# Do Apple PCs Have Cooling Fans? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 24, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282 "2005-05-24T17:04:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/1 "2005-05-24T17:04:34Z")
I ask because I checked a few out-and they don’t appear to make any noise. Also, the low end desktop has its CPU inside a sealed case-no perceptable vent holes for air flow. So, does APPLE manage to run thier processor chips much cooler than the INTEL-based PCs? And, given the fact that most processors need cooling, are Apple’s products likely to have shorter lifespans? ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/2 "2005-05-24T17:14:29Z")
My G5 has seven fans, but they run quiet. A CPU with no cooling fan wouldn’t have any kind of useful lifetime, IIRC. And you’re gonna catch some flack for referring to Apple’s machines as PCs. That term is usually for Wintel boxes. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/3 "2005-05-24T17:23:35Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > My G5 has seven fans, but they run quiet. A CPU with no cooling fan wouldn’t have any kind of useful lifetime, IIRC. The high-end stuff definitely has fans, but some of the low-end machines, including several iMac models and the G4 cube, do not have any fans at all. The PowerPC runs a lot cooler than x86 processors, especially the under-powered ones in the aforementioned models. Combined with very clever case design that encourages convection cooling, there is no need for fans. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/4 "2005-05-24T17:25:41Z")
I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/5 "2005-05-24T17:52:26Z")
Don’t forget that we don’t have a G5 PowerBook yet because the G5, unlike it’s younger bretheren, is a power hog and pretty efficient space heater. The G5 tower, for example, has an indirect, heat-exchanger cooling system (people call it “liquid cooled”, but it’s “liquid cooled” in the sense that your air conditioner is “gas cooled”, not “liquid cooled” in the sense that liquid is flowing inside of the engine of your car). ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/6 "2005-05-24T18:27:44Z")
My G5 Dual 2Ghz may as well have an airplane engine in it. True, it’s my Dev machine and it’s tasked quite a bit, but it’s the loudest machine I’ve ever had. My G4 TiBook 1Ghz also has a fan in it that can get quite loud. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/7 "2005-05-24T18:35:59Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > And you’re gonna catch some flack for referring to Apple’s machines as PCs. That term is usually for Wintel boxes. Some of us would argue that personal computer is a general term. Apple used to have a Personal Computer Division, now it’s called the Mac Division. ---
**Author:** ![RandomLetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8edcca/32.png) [@RandomLetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandomLetters)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/8 "2005-05-24T18:44:41Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > The PowerPC runs a lot cooler than x86 processors, especially the under-powered ones in the aforementioned models. Note that there is a wide variation in the power usuage (and thus heat production) when it comes to x86 processors. Top of the line Pentium Ms will draw about 25 watts at full usuage, Venice core Athlon 64’s about 30 watts or so; other Athlon 64 cores 60-70 watts; you get around 80-90 watts for dual core Athlon 64’s, 100+ watts for Prescott core Pentium 4’s, and the dual core Pentium 4’s are at 130 watts or so. ---
**Author:** ![SiouxChief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@SiouxChief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiouxChief)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/9 "2005-05-24T20:05:10Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > …the low end desktop has its CPU inside a sealed case-no perceptable vent holes for air flow. The fan vents for the iMac G5 are underneath the unit, along with the speaker grilles. There’s also a thin exhaust strip in the back of the unit, near the top. I believe the fan vents for the Mac Mini are in the back. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/10 "2005-05-24T20:09:47Z")
Off the top of my head, the eMac, the original “gumdrop”-shaped iMacs, and the Cube don’t have fans. They cool by venting, where the heat from the insides is allowed to flow up and out on its own. Apple’s other computers tend to have quiet temperature-sensitive fans, which only come on when things get hot. If you’re not doing anything too intensive, you may not notice the fan noise at all. And I’ll just add that quiet computing can be _damn_ addictive. After a year of using my (fanless) iMac, I bought myself an external hard drive for extra storage, only to exchange it for another when the (minimal) fan noise it made disrupted the tranquility… ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/11 "2005-05-24T20:22:47Z")
The iMac G5s do have computer controlled fans (3 of 'em), that only turn on as needed. [Here’s a link.](http://www.apple.com/imac/design.html) > [@](#): > > Cool Operator > The speaker grill lets a trio of ultra-quiet blowers draw cool air into the system. These custom heat dissipaters can rotate at speeds as low as a few hundred RPM — advanced thermal software spins them as fast or slow as needed. A slit in the back of the case allows heat to rise out the top. Also, my Dual 2.5 Ghz G5 PowerMac has, I believe, 9 computer controlled fans. It has this number, because the inside of the tower has been compartmentalized by design, so it can selectively turn on different fans in different compartments depending on cooling needs. But let there be no doubt, it CAN get quite noisy when I’m really putting it to task. [Another link.](http://www.apple.com/powermac/design.html) ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/12 "2005-05-24T20:24:54Z")
