How Hot Is Too Hot for an iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011 Model)?

[EroMac]

I notice that my iMac, which is a 27-inch, Mid 2011 model, has been very warm, even hot to the touch when in operation, especially around the vent at the top of the back panel of the device. The computer seems to be okay otherwise.

The computer's vents are not obstructed in any way, it is set a couple feet away from the wall, and the room is at a reasonable temperature. I have not noticed any unusual fan-related noises. I realize that these computers do heat up substantially, but I wanted to know just how hot it can go before it is indicative of something that requires service. Is there a way to determine this at home or is a visit to an Apple Store the only way to know?

Thanks.

 

[chscag]

Welcome to our forums.

Your 27" 2011 iMac has three fans: CPU, Optical Drive, and Hard Drive. Cool air is drawn in thru the bottom vents below the display and warm air is exhausted out thru the top vents. The machine will definitely be warm to the touch around those top vents and that is entirely normal.

You can download any one of several free apps that monitor the temperatures and fan speeds. And of course there are also several very good pay apps that do the same thing and much more. One that I use and like for my iMac is "iStat Menus.app" which can be downloaded from here. License is $18.00.

 

[EroMac]

Welcome to our forums.

Your 27" 2011 iMac has three fans: CPU, Optical Drive, and Hard Drive. Cool air is drawn in thru the bottom vents below the display and warm air is exhausted out thru the top vents. The machine will definitely be warm to the touch around those top vents and that is entirely normal.

You can download any one of several free apps that monitor the temperatures and fan speeds. And of course there are also several very good pay apps that do the same thing and much more. One that I use and like for my iMac is "iStat Menus.app" which can be downloaded from here. License is $18.00.

Thanks for the reply chscag. I'm looking into iStat Menus, but is there also a free app you would recommend?

 

[chscag]

You can try iStat Pro which has been discontinued but it still works and is free. A google search for fan and heat monitoring for Macs should bring up some more offerings. However, iStat Menus is the best and most accurate of all those types of apps that I am familiar with.

 

[pigoo3]

Since this is a 6+ year old computer...and depending on the environment...things can get dusty/dirty inside over time. If this were my computer...I would open it up & clean it up inside with canned compressed air. I know this may not be a project for everyone...but if you feel up to it...go for it. Go to ifixit.com for instructions in how to get inside.

Also. If the fans are not that loud...then things may mostly be fine. I used to have a 2011 27" iMac...and believe me...they fans can get loud if necessary.

- Nick

 

[Raz0rEdge]

This is totally normal. The iMac vents all of the heat from the various components on top and it is expected to be hot. Also, the back is all aluminum and that makes it seem like something is wrong, but its not. I use iStat Nano on all of my machines and find that the CPU will operate normally around 45-50 degC and will get up to 75-80 degC under load. But as it gets hotter, the fans kick in at higher RPMs to control that..