Temperatures & Fan Speeds for Late 2009 iMacs (Please Post Yours)

[Kirbdog]

wow your HD only goes up to 50 c? mine's usually around 50c when just browsing the internet for an hour or so, but when I watch hulu or any kind of video it skyrockets to 60 c.. should I be concerned / worried? im scared of HD errors later on down the road.

I do get higher than posted HDD temps when moving large files around. It is not uncommon for me to see HDD temps at 60˚C. It may be on the high side, it will run until it dies, then it will be replaced. That is the life of a HDD.

 

[whwang]

Computer = 27" Quad Core i7 iMac, 2TB HDD, 8GB RAM

Temps (C)

HD - 27
CPU - 29
Ambient - 19
GPU Diode - 38
GPU Heatsink - 37
Mem Controller - 31
Optical Drive - 26
Power Supply 2 - 34

Fans (RPM)

Optical Drive - 1002
Hard Drive - 1099
CPU Fan - 940

Here is the problem I am having. Perhaps some of you know what's going on.

The HD fan doesn't behave well. The above number of 1000+ RPM is right after
the computer wakes up. It is 2000+ RPM after boot up. In either case, it goes up
slowly to about 3900 to 4100 RPM, even if I absolutely do nothing to the
computer. What's even more weird is that after it goes there, it stays at about
4000 RPM and never goes back to the normal idle speed of ~1000 RPM. When the
fan runs like crazy, the HD temperature looks perfectly normal (now it is 34 C).
This really bothers me because of the noise created by the fan. The noise does
not go away even long after the load goes to 0.

For your reference, these are what I am having now:

Temps (C)

HD - 34
CPU - 38
Ambient - 23
GPU Diode - 51
GPU Heatsink - 49
Mem Controller - 42
Optical Drive - 38
Power Supply 2 - 53

Fans (RPM)

Optical Drive - 997
Hard Drive - 4122
CPU Fan - 939

I am using another computer to type this message. The iMac has been in 100% idle
for > 10 minutes.

The HD is WD Caviar Green 2TB. Can the HD be the culprit?

 

[spencers]

Northbridge temp capped at 61 while using handbrake

Thanks!

 

[spcdust]

Computer
Here is the problem I am having. Perhaps some of you know what's going on.

The HD fan doesn't behave well. The above number of 1000+ RPM is right after
the computer wakes up. It is 2000+ RPM after boot up. In either case, it goes up
slowly to about 3900 to 4100 RPM, even if I absolutely do nothing to the
computer. What's even more weird is that after it goes there, it stays at about
4000 RPM and never goes back to the normal idle speed of ~1000 RPM. When the
fan runs like crazy, the HD temperature looks perfectly normal (now it is 34 C).
This really bothers me because of the noise created by the fan. The noise does
not go away even long after the load goes to 0.

For your reference, these are what I am having now:

Temps (C)

HD - 34
CPU - 38
Ambient - 23
GPU Diode - 51
GPU Heatsink - 49
Mem Controller - 42
Optical Drive - 38
Power Supply 2 - 53

Fans (RPM)

Optical Drive - 997
Hard Drive - 4122
CPU Fan - 939

I am using another computer to type this message. The iMac has been in 100% idle
for > 10 minutes.

The HD is WD Caviar Green 2TB. Can the HD be the culprit?

I would try an SMC reset. Just follow these steps:

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
4. Release the power button.
5. Attach the computers power cable.
6. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

Full details at this page:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

 

[knewsom]

Here ya go!

 

[whwang]

I would try an SMC reset. Just follow these steps:

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
4. Release the power button.
5. Attach the computers power cable.
6. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

Full details at this page:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Thank you. The fan symptoms described by the Apple webpage does look
like what I am having. I did the reset several times, but it doesn't get
any better. I may have to call the dealer or Apple.

 

[DoFoT9]

just turned computer on 3 hrs ago, was away on a little holiday. here are the readings after 3 hrs of idle-ness.

overall im pretty comfortable with these temperatures.

oh: quad core i7 btw

 

[spencers]

So, I just installed the firmware update... Will report back how that turns out at a later time.

