MacLife - USA (2020-09)

HOW TO Keep your Mac cool

Run full blast
If you’re about to really stress your
Mac to the limits — say, converting video using
Handbrake — then choose “Full blast.” This
spins up your fan to its top speed to maximize
cooling and minimize throttling.

Set a fixed speed
Use the slider to run the fan at a
specific set speed or (our recommendation)
choose “Sensor–based value” to adjust it as
your Mac’s demands change. First, pick which
sensor to measure (options vary by model).

Use a dynamic approach

For more granular control over your fan

speeds, instruct Macs Fan Control to create a

preset — either to set a lower fixed speed or to

automatically increase/decrease the fan as the

temperature changes. Click Custom to start.

Temp-based setting

50°C/122°F is a good setting for the

minimum temperature (when the fan spins up).

See the Genius tip to set a max temperature

(typically 100°C/212°F — set it lower to

prioritize health over performance). Click OK.

GENIUS TIP

The maximum temperature

is the point where your

Mac will throttle back

your CPU to prevent it

overheating. Do not

set it over 100°C/212°F.

GENIUS TIP

Visit bit.ly/

cimfctesttjmaxtemp

to learn how to calculate

a safe maximum

temperature for your

specific Mac model.

Download and install
Go to bit.ly/cimacsfancontrol and click
Free Download followed by “Download for
macOS.” Double–click the downloaded Macs
Fan Control program and then choose Open,
followed by “Move to Applications folder.”

First run

The main window will open with your

Mac’s fan(s) listed on the left, and available

temperature readings on the right. The default

Auto setting leaves your Mac in control — click

the “Active preset” dropdown to switch.

How to do anything on your Mac, iPhone & iPad

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