MacBook Pro seriously overheating while gaming

Question

Level 1

0 points

MacBook Pro seriously overheating while gaming

I tried using a MacBook Pro 9,1 with Bootcamp Windows 7 to play the Elder Scrolls Online today. After about five minutes, HW Monitor showed that the temperature of the CPU had reached 105 degrees Celsius, and the temperature of the GPU 90 degrees Celsius. HW Monitor shows that both fans are running around 6200 rpm, and I am using a cooling pad in addition. I checked before I ran the game, and the temperatures were hovering around 40-50 degrees Celsius. Even now, they are still around 80 degrees Celsius.

Is this a problem with the computer, or is this normal for a MacBook Pro? I have heard that MacBook Pros tend to overheat, but I was not aware that they reached such high temperatures so quickly. I know its summer, but those temperatures are still pretty crazy. Around 80 degrees, the framerate of the game drops to around 10 fps, which makes playing pretty difficult. It seems kind of pointless to have such a capable GPU with 1 GB of VRAM when games only run for a few minutes before overheating. Should I take it in to the Apple Store, or should I use some other means to cool it?

Best Regards,

Alex

Posted on Jul 13, 2014 1:10 PM

Reply

Answer 1

GhonaZ

Level 3

572 points

May 22, 2015 8:49 AM in response to Alekxos

As Kappy says, Macbooks are not the best gaming machines. Besides in-game solutions such as lowering graphic's settings and ensuring good airflow you can try CPU-throttling. Most games don't require much from the CPU. You can easily tone-down the CPU without losing FPS.

1.Go to you battery icon and select the high performance setting.

2.Select advanced energy settings.

3. expand the enegry management for processor tab

4. select the minimum processor state. This is set to 100% on battery and plugged in as default. Change it to 1% or 0%.

5. now select the maximum processor state. This is 100% as well on battery and plugged in. Change it to 50%

6. Try your game of choice. Laggy or Buggy game--> increase the maximum processor state.

7. When youre game is good try lowering the maximum processor state untill you reach the laggy or buggy game state.

8. Check your temps. are they good then don't change anything. Still too high--> lower the maximum processor state.

Point number 4 is necesary to allow the processor to slow down.

What you essentially do with this is stopping the CPU to increase it's clockspeed to it's maximum turbo boost frequency to a lower maximum. This decreases heat output.

For me personally it changed over 20 degrees (from 100C to less than 80C)

late, but hope this helps!

Reply

Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jul 13, 2014 1:14 PM in response to Alekxos

That's usually normal when playing certain games. Sometimes reducing the game's resolution and framerate can help. Laptops are not good gaming platforms.

Reply

Answer 3

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

Jul 13, 2014 1:26 PM in response to Alekxos

You should probably look for the specs for your model, the current model is designed to work upto 35ºC, if you environment is on or around that it will have a hard time cooling itself, especially when maxed on CPU & GPU.

https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/

The aluminium case tries to conduct heat away, ensure that has a good supply of cool airflow, it could help.

Reply

Answer 4

berj79

Level 1

14 points

Sep 10, 2014 2:20 PM in response to Drew Reece

This is a bootcamp issue, when running windows on a mac via boot camp the fans kick in very late, i dunno whys apple can't get this sorted 😟

Reply

Answer 5

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

Sep 11, 2014 10:13 AM in response to berj79

berj79 wrote:

This is a bootcamp issue, when running windows on a mac via boot camp the fans kick in very late, i dunno whys apple can't get this sorted 😟

Surely Windows/ Microsoft is responsible for fan control when using Bootcamp?

I wouldn't expect Apple to fix the temperature issues Linux has when it is booted on a Mac - it isn't helped by Apples choice of fan & temperature sensors but Apple don't control how other OS's run. Search around to see if Windows has better drivers for managing the fans on your laptop model.

Also look into self powered coolers or ways to improve air circulation if you need to use this Mac running Windows for gaming. If it is in warranty take it along to an Apple store - if it isn't 'fit for purpose' or doesn't meet the original description it may be possible to get a refund (or repair/ replacement if faulty) depending on your local consumer laws.

Reply