15" MacBook Pro (SB) Thermal application/guide

[TXBDan]

I did this yesterday using Arctic Silver 5 and it worked out great. I'm seeing lower temps (by qualitative observation) and lower fan speeds less often.

Just a note on the heat sink screws. These are shouldered screws and use a spring to apply downward pressure on the heatsink. These do not need to be overly tightened as the tightening force isn't directly clamping the heatsink.

 

[World Citizen]

So i found this topic and started reading. after 3 post i downloaded iStat Pro.

I rebooted my pc, and after 4 pages of reading this topic, my CPU temp was 50 Celsius. I only used Safari, and nothing connected.

Than I shut it of, and reseted my SMC and Pram.

Now after reading another 4 pages, my CPU Temp is 42 Celsius

... I will be thinking about the TP though.

I am seriously doubting if people are reading the same numbers in iStat.. my enclosure is 33 Celsius... and I see this number very often mentioned as a CPU temp number.

Its 25 Celsius in my house btw. and I have my laptop on my lap.

 

[RainCityMacFan]

I repasted the TB a few days ago and I'm seeing that the temperature falls much quicker. However, is the temperature much lower? Not really.

Maybe it's because I haven't really pushed my MBP before since I mainly use this computer to play Starcraft 2 and everything else goes to my iMac. But I still average around 70~80ºCs when I'm running Chrome (Flash), Skype with webcam, and playing a video on Quicktime. I even switched to Integrated Graphics (not sure if it actually switched, even though it says it does) and the temperature is still high on GPU and CPU.

Here are pictures of before TB application and iStat after. Note that Skype is on and is taking up to 100% of the core, while using webcam. Chrome is running but no flash content, though flash was opened before... Integrate graphics are on.

Did I not apply properly? I put a paper thin amount on both cores ... tightened the screws properly. The application is correct I think, but this MBP sure does run pretty hot.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

EDIT: I do live in Korea and it is summer.. It is getting pretty hot here so maybe that's why my average idle temperature is a little higher than the rest of you guys but so far this is me idle.. for a while now. I'm running Chrome on Integrated, Skype with no webcam, and nothing else really. (The pic with CPU @ 42ºC)

 

[bozz2006]

a paper thin amount on the CPU and GPU is the correct way to do it. I'm sure you did it fine.

 

[ayeying]

I'm not sure if I'm putting my AS5 wrong or something, but I'm get horrible results using AS5. My temperatures are in the upper 90s and even hit 100 a few times. I tried applying different methods several times but never got a good result.

I ended up buying this:

http://www.amazon.com/Zalman-ZM-STG1-Super-Thermal-Grease/dp/B000FZ1YSW

So far, I see good results. I run BOINC with CUDA so it stresses the CPU and GPU over a period of hours in a day. So far, in the beginning the CPU will run up to 95 deg C then after fans rev up, the temperatures are stable around 85 deg C with GPU @ 100% also (Using 330M).

 

[cathyy]

Oh my gosh, these pictures.....

Do the companies in China pass it to schools for little kids to paint on during art class or something?

 

[xxfury2xx]

I repasted the TB a few days ago and I'm seeing that the temperature falls much quicker. However, is the temperature much lower? Not really.

Maybe it's because I haven't really pushed my MBP before since I mainly use this computer to play Starcraft 2 and everything else goes to my iMac. But I still average around 70~80ºCs when I'm running Chrome (Flash), Skype with webcam, and playing a video on Quicktime. I even switched to Integrated Graphics (not sure if it actually switched, even though it says it does) and the temperature is still high on GPU and CPU.

Here are pictures of before TB application and iStat after. Note that Skype is on and is taking up to 100% of the core, while using webcam. Chrome is running but no flash content, though flash was opened before... Integrate graphics are on.

Did I not apply properly? I put a paper thin amount on both cores ... tightened the screws properly. The application is correct I think, but this MBP sure does run pretty hot.

