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Macbook Pro Retina Temperature

Hi,


I have a Macbook Pro Retina 2.7 GHz Core i7, 16Gb RAM.


I have installed the latest iStat Menu and have the "CPU 2" temperature reporting in at an average of 45C when idle, in the 50Cs when Xcode is running, in the 60Cs when running Safari (no video), and with peaks up to 85C-92C when running multiple things like a apps and a Time Machine backup. I haven't really stressed the system yet though.


The machine itself seems okay, mostly hot near the vents at the bottom of the screen, but not too hot to touch. The rest of the case seems cool.


The fans are running around 2.1K each.


Processor utilisation isn't high.


Is this normal for a Retina MBP?


Regards


Darren.

Macbook Pro Retina-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jun 29, 2012 7:19 AM

Reply
35 replies

Jun 29, 2012 9:17 AM in response to tenjinuk

This is a question that I don't think anyone here can answer at this time. Over the course of the last several years, the norms for Macbooks and MBPs have varied somewhat and what they are for the latest non-retina MBPs may or may not be the case for the new MBPRs. The best place to get a definitive answer should be a technician at an Apple store genius bar.


Based on what you relate if compared to a 'ordinary' MBP model just prior to your MBPR, the temperatures are not out of line but the fan speeds seem a bit low for the higher temperatures (85 C-92C). Fan speeds on MBPs range from 2000-6200 rpm and temperatures approaching 100 C is not unusual if the CPU/GPU are being stressed.


Ciao.

Jun 30, 2012 8:25 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I just replaced my 2011 quad core i7 15" MBP with the retina model. I've noticed that it runs hotter for the same things that I ran on the non retina 15". I usually work with it on my lap at night doing things, and it's definitely hotter to the touch.


Runs warm and quiet until things stress it out, toastier at idle than my other ones were, and it seems the fan really doesn't kick in nearly as much as my non retina MBP's did. Even when the top of the body above the function keys is nearly too hot to touch, the fans still haven't revved up.


I used to run SMC fan control but since the temp monitor doesn't work with the new retina model, I have no idea what my temps are actually reaching, but so far I've not had the fans kick into high no matter how hot it feels to me. Definitely different behavior than I had in the previous 2011, 2010, and 2009 MBP models I've gone through...


But no glitches or anything, so I'm assuming for the time being that it's all "by design"...

Jul 1, 2012 8:44 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Is it really true that temperatures approaching 100 C are not unusual when the CPU/GPU are stressed? I'm not being facetious, it's just that I am genuinely surprised that MBP temps can approach boiling point.


I've just upgraded to a MBP retina and I am a bit alarmed at the heat after using my antequated 2006 MacBook, which was slow as all get out, but cool to the touch. (Pathetic, I know.) The highest temp I've read so far on my MBPr using iStat is 48 C, so maybe I shouldn't worry.

Jul 1, 2012 8:57 PM in response to tenjinuk

iStatPro has not been upgraded in awhile, so it may not pick up all the new sensors, especially with the radically new hardware based on Ivy Bridge Intel processors contained in the 2012 MBPs. I would trust more the information read using Marcel Bresink's Temperature Monitor, which was recently updated to include the latest hardware. Don't know with the latest gear, but with my Late 2011 MBP, TempMon found 16 different temperature sensors in there.


http://www.bresink.de/osx/TemperatureMonitor.html

Jul 2, 2012 12:43 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

The overheating issue has gotten an awful lot of attention on these forums, even as long ago as last spring when the Thunderbolt MacBook Pros came out.


I was afraid to buy one because, reading all of the comments, it made it sound like the quality control with the design of the new models was going downhill. I bought one anyway, because I wanted to find out for myself. My MBP has run cool and quiet since the day I got it (last August), no matter what I do on it.


I quit apps when I'm done with them, and I don't place my laptop on soft, cushiony surfaces while I use it. These things need to breathe, and having it rest on a pillow, comforter, or yes... on my lap... doesn't give my Mac the space it needs for the heat to escape.


I don't think I'm just so lucky to have gotten a MBP from a "good batch". I really believe that a lot of the overheating trouble people have had is because of how they're using them. That sounds like I'm saying "You're setting it down wrong", and maybe I am saying exactly that. But I've used computers an awful lot over the years, and if you want them to last, there are certain things you need to do to treat them with care. Maybe the older Macs didn't require this, and that's why we haven't seen that many complaints in the past. Well... they do require a little extra carefulness now.

Jul 2, 2012 12:48 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

clintonfrombirmingham wrote:

Coucoul,


Thanks for the link - didn't know about that one!


Cinton


And if you've a few loose coins in the pocket, spring for the fullblown Hardware Monitor and be blown away at the gazillion different sensors and stuff these computers haul around to optimize their operations. It includes all that TempMon does and lots more. He's also just upgraded it for the latest gear.


http://www.bresink.de/osx/HardwareMonitor.html

Aug 5, 2012 8:06 AM in response to tenjinuk

I used the temperature monitor from the link by CourCoul on my MBPR i7 2.6 GHz, 16 GB while playing Uberstike

and got temperatures of


- up to 91 oC for the CPU cores

- 86 oC for the GPU

- between 55 and 80 oC for the various other monitors in the Mac


And it was very hot on my lap, very hot by the screen and the fans were runnig faster.


As a builder of PC server systems for my 3D modelling, these temperatures seem about normal for a computer under load, but in such a small package, I do wonder how it will effect the logevity of the components which are non-replaceable in this body, as the MacBook Pro dosen't seem to be able to shed the heat very effectively except through conduction through my lap ;-)

Aug 13, 2012 7:43 AM in response to tenjinuk

Hi,

I have the same situation but hotter. I have a Macbook Pro Retina 2.6 ghz Core I7, 16Gb RAM

I installed iStat Menu 3.4. It says that CPU2 is 210 degrees. Fans are at 3800 & 3500 rpm. The computer is not really doing anything, Safari, Mail and iStat are open. Ambient temperture in the house is 70 and I've placed the MBP on an 8" ceramic tile which greatly reduced the fan noise (was about 5500) due to better cooling (the MBP was on a tablecloth).


Thing is, it wasn't always like this. For the first week or so, the fan rarely came on. Now it runs continuously, even bringing the computer up from shut down.


Is this computer from a "bad batch" will Apple replace it?


Thanks for your help.

Aug 13, 2012 8:18 AM in response to RKBauer

FInd iStat Pro and install it. (iStat Pro 4.92) You can choose what you want in its settings. About you heat, open Activity Monitor from Utilities and see if there is anything that uses CPU not in a normal way.


It should be something that engages your machine more than it needs. If it happens all the time just show the Genius bar let them check this out.


(For me everything is between 30C to 45C in a normal usage like surfing and etc)


Good luck

Macbook Pro Retina Temperature

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