My macbook CPU is very hot but mostly inactive

Question

gotson Author

Level 1

14 points

My macbook CPU is very hot but mostly inactive

Hi guys,

i have a problem with my Macbook rencently, for maybe 2 or 3 weeks.

The CPU is super hot, between 72℃ and 80℃, but the activity of the CPU is around 4% only.

I already tried the following:

- killing all running processes

- reset the SMC

- log in as Guest user

But it didn't change anything.

The temperature of the room is cool, around 25-26℃.

My Macbook has the latest updates, and has plenty of ram (8gb).

Anyone had the same issue ?

Any ideas on how to fix it ?

Thanks !

Here is my EtreCheck report:

Hardware Information:

MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008)

MacBook - model: MacBook5,1

1 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores

8 GB RAM

Video Information:

NVIDIA GeForce 9400M - VRAM: 256 MB

System Software:

OS X 10.9.2 (13C64) - Uptime: 0 days 5:15:0

Disk Information:

WDC WD5000BEVT-24A0RT0 disk0 : (500.11 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

Gotson HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 499.25 GB (110.25 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 650 MB

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-868

USB Information:

Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

FireWire Information:

Thunderbolt Information:

Kernel Extensions:

com.nvidia.CUDA (1.1.0)

Startup Items:

CUDA: Path: /System/Library/StartupItems/CUDA

Launch Daemons:

[System] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.barebones.authd.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.bjango.istatmenusdaemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist 3rd-Party support link

Launch Agents:

[System] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.bjango.istatmenusagent.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.Logitech.Control Center.Daemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.nvidia.CUDASoftwareUpdate.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist 3rd-Party support link

[System] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist 3rd-Party support link

User Launch Agents:

[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

[not loaded] com.brewcleanup.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.brewupdate.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.brewupgrade.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.comics-sync.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.flexget.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.google.GoogleContactSyncAgent.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.headphones.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.plexapp.ht.helper.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.spotify.webhelper.plist 3rd-Party support link

[not loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist 3rd-Party support link

User Login Items:

Cheetah Sync

Arq Agent

Mailplane 3

YouControlTunesEngine

MenuCalendarClock iCal

Plex Media Server

Dropbox

iTunes

Wunderlist

Android File Transfer Agent

Jumpcut

TuneSync Server

Transmission

Google Chrome

FunctionFlip

AppTrap

Internet Plug-ins:

AdobeExManDetect: Version: AdobeExManDetect 1.1.0.0 - SDK 10.7 3rd-Party support link

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 13.0.0.201 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8

Flash Player: Version: 13.0.0.201 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.2.4.18058 3rd-Party support link

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.0.0 3rd-Party support link

googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.2.4.18058 3rd-Party support link

Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20913.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 55 3rd-Party support link

Safari Extensions:

Open in Internet Explorer: Version: 1.0

Audio Plug-ins:

BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9

AirPlay: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.9

AppleAVBAudio: Version: 203.2 - SDK 10.9

iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9

iTunes Plug-ins:

Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9

3rd Party Preference Panes:

AppTrap 3rd-Party support link

CUDA Preferences 3rd-Party support link

Flash Player 3rd-Party support link

FunctionFlip 3rd-Party support link

Java 3rd-Party support link

Logitech Control Center 3rd-Party support link

Perian 3rd-Party support link

Web Sharing 3rd-Party support link

Old Applications:

Photomatix Pro: Version: 4.2.6 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Cheetah Sync: Version: 1.5.1 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

DockPlistEdit: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

/Library/Parallels/Uninstaller/Parallels Hypervisor/DockPlistEdit.app

SLLauncher: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Silverlight/OutOfBrowser/SLLauncher.app

/Applications/Utilities

LCC Connection Utility: Version: 3.5.1 - SDK 10.0 3rd-Party support link

LCC Uninstaller: Version: 3.5.1 - SDK 10.0 3rd-Party support link

dynamiclinkmanager: Version: 6.0.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/dynamiclink/CS6/dynamiclinkmanager.app

/Library/Application Support/Logitech.localized/Logitech Control Center.localized

Logitech Device Manager: Version: 3.5.1 - SDK 10.0 3rd-Party support link

Logitech Control Center Daemon: Version: 3.5.1 - SDK 10.0 3rd-Party support link

LCC Pilot: Version: 1.0.0 - SDK 10.0 3rd-Party support link

dynamiclinkmediaserver: Version: 6.0.1 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/dynamiclinkmediaserver/1.0/dynamiclinkmediaserver.app

