Cooling solution for the Mac mini?

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I am looking at purchasing a used Mac Mini that can run the latest (Mojave) as my next computer, but I have heard and seen online that the aluminium unibody Mac minis all have an issue with overheating. They get extremely hot when put on load and the heat can be felt through the aluminum casing.

I was wondering, if there are any solutions I can buy along with my Mac mini to keep it cool and running smooth, so it doesn't throttle or anything bad that extreme heat can do. I couldn't find anything solutions to cool the Mini, but to just stick a computer fan under it or pop off the plastic base. I hope to hear that there is a better way to ensure the computer gets properly cooled. I would love to have a Mac at a low cost, but for it not to bake at high temperatures.
 

Raz0rEdge

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Under load, electronic components get hot, fans are put into computers to channel cool air in and hot air out and adjust the rate they do this with sensors around key components. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat and when the machine is hot, the case will get hot. When the machine is cool, the case will be cool.

There is absolutely NOTHING you need to do beyond what has been done by the Apple engineers to keep the Mac Mini functioning. If overheating (to a point of thermal shutdown) was an issue, Apple engineers would have long ago addressed it and would hardly continue to sell these devices.

Put the Mac Mini in a well ventilated place and let it do it's thing. You will have no problems with it.
 
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I plan on using the mini for video rendering and 3d work that would put it on constant load, so I was hoping for a more efficient option than waiting for the chassis to dissipate it. Also, I've seen that there is a blower fan under the computer to cool the CPU, but where does it get the air from, if there is no intake.
 

chscag

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I can't speak for older Mini's but the new 2018 Mini has a large vent at the back. Perhaps you need to reconsider your needs if you're going to be putting that much stress on a machine.
 
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That sounds great, but the vent is for exhaust and there is no intake on all of the Mac minis even though Apple shows intake from base, but the base has no holes or openings.
 
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The heat is generated, and exhausted, no intake needed.
 

chscag

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As warm air is exhausted, cooler air is drawn in thru the base. That's the way Apple engineers designed it. And I will repeat again, that perhaps you need to consider a different machine if overheating is something that you are worried about. Have you considered an iMac?
 
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I have looked at an iMac, but sadly, the price is what draws me to Mac mini as being affordable.
 
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+1 as to what chscag has mentioned several times:
And I will repeat again, that perhaps you need to consider a different machine if overheating is something that you are worried about. Have you considered an iMac?

But if you want some cooling ideas for the mini, have a perusal here for some ides and suggestions:
cooling mac mini mod image - Google Search





- Patrick
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Raz0rEdge

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I would not recommend you manually tweak the fans since it will automatically do what it necessary to control the heat. If you are going to constantly run it at a higher rates for longer periods of times, you risk damaging it and will end up with worse issues.
 
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The Mac mini was not designed to handle the tasks that you plan to use it for. You are going to beat it to death, and yes it will get very hot. You may be better off saving up a little longer for a used machine that is up to the task of your demands. There are plenty of older Mac Pro's, iMac's out there that would be better suited for video editing and 3D work.
 

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I would question that statement. The latest Mac Mini can come up with a pretty beefy CPU and enough RAM to do what needs to be done. The GPU also seems to be a match for the iMac, so not sure why it wouldn't handle the work that is being demanded of it.
 
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I would not recommend you manually tweak the fans since it will automatically do what it necessary to control the heat. If you are going to constantly run it at a higher rates for longer periods of times, you risk damaging it and will end up with worse issues.


And of course Apple sets the temperature and the fan speed to prolong the life of the Mac and of course they wouldn't want you to have to buy a new one sooner than expected — THEIR expected time!!!

I have come across some users iMacs as well as our own, that ran so hot you could not keep your hand on the top left of the display just during normal use. The fan speed control software fixed that problem and I don't know of any user who has had to replace a fan in their iMac, and that even includes our own oldest 2007 24" iMac still gets used daily.

BTW: Here's a older summary of fan life at different temperatures:
Sintec sleeve: 45'000h @ 20oC; 15'000h @ 60oC
Superflo: 50'000h @ 40oC
Ball: 70'000h @ 40oC; 40'000h @ 25oC
HydroWave: 50'000h @ 40oC
Note: 1 year = 8766 hours.

Quite a drastic difference I'd say.

I'll go with running ours at a cooler temperature thanks, and especially when considering that heat is all electronics worst enemy for all components. I'd say Think Cooler!! :Smirk:





- Patrick
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I would question that statement. The latest Mac Mini can come up with a pretty beefy CPU and enough RAM to do what needs to be done. The GPU also seems to be a match for the iMac, so not sure why it wouldn't handle the work that is being demanded of it.

Just assumed an older mini as his post said he was looking for a used model. The new minis are very capable and have come a long way, however the older ones are not designed for these tasks.
 
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The new minis are very capable and have come a long way, however the older ones are not designed for these tasks.


+1!! Both statements are very valid understatements!! :Blushing:

At least from the new specs and the older Models experiences.





- Patrick
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Raz0rEdge

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Just assumed an older mini as his post said he was looking for a used model. The new minis are very capable and have come a long way, however the older ones are not designed for these tasks.

Agreed, the older iteration of the Mac Mini's were just Core2Duo machines that can't handle any of this. However, those machines are also not able to run Mojave, thus my guess that the OP was going to purchase the current generation Mac Mini (either used or refurbished if new wasn't in the cards).
 

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