HT202731: Using Apple Diagnostics

Learn about Using Apple Diagnostics
Jim Pharo
Level 1 (10 points)

Q: my fan seems to run a lot mbp

Whenever I run Parallels or hook up to an external monitor, my fan starts and keeps going, sometimes for hours.  I suspect there are settings in Parallels that I could adjust (since I'm only running Windows 8 for an old PC game), but KB's customer support is impenetrable.

 

Just not sure why the machine would heat up so much just using Parallels/Windows 8/Age of Empires...

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.3)

Posted on Apr 2, 2015 7:25 AM

Close
Jim Pharo

Q: my fan seems to run a lot mbp

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Apr 2, 2015 7:28 AM in response to Jim Pharo
    Level 10 (93,324 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 2, 2015 7:28 AM in response to Jim Pharo

    Both Parallels and games are apps that require the best performance, so RAM gets filled up quickly, the CPU has to work extremely hard and the GPU has to give its best. All those parts generate heat that has to be extracted, so fan sensors detect heat and turn fans on. You should not be worried about that: moreover, that would mean your computer is working properly to prevent hardware problems due to heat.

     

    Anyway, if you think fans behavior is wrong, you can try resetting the SMC (the part which manages them) -> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

  • by FatMac>MacPro,

    FatMac>MacPro FatMac>MacPro Apr 2, 2015 8:51 AM in response to Jim Pharo
    Level 5 (4,854 points)
    Apr 2, 2015 8:51 AM in response to Jim Pharo

    When your Mac is just sitting there with none of your software running, open Activity Monitor (in the Utilities folder), click on "CPU" on the bar near the bottom, have it show "Active Processes" and watch the CPU column for percentage of use and what's related to the percentage. Then fire up Windows and Age of Empires and watch what happens to the CPU usage and what's causing the usage.

     

    Also, if you're really running OS 10.5.3, your MBP has probably had a long opportunity to collect dust inside, which hampers cooling.