/Users/[redacted]/Library/Application Support/Plex

Plex Media Server: Version: 0.9.3.4 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Plex Plug-in Installer: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

Time Machine:

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: ON

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Gotson HD: Disk size: 464.96 GB Disk used: 362.28 GB

Destinations:

Time Machine [Network] (Last used)

Total size: 799.68 GB

Total number of backups: 36

Oldest backup: 2014-02-20 10:20:47 +0000

Last backup: 2014-04-22 14:50:30 +0000

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 799.68 GB < (Disk used 362.28 GB X 3)

Time Machine details may not be accurate.

All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

Top Processes by CPU:

3% WindowServer

2% EtreCheck

1% SystemUIServer

0% configd

0% mDNSResponder

Top Processes by Memory:

139 MB installd

139 MB mds_stores

123 MB softwareupdated

123 MB Google Chrome

106 MB Finder

Virtual Memory Information:

677 MB Free RAM

2.25 GB Active RAM

4.08 GB Inactive RAM

778 MB Wired RAM

1.59 GB Page-ins

2 MB Page-outs

MacBook (13-inch Aluminum Late 2008), OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Apr 22, 2014 8:20 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Sep 22, 2014 12:09 PM in response to gotson

Hi gotson,

I have pretty much the same problem:

- no CPU usage (around 2-5%)

- 80°C at CPU heat sink

- battery life dropped from around 9h to 2,5h from one day to another

I have a MacBookPro 13 inch, Mid 2010; 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU; 8GB RAM; OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

As well I tried SMC and PRAM reset, but no change at all.

Anyone any ideas???

Reply

Answer 2

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Sep 23, 2014 6:00 AM in response to gotson

>80℃<

Whoa, that's way outside the normal operating range.

Check out this site:

Mac notebooks: Operating temperature

So since you've already done a SMC reset, the next thing I'd check is blockage of the heat sink grill. Usually you can see the grill by looking in the back of the MacBook (Pro) at the vents. The blockage looks like gray felt (depending on your particular environment: carpets, dust et al.

I'll think more about this later, it's 6 AM here.

Reply

Answer 3

Sep 25, 2014 9:52 AM in response to spudnuty

Hi spudnuty,

in my case I keep the grill quite clean on a regular basis. Just had a look at it, and it was pretty much nothing on there.

I already thought about the thermal paste to be dried out. But that wouldn't explain the battery drainage.

I think I will apply new paste anyways, just to be sure it's not that.

Reply

Answer 4

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Sep 25, 2014 11:48 AM in response to JanRosenbaum

>I keep the grill quite clean on a regular basis<

If there's a buildup you should be able to see by looking in the grill. The silver grill you see deep inside the machine is the radiator for the thermal transfer pipe that runs from the CPU heat sink. The fan blows out so buildup is on the other side of that radiator. Also check the fan and make sure the blades aren't covered in crap.

There's also this:

Runaway applications can shorten battery runtime, affect performance, and increase heat and fan activity

and this:

Mac notebooks: All about batteries

It's possible there was a recall on this battery but the site referenced is gone, which usually means the recall is done.

There's also a thermal sensor test but only a tech has access to that. Do you have a remote sensing thermometer?

Reply

Answer 5

Sep 26, 2014 12:22 AM in response to spudnuty

I normally open it and remove the fan to clean the grill, and clean the fan blades as well with a paint brush. That usually does the job.

Concerning runaway applications: there is literally nothing on the activity monitor that shows an unusal beahvior. The top task is the activity monitor itself with approx. 2.8% CPU usage, and sometimes the kernel task with around 3%.

I also conducted a Apple Hardware Test, and it said everything's okay.

The battery has 783 load cycles, which is pobably an age where it could fail, but the system says it is working normal and in good condition.

As well a dead battery would not explain the cpu heat issues, right?

Reply

Answer 6

Sep 26, 2014 12:24 AM in response to JanRosenbaum

Oh I forgot. Unfortunately I don't have a sensing thermometer. But if you think that would help a lot I would buy one.

