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Mac Mini M4 fan stuck at 1000 RPM

My Mac Mini M4 (Pro) for some reason refuses to spin at any speed other than 1000 RPM. Until I started to try playing some games, the temperature start hitting 100 Celcius, the fan starts ramping up. After playing for several hours it seems trying to bring it within 100-106c while playing the game, and never goes above 107c


Is running the Mac Mini M4 for 100-106 celcius regularly an intended behavior or should I ask for a replacement?


For the reference I live in South East Asia and my Feels Like temperature is around these range


Thanks

Mac mini

Posted on Nov 22, 2024 8:07 PM

Reply
4 replies

Nov 22, 2024 8:29 PM in response to sepTN

If this Mac mini is within the environmental requirements and with adequate airflow available, it’ll work.



The apparent or feels-like temperature takes other factors into account, and with no single accepted definition.


Mac mini specifies the measured temperature and humidity, and not the apparent nor wet-bulb globe nor other sorts of subjective temperature measurements.


Apple doesn’t publish its processor thermals, butnyour reported range matches others’ reports elsewhere.


If a Mac trends toward its thermal limits, it’ll increase active cooling where available, and will decrease clock speed where available; it’ll increase the fan speed and will thermally throttle. If the Mac goes badly out of range, it’ll shut down (hard) to protect itself.

Nov 22, 2024 9:10 PM in response to sepTN

I can't tell for the M4, but always be tempted to tell the sillicon-based are less prone to heating than the Intel-based. I have indeed an Intel-based (2018) mac mini and it often tend to heat a lot.


I use a third party (Macs Fan Control) app which regulates RPM of the fan either automatically or manually. It tells me by core what is the temperature, and many times, I see cores at 80 Celcius or more.


RPM is basically running between 1700 and 3000 or higher as needed.


I'm not claiming this is a reference. But 1000 does not impress me. At contrary, if really your temperature is around 100 Celcius, at least in the case of my 2018, it would run much higher RPM.


Obviously, if I had a brand new M4, I'd have it checked while under warranty.

Mac Mini M4 fan stuck at 1000 RPM

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