CPU downclocking/underclocking question

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Level 1

8 points

CPU downclocking/underclocking question

Hello all, hope everyone is well.

i have a macbook ( late 2006), running 10.6.6, 2.0 ghz C2D, 2gb ram 320gb hdd. The computer runs very hot, even when idle, normal cpu temp is at a steady 80C/176F( while idle) and can reach 99C/210F under heavy load, the fan seems to be on full blast all the time, at 6000+ rpm. There is nothing blocking the vents, the system is clean, and i even have a heavy duty cooling pad under it.

Are these any apps besides "coolbook" i can use to downclock the cpu? coolbook doesnt work even after i paid the 10 dollar activation fee. i guess its just not compatible..thanks in advance

iMac late 2009, Mac OS X (10.6.5), 3.06ghz core 2 duo , 8gb ram, 1tb hdd

Posted on Jan 7, 2011 5:35 PM

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Answer 1

stedman1

Level 10

264,622 points

Jan 7, 2011 6:39 PM in response to hacxx

Hi hacxx: Those are quite high temps. Check out the Apple article listed below to see if it helps fix the problem.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1473

Hope this helps
Stedman

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Answer 2

BGreg

Level 6

17,558 points

Jan 7, 2011 8:48 PM in response to hacxx

You might do an SMC reset: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Follow the steps to see if you have any runaway processes in stedman1's link above. Also check to ensure you don't have any print jobs that haven't completed, as OS X will keep trying to print them, driving CPU utilization up.

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Answer 3

hacxx Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 7, 2011 9:20 PM in response to BGreg

thanks for replying, i followed the steps, there are no runaways background processes, just firefox, and istats currently running.

I also performed the SMC reset, still having the same issue. id like to apply some thermal paste on the cpu, if i can even get to it, scared of pulling out the keyboard ribbon, its a pain in the @ss, to put it back..thanks fellas

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Answer 4

Lyssa

Level 8

41,405 points

Jan 7, 2011 9:48 PM in response to hacxx

A few more suggestions for you:

1) Have you tried working in a brand-new user account to see if the issue persists?

2) Have you tried booting from Install Disc 1 and letting the machine run off the DVD for a few minutes to see if the fan kicks in and/or the computer feels excessively warm?

~Lyssa

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Answer 5

hacxx Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 9, 2011 6:28 PM in response to Lyssa

Thanks for replying. I did something similar to your suggestion, rather then booting from dvd, i installed linux on the macbook, and still the same sensor reading, and i'm going to assume it would be the same if i installed WINxp instead.

Do you think i should contact apple about this? last time i was at the genius bar (repairing my imac) i told the tech about the macbook, of course at the time overheating wasnt the issue, it was mostly the backlight flicking , he told me to bring it in and they can look at it, and certain things can be serviced even if out of warranty. Would anyone know what can be serviced if the computer is out of warranty, i know cpu replacement is out of the question since intel chips only come with a 3 year warranty

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