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Dark Goob · Aug 22, 2007, 08:12 PM

While running 3D software I am getting 80°C+... is that too hot?

What is going to crash my system? I've been having very erratic performance and lots of crashes with this machine. Please advise

-=DG=-

mduell · Aug 22, 2007, 08:28 PM

80C is fine; most firmwares for Intel chips won't start retarding performance until 85C and there's no danger to the chip until you're well over 100C.

Remxed · Aug 22, 2007, 10:53 PM

i've been running pcsx2 on windows xp using boot camp since last week.

sometimes the cores go all the way up to 90 before the fans start kicking in. The core 2 duos are built to run up to 100 i think.

Simon · Aug 23, 2007, 04:22 AM

There are a ton of threads on this topic and it's been answered several times already. Do we need yet another one? How about a forum search?

JoshuaZ · Aug 23, 2007, 06:00 AM

How about scrambling an egg at that temp! Who wants to be the first to try on their Macbook Pro?

MacosNerd · Aug 23, 2007, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by Dark Goob

While running 3D software I am getting 80°C+... is that too hot?
-=DG=-

If 80C was the normal running temps, then I would say you better get it looked at but you're doing some pretty intensive processing so 80c fine. While I don't do any 3d software, running photoshop and such causes my MBP to spike into the 70s so its presumable that you could hit the 80c threshold. As long as it cools right down after you quit/save your work your fine

Super Mario · 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

How about scrambling an egg at that temp! Who wants to be the first to try on their Macbook Pro?

Already been done. Can't find the site with the piccy.

seanc · Aug 23, 2007, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Simon

There are a ton of threads on this topic and it's been answered several times already. Do we need yet another one? How about a forum search?

I'll suggest to Glenn that we get a sticky for FAQs on the MBP. I requested one for the OS X forum, not sure whats happening about it though.

molarszbt18 · Aug 24, 2007, 02:45 AM

my laptop runs around 142* F all the time. The original MBP Core Duo gets realy hot. The C2D isnt as bad, but still hot.

Simon · Aug 24, 2007, 03:57 AM

Originally Posted by molarszbt18

my laptop runs around 142* F all the time. The original MBP Core Duo gets realy hot. The C2D isnt as bad, but still hot.

In my experience the original CDs were the hottest. I see 142F/61C constantly on it. The C2Ds seem to be better, but I get the impression the latest generation (Crestline chipset) is hotter than its predecessor (Calistoga chipset). I'm guessing it's mainly due to the 8600M.

80C under load or 55C when idle is nothing to worry about. In any event, the crucial temperature is the case temp that might feel uncomfortable. If the fans and cooling scheme are working properly you don't have to worry about the CPU temp. The CPU would shut off before it gets damaged by heat anyway.

MacosNerd · Aug 24, 2007, 07:23 AM

My MBP runs in the 50c range, and only after doing something that is a little more intensive do I see it starting to spike and as I said before that spike can reach in the 70c

I'm pretty happy with the performance especially coming from a Core Duo MacBook.

trafman · Aug 24, 2007, 12:17 PM

I installed smcFanControl Software & CoolBook CoolBook.

smcFanControl is free but Coolbook is $10 USD. Both really helped my MacBookPro...

Rumor · Aug 24, 2007, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Simon

I'm guessing it's mainly due to the 8600M.

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

When reading the temps, the GPU is often much hotter than anything else.

mduell · Aug 24, 2007, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Simon

In my experience the original CDs were the hottest. I see 142F/61C constantly on it. The C2Ds seem to be better, but I get the impression the latest generation (Crestline chipset) is hotter than its predecessor (Calistoga chipset).

I believe that's correct, due to the increased FSB.

JoshuaZ · Aug 24, 2007, 09:21 PM

I was playing quite a bit of Prey the other day, and it never spiked above 72. I also have it on a stand which probably helps.

Simon · Aug 25, 2007, 02:18 AM

Originally Posted by mduell

I believe that's correct, due to the increased FSB.

That was my original guess too, but then I noticed that the CPU, memory controller, and CPU heatsink temp readings aren't significantly higher on the 2.4 GHz than on the 2.33 GHz MBP. The big difference is the GPU and GPU heatsink readings.

Simon · Aug 25, 2007, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

I was playing quite a bit of Prey the other day, and it never spiked above 72. I also have it on a stand which probably helps.

In my experience that indeed makes quite a difference. Especially if you have a wooden table rather than glass or marble. It's kinda obvious though. When you put it on a table there's a roughly 1-2 mm gap between the bottom case and the table. If the table's an insulator (and wood is a fairly good insulator), the heat flow to the table will quickly decrease. Putting it on a stand will get rid of that problem and there will be decent air flow under the case. That said, when I'm working at a desk, I don't really care what the temp of my bottom case is.

JustinHorne · Aug 25, 2007, 03:20 AM

Sitting on my glass desk, I hit 91 C tonight. Toasty. C2D MB.

Simon · Aug 25, 2007, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by JustinHorne

Sitting on my glass desk, I hit 91 C tonight. Toasty. C2D MB.

The CPU temp hit 91C?

The C2D will start throttling above 85C. How long did the temp stay up there?

JustinHorne · 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by Simon

The CPU temp hit 91C?

The C2D will start throttling above 85C. How long did the temp stay up there?

Here's a shot. It wanders between 86-92...

AS you can see, I'm running it hard. That said, considering it's getting great airflow (It's actually now sitting on four altoid tins), maybe it is a tad warm...
Ironiclly, I'm one of those, "BAH! It's fine, they're meant to be that hot" people..

EDIT: I keep it at that for 6+ hours at a time....

Super Mario · 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by JustinHorne

Here's a shot. It wanders between 86-92...

Hot stuff. You must be a scientist. What does the case temperature feel like on your lap if you are wearing jeans?

Simon · Aug 25, 2007, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Super Mario

Hot stuff. You must be a scientist. What does the case temperature feel like on your lap if you are wearing jeans?

You can see his iStat reading. His bottom case temp is 31C even though his CPU reading is 88C. Perfectly comfortable. And a nice indicator that heat transport is working very well.

Super Mario · 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Simon

You can see his iStat reading. His bottom case temp is 31C even though his CPU reading is 88C. Perfectly comfortable. And a nice indicator that heat transport is working very well.

OMG

So why are people complaining about the heat being too uncomfortable? I put off my purchase for ages because I thought I wouldn't be able to use an MBP on my lap where I really must use it. What's the temperature of the bottom of the case under normal CPU load?

JustinHorne · Aug 25, 2007, 02:28 PM

Actually, I'm not a scientist, but I amtrying to help them:
Rosetta@home

"Perfectly comfortable."

Not really to me... :S
I don't run it when it's on my lap, it just gets too hot for my taste.

Under normal usage, I have nop complaints when it's on my lap.

powershaker · Sep 2, 2007, 04:17 AM

Sometimes, when my hands are cold, I put them at the top of my keyboard, between the monitor and the keys, and they feel warm then. Awwww I love my Mac.

Jo.Li. · Sep 2, 2007, 08:52 AM

I have a MBPro 2,2 GHz and today I have used handbrake for convert a dvd into mp4 and when the temp have reached 80c the fans go up and after same time it drop to 72c and stay at this until it finished the job. Very impressive.