MacBook Pro gets way too hot. Performance suffers

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Level 1

14 points

MacBook Pro gets way too hot. Performance suffers

I have a 2012 MacBook Pro and have found that it is incapable of handling either a simple game, multiple applications, or an additional monitor without running into some extreme heat problems. I realize that an additional monitor may be too much for a laptop (although even if I'm just using it for extra real estate for web browsing and stuff, it shouldn't be that taxing, right?), but otherwise, I can't believe the heat it generates. After a certain point, I notice that the computer's performance starts to get very sluggish. I've started setting the laptop on a block of ice just to counteract this...the block has about the same area of the computer's base and is probably 1/2 inch thick. It melts completely in about 30-40 minutes.

The fans are functional, but they just don't seem to be enough. Does anyone know of a very good cooling pad/stand that may help with this? This ice situation is a little ridiculous. To be clear, I'm not doing something like playing Starcraft 2 on a dual monitor setup with iTunes and Photoshop running...what causes the heat is far less than that.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jun 4, 2013 10:17 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 5, 2013 12:56 AM in response to VictryRos

you probably want to upgrade your RAM

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Answer 2

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Jun 5, 2013 1:19 AM in response to VictryRos

What is causing the heat is the basic design of all mac notebooks and the limited airflow they have. The air vent is at the screen hinge and it does both intake and exhaust air from that area.

The amount of ram you have installed has nothing to do with the heat build up. Installing more ram, even if it is needed for a smoother running system, will have no affect on the heat build up.

The system is throttling once it gets hot to try to keep it cool, build less heat. There isn't much you can do about that except to run fewer programs at once and limit your game play. Having the second monitor also put a strain on the graphic system which in turn builds more heat.

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Jun 5, 2013 3:01 AM in response to VictryRos

In order to ***** your situation, some basic information is required. In stall iStat pro (download from the Internet) and set Activity Monitor to show 'All Processes' and set '%CPU' to display values from high to low. When operating your MBP and it gets hot, post the following equivalent images:

Ciao.

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Answer 4

VictryRos Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 5, 2013 10:18 AM in response to LowLuster

I appreciate the response, LowLuster, but most of that isn't anything I didn't already know. The original question was if anyone knew of a good cooling solution. The computer seems capable of handling what I'm asking of it, the performance just doesn't last very long as the heat builds up.

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Answer 5

cbs20

Level 4

2,796 points

Jun 5, 2013 10:24 AM in response to VictryRos

Use a fan controller and turn the fans up before the computer gets hot. This keeps it running cooler.

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Answer 6

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Jun 5, 2013 10:27 AM in response to VictryRos

Have you performed a SMC reset?

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964

Ciao.

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Answer 7

VictryRos Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 5, 2013 4:09 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

That's a good idea. I'll look into it. Regarding your first post, I haven't had access to my personal computer yet, today. Will take a look when I do.

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Answer 8

VictryRos Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 5, 2013 8:59 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I'm not sure what the PepperFlashPlayer Process is

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Answer 9

VictryRos Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 5, 2013 9:22 PM in response to VictryRos

Looks like it's from a streaming plug-in that I sometimes use in Chrome. How could it possibly be that resource heavy?

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Answer 10

John Galt

Level 10

141,240 points

Jun 5, 2013 9:54 PM in response to VictryRos

Chrome runs notoriously poorly on Macs. It is obvious from your screenshot that Chrome and its co-conspirator Flash are the cause of your problems. They are using nearly 100% of your CPU and most of your Mac's memory.

Use a browser written by someone who knows how to develop a Mac app that doesn't suçk.

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Answer 11

John Galt

Level 10

141,240 points

Jun 6, 2013 7:12 AM in response to VictryRos

VictryRos here are corresponding screenshots for a two year old MacBook Air - a Mac far less capable than your MacBook Pro:

It's running Safari, with Flash running, as well as Firefox, in addition to iTunes, Pages, QuickTime Player and several other programs. It has the same amount of RAM as your MBP (4 GB) and it's loafing.

Whatever Chrome is doing, it's doing poorly. If you want your Mac to run well get rid of it.

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Answer 12

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 6, 2013 7:21 AM in response to VictryRos

Get rid of Chrome and all that came with it.

Wherever possible don't use 32 bit applications at all.

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Answer 13

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 6, 2013 7:24 AM in response to John Galt

Hey John

Did you notice how many more bits of Chrome are on that list, Chrome Renderer, Chrome Worker, all using 100mb or so, all 32 bit (just like the top 3) just scan the list for 32 bit apps, they are nearly all Chrome ....... it's taking over, yikes.

I am surprised it hasn't shut down yet.

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Answer 14

VictryRos Author

Level 1

14 points

Jun 6, 2013 8:10 AM in response to Csound1

I didn't know Chrome was so disastrous. This is definitely an eye-opener.

Why is it that 32-bit applications are so sub-optimal? Should I get rid of Spotify as well? (Not a huge loss, I don't use it much).

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Answer 15

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jun 6, 2013 8:16 AM in response to VictryRos

VictryRos wrote:

I didn't know Chrome was so disastrous. This is definitely an eye-opener.

Why is it that 32-bit applications are so sub-optimal? Should I get rid of Spotify as well? (Not a huge loss, I don't use it much).

You have a 64 bit machine, 32 bit apps do not use memeory as efficiently. Not a disaster but unless there is a really good reason to seek out 32 bit apps I suggest not using them.

This is not the reason Chrome is so bad, it is because Chrome is just bad.

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