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Level 1

10 points

High CPU temp on new SR MBPs

I have posted this on other (not apple.com) forums, without many replies. I am hoping that posting it here will reach more SR MBP users.

I load tested a Santa Rosa MBP (stock 2.4 GHz model) at a local Apple store, running 3 quicktime videos and one Final Cut Pro demo video to fully load the CPU (and GPU). Monitored the temp and CPU load with istat. The MBP was on a flat display table and the store was your usual mall room temp.

The CPU ran between 82-91C, averaging about 84C. Really high. The fans stayed at a constant 2000 rpm, if I remember correctly -- I only looked at the fan rpm a couple times.

(1) Has anyone else seen this high a CPU temp on a SR MBP?
(2) Has anyone opened a new MBP up to inspect the thermal paste application?
(3) Would the Apple Store exchange a brand-new MBP for another one, if running at 85C or higher was its only problem?

I am worried about buying a new MBP now, because of heat. Thank you for any replies.

SR MBP 2.4 GHz stock model Mac OS X (10.4.9) in-store

Posted on Jun 11, 2007 4:46 PM

54 replies

bcbarnes Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 21, 2007 12:51 PM in response to uncleinabucket

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

No doubt some other vendors have similar thermal paste. I suppose, that with the 1" form factor of the MBP (combined with high performance components), there is just less room for error. Any small problem with the cooling (say, in applying the paste not quite as well as the paste manufacturer would recommend) is magnified.

After that, install this:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macbookpro15inc
hsmcfirmwareupdate.html

I wonder, shouldn't that already be installed in the new SR MBPs, since it was released before they shipped?

I hope you do not have to take apart too many Apples in your job 🙂

Jun 21, 2007 4:03 PM in response to bcbarnes

After reading the whole thread, I didn't see a single comment about the potential noise these fans are generating spinning at those high rpms. My first 15" 1.0Ghz Powerbook G4 was very noisy. The fans came on all the time which was very annoying. My current 17" 1.5GHz Powerbook G4 is very quiet and the best laptop I've owned. And it doesn't run very hot.

Now I'm in the market for a new 17" 2.4GHz Santa Rosa MBP but are worried it will be too noisy if those fans need to run all the time to cool down that hot CPU. What's your experience regarding this? Are the new MBPs hot but quiet or just hot and noisy?

Jun 21, 2007 6:17 PM in response to Don_McCracken

GOD DA*N!

... cheeky bast**d has taken the liberty to use my photo as a feature on their commercial blog without asking for permission. Things like this really gets my goat!

Next time I hope they'll ask first, it's not difficult flickr makes it real simple.. and my URL is on my profile!

Their article:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/20/new-macbook-pros-still-overheating-due-to-mis applied-thermal-gre/

(Sorry Don_McCracken, it's not a reply to you.)

djfelixm

Level 1

0 points

Jun 22, 2007 1:45 AM in response to bcbarnes

Here is what I noticed. I have two machines. A 2.33Ghz MacBook Pro and a 2.4Ghz. I compared the two machines side by side to see what is going on with this heat that everyone is talking about, and this is what I found out.

Apple in an effort to give more battery life to their latest models, they opted to set the SMC firmware to kick in the fans at a higher temp then the previous model. On the 2.33Ghz at 60 degrees the fans move at 2600 rpm, on the 2.4Ghz the fans move and stay at 2000 all the way up to 70 degrees then at 80 they kick in at 4500 to 5000, which still keeps the machine nice and quiet, it never goes above 80 degrees. This makes the machine a bit more hot but it lasts longer on battery and it is much quieter then the previous model.

I don't think that there is an issue here since the 2.33Ghz sounds like it's about to take off at 75 degrees with it's fans maxed out at 6000 rpm. So rather then take your machines apart just realize that this was done intentionally to maximize battery life and make for a quieter but hotter machine.

Just my thoughts

Felix

Jun 25, 2007 11:19 AM in response to djfelixm

Thanks for your reply Felix,

I am not at all concerned with heat as I don't work with my laptop on my lap. I am however, extremely concerned with noise as I record audio in a quiet environment.

From your post I assume that I can safely buy a new 2.4GHz 17" MBP, and that it will be quiet and not sound like it's taking off? That would be great!

jshum

Level 1

0 points

Jun 28, 2007 6:17 PM in response to bcbarnes

I am having extremely high cpu temperatures as well. I've actually encountered many instances where under heavy load my computer will freeze up until the temperature cools down or crashes all together. This usually occurs when the 3D processor is being used, for instance when I'm playing World of Warcraft.

I've never had these issues with my Powerbook G4 1.25GHz, but then again I never ran them at these max settings.

Does anyone know if this has to do with the CPU overheating or maybe the graphics card is getting too hot?

What do you guys think?

Thanks for the help

Jun 28, 2007 6:27 PM in response to bcbarnes

So are you guys saying that when my CPU A (reading by Islayer) reaches a temp of 200 F or 93.33 C and still climbs while using Handbrake that it's still ok? Once it reached 200 I freaked and closed it out.

The fans are running but quiet.

Using new Macbook pro SR 2.2ghz

Jun 28, 2007 6:59 PM in response to bcbarnes

Never mind...

ran it past 198 F and the fans kicked up to 5,000 and then cooled off the CPU to a steady 170F. Even at that speed the fans are not as annoying as my old ibook. This thing is awesome!!

Installed the latest 1.0 update for macbook pros.

Thanks!

Jun 29, 2007 4:53 AM in response to bcbarnes

I also updated to 1.0 update and now my warcraft 3 and xbench crash everytime. Warcraft 3 crashes immediately while xbench does its usual thing and crashes in the process.

Any idea?

High CPU temp on new SR MBPs