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Macbook Pro Retina Late 2013 CPU temperature issues while gaming (99 celsius) Is this normal ?

Hello everyone, this is my first time here. I recently purchased a macbook pro retina late 2013 notebook just over a month ago. It seems to be working just fine. I've installed bootcamp and installed windows 7. I use Speccy for my temperature monitor. I've played DayZ Standalone as well as L4D2. I noticed while playing both games on their lowest settings the CPU temperature consistently stays in the 90 degree celsius range often reaching 99 degrees celsius. I am fairly tech saavy and have a decent knowledge of computers.I bought the ThermaPak Heatshift pad in hopes of cooling it down but to no avail as it only does a great job at cooling everything else. This is my first laptop so I treat it like my baby ! haha I was wondering if these temp readings are normal because I know that even reaching 70 celsius can be somewhat damaging. Thank you for your assistance.


EDIT:


I've attached a screenshot of the temperature for proof User uploaded file

MacBook Pro with Retina display

Posted on Mar 17, 2014 2:38 PM

Reply
21 replies

Mar 17, 2014 2:44 PM in response to sineight

MBPs are not great gaming machines, and they can have temp problems especially if you game in Windows because it does a horrible job of managing the fans which is why the temps get so high.


If you like Windows games then get yourself a Windows gaming desktop machine. Only desktop machines have the cooling systems for heavy game play. Same with the Macs.

Mar 17, 2014 2:46 PM in response to Kappy

I was considering building myself a gaming rig before I bought it haha The reason I'm asking is because I've looked through the forums and it seems that some people are able to play the same games if not more with decent temps and great framerate. I was worried that maybe my macbook is defective in that area ? Thanks for replying so quickly!

Mar 17, 2014 2:51 PM in response to sineight

Well, I can't say one way or the other. I don't game. You need to be careful about what you find posted in the forums because often you cannot know a thing about the comparability of the information. However, if you think you have a problem with yours, then you should take it back and find out. The item is in warranty, so it shouldn't cost you anything for your peace of mind.

Mar 17, 2014 2:57 PM in response to Kappy

Right, everything with a grain of salt of course! Also, my fans do kick in very loud when I am gaming in bootcamp so I know they're working haha I bought my macbook from bestbuy but the 14 day return policy is of course done. Would you recommend that I call apple or take it in at this point? I am worried I'll call them and they'll tell me there is nothing they can do because at this point a refund or replacement **** even a check up would be nice! haha Thank you!

Mar 17, 2014 3:01 PM in response to sineight

You can take it in to Best Buy or to your local Apple shop. Doesn't matter which. Just show them what you are doing that generates the high temps and express your concern that you are fearful the temps are abnormally high. Although temps in the low to mid-90s aren't bad under heavy gaming activity, they should not go higher than that.

Mar 17, 2014 3:05 PM in response to Kappy

Yeah I'm just very concerned I'm damaging it so I'll test it out on the mac osx side and see if the temps are the same. I'll take it in and have it checked out. Hopefully they let me have a refund or fix the problem. Thank you very much! I wanted a pc desktop but i thought maybe the mac could handle it so that it could be my "all in one " . I guess I was wrong haha

Mar 17, 2014 7:17 PM in response to sineight

UPDATE: I took my macbook pro to the geek squad at best buy and the tech guy their confirmed that yes, my macbook is in fact running much too hot for what I was doing. He perfomed a diagnostic test and determined that it was in fact defective. He told me they could ship to apple for me to fix but that more than likely they would need to scrap mine due to the fact that it might be too expensive to fix and be of a refurbishable quality. This is my first laptop and it's just my luck I suppose. Shame, I really liked this laptop. I decided to hold on to the laptop and call apple in hopes of seeing my other options. Will update with results.

Mar 18, 2014 2:52 PM in response to sineight

Hi, I also had the same heating issue, I read many threads dedicated to rMBPs Late 2013 Heat issue, it seems like it might be a Haswell Problem. Almost all haswell CPUs run MUCH hotter than the sandy/Ivy line of CPUS. Two weeks ago I took my mac to the apple store and got a FULL refund. I'll wait around a few months and hope for a fix or even the broadwell CPUS to arive. Thanks!


-dm

Mar 18, 2014 3:26 PM in response to sineight

I had it for TWO full weeks, until the very last hour. I did a lot of reaserch as to what could cause such immense heat, I found that the haswell line can run anywhere between 5-15c warmer than Older CPUS!!...:(. Nevertheless, I still want a rMBP, I make a living of Video/film work, so a good portable laptop is a necessity, but I dont need a portable Heater. I still have high hopes of whatever laptop is next. 99c is NOT acceptable in my world, the Max recommend temp from INTEL is 100c. ouch! please let apple know about this heat issue in maxwell, it could also be a combination of haswell plus this ultra thin chasis on the rMBP. Take Care!


-dm

Mar 18, 2014 5:19 PM in response to davidmthekidd

So I just got back from the apple store and wow, what rude service. The guy basically shrugged when I told him "Well, I guess Im stuck with it huh?" after he told me there was no way I could get a refund. He performed a test and told me everything was fine and told me in a very arrogant manner that the test isn't showing the results I told them about as if I was lying....***? He said they can send it away for a few weeks but I don't have any other computer and I just bought this one for school so I can't afford to have it gone for that long. He told me "doesn't your school have a computer lab"? Seriously, how can someone at Apple be this rude? I told him they do but its closed at 7 and I dont live on campus. How could a computer lab replace a personal computer? He basically kept shrugging rudely anytime I tried to find a solution. He didn't even reply with a single word. When I told him I called the call center and they told me that yes it is much too hot and to take it to the store after doing a fix he just chuckled and rolled his eyes. Really? I spent 1500 dollars on this computer to not even be able to do basic things on it without it overheating and the service is this bad? Well, looks like I won't ever be buying an apple product again even though before this experience I was a huge fan of all their products. I know one customer doesnt make a difference to them but come on...looks like I'm stuck with it and apple couldnt give one care. If having your hands uncomfortably hot after a small amount of time is acceptable then it looks like I'll never be buying another laptop from them. Its a shame I really liked it at first.

Macbook Pro Retina Late 2013 CPU temperature issues while gaming (99 celsius) Is this normal ?

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