Are the fans on all the time?

Hi AW 17 Owners,

As a prospective AW 17 purchaser, one thing I'm concerned about it excessive fan noise when the laptop is not used for gaming or anything intensive.

I work from home and run an internet-based business and so at night, I have my laptop next to me all the time and have it open so that I can check and respond to queries. It would be annoying if the laptop was making a big noise when doing this since I invariably watch TV in the evenings too.

So, when surfing the 'net and answering emails, does it make a noise or is it quiet? My current MacBook Pro 15 is silent and you only hear a noise if playing a game.

 

For my R4 fans are really quiet, they are always on though just not very loud. The hard disk will be louder unless you switch it out for a SSD it will be very quiet.

 

Thanks - I would go SSD.

I just don't want the fans to be noticeable when watching TV really. I have an old MacBook that my kids use and it is very loud even when used lightly. My MacBook runs warm but you don't hear the fans at all.

I know the AW's fans will run harder with games but for light use, I'd hope it wasn't noticeable.

 

Your MacBook likely does not have a 100W dedicated graphics processor, nor a high-end central processor. The Alienware 17 does have the fans running constantly to help manage temperatures. How fast/high/loud depends on the ambient temperature of the room you're in, and what you're doing with the computer, among other things like thermal paste, etc.

If it bothers you, you should re-paste every 2-3 months using IC Diamond. The CPU fan is what usually runs the most. After a re-paste, the fans barely kick on.

 

I use my M17 at work and at home and I must say I have never heard the fans operating unless I am doing something taxing with the computer, like playing Crysis or Rome 2. If all you are doing is surfing or reading emails the fans are silent. If you are in a silent room then you may be able to hear something but if you are watching television you will not hear the fans at all.

The advice that J.Dre gives regarding repasting is good advice though. I repasted with diamond ic when I first got my computer nearly 10 months ago and I am reconsidering it again now, for no other reason than it is probably a good idea. Depending on the environment you use your computer in an occasional open up to clean the heat exchangers is also a good idea.