Mac mini fan noise (2018-2020)?

[thermodog]

I'm considering my next Mac upgrade, and the 3.0 GHz 6-core i5 mini is what I'm looking at. Does anyone have experience with this machine (either the 2018 or 2020 model)? I do audio recording, and I'd like it to be silent, or nearly silent.

I have a late 2013 iMac with a 2.9 GHz 4-core i5, and I never hear a sound (does it even have a fan? I don't know). I'm looking forward to the upgrade in performance, but fan noise would be an issue.

Thanks!

Mike

 

[chscag]

Generally the machines with an i5 are quiet with regard to fan noise. We're speaking here of idle fan noise not when you may be encoding video or playing graphic intensive games. The machines with an i7 will be a bit louder when working hard and the i9 is loud when ramped up.

And yes, your 2013 iMac has one fan to cool the entire chassis.