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Mac Mini 2012 overheating, and is it time to consider a new one?

Hi,

My question is two fold. I have this Mini late 2012 i7 that's still pretty fast but it overheats and hangs very quickly during CPU intensive tasks in Mojave, where it should not. It is clean inside and the fan works, but I wonder if I should consider replacing the heat sink compound (I have not yet checked if it is removable). Any advice would be welcome.


My other concern is about the opportunity to buy a Mini 2018. The next releases will probably come with OS Catalina, so is the Mini 2018 the last that will support 32 bit apps? Or is there a chance that some newer Mini 2019 Mojave compatible might show up? Thanks!

Posted on Sep 15, 2019 10:15 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 15, 2019 10:35 PM

It isn't the hardware that presents an issue with 32-bit software, but macOS. Mojave will soon be replaced by Catalina which will not run 32-bit software. We cannot tell you when or if there will be a 2019 Mini.


As for overheating:


Use Activity Monitor to Kill Runaway Processes


     Use Activity Monitor on your Mac

     Runaway applications can shorten battery runtime, affect performance, and increase heat and fan activity.


Should the above not prove helpful, then make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple.


A Troubleshooting Procedure that may Fix Problems with macOS El Capitan or Later


You should try each, one at a time, then test to see if the problem is fixed before going on to the next.


    Be sure to backup your files before proceeding if possible.


  1. Shutdown the computer, wait 30 seconds, restart the computer.
  2. Disconnect all third-party peripherals.
  3. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
  4. Reset the System Management Controller (SMC)
  5. Reset your Startup Disk and Sound preferences.
  6. Start the computer in Safe Mode. Test in safe mode to see if the problem persists, then restart normally.
  7. Use Apple Hardware Test to see if there is any hardware malfunction.
  8. Repair the disk by booting from the Recovery HD. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Choose Disk Utility and click on the Continue button. Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the side list.  Click on the First Aid button in the toolbar. Wait for the Done button to appear. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu. Restart the computer from the Apple Menu.
  9. Repair permissions on the Home folderResolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder.
  10. Create a New User Account Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and enter your Admin password when prompted. On the left under Current User click on the Add [+] button under Login Options. Setup a new Admin user account. Upon completion log out of your current account then log into the new account. If your problems cease, then consider switching to the new account and transferring your files to it - Transferring files from one User Account to another.
  11. Download and install the OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update or 10.12.6 Combo Update or Download macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Combo Update or Get MacOS Mojave now from the Mac App Store as needed.
  12. Reinstall OS X by booting from the Recovery HD using the Command and R keys. When the Utility Menu appears select Reinstall OS X then click on the Continue button.


Similar questions

22 replies

Sep 19, 2019 8:35 AM in response to den.thed

den.thed wrote:

That is way more than I used or would use. Plus I cleaned off all of the old on those terminals with a Q-tip and some Alcohol. Then just put a small dab on the GPU and a thin short line on the CPU.

Huh! Leaves me speechless but proof is in the numbers and your monitoring screenshots scream that you were right. In the same time, the setting seems very different. Is this a Mac Mini?


Talking Q-tips, I hope that the protruding metal pins in my setting are just assembling rivets and not electronic semicons, even if the paste is electrically non conductive. I could have done a cleaner job, but memories sometimes remind me that doing too much exposes to risks of jeopardizing the whole thing!


Sep 20, 2019 12:46 PM in response to den.thed

den.thed wrote:
Yea I was thinking the same thing, as I was cleaning and brushing away all of the excess dried paste and crumbs.


I once cleaned a rotating head on an old system Hi8 camera with a Q-tip, which was silly and I learned it when the head came out and hang like a plucked eye… It was an old camera.


I have upgraded the Mini with 16Gb of Ram, and after a Mojave reinstall, the computer works like a charm. Almost as fast as my MBP 10.1.


With Macs Fan Control, I have tried to set the fan on the memory temperature instead of automatic. This way, the CPUs stay 15° cooler. Otherwise the CPU temps rise to 90-100°C , 194-212F , under task.

Mac Mini 2012 overheating, and is it time to consider a new one?

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