[url=http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/9265/img0098zw.jpg]Image[/URL]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

EDIT: I do live in Korea and it is summer.. It is getting pretty hot here so maybe that's why my average idle temperature is a little higher than the rest of you guys but so far this is me idle.. for a while now. I'm running Chrome on Integrated, Skype with no webcam, and nothing else really. (The pic with CPU @ 42ºC)

Your temps look normal to me. When I use safari to browse the web I usually hit 40-42. Also, the temperatures of where you're located matter, too. When I use my macbook in the morning it doesn't get as hot as it does in the afternoon.

 

[bozz2006]

Yep, agreed. If the ambient temp is hot your computer will run much warmer than if ambient temp is cool.

 

[joecool99]

any experience with OCZ Freeze ?

 

[joecool99]

2011 macbook thermal paste nightmare

i've no luck getting any better results. yesterday i tried to apply paste 3 times!

first with Shin-Etzu G751 Thermal paste and then with OCZ Freeze (pic below)

seems there are 2 camps here:

1) those who recommend to spread the paste in thin layer
2) those who recommend to squeeze a line/drop and let it spread with the heat-sink (should produce less air bubbles ?)

i tried the Shi-Etzu as spread, then let the line spread with the heat-sink.

the last attempt was with OCZ Freeze - see pics that i actually tried to spread thin with a plastic piece of a business card.

the temps are very disappointing. the ambient in my room is about 24C

this is idle on integrated GPU:

how can someone get 31-33 CPU as posted earlier ?

what am i doing wrong ? any pointers ?

 

[bozz2006]

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but I think the reason you're disappointed is that you may have unrealistic expectations. 50 degrees is a very respectable temp.

 

[joecool99]

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but I think the reason you're disappointed is that you may have unrealistic expectations. 50 degrees is a very respectable temp.

that makes no sense, how is 50C idle respectable ?

in the first post:

Idle temperature (no applications loaded, Finder only):
45°C => 37°C

that's HUGE difference in idle temps. i just cannot see what i'm doing wrong or ig AC5 should that much better then what i tried.

 

[joecool99]

Quick update on mine - after 12 hours, my idle is now 31~32C, down from 45~47C.

these temps are idle with integrated GPU with nothing but finder running ?
do you have 2011 2.3GHz model ?

 

[daneoni]

You might also need to allow the new thermal compound to 'break-in' before seeing results.

 

[joecool99]

You might also need to allow the new thermal compound to 'break-in' before seeing results.

The Shin-Etzu and OCZ Freeze do not have any curing time as AS5.

i let it "burn" at 100% with external monitor on AMD GPU and after 15 min i get this:

however browsing with safari and playing VLC movie, the temps don't fall. fans are high:

 

[bozz2006]

that makes no sense, how is 50C idle respectable ?

in the first post:

Idle temperature (no applications loaded, Finder only):
45°C => 37°C

that's HUGE difference in idle temps. i just cannot see what i'm doing wrong or ig AC5 should that much better then what i tried.

I don't know what to tell you, bro. 50 degrees isn't bad. Seriously. I have a 2.0GHz 2011 model that idles around 45 degrees. If yours is a higher speed processor, it'll run a little hotter than mine.

I replaced the thermal paste in my old 2008 aluminum macbook that would idle at around 73 degrees Celsius and would heat up to 85 degrees with light use. It would reach the mid 90s during HD flash video playback. That machine needed new thermal paste. My 2011 MBP doesn't need it, and I don't think yours really did either.

And where you have your computer sitting can even have a major impact on the temp. If I put it on my counter top (formica top, particle board base) it'll idle at around 57. On my ash kitchen table, it'll idle around 50. On my lap, 45. The reason you're not getting it any cooler is because there's most likely nothing wrong with you system in the first place. That's a good thing.

 

[joecool99]

I don't know what to tell you, bro. 50 degrees isn't bad. Seriously. I have a 2.0GHz 2011 model that idles around 45 degrees. If yours is a higher speed processor, it'll run a little hotter than mine.

