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jogi · Nov 25, 2007, 07:11 AM

Hi all,

I'm the "proud" owner of a macbook pro, 15", C2D 2.16 ghz, 120gb hd for the past year.

I've noticed that during encoding with handbrake - ipod profile - H264 the temperature of the cores is reaching up to 99C as monitored in iStat. The laptop while doing the encoding is placed on my wooden desk, with nothing blocking the venting slots. Ambient temperature is close to 18C, as I live in London which is quite cold this time of year.

The laptop itself feels quite hot underneath, being just bearable to touch. Also, Handbrake quits unexpectedly, usually after a couple of chapters into the encoding.

Should I be worried? I talked to one of the Apple "Geniuses" and they told me that the laptop is supposed to get warm during processor intensive work and that it will shut down itself automatically if the processor is overheating.

What is your view on it?

mduell · Nov 25, 2007, 02:07 PM

The computer is doing the right thing and protecting itself, but it shouldn't be getting that hot. Most people report full load temps in the 80s.

JRoDDz · Nov 27, 2007, 10:50 AM

How hot is the ambient temperature in the room? Are both fans running on the Macbook? There is an iStat widget that will tell you.

jogi · Dec 1, 2007, 05:04 AM

ambient temperature is around 18 to 20 C max and both fans are working at full speed...

Regarding crashing of Handbrake, there is an issue with its compilation for leopard as mentioned in the support forums.

However the laptop still gets unaceptably hot... It doesn't crash or shutdown but 100 C is just too much.

ExcelsiorWV · Dec 10, 2007, 04:37 AM

Greets,

This app will be your new best friend: News

I'm a recent switcher (July) and I also quickly noticed how super hot my MacBook Pro 2.4gig variety gets. While researching that, I came across frequent references to this app (smcfancontrol). it allows you to setup various fan speed profiles and switch among them. Out-of-the box, the fans are set to run at 2000rpm - which is enough to keep a machine from melting. lol. but not enough to keep it from getting supernova hot. If you set the minimum fan speed to a higher number, they become MUCH more effective.

I generally run my fans around 3500 rpm when browsing with the laptop in my lap and it keeps the machine from getting "fry my balls and endanger my child-bearing ability" hot. When I do what you describe, use handbrake (which really stresses both CPUs), I crank the fans to the max of 6000. Yes, that's loud, but it'll keep the machine in the ~60-70 C temp range.

I think there are other fan adustment apps out there, but this one I can recommend from personal use. Hope this helps.

jogi · Dec 12, 2007, 01:48 PM

My macbook pro is below 60 when idle (i.e. browsing).

I've used that app in the past and it does absolutely NOTHING in full load as the fans run in full speed already (i.e. 6000rpm)... That is where the true heat issue exists (i.e. 99-100C)...

zaghahzag · Dec 14, 2007, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by jogi

My macbook pro is below 60 when idle (i.e. browsing).

I've used that app in the past and it does absolutely NOTHING in full load as the fans run in full speed already (i.e. 6000rpm)... That is where the true heat issue exists (i.e. 99-100C)...

i've found its helpful even when under full load.. i've had more than a few lockups doing 3-d intensive things on my mbp, the machine is HOT to the touch and the fans are not at full speed. When i crank it up to max using SMC, i don't get those crashes. Maybe it's something broken about when the machine ramps up the speed, or where the temp sensors are.. but imho, if you know you're going to be doing something super intensive, make sure that the fans are turned up all the way.