Fan speed related to ambient temp? (T43)

[pipspeak]

Now that it's warming up I noticed that my T43 fan kicks up to level 5 much sooner than it used to (after a few hours). Using the fancontrol utility shows that the maximum temp of any sensor when the fan speeds up is 48 degrees (for the GPU), which is not very high.

However, I remember from a few months back, when the ambient temperature in my apartment was about 10 degrees cooler, that the fan stayed on level 3 when the GPU was at 48 degrees and didn't kick up to 5 until late in the day.

Which all makes me wonder if there's a sensor that boosts the fan speed when the ambient air temperature reaches a certain level, regardless of other sensor temperatures. After all, a GPU temperature of 48 does not warrent a fan speed of 5 IMO. There must be something else at play.

[DIGITALgimpus]

Yea, that likely does slightly have an impct.

IMHO the sensors are still flawed. I don't think they accurately detect the temp, nor does the fan compensate correctly. Goes to high way to quick.

[davidspalding]

Bear in mind that the air that the fan is sucking in to cool with is warmer, and less effective as a cooling force. It's also a bit less dense. Same fan, different air => variation in cooling efficiency.

Jet aircraft pilots love cold weather as the air provides better engine performance, and allows more efficient fuel consumption.