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Hendrik Holtmann
smcFanControl ... Control the fans of every Intel Mac to make it run cooler.
smcFanControl lets the user set the minimum speed of the build in fans. So you can increase your minimum fan speed to make your Intel Mac run cooler. However in order not to damage your machines smcFanControl doesn't let you set a minimum speed to a value below Apple's defaults.
smcFanControl lets the user set the minimum speed of the build in fans. So you can increase your minimum fan speed to make your Intel Mac run cooler. However in order not to damage your machines smcFanControl doesn't let you set a minimum speed to a value below Apple's defaults.
What's New
Version 2.3:
- Support for OS X Lion
- Now displays the temperature on new iMacs
- added Dutch localization
- fixes a crash that occurred on startup on some macs
Requirements
Intel, Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
Intel, Mac OS X 10.4 or later.
Fan Control+19
Temperature Mo...+4 
HDD Fan Contro...+3 
Apple 27-inch...+3 
Locamatic+1 
iCyclone+1
smcFanControl User Discussion (Write a Review)
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smcFanControl ... Control the fans of every Intel Mac to make it run cooler.
smcFanControl lets the user set the minimum speed of the build in fans. So you can increase your minimum fan speed to make your Intel Mac run cooler. However in order not to damage your machines smcFanControl doesn't let you set a minimum speed to a value below Apple's defaults.
smcFanControl lets the user set the minimum speed of the build in fans. So you can increase your minimum fan speed to make your Intel Mac run cooler. However in order not to damage your machines smcFanControl doesn't let you set a minimum speed to a value below Apple's defaults.
Copyright © 2012 MacUpdate LLC
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+41
What's the truth? Is it really safe to use?
-22
There was about a month of warranty remaining when I bought it, so I called about the temps, and after a few calls they agreed it should be looked at. They ended up replacing the thermal module, both fans and the Superdrive. As I recall (this was almost 2 years ago), the repairs totaled more than $600. I bought Applecare for it when I got it back.
If it weren't for smcFanControl (or similar app), I wouldn't have known for sure it was running hot. Apple Support kept doubting me and saying that was normal - they kept asking how I knew what the temperature was, haha!
Two days ago I switched to a 2011 MBP running 10.7.2, and smcFanControl is running fine, with normal temps around 120 degrees.
I haven't experienced a single glitch with smcFanControl, it speeds up the fans when needed and otherwise just sits there monitoring my system. Many thanks to the developer!
I've also recently been running Check My Temp simultaneously, and it seems to work fine too, although it takes up a lot more space in the menu bar. One big difference is that you can choose which sensor you want to monitor - there are 15 listed in Preferences. I've tried them all and didn't find any that exactly matched the temp shown by smcFanControl, so I don't really know which app is more accurate. I do however like smc's compact footprint.
I also checked temps with Disk Drill, and it's temps didn't match smcFanControl or Check My Temps (8 degrees difference was the closest). When I contacted CleverFiles about this, their reply was:
"Most probably, Disk Drill's SMART monitor and smcFanControl use
various sensors. But, for example, iStatMenus indicates the same temperature as Disk Drill. We belive that we use right sensor to control the temperature of hard
drive exactly. Disk Drill indicates temperature that you can find in "Known ATA
S.M.A.R.T. attributes" numbered 194."
I don't know what all that means, but it just shows that 3 different apps display 3 different temps; Guess a few degrees don't matter much.
If you ask me, it's definitely safe to use, maybe UNsafe not to use it!
songbirds reviewed on 21 Dec 2011
My only concern is that I don't have a clue whether high rpm actually damages the fan in my mac, and I don't know when I should turn the speed up or not. It would be nice if they included information like this in the FAQ.
My settings are:
ODD: 1397RPM
HDD: 1811RPM
CPU: 1801RPM
TEMPERATURE: 111°F/44°
Is this a normal temperature for those speeds? Are my speeds to high?
+16
but sometimes when viewing lots of flash video aka 'youtube' even high speed doesn't cool it down enuf
+1
+5
KSull72487 reviewed on 27 Nov 2011
To me this is a must have for someone who is looking to run their Macbook Pro etc. at lower temps. On average your MacBooks run about twice as hot as a Windows Laptop. Apple designed there computers to withstand heat and did a great job providing two fans (exhaust and intake). 2,000 RPMs is the base idle and as the temperature increases so does the RPM. I feel for those with older Macs and later operating systems and bigger memory banks the need for more cool air is there. I found at light usage setting my Macbook Pro at 2400 RPMs base idle I could keep it cool and comfortable around 50 degrees celsius. All Macs use brushless fans so cranking up the RPM will not reduce the life. Thats only on a brushed motor. Also since this just overrides Apples idle speed for the fan it does not rewrite or ref lash the smc. So upon uninstalling everything will resume as normal. This is a great app in my opinion and as an active developer and techie. I see this as a stable efficient way to cool the computer a bit better.
