High CPU-temperature ( > 100 degrees celsius) in MBP 15', 2.8 GHz

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Level 1

4 points

High CPU-temperature ( > 100 degrees celsius) in MBP 15', 2.8 GHz

Hi folks,

I thought a resonable temperature for a long CPU-life should be something
between 70 to 90 degrees celcius. My MBP 15' 2.8 GHz temperature goes up
to more then 106 degrees celsius and the fan still does not turn more then
6000 rpm. Is this normal behavior?

Because I do simulations (using OpenFOAM), and long compilation runs (2 h) I'm afraid of a CPU-failure due to overheating.

Do I have to installed third-party software to remedy the high temperatures?

MBP, Mac OS X (10.5.6), 2.8 GHz

Posted on Mar 28, 2009 12:41 PM

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Answer 1

Lyssa

Level 8

41,327 points

Mar 28, 2009 12:43 PM in response to jfbOO7

What are you doing when the CPU temperature spikes?

Also, check out the processes using your CPU in Activity Monitor (applications>Utilities). Sort the processes by %CPU. Are any processes consuming a high amount of CPU?

~Lyssa

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 28, 2009 1:02 PM in response to jfbOO7

Maximum fan speed is 6000 RPM. 106ºC is pretty high. Thermal shutdown should occur at 125ºC. Be sure you have the rear of the computer elevated about 1" to allow adequate air circulation and keep the ambient room temperature at or below 75ºF.

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Answer 3

jfbOO7 Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 28, 2009 1:04 PM in response to Lyssa

The simulations consume lots of CPU-power as well as the compilations: for the simulations, I use both cores! So it is completely normal to get 100 % CPU-Load. What I don' understand is the fact, that the fan stays for long time (minutes) at 2000 rpm before turning up to say, 3500 rpm where it stays and which leads to CPU-temperature of something around 100 degrees celsius.

In my opinion the fan should run at 6000 rpm which whould possible reduce the CPU-temperature to more comfortable 80 degrees celsius.

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Answer 4

Mar 29, 2009 10:15 AM in response to Kappy

Hello Kappy

Could you tell me where I could find documentation on max fan speeds, thermal shutdown temperatures, etc for, in particular, the Early 2009 MBP 17" ? Thanks.

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 29, 2009 10:31 AM in response to French Roast

I'm not sure where the information is documented. Information on the thermal characteristics can be found in the various documents at Intel that outline the thermal data for the C2D devices.

The fan speed information was provided during the first year of the MacBook Pro model (2006.) It's embedded in some part of the OS. And, there may well be a Technical Note available from the Apple Developers site. The information applies to all of the laptop models. Since the release of the Revision B MBP from 2006 fan idle speed is 2000 RPM and maximum is 6000 RPM. The first MBP's idle was 600 RPM. I believe they upped that in a subsequent firmware update. The fans are controlled by the SMC which also contains all the information that determines how the fans' speed changes with increasing temperature.

The MBP has two fans (right and left) while the MB has only one fan. Fans run continuously.

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Answer 6

Apr 2, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Kappy

Kappy, thanks for that.

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