 

[Babaky]

hey guys,

i just received my replacement imac last night as the first one had issues with the fans. Now im concerned about the temperatures/fans with this one, i have the following

HD: 59
CPU: 42
ambient: 23
GPU D: 59
GPU H: 59
Mem cont: 53
Opt. Drive: 50
Power supply: 66

this is after using my imac to play some games. the thing is, the numbers stay about the same even hours after doing any graphic or cpu intensive software/games, i just pretty much do some browsing and it just doesnt cool down. Initially my numbers are low, HD at around 45, and HD fan at 1100, but then with the temp rise the fan also goes up to 1300 and stays there until i shut down or put my imac into sleep mode and allow it to cool down a bit..

Anyone else having this issue? i called imac but they couldnt really help much.

i have the i7 with 2TB hitachi

 

[Kirbdog]

hey guys,

i just received my replacement imac last night as the first one had issues with the fans. Now im concerned about the temperatures/fans with this one, i have the following

HD: 59
CPU: 42
ambient: 23
GPU D: 59
GPU H: 59
Mem cont: 53
Opt. Drive: 50
Power supply: 66

this is after using my imac to play some games. the thing is, the numbers stay about the same even hours after doing any graphic or cpu intensive software/games, i just pretty much do some browsing and it just doesnt cool down. Initially my numbers are low, HD at around 45, and HD fan at 1100, but when then with the temp rise the fan also goes up to 1300 and stays there until i shut down or put my imac into sleep mode and allow it to cool down a bit..

Anyone else having this issue? i called imac but they couldnt really help much.

i have the i7 with 2TB hitachi

I have noticed pretty much the same thing. I don't game on mine but I have been running HandBrake a few hours a day on it. I was keeping an eye on it at first but now I feel that that is the norm.

The back is hot, so it is dissipating the heat and the fans are moving plenty of air through the chassis. As this is the first time Apple has put a desktop processor in the iMac we are going to see higher operating temps. The only big unanswered question is will it have an adverse effect on the machine over time. I'm going to get Apple Care (I always do anyway) and deal with it any problems later, if I do have any.

 

[Shawnstra]

This is after some mild 3d games for about 30 mins, watching video, and browsing the web. Oh and iTunes music listening.

 

[upsguy27]

Here's mine. I have a core i5 iMac. My fans are always running; even when the computer is idle. The temps shown below are when the computer is idle; only Safari is open.

HD: Macintosh HD: 56
CPU: 47
Ambient: 26
GPU Diode: 67
GPU Heatsink: 66
Mem Controller: 54
Optical Drive: 48
Power Supply: 70


EDIT: Ahh, can't believe I forgot the fan speeds.

Optical Drive: 998 RPM
Hard Drive: 1300 RPM
CPU Fan: 140 RPM

Are these temps and fan speeds above normal? Again, these are the normal temps and fan speeds when the computer is idle for at least an hour.

 

[gospel9]

Why do some people tend to ignore the "Fan speed" part of this post... I'll certainly have to check for this one when I get my new iMac sometime next month...

edit: wanted to add that the biggest reason for me to get the i5 is because it supposedly produces less heat than both the i7 and the core 2 duos.

 

[Babaky]

anyone else getting really hot HD temps? mine sometimes goes up to 60 and never cools down to lower than 58, even if i leave it idle for hours. I have the 2TB hitachi.

 

[sonnyh]

Hi,

I downloaded Istat for SL and for the life of me I do not know how to get it going. I got the menu where you choose settings and that is all.

Would someone please advise how to get the readouts to this newbie.

Thanks,

 

[sonnyh]

Sorry for the previous post. For some reason I thought that it would be in Dashboard.

Amb 21
CPU 35
Mem Cont 39
N.B. 49
Opt Dr 32
PS2 48
HD 43

CPU 1199
HD 1099
Opt Dr 997

Running Firefox when readings taken.
Imac 21.5 basic model

The HD RPM shows up twice in the menu bar. How do I remove one of them? I tried uninstalling Istat and reinstalling but that didn't work.

Cheers

 

[Babaky]

Sorry for the previous post. For some reason I thought that it would be in Dashboard.

Amb 21
CPU 35
Mem Cont 39
N.B. 49
Opt Dr 32
PS2 48
HD 43

CPU 1199
HD 1099
Opt Dr 997

Running Firefox when readings taken.
Imac 21.5 basic model

The HD RPM shows up twice in the menu bar. How do I remove one of them? I tried uninstalling Istat and reinstalling but that didn't work.