> [@Rjung](#): > > After a year of using my (fanless) iMac, I bought myself an external hard drive for extra storage, only to exchange it for another when the (minimal) fan noise it made disrupted the tranquility… Yes, after several years on an iMac, I switched to a Mini, and dammit, you can _hear_ the fan. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/13 "2005-05-24T21:02:45Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > ``` > My G5 Dual 2Ghz may as well have an airplane engine in it. True > > ``` A G5 tower’s fan’s will kick in if it is started in target mode and left to run for a half hour or so, or the cover is taken off. They do get loud. But never under normal operation have I heard the fans get very loud. And that is in our Avid studio running Pro-Tools or compressing video. Never have I heard it go to more thatn a hum. You may want to investigate other G5s and see if they are as loud. You may have a bad sensor or switch. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/14 "2005-05-24T21:31:15Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > You may have a bad sensor or switch. You may also just have a bunch of crap clogging up your fans. Give them a good blast with some canned air. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/15 "2005-05-24T21:44:48Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > A G5 tower’s fan’s will kick in if it is started in target mode and left to run for a half hour or so I believe all Macs, if you boot them in Firewire Target Mode[sup]\*[/sup], will turn on all fans by default. That’s because the fans are controlled by the OS, and in Target mode, the OS isn’t loaded – so the fans kick in to prevent any heating problems. [sup]\*[/sup] For the uninitiated, this means your computer boots up as a glorified external hard drive. Handy for when you can’t boot up for some reason, and you just need to transfer data from one drive to another. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/16 "2005-05-24T21:54:20Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > A G5 tower’s fan’s will kick in if it is started in target mode and left to run for a half hour or so, or the cover is taken off. They do get loud. But never under normal operation have I heard the fans get very loud. And that is in our Avid studio running Pro-Tools or compressing video. Never have I heard it go to more thatn a hum. You may want to investigate other G5s and see if they are as loud. You may have a bad sensor or switch. I’m running several dev environments at the same time, compiling a far-from-finished Application with several hundred million lines of code, with memory draining debug utilities (retain deleted memory, enable code pages, etc) running aplenty. It’s one of three identical G5s I use. No bad sensors or clogged fans, just heavily-taxed machines running at capacity. Thanks for the suggestions just the same, though. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/17 "2005-05-24T23:36:42Z")
If you’re looking for quiet computing, the place to go is [www.silentpcreview.com](http://www.silentpcreview.com). Gobs and gobs of information. ---
**Author:** ![stockton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/18 "2005-05-25T01:54:31Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > I believe all Macs, if you boot them in Firewire Target Mode[sup]\*[/sup], will turn on all fans by default. That’s because the fans are controlled by the OS, and in Target mode, the OS isn’t loaded – so the fans kick in to prevent any heating problems. > > [sup]\*[/sup] For the uninitiated, this means your computer boots up as a glorified external hard drive. Handy for when you can’t boot up for some reason, and you just need to transfer data from one drive to another. All Macs? My iMacs are rigged together and often Firewire targeted between themselves. Unless someone snuck in and stuck some fans in these guys, the answer is no. No fans on my desktop, several iMacs. The OP may be a bit broad (as already noted) - my G5 sounds like a Harrier jet trying to land on a junkpile when that fan kicks in. BwwwwwwwHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/19 "2005-05-25T03:21:21Z")
> [@Dooku](#): > > I’m running several dev environments at the same time, compiling a far-from-finished Application with **several hundred million lines of code** , with memory draining debug utilities (retain deleted memory, enable code pages, etc) running aplenty. It’s one of three identical G5s I use. No bad sensors or clogged fans, just heavily-taxed machines running at capacity. Thanks for the suggestions just the same, though. Is this hyperbole? If not then… godDAMN!!! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282/20 "2005-05-25T18:30:35Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > Is this hyperbole? If not then… godDAMN!!! :eek: I wish it were hyperbole. Let’s just say it’s one of the most well known applications in the world, and it ain’t small. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-apple-pcs-have-cooling-fans/305282.md?page=2)