CPU running extremely hot (avg. 170f)

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Level 1

14 points

CPU running extremely hot (avg. 170f)

So, with just firefox and itunes open, the top of my keyboard is scalding to the touch and iStatPro registers the CPU temp generally around 170 degrees fahrenheit.

The AC adapter is plugged in, as well as the battery, and the computer is plugged into an external display. Nothing unusual going on. I have the computer elevated slightly in the back with a book to try to keep it mildly cooler, but I doubt it does anything.

Fan speeds are usually between 1500-3500rpm (again, according to iStatPro), and don't seem to go much higher, even when I'm chugging along at say 172 degrees.

I called support and they "don't know how hot it gets, but yeah it runs kind of hot." I'm aware. I've owned mac portables for years. This one just seems a little extreme. Tried to reset SMC with the phone support guy... made no change.

Running 10.5.7, 2GHz/2GB

Any insight is appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Sam

macbook pro 2GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on May 21, 2009 3:16 PM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,266 points

May 21, 2009 5:31 PM in response to samj202

You've done all the external stuff you can do, assuming you've made sure the long exhaust slot under the hinge is unimpeded. I put little lifts under both the front and the back of mine so more air gets to the case bottom. The next thing to suspect is a background operation eating up processor cycles.

Open Activity Monitor in your Utilities folder and set it to show "All processes." Click on the "%CPU" column to sort by usage. See if any process is using over 50 percent of the cycles.

Are you using the iTunes Visualizer? Mine runs hotter than usual when the Visualizer is working the GPU.

170°F is not in the danger zone. 212°F is. The computer should shut down automatically if the temps rise too high.

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