04-21-2014, 10:50 AM
haikuman,
I watch my temps in Fahrenheit, as I can more easily relate mentally. It's just what I'm accustomed to. Using your readings:
HD: 56C = 132.8F
CPU: 46C = 114.8F
Ambient: 32C = 89.6F
Optical Drive: 49C = 120.2F
At those temps, my 20-inch iMac would be freaking out. When my GPU die reaches high 90s (F) things begin to go flaky, usually just video glitches at first. When temps reach 110F and up, hard freezes can occur.
I'm attaching screenshots in Celsius and Fahrenheit, taken when my my 20" iMac is idling. At these temps the machine behaves properly. The best way I've found to keep the machine functional is to keep all fans going full-tilt all the time. It's annoying, but the computer cost me nothing and saved my bacon when I needed it. Over time, I imagine it will get worse, so I recently found a newer iMac to replace it.)
One other thing: I found the air vents beneath of the 20-incher to be pretty clogged with dust bunnies, so I vacuumed that out. Inside is undoubtedly packed with more. At some point I'll try open her up and clean what I can inside. I'm not eager to bust this thing open, but if I mess it up, at least I now it's not my main machine. ;-)
I have no idea what temperatures your particular machine finds acceptable, but I'd imagine a Google search similar to mine will lead you to that kind of info, as will perhaps bruceko's link, too. Meanwhile, if you can stand the noise, you might try maxing all your fans just to see if the problem goes away.
20" iMac temps at idle - Celsius
20" iMac temps at idle - Fahrenheit
I watch my temps in Fahrenheit, as I can more easily relate mentally. It's just what I'm accustomed to. Using your readings:
HD: 56C = 132.8F
CPU: 46C = 114.8F
Ambient: 32C = 89.6F
Optical Drive: 49C = 120.2F
At those temps, my 20-inch iMac would be freaking out. When my GPU die reaches high 90s (F) things begin to go flaky, usually just video glitches at first. When temps reach 110F and up, hard freezes can occur.
I'm attaching screenshots in Celsius and Fahrenheit, taken when my my 20" iMac is idling. At these temps the machine behaves properly. The best way I've found to keep the machine functional is to keep all fans going full-tilt all the time. It's annoying, but the computer cost me nothing and saved my bacon when I needed it. Over time, I imagine it will get worse, so I recently found a newer iMac to replace it.)
One other thing: I found the air vents beneath of the 20-incher to be pretty clogged with dust bunnies, so I vacuumed that out. Inside is undoubtedly packed with more. At some point I'll try open her up and clean what I can inside. I'm not eager to bust this thing open, but if I mess it up, at least I now it's not my main machine. ;-)
I have no idea what temperatures your particular machine finds acceptable, but I'd imagine a Google search similar to mine will lead you to that kind of info, as will perhaps bruceko's link, too. Meanwhile, if you can stand the noise, you might try maxing all your fans just to see if the problem goes away.
20" iMac temps at idle - Celsius
20" iMac temps at idle - Fahrenheit