Cheers

How long was your imac on for when you had these numbers?

 

[Babaky]

just turned computer on 3 hrs ago, was away on a little holiday. here are the readings after 3 hrs of idle-ness.

overall im pretty comfortable with these temperatures.

oh: quad core i7 btw

where are your readings? i'm curious to see numbers for those who've had their imacs on for a few hours, i have a feeling a lot of ppl are posting the "cool" numbers.

 

[scroto]

OMG, you guys are still posting idle temps. For the love of god atleast run handbrake for a few minutes and post your temps. Idle temps are innacurate and are influenced more by ambient temps. The higher the temps get the more accurate the readings will be anyway.

 

[Babaky]

ya seriously.. i dont see why ppl are posting their cool numbers. PLEASE post numbers of imacs that have been running for a few hours, i'm trying to see if mine is running too hot or not.

My fans are running all the time now at
opt 1185
HD 1550
CPU 1550

the sound of the fans is annoying me so i want to know if this is normal or not, PLEASE post ur numbers for imacs that have been for a few hours! thanks

Babak

 

[Travisimo]

Here's mine. I have a core i5 iMac. My fans are always running; even when the computer is idle. The temps shown below are when the computer is idle; only Safari is open.

HD: Macintosh HD: 56
CPU: 47
Ambient: 26
GPU Diode: 67
GPU Heatsink: 66
Mem Controller: 54
Optical Drive: 48
Power Supply: 70


EDIT: Ahh, can't believe I forgot the fan speeds.

Optical Drive: 998 RPM
Hard Drive: 1300 RPM
CPU Fan: 140 RPM

Are these temps and fan speeds above normal? Again, these are the normal temps and fan speeds when the computer is idle for at least an hour.

That's pretty much what I'm getting with my i5 as well with a light load (web browsing, downloading, etc). When it's completely idle (after waking up from sleep), I see lower temps but once I start using the computer, I pretty much get what you posted above. Seems a bit higher than some others who have posted, but not extreme by any means.

 

[sonnyh]

How long was your imac on for when you had these numbers?

It must have been on for at least half hour because I was downloading Istat, configuring it, uninstalling it and reinstalling and there wasn't much change in temp or fan speeds. Why do you ask?

Finally figured out Istat.

When it says mac harddrive, who actually is the manufacture?

Cheers,

 

[BobK]

iStat question

I have an iMac i7 that I have loaded both versions of iStat on. The widget (pro) works fine except that it does not display the fan speeds. And yes, I turned the widget around and turned on "display fan speeds". The regular version of iStat loaded the menu dialog box fine and appears in the setting panel. However it simply will not pop up into the upper menu bar with the reading. So I still cannot get the fan speeds. Meanwhile, on my MBP, it works fine. Any ideas of what I am doing wrong?
Thanks!

 

[quagmire]

My i7 while folding@home is active.

 

[spcdust]

OMG, you guys are still posting idle temps. For the love of god atleast run handbrake for a few minutes and post your temps. Idle temps are innacurate and are influenced more by ambient temps. The higher the temps get the more accurate the readings will be anyway.

ya seriously.. i dont see why ppl are posting their cool numbers. PLEASE post numbers of imacs that have been running for a few hours, i'm trying to see if mine is running too hot or not.

My fans are running all the time now at
opt 1185
HD 1550
CPU 1550

the sound of the fans is annoying me so i want to know if this is normal or not, PLEASE post ur numbers for imacs that have been for a few hours! thanks

Babak

You have a fair point, however this particular thread was set up so people could quickly check that the fans speeds and temperatures when the iMac was not under any real load correlated with others. Really you need this base reading as well as a reading when the iMac is under load.

My suggestion to you guys is take the initiative and create a new thread requesting stats when peoples iMac's have performed a CPU / GPU intensive task. To make any real sense of the data you should set up a control task so we're all reading from the same Hymn sheet - for example you could find a 10-20 minute movie on the web that we can all download and then convert into a designated file format using HandBrake. That way any stats you get correlate to the same task.

I look forward to either of you creating this thread and, of course, I will be happy to contribute to it.