[PeterGh]

Hi there

I am considering buying a 24" iMac, are there any issues regarding noise (fan noise, etc) that I should be aware of? Is there any noise difference between the 24" 2.8GHz, 320Gb HD, ATI Radeon 2600 Pro G.C, and the 24" 3.06GHz, 500Gb HD, with NVIDIA GeForce 8800 graphics card? Presumably the higher spec runs hotter.

If this topic has already been covered, could you direct me to the most recent thread?

Thank you

[Simon]

The 24" iMac has a reputation of running very quiet. The 3.06GHz model will run slightly hotter, but it's not reported to be louder. And of course when the CPUs idle they put out roughly the same amount of heat anyway. So if you want to sleep in the vicinity of your idling iMac there should be no difference ein terms of noise.

[Cold Warrior]

The ones I've been around have always been very quiet. It's something easily taken for granted.

[PeterGh]

Simon and Cold Warrior

Many thanks for your reassuring replies

[ooninay]

My 24" iMac is absolutely silent, the quietest computer I've ever had as far as fine noise goes. I think when I run graphic-intensive games the fan cuts in but I don't even hear it over the game sounds. I hate fan noise so this is something I would notice right away if it were there.

[MichiganRich]

I'd like to add another vote for "quietest computer ever owned". My 24" has been a pleasure since the day I bought it. I am also sensitive to noise, and have been amazed that this thing is just dead silent.

[PeterGh]

Many thanks for those further reassurances. What concerned me regarding noise is that the latest iMac 3.06GHz has an overclocked Penryn E8235 cpu running at 55 Watts, which mimics the forthcoming X9100 (35 Watts) Centrino 2 (Montevina) due out in July.

55 Watts seems to be a lot of heat. Does anyone know if the current E8235 chip is a stop-gap measure pending the X9100?

I know technical innovation is always around the corner and one could wait forever, but I would be annoyed to get a current iMac only to find it upgraded in a few weeks. However, I may press ahead since your experience shows that the iMac cooling copes well with 55 Watts, and the current overclocked Penryn seems to be a good chip.

[Simon]

The X9100 has a TDP of 44W. The 3.06 GHz Penryn in the iMac has ~45W TDP as well. This is nothing to be afraid of. The CPU will run hotter under full load. That does not mean more fan noise under regular usage or under idle conditions. If you need that kind of CPU power just get it and stop worrying.

[mimory]

My 24" 2.8 is super quiet. There's hardly any noise. I don't think I even hear the hard drive. You have to put a CD/DVD in to hear some mechanical noise coming out from the imac.

[EuropeBetterThanAmerica]

My 24" 2.4 is super quiet too.. much more than the macbook.

[DaveDaveDave]

Originally Posted by Simon 

The X9100 has a TDP of 44W. The 3.06 GHz Penryn in the iMac has ~45W TDP as well. This is nothing to be afraid of. The CPU will run hotter under full load. That does not mean more fan noise under regular usage or under idle conditions. If you need that kind of CPU power just get it and stop worrying.

Hey, it's a really valid concern - he's got every right to worry about it.
I for one got my old iMac (24" 2.16 C2D) for audio production which I run it near full CPU all the time, and it stays nice and quiet at a cool 20dbA @ 1 meter. (spec is from out silentPCreview.com). I really hope the new iMacs continue keep their low noise specs as they gain in performance.
The low noise spec under load has been an awesome feature since they came out. Trying to get such low noise with any other PC costs a good chunk of change, requiring all kinds of noise suppression parts and devices like quieter cases, CPU coolers, HD suspension kits, quiet fans and the like. If the iMacs weren't as quiet as they are *under full load*, I'd honestly consider either spending more money on a Mac Pro or less money on a PC.

I'm very interested in hearing updates on precisely how quiet the newer iMacs are under full load. If anyone has any, please post!

Dave

[Simon]

Again, a hotter CPU does not equal more noise. I recently set up a new iMac for a friend. It's an extremely quiet Mac. Even under prolonged full load usage. With this iMac generation there is really no reason to worry about noise.

[alvinson]

have a look,and study it

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