Safe to run my mini C2D at 100% for the next 20 days?

[C8XY]

As the title suggests, I intend to run my poor mac mini at 100% CPU for about 20 days, give or take.
I have a large handbrake queue and I only realised it would take this long when I noticed its taking ages to encode these films!
So the question is, will my mini survive?

CPU temp runs between 90 and 95 C.

Its a headless machine purely being used for this job at the moment, its a 2ghz core 2 duo running constantly.

Opinions on the best way to go about this appreciated

 

[Intell]

It should be fine. But you may want to run smcFanControl to keep its fan high.

 

[C8XY]

It should be fine. But you may want to run smcFanControl to keep its fan high.

Thought about this but the mini sits near the TV so due to noise, I’ll leave OS X in control of the temp. Am I right in thinking as long as its below 100C its within its "normal" operating temp?

 

[tbayrgs]

As the title suggests, I intend to run my poor mac mini at 100% CPU for about 20 days, give or take.
I have a large handbrake queue and I only realised it would take this long when I noticed its taking ages to encode these films!
So the question is, will my mini survive?

CPU temp runs between 90 and 95 C.

Its a headless machine purely being used for this job at the moment, its a 2ghz core 2 duo running constantly.

Opinions on the best way to go about this appreciated

While I was encoding my library, I generally ran my Mini (exact same as yours) overnight, almost every night for months on end. As I'm sure you're aware, encoding blu ray disks at 720pcan take a good 8-10 hours on that machine and I was doing one or two a night for quite a while, so I think the mini can handle it but I'd suggest cutting that job in half--maybe 12 hours on 12 hours off, just to be safe.

 

[Intell]

Thought about this but the mini sits near the TV so due to noise, I’ll leave OS X in control of the temp. Am I right in thinking as long as its below 100C its within its "normal" operating temp?

That would be very hot for the computer. Intell CPUs have a safety heat switch that will turn off the CPU if it gets too hot. If it does get too hot, the Mini will turn itself off. If it does get above 100C, then its time to start panicking.

Another thing to try is to keep good airflow around it and a low room temperature. That should help keep the Mini cool.

 

[lilsoccakid74]

Thought about this but the mini sits near the TV so due to noise, I’ll leave OS X in control of the temp. Am I right in thinking as long as its below 100C its within its "normal" operating temp?

Just so you know, even doubling your minimum fan speed should not get noticably louder. My 2009 and 2011 mini dont tend to really become noisy until at least 4000+rpm, and my minis are 2 feet away from me when im using them

 

[C8XY]

Ok thanks guys, I’m now running smc and the CPU is around 80-85C
I’ll just let it run the queue to the end, if it breaks the C2D is on a socket so I’ll just swap it
Good to have peace of mind though

 

[Mak47]

It should be fine, but 20 days is a bit long. You might try at least pausing your Handbrake queue for a few minutes here and there to give it a chance to cool down.

If you want to be really safe, make sure your fans are controlled at a high rate, then remove the bottom cover and elevate the mini. The airflow will be much higher that way. This is unnecessary for normal use, or even for a day or two of high CPU usage, but 20 days is a long time.

 

[lilsoccakid74]

Ok thanks guys, I’m now running smc and the CPU is around 80-85C
I’ll just let it run the queue to the end, if it breaks the C2D is on a socket so I’ll just swap it
Good to have peace of mind though

I feel like if i put my 2009 mini at around 2800-3000rpm minimum it would stay closer to 70-75, but your also running the cpu at the max pretty much. As long as you picked up the fan speed, I would not be too worried, just try to give it a couple minutes to cool down each day if possible. Many people kept the old mini's on their side to keep them running cooler also btw.

 

[theSeb]

While I was encoding my library, I generally ran my Mini (exact same as yours) overnight, almost every night for months on end. As I'm sure you're aware, encoding blu ray disks at 720pcan take a good 8-10 hours on that machine and I was doing one or two a night for quite a while, so I think the mini can handle it but I'd suggest cutting that job in half--maybe 12 hours on 12 hours off, just to be safe.

I don't think that 12 hours off is necessary, but consider that this isn't server grade hardware designed to run 24/7. I would suggest that after around every 12 hours, you allow it to idle for about 20-30 minutes.

In theory it should be fine without doing this, and I wouldn't hesitate to say it's ok if you had a normal size case with plenty of cooling, but I would recommend to give it a "small break". I am not sure how it would handle 100% CPU load for 20 days.

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Thought about this but the mini sits near the TV so due to noise, I’ll leave OS X in control of the temp. Am I right in thinking as long as its below 100C its within its "normal" operating temp?

OSX will boost the fans to maximum as the CPU temps approach 90 Celsius so you'll hear it anyway.

 

[Gav2k]

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Op ignore everyone that's said give it a break etc etc. It'll get through the q just fine!

 

[theSeb]

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Op ignore everyone that's said give it a break etc etc. It'll get through the q just fine!

20 days at 100% CPU and fans at full blast within that cramped case? I would be hesitant to make such a statement.