My Macbook Pro is HOOOTTTTTT

[Austen Saltz]

I'm using istat menus to moniter my CPU temperature, because my macbook pro gets really hot sometimes. And not just when I'm playing a game, but even if i'm just browsing the web and i have mail open it jumps up to 75 degrees fahrenheit!

Sometimes it even goes above 80. That's when I freak out and shut the thing off...

How hot is too hot? Should I get one of those stands, will it really help that much?

[Jaysen]

According to iStat I am currently running 140F on my MBP 2.1GHz. According to apple my machine is running within spec. sorry to give you the bad news.

[B0rg]

On a hot summer day even with air conditioning running my machine gets quite warm, fans fire up etc. My recommendation is to check into some of the notebook coolers made by people like Cooler Master.

[Steven Owens]

According to iStat I am currently running 140F on my MBP 2.1GHz. According to apple my machine is running within spec. sorry to give you the bad news.

I think he was quoting his temps in celsius. 75C = 167F and 80C = 176F. That is fairly hot, but not dangerous...there are a few software options, you can either use a program to increase fan speed or you can undervolt.

[Jaysen]

I think he was quoting his temps in celsius. 75C = 167F and 80C = 176F. That is fairly hot, but not dangerous...there are a few software options, you can either use a program to increase fan speed or you can undervolt.

I hope so. I was getting nervous that I really did have a problem. I did go to the local shop and buy a "friend" a latte just to be sure. Apple seems to think that MBP are not "laptops" but are in actuality "portable workstations". That is from James at the local Apple store (the afore mentioned latte drinker who actually fixes systems in the store). In a conversation that we had "off the record" the policy is that unless the system hits thermal shutdown it is OK. His recommendation is that you always keep your MBP on a hard surface and recommended the Griffin cooler (happened to be the one I was looking at).

After 6 months of running over 140 (routinely into 170F when multiple XP, Linux and Solaris VMs are up) I have had no issues. I simply keep the system on a clear desk with no obstructions. I use no cooler.

I am sure others have had differing experiences so go with your gut on it and remember that every system is different.

[Austen Saltz]

yes, sorry - it was in celcius. I should've known it felt hotter than the temp of the rooom..... silly me

So do those stands really help? Do you think the problem is I'm just not giving it enough ventilation?

[Jaysen]

So do those stands really help? Do you think the problem is I'm just not giving it enough ventilation?

Yes and maybe. The stand does 2 things:

provides a clear surface for airflow
Ensures lower ambient temp via electrical cooling (if so equipped)


I found that simply using a hard surface instead of my lap improved temps by 5 to 10 deg F. I am able to lower 10 deg under heavy load by simply turning an external fan on (pointed at the side of the systems with the card slot).

I do use the system on my lap and have just gotten used to the heat. if it gets to hot I just put a large book between the system and my pants (i have an MBO 17 so it is a big book).

Another thing that I have noticed is that power settings do a lot of optimization. if you do not need "best performance" use "better battery life" and temp will drop through the floor. This very simple change is good for 30 to 40 deg but will impact system performance. I only notice it with more the 2 VM or 6 live audio tracks. Anything less and I run "better battery".

Hope this helps a little.

[Jaysen]

Ok, so I have been paying a bit more attention to my temps...

Current ambient air temp is 67F (they don't like to heat offices in this area).
Uptime is 4 hours of run, 1 VM load is minimal.

Current temps
CPU 167F
GPU 146F
RAM 140F
HD 103F
ENC 95F

So I think your temps are probably right on, especially if your ambient temp is in the human comfort zone. Of course up here we need systems to run hot so we can feel our fingers.

I hate working for fortune 500 corporations....

[Austen Saltz]

wow, thanks a lot. I got smc fan control and i'm planning to get a stand for my MBP soon. smc fan control really helped (the other fan control pref pane never worked) thanks!