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Amoratu · Nov 10, 2009, 01:22 PM

Good evening everyone,

I have a question regarding computer temperature and setting the fan at higher speeds. I did try to research a bit on the forum beforehand but I couldn't find my answer.

My Mac book: 10 months old Intel core 2 duo aluminum 13 inch model. Also have a 23" monitor that the screen gets exported to via DVI.

I currently use my macbook for school by utilizing the mac OSX to do all my typing etc. The temp never gets higher than 45-50 C using that smc Fan Control at 3500 RPM. When I want to play games such as AION for example I swap over via bootcamp to my windows xp so I can play. What I started to notice at 3500 rpm the computer was getting really warm to hot. What I did was swap back to mac OSX set the smc Fan Control at 6200 RPM then reboot back to windows. I noticed the temp go down substantially at full load with the game running on a window on my external screen.

So my question is if I run the fan at 6200RPM what are the negative's for having the fan at that speed? I know that it will consume more energy, may decrease the life of the fan faster and be a bit more noisy but are there anything else?

I just want to ensure that my laptop components are safe and wanted to keep the computer as cool as possible. I also have it sitting on a cooling mat (I don't really see a difference with it) and at times I put a nice little icepack on top of the keyboard with a tissue under it so no water gets into the computer.

Sorry for the lengthy post, thanks for your time everyone

~Joe

damianslame · Nov 10, 2009, 03:08 PM

I have been having similar issues with my MacBook Pro Unibody when ever I jump into Windows my computer turns into a heater.

I have some issues with that in OSX also.

shdwghst457 · 04:30 PM

wrong category. this is for towers.

It's been moved to the correct forum... Glenn

amazing · Nov 11, 2009, 11:27 AM

Suggestion: get a laptop cooler. More specifically, get a cooler with fans that blow air AT the laptop, rather than models that pull air away from the laptop (don't work as well.) Blowing air at the bottom of the aluminum-skinned laptop will bring the temp way down without involving the internal fans.

Yes, you'll have some fan noise but it's a different noise than the whining of the internal fan, and usually overwritten by the game noise.

Why a laptop cooler? I personally prefer to shift the wear and tear away from my expensive laptop onto a cheap external device. Yes, the laptop is designed to deal with high temps, yes, the fans are designed to cool the laptop--but I keep my laptops for a long time, unlike many who upgrade regularly.

EndlessMac · Nov 11, 2009, 01:57 PM

My opinion is that you should worry less about damaging your computer and think more about your comfort. Computers can handle a lot of heat that makes it uncomfortable for us to use. I don't mind fan noise so I prefer a cooler computer so that it's comfortable for me while typing and sitting next to my computer in general. It actually starts to become a mini heater when I use intense applications so cooler temperatures are preferred.

You can use an external cooling device, turn up your fans, or a combo of both. Your fans shouldn't really be an expensive part to replace especially if you do it yourself. I've never had a single fan die on me and I have had computers that are more than 5 years old. I wouldn't worry about wearing out the fans.

Simon · Nov 11, 2009, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by EndlessMac

My opinion is that you should worry less about damaging your computer and think more about your comfort.

^^^ This.

The computer can handle ridiculously high temperatures (the CPU for example does just fine at 80C/180F!). Your comfort is the real issue.

JoshuaZ · Nov 11, 2009, 08:07 PM

When I was booting into Windows XP to play some Fallout 3 my 2007 Macbook Pro would go crazy with heat. The fan would almost immediately go into high speed. This with my apartment being very cold that winter and with the laptop on a stand, so it was off the ground.

If you're looking for a simple fan, try the Targus X-Stand. Simple, cheap, compact, and classy.

Stands | AWE09US | by Targus

Amoratu · Nov 16, 2009, 10:37 AM

Thank you for all the replies everyone but my concern is prolonged use of the fan at 6200 RPM. I am using the smcFanControl on my mac then swapping back to windows to play games. So my question is, will I damage my computer by having the fan running at 6200 RPM all the time.

~Joe

Simon · Nov 16, 2009, 12:23 PM

If the fan breaks from running at 6200 rpm you can have it fixed under warranty or Apple Care. Apple has no way of knowing how long or how fast you have been running your fans. IOW they will have made sure the fans can take some load for at least the duration of your warranty.