken).
That , together with the odd suddenly change in delivery date (my second one jumped suddenly in delivery date and came 2 months earlier than quoted) ... makes me a little paranoid.
Anyway, it's a great machine. Too bad for all the issues.
All the issues???
There is one issue - the whine - and that is not even one which most people experience. The Mac Studio is an excellent machine with the perfect performance:cost ratio. I raved about the Mac Pro in 2019, but that, for me, was a $12K computer.
Don't get me wrong, if I had the whine, I would be bitching and moaning as well; it is for sure an annoying issue, but Apple has been replacing units when people complained.
Yes, I agree, it's a great machine, great form factor, revolutionary in it's own right.
I wanted to say all the issues with the fans whine and PSU "crickets" (or whatever may be the cause). Other than that ... it's flawless for me, I really like it.
Even if I complain, I am not that confident they will send me a unit without the fans whine / psu coil whine.
With my first unit I went to apple store, all they did was their standard diagnostic test (all passed ok).
After that, they advised me to just return it ... which I did. They didn't try too hard to pinpoint the issue, or even hear it for themselves by comparing it to a display unit. That made me feel that they knew about this ...
I also called the customer support by phone. Dead end.
Basically, everybody was acting "surprised" and was advising for return and re-order.
Second one I got, same issue (after all the hassle with refunds, re-order, waiting time for delivery etc.)
At this point, I am not sure if I should try for the third one.
I would love to get a unit like yours !
Not sure how many I have to exchange to hit that jackpot
After all my experience (just my personal one, it might not be the overall "rule") it feels like the quiet units are really ... a jackpot (just my 2 cents)
I wanted to say all the issues with the fans whine and PSU "crickets" (or whatever may be the cause). Other than that ... it's flawless for me, I really like it.
Even if I complain, I am not that confident they will send me a unit without the fans whine / psu coil whine.
With my first unit I went to apple store, all they did was their standard diagnostic test (all passed ok).
After that, they advised me to just return it ... which I did. They didn't try too hard to pinpoint the issue, or even hear it for themselves by comparing it to a display unit. That made me feel that they knew about this ...
I also called the customer support by phone. Dead end.
Basically, everybody was acting "surprised" and was advising for return and re-order.
Second one I got, same issue (after all the hassle with refunds, re-order, waiting time for delivery etc.)
At this point, I am not sure if I should try for the third one.
I would love to get a unit like yours !
Not sure how many I have to exchange to hit that jackpot
After all my experience (just my personal one, it might not be the overall "rule") it feels like the quiet units are really ... a jackpot
(just my 2 cents)
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That is how Apple stocks their refurbished items. If you buy refurbished, you're likely getting something that someone bought and then returned.
Not the refurbished ones (that's obvious) but the brand new ones.
I have a feeling that they are re-packaging the returns and sell them again as brand new. They are sending them to the factory, few tests, re-package them and just sell them again.
So basically, those "whinny" units returned and then bought again "brand new", will still have the same components inside.
That's why I said I don't think apple will silently fix things ...
Reasons for my thinking:
- I got my second unit in a different "seal" compared to the first one (the second one had a hard transparent tape underneath the usual paper "pull" tape, like it was double sealed). Maybe I forgot how the first one was sealed ...
- Out of the blue, the delivery timed jumped by 2 months early, a week or so after I received my original delivery "quote" (that's not something that happens "unpredictable", it's obvious that they made some decisions to cause that)
- As of now, there are zero Mac Studio's in their refurbished store ... and we know that they have a lot of returns (I am on my second unit, there are users on their third)
Anyway, it's just speculation and I might be paranoid
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Anyway, it's just speculation and I might be paranoid
Well, I'm even more paranoid than that. I consider all refurbished Macs to be used, and I won't buy them for that reason. Certain things, like cars and computers, I will not buy used. Paranoia!
This irks me.
I’ve had several situations/issues over the years that necessitated a call to Apple support. Then I got the “really, I’ve never heard of that before” response. Issues that had been widely discussed for weeks or months but the standard talking point was to say it was the first they’d heard of the issue.
Maddening!!!
Conversely, I consider a refurbished Apple product to be better than new. When you buy new, the product rolls off the production line, straight into a box and is never checked.Well, I'm even more paranoid than that. I consider all refurbished Macs to be used, and I won't buy them for that reason. Certain things, like cars and computers, I will not buy used. Paranoia!