Reply

Answer 7

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Sep 26, 2014 8:25 AM in response to JanRosenbaum

From the Manual:

"Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

The System Management Controller (SMC) is a chip on the logic board that controls all power

functions. If the computer is experiencing any power issue, such as not starting up, not

displaying video, sleep issues, or fan noise issues, resetting SMC may resolve it. To reset SMC:

1. If computer is on, turn it off by choosing Shut Down from the Apple () menu.

2. Connect power adapter to computer and to a working power source.

3. On built-in keyboard, press (left-side) Shift-Control-Option along with power button just

once. Important: Use Shift-Control-Option keys on left side of keyboard.

Note: When the LED on the MagSafe connector is orange/amber, resetting the SMC will

change it to green for a few seconds, indicating that SMC was correctly reset.

4. Wait 5 seconds and press power button to start computer. Note: If bottom case is removed,

you can alternately reset SMC by disconnecting both power adapter and main battery, and

holding down power button for 5 seconds."

Just verifying you're doing the exact procedure.

The fan connector can be bad.

The SMC is easily damaged by static electricity.

So if the sensor is bad it means replacing the logic board.

>wouldn't explain the battery drainage.<

It seems there was a recall of this model's battery, That site is gone however.

Hav you tried it with the battery disconnected? After a SMC reset?

Reply

Answer 8

Sep 26, 2014 11:14 AM in response to spudnuty

Yep, followed the procedure and had the changing light on the power adapter. To be sure I just did the SMC reset with the disconnected batterie. Unfortunately no change 😢

When I feel the temperature of the stream of air that comes out of the grill, it seems hotter than normal. I think the sensor shows correct temperatures.

I have the impression that the CPU runs to hot - god knows why - and this energy consumption drains the battery.

With 5% CPU usage it shows me an energy consumption of -2539 mA. Is that in the normal range?

Reply

Answer 9

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Sep 26, 2014 8:34 PM in response to JanRosenbaum

>it shows me an energy consumption of -2539 mA. Is that in the normal range?<

That seems way high! My MBP here is currently running 808 mA. Which since my battery's full charge capacity is 4633 mAh works out to 5.44 hours run time.

At your draw that's 1.8 hours run time. Ridiculous!

Reply

Answer 10

Sep 27, 2014 9:24 AM in response to spudnuty

The stated temperatures in that document relate to the environment the Mac is used in, not the temperature of the actual CPU.

The P7350 can withstand 90° to 105° C before shutting down.

spudnuty wrote:

>80℃<

Whoa, that's way outside the normal operating range.

Check out this site:

Mac notebooks: Operating temperature

Reply

Answer 11

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Sep 27, 2014 11:19 AM in response to spinnerlys

Yup you're right! That's what happens when I don't read the links carefully in the Service Source.

Here's a better one:

http://www.intelmactemp.com/list/page13

http://www.intelmactemp.com/list/page14

Reply

Answer 12

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Sep 27, 2014 11:28 AM in response to JanRosenbaum

So Spinnerlys pointed out that my temperature post was misleading.

Here's a better link(s):

http://www.intelmactemp.com/list/page13

http://www.intelmactemp.com/list/page14

So still very high for that CPU usage.

Reply

Answer 13

Sep 28, 2014 6:45 AM in response to spudnuty

Yes, for being idle I would rather expect a way lower temperature and definitely not such a batterie drain.

Is there any chance that there are processes runnig, that are not displayed in the activity monitor? (I have it set to show "all processes")

Reply

Answer 14

Sep 28, 2014 10:40 PM in response to JanRosenbaum

No, if SHOW ALL PROCESSES is selected, it shows all processes.

As that is an older MacBook, my brother has the same one, it could be dirt, accumulated over time, making the temps rise.

I have a 2009 MBP and it has similar temps while idle (70° to 75° C when in use while in the sauna and on the grill, with cheese), though I give it a clean every once in a while.

Some prefer compressed air, but one should it while the bottom panel is removed, the entire panel, not just the battery door.

I prefer to use a vacuum cleaner, but you should ground yourself and remove the battery before doing so.

Reply

Answer 15

Feb 11, 2015 3:07 AM in response to gotson

i can see that your macbook is from late 2008 that means that is is 6 years old. if you have no longer any warenty on your macbook i suggest that you open it and replace the cooling paste. when the cooling paste gets older it gets hard and looses it's cooling ability's. i had the same with a HP laptop and a macbook pro, and this did the trick for me

Reply