MacBook Pro 2011 overheats when anything is plugged into DisplayPort/Thunderbolt

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Level 1

19 points

MacBook Pro 2011 overheats when anything is plugged into DisplayPort/Thunderbolt

Just wondering if anyone has noticed this -

I have an early 2011 MacBookPro 17" running Lion (OSX 10.7.3)

Anytime I plug *anything* into the Thunderbolt port, the temperature jumps up by 15C-20C.

To be specific, if I plug a "DisplayPort->HDMI adpater" in even if it's not connected to an actual display the temparature increases.

SMC reset and EFI updates don't seem to help resolve the problem.

some users have reported that "InsomniaT" is sometimes the cause of the problem, however I don't have this sofware installed.

other posts suggest that the logic board needs to be replaced, which seems rather severe.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated 🙂

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3), Early 2011 17"

Posted on Mar 22, 2012 6:23 AM

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Answer 1

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Mar 22, 2012 6:42 AM in response to tigga999

What else is running when this happens?

If nothing else then waht are the temps. You can get that with iStatPro.

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Answer 2

tigga999 Author

Level 1

19 points

Mar 22, 2012 6:58 AM in response to Shootist007

This happens even when no other apps (other than the routine/background processes) are running

- iStat shows the temps as :35-39c (no apps running) then jumps to 50-60c when the adapter is plugged in.

Again, this adapter is not actually connected to anything, just the presence of the plug in the Display/Thunderbolt Port triggers this temperature increase.

This problem has been present since i bought the machine last year .

I did replace the termal paste in this machine a few weeks back - you may be aware that there have been discussions that excessive amounts of factory applied themal paste were causing inefficent heat disspation.

I opened my MBP up and sure enough, there was paste all over the CPU & GPU chips.

After reapplying the paste correctly, the temps dropped a solid 7c -

but the temp rise when the DisplayPort is used remains the same, it was roughly 15-20c both before and after the thermal paste cleanup.

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Answer 3

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Mar 22, 2012 7:07 AM in response to tigga999

Well I have a 15" 2011 model and will connect my Apple DVI adapter and see what happens.

But in all honesty I would of taken the system in for a check and or returned it for refund when I first noticed this.

Could also be some type of short in the adapter.

OK it has been a few minutes since I connected the DVI adapter and my temps are exactly the same with or without the adapter connected.

So I would suspect a short in either the adapter or the port on your MBP.

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Answer 4

tigga999 Author

Level 1

19 points

Mar 22, 2012 7:21 AM in response to Shootist007

I've tried it with two different adapters, DP->HDMI and DP->VGA with the same temp increase results.

Your tests suggest the problem is with my MPB so I'll take it in for a check.

Other users have reported temp increases when connected to external displays/devices,

but this confirms that the problem is most likely the reported logic board fault.

Sincere thanks for your help in figuring this out 🙂

Cheers!

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Answer 5

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Mar 22, 2012 7:34 AM in response to tigga999

Well those other reports could be because they are using an external monitor and the system in claimshell mode, lid closed.

Buit in any event it would be best to have Apple check it out.

Good Luck.

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Answer 6

hg123

Level 1

0 points

Jul 15, 2012 10:01 PM in response to tigga999

Yes - I have a MacBook Pro 15 and whenever I plug in a Thunderbolt display, the fans on the computer go from 2K rpm to about 4k within 3 minutes. I'll likely be returning the display.

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Answer 7

fabmedia

Level 1

0 points

Aug 14, 2013 11:22 AM in response to hg123

I have the same problem. Plugin the display and the fan goes nuts, and the MB Pro heats to amazing temperatures.

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Answer 8

msmk

Level 1

5 points

Aug 14, 2013 12:01 PM in response to tigga999

With something plugges into the Display Port, Open the Activity Monitor, it's in the Utilities Folder, to check which process is are causing the problem. Click on the CPU% column to get the ▼ which will display the process the highest % at the top.

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Answer 9

fabmedia

Level 1

0 points

Sep 1, 2013 4:25 PM in response to msmk

The Kernel_task is taking up most of the processing power. Anywhere between 320-380%. And it doesn't matter how much RAM there is... I've done exhaustive hardware tests and there are no problems with the hardware.

Frustrating.

Arlen

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