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User profile for user: Chiodi
Chiodi Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

My MacBook Air M1 CPU gets hot quickly when Performance Cores kicks in, then throttles down after less than a minute

My MacBook Air M1 16GB normally stays at 35-43ºC at room temperatures of about 28ºC.

When I start some video processing tasks (video reformat using HandBrake), performance cores kicks in to full speed, then, after about a minute or less, when temperature gets to about 95ºC, 4 performance cores slows down to about half capacity and they does not get fully activate unless system cools down to ambient temperature again (by putting device to sleep). Note: the whole body of the MacBook Air feels hot, according to read temperatures.

I know that throttling down performance cores is expected on this fanless device. My question is: having full CPU capacity for less than a minute, is an expected performance, or could it have some deficiency on their heat sink system that could generate this -poor- behavior?

Honestly, I was expecting to reach full capacity for more than 5 or 10 minutes before seeing that heat is a problem, based on several device reviews I have seen online, pushing the apple silicon to its limits. Thanks for any opinion or guidance.

Posted on Sep 16, 2021 4:27 PM

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User profile for user: samtenor
samtenor
User level: Level 4
1,786 points

Posted on Sep 16, 2021 5:21 PM

I think it is well expected regarding thermal throttle with heavy CPU.


M1 MBA CPU design does not have direct contact to the backplate -- therefore, MBP's fan would provide better performance in terms of thermal issues.. I would say part of Handbrake's design (heavy CPU load) and have wondered if Handbrake has been working on the optimization with M1 chip. My experience with Handbrake (cross all platforms - such as Microsoft OS, Linus and Mac) - all the mid-range CPUs would crank up the temperature almost immediately, and of course, cooling fan as well.

M1 MBA, in my own use, will definitely suffer thermal throttle -- and that can be a safe guard by Mac's design to protect the system's hardware integrity.

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User profile for user: samtenor
samtenor
User level: Level 4
1,786 points

Sep 16, 2021 5:21 PM in response to Chiodi

I think it is well expected regarding thermal throttle with heavy CPU.


M1 MBA CPU design does not have direct contact to the backplate -- therefore, MBP's fan would provide better performance in terms of thermal issues.. I would say part of Handbrake's design (heavy CPU load) and have wondered if Handbrake has been working on the optimization with M1 chip. My experience with Handbrake (cross all platforms - such as Microsoft OS, Linus and Mac) - all the mid-range CPUs would crank up the temperature almost immediately, and of course, cooling fan as well.

M1 MBA, in my own use, will definitely suffer thermal throttle -- and that can be a safe guard by Mac's design to protect the system's hardware integrity.

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My MacBook Air M1 CPU gets hot quickly when Performance Cores kicks in, then throttles down after less than a minute

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