SMCfanControl - Computer Controlled Cooling
I've always had a problem with computers overheating, especially when running multiple programs at once, and I'm sure you've experienced the same problem I have. My advice for people who run their programs all the time in a crowded room is to get a SMCfanControl utility that will not only turn their fans off when not needed, but will also automatically shut them off when the room temperature reaches a certain point. You can even set up a timer to turn the fans off and on at set intervals. The only thing you'll need to be careful about is keeping the computer on an incline so that there is proper air flow.
A SMCfanControl allows you to control the fans in your Mac manually just to make it operate much cooler. It does this by adjusting the minimum speed of the fan and by setting the maximum power used. To adjust fan speeds, you have to have administrator privileges. It also has a feature called "low battery alarm" which will automatically turn the fans off when the battery is low and turn on again when the battery is full.
Another cool feature of SMCfanControl is that it comes with both a light control and a timer control. The timer control allows you to set a time to remember each fan speed and then turn them on at the right time. For example, it might be nice to know that the computer is cooling down quickly at the beginning of the day but you don't need the computer to be over-speedy heating up later in the day. The LED light gives you the ability to see if the fans are on or not. I use this program frequently on my MBA computer and it really comes in handy, not only for temperature control but for many other reasons as well.
