Q: Macbook pro 15 inch (late 2013) gaming and overheating issues

I agree with you on the software. Sometimes, my fans just spin up and I feel that my laptop is going to lift off my desk like hovercraft.

My CPU temp gets in excess of 200 deg F (93 deg C) and the fans are close to 6000 rpm.

However, the last Genius I talked said I should watch the Activity Monitor. Like other discussions in this forum, and elsewhere online, I see this new Mavericks task, com.apple.IconServicesAgent, taking up a huge portion (200%??!!) of my CPU processing. I have not been able to find out what this task does but there is a lot of traffic on it. Anyhow, I deleted this task and the CPU loading decreased dramatically.  My fans started spinning up a few days later and I saw this task had started up again and was taking up ~90% CPU loading.

I do not know what this task does, and I do not advocate using Activity Monitor to delete tasks indiscriminantly, but I am wholeheartedly in agreement with you that this CPU heating, and fan issue, is relating to software.

Just received my rMBP 15" yesterday. After reading about the heating issue I wanted to test out a game and see what would happen. I downloaded Diablo 3 as I don't have any more recent games, and within 30 seconds of loading it up, the left side of the MBP started getting really hot.  While I was in OSX setting it up and playing around online, the temperature stayed really cool.  Currently I am running boot camp to install windows to be able to use my copy of office and other things windows based I use for school.  Once it starts up the computer starts to get hot again. After reading that there is no support for the switching graphics card being used, I can only conclude that when the discrete 750m gets turned on, it is the source of the heat. I didn't play Diablo much, so didn't notice the fans speed increasing, at least not audibly. Strangely enough they have only done that while the Blizzard downloader was running while installing Diablo.  So from my limited time with this machine, seems that there should be a way to have a firmware update for the fan control to increase when it switches over to the discrete video before it comes to the point of people burning their fingers or laps.

Check my thread below. I have the same issue and seems it hasn't changed since the new macbook retina was released. I would return it if you still have the warranty.

https://discussions.apple.com/message/22679347#22679347

Go into Applications->Utilities->Activity Monitor and click on the CPU tab. You should see a list of tasks that are running on your computer. If it's not visible, go to View->Columns and make sure the CPU % is visible. Then click on that column in the display to order the tasks by the amount of CPU calculations they are using (to some degree).

Whenever my MB Pro starts overheating, I am more often than not, seeing the com.apple.IconServicesAgent task take anywhere from 95-200% (200% CPU???).  When I delete that task, my overheating problem goes away instantly.

I have also noticed that the overheating problem goes away when I restart my laptop even if I launch the exact same apps. This makes me think the problem is software-related, rather than hardware-related.

I don't know what IconServicesAgent does but it seems to take up an excessive amount of CPU cycles. I do not recommend using the Activity Monitor to delete tasks that you do not know, but this process seems to work for me. I am hoping the next rev of Mavericks will fix this problem.

In my case the usage is 0 for that process. Closing it doesn't affect anything. The highest I have is parallels which when I turn off still keeps temps high (maybe not as high but still in the 80ºC s.

I just bought a Macbook Pro Retina 15 inches, 2.3, 512 last week. I just ran skype and nothing else, the temperature went upto 90 degrees celsius. The problem is it never comes down. I dont do anything except skype and facebooking and the temperatures are going really crazy. Its just impossible to touch the top part of the keyboard leave aside putting this LAPtop on my LAP. I am really wondering if spending 2700 euros on this computer was worth it? This is my first Mac and I was kinda expecting a flawless computer but . Please help me out guys, what should I do?

Welcome to the story or my life. I'm very sorry to hear about this. I have the same issues. Though my temperature goes that high only when on flash sites , parallels and Xcode simulator I would suggest taking it to the store where you got it and show them exactly how it is happening hopefully they can replace it for you. Use the software iStat nano or pro and take screenshots of the temperatures. Once you have gathered some data you will have more proof.

The strange thing in my case is that I took it to apple twice and they said nothing is wrong. Now that my warranty has expired I still get the high temperatures even up to 104C, I even replaced my thermal paste which did help but I still occasionally get the high temperatures anyway. Where gaming is concerned just forget it. Games are not playable without the CPU throttling.

Check my thread I posted above for a much more detailed report of what I tried. I am not sure if it is the extra processing for the retina causing the heat but it drives me mad each time I think of the money I spent on it.

Good luck

Hi Lucas,

The overheating problems; yeah they suck but there is a simple solution for it ... download this app http://www.crystalidea.com/products?ref=fancontrol_mac and install it and set it to the right temp you want.

The temp of 90 degrees is to high ... I already had big discussions with the applestore and they have no solution for it at the moment.... wait until the next software update...but so far this is the best solution for free !

and I also see you said something about Games are not playable... I really don't have this problem with my Late macbook pro 15 inch retina top model and it's blazing fast...

Software is use

Final cut pro

Logic pro X

Adobe suite

abelton Live

Aprature

Counterstrike Global

No prerformance problems at all !

good luck with your machine and don't let it get above the 100 degrees, so install the fancontroler

I talked to the guys from Apple care and also from my local Apple store. This was their reply " The first possibiity of an appointment is after a week from now. You should not use your mac book till then. It is not possible to exchange your notebook with a new one."

Now I am so looking forward to getting my 2700 euros, BRAND NEW notebook repaired after just 5 days of use. If I knew that before, I could have just bought a REFURBISHED notebook and saved my pocket. Horrible experience already.

i don't know which country you comming from... but here in Hong Kong the service is awesome. When i go stand on my stripes they change it for me at the spot without any problem...

and about your future new macbook .. you will have the same problems.. you need to install that plugin i showed in my previous posts and i promise you that the problems are solved.. the main problem is that the fans don't wanna turn on ... so it's a software problem and not a hardware problem .... don't let apple fool you buddy and please don't get frustrated...

http://www.crystalidea.com/products?ref=fancontrol_mac

install this app please and monitor your temp and adjust your fans with this software  or you download istats menu gives you even more details about your temp and other sensors.

If you bought the laptop online and are in Europe you can return within 7 days of purchase as far as I know. Unfortunately if you bought it from a shop you can only get a replacement once if the store provides repairs bound by its warranty and finds out the laptop is irreparable.

Hi Tristan,

I will try this but it doesn't solve the problem of Apple selling us a defective laptop. It is like buying a brand new car which overheats and only works when I get a second radiator to cool it.

The screw up is that Apple don't even bother reading this thread. My blood boils when I think of it.

Hi again Tristan,

What settings did you use for Macs Fan Control. It tends to ramp up the fans for 2 seconds and then down again. I understand how this works but the temperatures I have are commonly above 80C. Below are my settings:

hi Lukas,

i would recommend to setup the fan between the 65 and max 90 because you have a Intel i7 and they suppose to get warm and for the rest all the settings are ok ... and yes do the same for both fans . good luck and have fun

from which country are you actually ?

Use the CPU proximity sensor:
http://www.reviewmacsoftware.com/Freeware-detail/macs-fan-control