-2
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Willwill reviewed on 26 Nov 2011
+21
Myschizobuddy reviewed on 27 Oct 2011
So a request for a lower fan speed like around 2200rpm.
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If the minimum fan speed for iMacs is 2600, there may not be anything Hendrik can do about it.
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I didn't think the app would run differently on different models, I thought it must be a hardware limitation.
+14
Petersphilo reviewed on 21 Sep 2011
As a sometimes-gamer, and a regular power user, i need to squeeze every available cycle from my CPU and GPU...
This app allows you to pre-emptively turn the fans on 'full blast' (especially on portables) in order to minimize the throttling of CPU and/or GPU that will inevitably happen...
The hard truth is that, on most MacBookPro models, the GPU and/or CPU cannot run at full speed all the time without exceeding temperature settings. Running the fans full speed is just a way to delay this throttling.
This app is also useful when using you computer on your lap for extended periods so that it doesn't get too hot...
ORTOX reviewed on 07 Sep 2011
Seanie88 reviewed on 28 Aug 2011
But Overall GREAT! thanks to the developers..
Take Care
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a4ex reviewed on 24 Jul 2011
Try http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23137/fan-control
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+1
MattJohnRyan reviewed on 21 Jul 2011
I downloaded the software to see if I could do anything with my fan speed. Actually the fans have been running silently since I have had the machine -- could not tell if the fans were even running. My adn CheckUp told me the temp was about 123 (I assume F). I was having another problem and it was suggested I redo the SMC; I followed the instructions and did so. It did not help my other problem, but ever since I did that, the fans have been running constantly, at high speed, very noisy and irritating. The CheckUp says the temp is 90-91, with nothing much running, and the air being pushed out at the top of the Mac is not very warm, so the 90 must be F.
Since I cannot get smcFanControl to launch, what else can I do to reduce the fan speed to a quiet level???
-3
ALSO EVERY TIME I PUT MY LAPTOP LID DOWN, AND LATER RE-OPEN IT, I USUALLY HAVE THE SETTING TO TYPE IN MY PASSWORD BEFORE I CAN RESUME ACTIVITY. HOWEVER ONCE I PUT MY COMPUTER PASSWORD IN, YET ANOTHER PROMPT APPEARS THIS TIME ASKING FOR THE SAME COMPUTER PASSWORD BUT THE PROMPT BOX HAS THE ORANGE "SMCFANCONTROL" LOGO IN IT. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF THAT?
+4
However "me" is not a valid email address and I see no other on any of the site pages. Comment on official page has died waiting for approval.
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After that no problem until the next cold start.
This behavior is not apparent on my intel imac, works perfectly.
Running OS X 10.6.4 on a mid 2010 13" MBP, any help appreciated.
+6
Any suggestions / ideas would be welcome. TYIA.
8 Core MacPro, 2.6Ghz, 16Gb Ram, 2.6Tb (3 Drives), ATI HD 4870, 30" Apple Cinema Display, Snow Leopard 10.6.4
+6
+6
Not sure whats happening but it had been SMCFC had been working well for me for the past year or so on different machines including my MacPro. Perhaps when it is fully supported and SMCFC is updated will I be at ease in regards to fan speeds settings. :-|
1. It only came with one default fan "Exhaust fan".. How do i add My GPU AND CPU fan?
2. What is the Exhaust fan?
3. What is the average temp in Celsius of Exhaust fan, GPU fan and CPU fan?
(i have brand new MPB 13 in 2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo)
May be some basic questions but i gotta start somewhere.
Thanks in Advance!
+1
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bobandsandy rated on 27 Dec 2011
Halfin rated on 21 Dec 2011
Tftech rated on 11 Nov 2011
-6
TripHHH rated on 10 Nov 2011
Tobymator rated on 01 Oct 2011
Richy21 rated on 25 Sep 2011
+1
MattJohnRyan rated on 18 Aug 2011
Doddster03 rated on 10 Aug 2011
Tlwfamily rated on 06 Aug 2011
mobass rated on 21 Jul 2011