MacBook Pro Retina + 3 external displays + clamshell + heat issues

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MacBook Pro Retina + 3 external displays + clamshell + heat issues

Hi Apple Community,

I have a 15" MacBook Pro Retina (2.6, 16GB) running 3 external displays (2x 22" via thunderbolt ports -> VGA & 1x 27" via HDMI). I am running in Clamshell (i.e. the MacBook Retina has the lid closed and is in a TwelveSouth BookArc). I currently have SMC FanControl running and set the fan to max (~5900 rpm) which is keeping the temp at ~54 degrees celcius.

Basically I'm wondering if anyone knows about the heat management with using a macbook this way. Will too much heat damage the screen since the lid is closed etc.... How hot does the macbook have to get before damage can occur...?

Many thanks

SamNz8107

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Feb 10, 2013 10:59 PM

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Answer 1

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mende1

Level 10

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Feb 10, 2013 11:02 PM in response to samnz8107

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities

Too much heat may cause that your MacBook Pro fails sooner or later. Also, we don't recommend to use smcFanControl as it's an app that modifies the SMC to do it, and also, it may damage the fans because you have a too high fan speed. Respecting to the temperature, it's completely correct, but I would be worried about fans

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Answer 2

samnz8107 Author

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Feb 10, 2013 11:09 PM in response to mende1

Hi mende1, thanks for your quick reply.

I usually use smcFanControl to get a temp. Should I just exit it and let the native fan regulation take over? Is there an approved app availiable? I always get the feeling that MacBooks heat up then turn the fan on to drop the temp, then the fans stop untill it heats up again... i.e. I would prefer a constant fan speed/constant acceptible temp.

I just dropped the fan speed to 4500 rpm and temp remained at 54. I realise that with move intensive processes temps will rise.

Cheers,

SamNz8107

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Answer 3

mende1

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93,568 points

Feb 10, 2013 11:12 PM in response to samnz8107

The problem with smcFanControl is that the fan always have the same speed, and that fan speed is incredibly high.

You should try to do a SMC reset to restore the fan speed to factory settings, and then, use your Mac as usual, checking the temperature. If it's not too high, decide yourself if it's better to use smcFanControl or just leave your Mac to set up the speed automatically

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Answer 4

samnz8107 Author

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Feb 10, 2013 11:14 PM in response to mende1

Thanks mende1!!!

One last question.. what would you consider an acceptable fan speed to have the majority of the time?

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Answer 5

mende1

Level 10

93,568 points

Feb 10, 2013 11:15 PM in response to samnz8107

I leave my Mac to set up the fan speed automatically depending of the temperature, but I recommend you that the fan speed is less than 3000 rpm. That's enough to keep your Mac cool and it will cause less harm (if any) to your Mac in the future

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Answer 6

Mar 26, 2013 12:40 PM in response to samnz8107

What is Apple going to do with the problems, I want to buy a Mac Book Pro Retina 15" I will not buy one if the problems are not solved.

Apple I'm a user sins 1985-1990 and I promoted the brand to al my freinds and more, but for now I don't promote the brand. Many of my friend are Apple users because of me. Apple is a feeling inside so let me keep this feeling for the rest of my life, and do sommething about the problems start using SAMSUNG.

Garry

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Answer 7

samnz8107 Author

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Mar 26, 2013 5:01 PM in response to Garry Vandenberg

Hi Garry,

Apple released an update last week dealing with heat issues involving high intensity graphics card use and optimizing the fan cooling system and this has really helped. I can now play Guild Wars 2, one of the most graphics intensive games around today, with all the graphics options set to max/best appearance with no heat or performance issues.

This update has solved all the heat issues for me, I'd like to know if others have experienced the same.

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Answer 8

Mar 27, 2013 2:25 AM in response to samnz8107

Thanks for the info Samnz8107.

I know that yoy can change the way things work with a software update, but the main problem is the Retina screen and it is a lot of money to pay round 3000 $ and the screen burns in.

This is still a problem you can't change with software.

Garry

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Answer 9

Mar 28, 2013 3:33 AM in response to samnz8107

Hi Samnz8107,

I cannot found the release for fixing the heat issue. Please tell me where it is.

Thanks

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Answer 10

Apr 21, 2013 10:05 AM in response to samnz8107

Hi Samnz8107,

I have a 13" Macbook Pro Retina Display and I would like to do the same thing as you...I have two 22" displays that I connect up using a thunderbold/minidisplay port to VGA and I have a third 22" display which I want to connect up using the remaining HDMI port.

I am only able to connect two monitors at any one time, whether it's both VGA displays or one HDMI and VGA. I have tried shutting the laptop screen (clamshell, without changing any settings or installing anything) and even still my mac can only see two displays.

Is there something you did to get all three screens to work for you or is there something you can recommend for me?

Thanks in advance 🙂

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Answer 11

samnz8107 Author

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Apr 21, 2013 5:08 PM in response to preetcharan

Hi Preetcharan & StephenVIC,

@StephenVIC, It was mentioned during part of this update (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1559), by fixing the way the graphics cards and fans are used it has dramatically improved temp issues. I believe the main source of heat in the retina's is from the graphics cards.

@preetcharan, this is very odd, I literally opened my 15" retina box and plugged in the 3 screens (2x thunderbolt/VGA & 1x HDMI) and off it went without a problem. It runs fine with 4 screens also (using retina screen NOT in clamshell).

I found this update which may be of interest to you as it describes a HDMI diaplay fix with the 13" (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1619).

Do you see anything come up on the 3rd screen when all are plugged in?

Samnz8107

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Answer 12

Apr 25, 2013 1:09 PM in response to samnz8107

Hey Samnz8107!

Thanks for your reply. Saw it straight away and tried the update but it didn't work. When you open the dmg it says:

"Alert:

This software is not supported on your system."

So that's unfortunate!

Nope nothing comes up on the third screen when plugged in. And in the display window in the System Preferences, in arrangement, only the mac display and two displays are shown. It seems that the mac only wants to see two external displays. Because say all three are plugged in, it's whatever is plugged in last that isn't seen. So it's not a specific problem with the HDMI, because say if I unplug one of the VGAs, then the other VGA and HDMI will show no problem!

When three screens are plugged in, the third screen is on and knows something is there (so it doesn't go into standby mode or ask you to connect something...but it just stays off. It's not a black screen - it is definitely off .ie there is no signal...but the screen does know something is there!

Any further ideas?

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