High CPU temp on new SR MBPs

Ideally, a processors should run at a lower
temperatures because they're more efficient with
energy requirements. Generally speaking a hotter
processor will require more current, thus reducing
the usage time of your battery - remember it's a
laptop!

So even if your chip can operate at 100°C, would you
wanna place the boiling hot lump of metal on your lap
and not complain it's burning you, or it's causing
discomfort? I don't know about you, but it's supposed
to be a "laptop" system - this tells me I can use it
on my lap. Right?

Its not safe to place notebooks (not laptops... I wish people could catch onto this fact) on your lap, this is old news, not sure why people still complain about this. They are notebooks/ desktop replacements, not laptops. Apple has not (nor many other notebook manufactures for that matter) called their portable units "laptops" in over 6 years.

Forget I mention it's a bleeding laptop, it still shouldn't be running as hot as some people have suggested, period. Hot cpu's means it's not utilizing the power efficiently and/or there's inadequate cooling.

Could someone post a step by step guide on how to do the modding..i.e. how to scrape off the excess goop and reapply the paste properly?. Would be even better if you did a video of it and posted on youtube. That would be a star video...

Also does this issue affect the non SR C2D MBPs?

I would not open my machine and assume that the thermal past is the problem. The processor is rated to 100c by intel. You are assuming the thermal past is a problem when it could be a new type of past and having more could be a good thing.

Hi I've been thinking again about the thermal paste and the cpu temperature.
It is hard to belive that the problem is the amount of the paste only.
And I remember in a very old forums(monthes ago) Apple was noticed of this problem ,and didn't fix it?.
Do you really think guys that is difficult for the manufacturer or( his robots)knowing the solution , to reduce the quantity of paste.???????? common is the easiest solution .
MMMh I belive , the problem is a failure of design (not easy to solve) and technically not a worrying matter except for our laps.

Not quite 20c, I was a bit off when I posted that and have since revised that number. 9c at idle and 16c at load.

That tape is Kapton tape. it is yellow because it is not scotch tape. That is heat rated tape that most Apple portables are filled with. I can guarantee you those sensors will be in position until you smash them with a hammer. That tape is awesome - I've used about 200 yards of it when working on Apple portables.

The sensors are there for the ambient temp, so it matters that they are just "there" - not attached to a specific thing, but not floating around.

Blaming unit's woe's on heat paste applications is a bit of a red herring. I imagine reapplying it in a non-manufactuing setting may help, but that's the way I've seen them apply it for years, across multiple computer manufacturers. all that matters is the thin layer sandwiched in the middle. the extra on the sides just sits there.

I'd take a harder look at the the third party fan controllers than some errant bits of paste.




iMac 20" C2D Mac OS X (10.4.9)

I have an Intel Core Duo MBP.

I though that its normal that they get this hot (although very inconvenient) but it turns out as I suspected that its not supposed to be like this.

My laptop never runs below 76C and reaches 89C and sometimes more. I use it for internet browsing and normal email word processing stuff and after a certain period I cant rest my hands on the rest pad and have to touch the keys very briefly and there is noway that I can touch the top bar just above the keyboard it literary burns my fingers - I tried it once and I got a burn.

I am considering using my MPB as a egg cooker or a toaster.

The fans always are running on 2.5k rpm

I already had to replace a battery on it and this doesnt look good either.

Apple is really letting down on build quality control and design of product if they are using tape to fix parts of a quite expensive laptop.

This MBP is my first Apple so I am a new switcher and I have really been disappointed by the overheating issue. Since Apple is looking to increase market share they should be listening to people like me who are first time switchers.

I wish I could write more about this but all 10 of my fingers are now burned and I am exhausted from the constant pain of burning sensations as I type.

Could someone post a step by step guide on how to do the modding..i.e. how to scrape off the excess goop and reapply the paste properly?. Would be even better if you did a video of it and posted on youtube. That would be a star video...

I don't thing the mods here would allow such a post to exist and this thread would be locked and/or the post deleted.

By posting that information people may inadvertently damage their laptops. Apple seems very protective in who should perform surgery on their machines and at the very least continuing the warrant especially if something goes horribly wrong with the procedure.

I've worked on laptops and desktops before and I can tell you there's so many ways for you to break a laptop if you're not careful. tiny wires, tiny screws that are easy to strip. tiny solder lines that can be nicked. tiny little connectors that are a pain to disconnect etc.

If you think there is a problem take to a Apple store and let them have a look at it. Let us know how it works out.

I have an Intel Core Duo MBP.

I though that its normal that they get this hot
(although very inconvenient) but it turns out as I
suspected that its not supposed to be like this.

My laptop never runs below 76C and reaches 89C and
sometimes more. I use it for internet browsing and
normal email word processing stuff and after a
certain period I cant rest my hands on the rest pad
and have to touch the keys very briefly and there is
noway that I can touch the top bar just above the
keyboard it literary burns my fingers - I tried it
once and I got a burn.

I am considering using my MPB as a egg cooker or a
toaster.

The fans always are running on 2.5k rpm

I already had to replace a battery on it and this
doesnt look good either.

Apple is really letting down on build quality control
and design of product if they are using tape to fix
parts of a quite expensive laptop.

This MBP is my first Apple so I am a new switcher and
I have really been disappointed by the overheating
issue. Since Apple is looking to increase market
share they should be listening to people like me who
are first time switchers.

I wish I could write more about this but all 10 of my
fingers are now burned and I am exhausted from the
constant pain of burning sensations as I type.

Umm, those temps are WAYYYY off base. Take it in ASAP.

I just got done reading the engadget article linking hear and was pretty upset when i saw the picture. I am upset for a different reason than you MBP owners are. I have about 6 years of experience working on the sickest computers this planet has to offer. On-site and workbench support at a college.

Take almost any modern notebook apart and you will most likely see one of two things. A thick pre-made and cut pad of thermal compound (in most cases terribly outperformed by the even the sloppiest grease) or you will see EXACTLY what the user above did. Ideally it should not look like this.(though it is a world of improvement past what the MPB core duo's looked like). I would have liked to see it neater but too much is better than too little. That PCB around the chip is designed to withstand quite a bit of heat. The heat you feel coming the laptop is GOOD (it's the passive portion of heat dissipation). the bulk of heat comes from the vents the materials diffuse the rest as best they can.

From looking at those pictures I would say there are larger contributors to heating issues than your grease.

First and foremost, You should never run ANY computer on a soft insulative surface... EVER! that includes pants, skin, blankets, carpet.

After that, make certain you have airflow around the entire machine. I would suggest a cheap stand that does not obscure the vents.

After that, install this:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macbookpro15inchsmcfirmwareupdate.html

If you think it's still too hot. Take it to the apple store. Tell them it's too hot then compare it to a display model under load. Do not attempt a re-grease unless you know exactly what your doing and want to void your warranty or you feel like lying ("nope haven't opened it give me another")