A refurb goes through human hands, is tested, checked and confirmed to be working properly. It's had an additional level of QC than a brand new one gets.
And it's cheaper. It's a win all round
I just checked, have zero transparent tape. But seriously, you think your return to a store or Leicestershire (Online return) is being repacked and sent back to China to be resold as new? What's next, they tick off people's names on a list of who have returned systems?Not the refurbished ones (that's obvious) but the brand new ones.
I have a feeling that they are re-packaging the returns and sell them again as brand new. They are sending them to the factory, few tests, re-package them and just sell them again.
So basically, those "whinny" units returned and then bought again "brand new", will still have the same components inside.
That's why I said I don't think apple will silently fix things ...
Reasons for my thinking:
- I got my second unit in a different "seal" compared to the first one (the second one had a hard transparent tape underneath the usual paper "pull" tape, like it was double sealed). Maybe I forgot how the first one was sealed ...
- Out of the blue, the delivery timed jumped by 2 months early, a week or so after I received my original delivery "quote" (that's not something that happens "unpredictable", it's obvious that they made some decisions to cause that)
- As of now, there are zero Mac Studio's in their refurbished store ... and we know that they have a lot of returns (I am on my second unit, there are users on their third)
Anyway, it's just speculation and I might be paranoid
Unlikely, LiteOn being one of two manufacturers is my best guess as the culprit.
(*Please note: I've posted the following on the other, shorter, but similarly themed thread)
In advance of purchasing my own Mac Studio Max computer, I have been actively monitoring as many sources of information on the issue of excess and unusual noises emanating from the Mac Studio since the very earliest reports. For months now, I've rather obsessively read nearly every single page on both topic threads on Mac Rumors in addition to anything else I could find online.
Having just set up my new Mac Studio moments ago, I put my ear right up against the exhaust vents and indeed could hear all the sounds that I've read about, namely: an ever so slight rustling beneath the otherwise gentle whoosh and a barely audible whistle. When I covered one-inch of the exhaust vents from either side with my hand, these sounds diminished. Sometimes, when I covered up half of this vent with my hand, the whistle would go away completely, then return. Partially covering up the intake vent on the bottom also changed the volume and character of the sound.
When I moved my ear 12 inches away, I could no longer hear the whistle, just a softer whoosh. While working, I expect the Studio to be a full 3 feet away from my ears. I expect that placing a small piece of acoustic foam on the wall that the exhaust vent is facing will further dampen the sound. I closed all the doors and the windows in my room while doing this test and there was some minor ambient exterior street traffic filtering in. I usually edit in the evening and though I expect the room to be quieter than during the day, I'm certain that wearing headphones would vanquish any unwanted sounds 100%.
Lastly, I've been editing off a 2003-era cheese grater all these years. I'm so accustomed to the volume of that machine, that the Studio is comparatively "dead silent". Given that this is a huge leap for me, my perspective in terms of how much noise is unreasonable may not parallel what others are experiencing. Having said that, I'm extremely sensitive and particular. My Studio is clearly making the noises that folks have been complaining about. However, as of this writing, I do not find these sounds distracting or problematic.
Based on my hand tests, the whistling appears to be related to the vents. Perhaps a future iteration of the Studio hardware will manage the air flow in a way that mitigates the sound. I can always look into software that lowers the fan rpm in the unlikely event that this sound does become problematic for me. But for now, these sounds are quite modest and should not impede my work.
In advance of purchasing my own Mac Studio Max computer, I have been actively monitoring as many sources of information on the issue of excess and unusual noises emanating from the Mac Studio since the very earliest reports. For months now, I've rather obsessively read nearly every single page on both topic threads on Mac Rumors in addition to anything else I could find online.
Having just set up my new Mac Studio moments ago, I put my ear right up against the exhaust vents and indeed could hear all the sounds that I've read about, namely: an ever so slight rustling beneath the otherwise gentle whoosh and a barely audible whistle. When I covered one-inch of the exhaust vents from either side with my hand, these sounds diminished. Sometimes, when I covered up half of this vent with my hand, the whistle would go away completely, then return. Partially covering up the intake vent on the bottom also changed the volume and character of the sound.
