vitorelias

Q: MBP Late 2011 getting too hot

I've had a MBP Late 2011 since its release, and besides having installed smcFanControl and using a portable fan under it (without plugin in it, so it doesn't get even hotter, I plug it through a usb-power cable directly), whenever I watch videos or play a game on it, it goes really hot, like up to 85ºC, depending on how long I do it for.

I have not tried swapping the fan for a new one, but I did clean it really well some times, it gets a better after I remove the dust, but no big difference.

Any ideas on what to do?

 

Tks in advance

MacBook Pro

Posted on Mar 1, 2016 3:19 AM

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Q: MBP Late 2011 getting too hot

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  • Helpful answers

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Mar 1, 2016 3:21 AM in response to vitorelias
    Level 6 (15,073 points)
    Peripherals
    Mar 1, 2016 3:21 AM in response to vitorelias

    Have you sufficient memory installed for the work you carry out with it?

     

    Could you battery be in need of replacement?   What readings do you have?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Mar 1, 2016 3:27 AM in response to vitorelias
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 1, 2016 3:27 AM in response to vitorelias

    Keep watching your video and playing games like you have.  The temperature that you are experiencing is quite normal for the types of applications that you are running.  If you want to lower the temperature, get a cooling pad.

     

    Note that there are shutdown provisions for excessive thermal conditions so that your MBP cannot commit Hari Kari.  This will occur at about 105°+ c.

     

    Ciao.

  • by CellarDwellr,

    CellarDwellr CellarDwellr Mar 1, 2016 3:28 AM in response to vitorelias
    Level 4 (1,212 points)
    Mar 1, 2016 3:28 AM in response to vitorelias

    Hello,

     

    85C isn't too hot per-se when playing a game. What exactly are you measuring?

  • by vitorelias,

    vitorelias vitorelias Mar 1, 2016 4:03 AM in response to seventy one
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 1, 2016 4:03 AM in response to seventy one

    I'm not an experienced user, I just know the basics, can you explain to me where I could get those "readings" and what they should and shouldn't look like? Or tell me what to get and I'll paste it here.

     

    About the memory, yes, I do, I got a new SSD 250GB, with 175GB still available, with my OS (El Capitan), and my former HDD replacing super drive, since it wasn't even working anymore, with bootcamp on it.

  • by CellarDwellr,

    CellarDwellr CellarDwellr Mar 1, 2016 4:08 AM in response to vitorelias
    Level 4 (1,212 points)
    Mar 1, 2016 4:08 AM in response to vitorelias

    Apple has published this about the topic: Mac notebooks: Operating temperature - Apple Support

     

    This part is important:

     

    While there are third-party utilities that measure the temperature of a notebook computer, it is important to understand that these utilities are not measuring the external case temperature. The actual case temperature is much lower. Never use third-party applications to diagnose possible hardware issues. Instead, contact Apple or go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.

  • by vitorelias,

    vitorelias vitorelias Mar 1, 2016 4:10 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 1, 2016 4:10 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    I've already been told that, but it's annoying how it's something bit and it doesn't get fixed. Many other notebooks don't even get hot when playing games that use a lot more of video than the one I play (LoL), such as Crysis or Arkham City, my friend plays both of them on his Samsung notebook and all it does is get a little warm. While I experience high temperatures while playing LoL on both El Capitan and Windows 7 (Bootcamp).

    I already got a cooling pad, probably not the best ever, but I do, besides smcFanControl.

  • by vitorelias,

    vitorelias vitorelias Mar 1, 2016 4:12 AM in response to CellarDwellr
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 1, 2016 4:12 AM in response to CellarDwellr

    I have talked to a guy at Genius Bar. Not officially because I was there to fix something in my phone, but he told me it's common and, since my notebook isn't in Warranty anymore, I'd have to pay for anything they found that could be wrong and that, on his opinion and a Genius, I should just leave it this way...

  • by CellarDwellr,Helpful

    CellarDwellr CellarDwellr Mar 1, 2016 4:40 AM in response to vitorelias
    Level 4 (1,212 points)
    Mar 1, 2016 4:40 AM in response to vitorelias

    The problem is that you're comparing apples and oranges .. or samsungs. Apple computers have a metal case which conducts heat in a different way than plastic cases (I am going to presume the Samsung has a plastic case) That might already explain why the case is hotter. When you're not comparing case temperatures but processor temps or video card temps you're dealing with a completely different internal organizing of hardware parts, differents types of fans, cooling pastes etc etc etc. You really can't compare the two so nonchalantly.

     

    You said: "it's annoying how it's something bit and it doesn't get fixed." I don't understand this sentence. From what you've told us so far, nothing seems to be broken so nothing needs to be fixed. But if you do think something might be broken, bite the bullet, bring it to the Genius Bar and pay to get the sense of comfort you are looking for.

  • by OGELTHORPE,Helpful

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Mar 1, 2016 4:40 AM in response to vitorelias
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 1, 2016 4:40 AM in response to vitorelias

    A Samsung notebook is not a MBP so that is not a good reference point for any comparison.  Understand that the aluminum body of a MBP is a part of the heat dissipation process and will get hot when using resource intensive applications.  There is no way around that.

     

    You can minimize the high temperatures (in addition to the cooling pad) by using the MBP where the ambient temperature are low and by the use of an external fan directed at the MBP.

     

    Should you have any doubts about your MBPs operation and the heat that is being generated, make an appointment at an Apple store genius bar and have it examined.  The evaluation will be free.

     

    To repeat, based on the information that you have provided, I see nothing out of the ordinary with you MBP.

     

    Ciao.