When I moved my ear 12 inches away, I could no longer hear the whistle, just a softer whoosh. While working, I expect the Studio to be a full 3 feet away from my ears. I expect that placing a small piece of acoustic foam on the wall that the exhaust vent is facing will further dampen the sound. I closed all the doors and the windows in my room while doing this test and there was some minor ambient exterior street traffic filtering in. I usually edit in the evening and though I expect the room to be quieter than during the day, I'm certain that wearing headphones would vanquish any unwanted sounds 100%.
Lastly, I've been editing off a 2003-era cheese grater all these years. I'm so accustomed to the volume of that machine, that the Studio is comparatively "dead silent". Given that this is a huge leap for me, my perspective in terms of how much noise is unreasonable may not parallel what others are experiencing. Having said that, I'm extremely sensitive and particular. My Studio is clearly making the noises that folks have been complaining about. However, as of this writing, I do not find these sounds distracting or problematic.
Based on my hand tests, the whistling appears to be related to the vents. Perhaps a future iteration of the Studio hardware will manage the air flow in a way that mitigates the sound. I can always look into software that lowers the fan rpm in the unlikely event that this sound does become problematic for me. But for now, these sounds are quite modest and should not impede my work.
I switched the fans off with smcFanControl and the following four statements.
(All the usual disclaimers apply here. Do it on your own risk. May cause overheating or whatever.)
sudo ./smc -k "F0Md" -w 01
sudo ./smc -k "F1Md" -w 01
sudo ./smc -k "F0Tg" -w 00000000
sudo ./smc -k "F1Tg" -w 00000000
To turn the fans back on:
sudo ./smc -k "F0Md" -w 00
sudo ./smc -k "F1Md" -w 00
Probably not a good idea if you plan anything CPU or GPU intensive. On my setup with two Studio Displays the Thunderbolt ports are the hottest part in the computer (around 50° C).
(All the usual disclaimers apply here. Do it on your own risk. May cause overheating or whatever.)
sudo ./smc -k "F0Md" -w 01
sudo ./smc -k "F1Md" -w 01
sudo ./smc -k "F0Tg" -w 00000000
sudo ./smc -k "F1Tg" -w 00000000
To turn the fans back on:
sudo ./smc -k "F0Md" -w 00
sudo ./smc -k "F1Md" -w 00
Probably not a good idea if you plan anything CPU or GPU intensive. On my setup with two Studio Displays the Thunderbolt ports are the hottest part in the computer (around 50° C).
You sure this works properly 100%? When you turn theem back on, everything goes back to normal? If you stop smcFanControl, do fans go back? I’m interested because it seems like you’re turning off 4 components, while turning back on only 2. Does effect persist after reboot? Does it void warranty?
No.
Yes.
I have never started (not even installed) the GUI-App smcFanControl. Just the CLI "smc".
I'm not turning off 4 components. "FxMd" sets the "Auto" mode if value is zero and "Force" mode if value is one. "FxTg" sets the "Target rpm" to 0 rpm. (Have not testet other values, yet). Setting "Auto" always sets rpm to ~1330. (At least I have never seen a different range)
No, a reboot automatically sets both fans to "Auto".
I don't know. The only thing different here from any other app (e.g. TG Pro, MacFanControl) is that you are allowed to set the target rpm to zero.
I just received my third unit and this one it’s a keeper !
It’s as close as it gets to a “dead silent” one.
It’s quieter than previous ones. The “metallic” sound signature it’s still there but waaay way more quiet.
i don’t have any intermittent high pitch noise from fans and any “crickets” coming from PSU.
i will keep this one. It’s almost … “dead silent” 👍
In conclusion:
yes apple did screw up with quality control on some units (and not just a few) maybe even some design flaw , supply chain issues etc. … but it’s still a fantastic piece of gear.
Until Studio V3 or V4 comes along … this will do fine for now . It’s just the way things are.
It’s as close as it gets to a “dead silent” one.
It’s quieter than previous ones. The “metallic” sound signature it’s still there but waaay way more quiet.
i don’t have any intermittent high pitch noise from fans and any “crickets” coming from PSU.
i will keep this one. It’s almost … “dead silent” 👍
In conclusion:
yes apple did screw up with quality control on some units (and not just a few) maybe even some design flaw , supply chain issues etc. … but it’s still a fantastic piece of gear.
Until Studio V3 or V4 comes along … this will do fine for now . It’s just the way things are.
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