I replaced the thermal paste in my old 2008 aluminum macbook that would idle at around 73 degrees Celsius and would heat up to 85 degrees with light use. It would reach the mid 90s during HD flash video playback. That machine needed new thermal paste. My 2011 MBP doesn't need it, and I don't think yours really did either.

And where you have your computer sitting can even have a major impact on the temp. If I put it on my counter top (formica top, particle board base) it'll idle at around 57. On my ash kitchen table, it'll idle around 50. On my lap, 45. The reason you're not getting it any cooler is because there's most likely nothing wrong with you system in the first place. That's a good thing.

i'm aware the environment influence, that's why i stated the room temp.
it's on a wooden desk, rear part elevated on little cork piece to allow more air flow.

seems my 100% load temps are pretty good given i'm on external monitor with AMD GPU active.

but the idle should be lower, unless people here were not reading the correct temp. i'm reading CPU temp (not CPU heatsink) in iStat.

now i'm on battery, Safari on and typing this message. CPU is at 44C. and as i recall, someone lucky was posting about 32C in idle. so unless he is sitting in ice cave, i would like to understand why such big difference.

 

[bozz2006]

i'm aware the environment influence, that's why i stated the room temp.
it's on a wooden desk, rear part elevated on little cork piece to allow more air flow.

seems my 100% load temps are pretty good given i'm on external monitor with AMD GPU active.

but the idle should be lower, unless people here were not reading the correct temp. i'm reading CPU temp (not CPU heatsink) in iStat.

now i'm on battery, Safari on and typing this message. CPU is at 44C. and as i recall, someone lucky was posting about 32C in idle. so unless he is sitting in ice cave, i would like to understand why such big difference.

For starters they may have been in a very cool environment. My place is usually around 10 degrees Celsius in the mornings and it makes my computer run way cooler. And second, you're talking about your idle temps and then saying that you're running Safari. Running Safari is not the same thing as an idle system. Safari takes resources, sometimes LOTS of CPU power. 44 degrees while using Safari is very good. Honestly. Your temps are right in line, if not lower, than 99% of other owners of the same system.

 

[RainCityMacFan]

Don't be disappointed man. My temperates before and after are the SAME. However, if you notice, the drop in temperature is faster with better thermal paste application.

These were my temperature...
Idle with nothing was around high 30s, to low 40ºC.. Nothing is no application what so ever.

32ºC idle happens when I turn it on in the morning or use it very very late at night with barely anything running. Ambient is around 14~16ºC.

Usually whenever I'm doing something that requires slight work, ie Skype, Chrome, VLC, Starcraft II... etc. the temperatures range from high 50 to high 70ºC. Rarely does it go over 80 unless I'm max'ing all 8 cores.

I realize that reapplying TP is good to optimize or tune your system but it's really unnecessary for the average user or even the above average user. There are more things that can go wrong than things that can be fixed from its reapplication. (Then again the original application for my MBP was pretty well done compared to the other monstrosities I've seen in previous pages)

 

[dagamer34]

Really important to remember that even the thermal paste Apple uses takes time to break-in. I wouldn't bother with such an operation until you've used your laptop for a good month or so and then start judging temps.

 

[TomLopez]

these temps are idle with integrated GPU with nothing but finder running ?
do you have 2011 2.3GHz model ?

All these discrepancies are quite strange. I have the 2,2 model since two weeks and my temps are low according to the figures I've seen on various forums. They are even lower than my 2010 model (i7 2,66GHz).

Currently, with some apps opened and light websurfing I have 33°/38° (GPU/CPU) and it is 24° in my home. When I use the ATI card it is about 5-10° more for both temps.

So even I think I'm lucky I'm very perplex on all these differences and I am wondering if the thermal paste application is the only reason...

 

[joecool99]

All these discrepancies are quite strange. I have the 2,2 model since two weeks and my temps are low according to the figures I've seen on various forums. They are even lower than my 2010 model (i7 2,66GHz).

Currently, with some apps opened and light websurfing I have 33°/38° (GPU/CPU) and it is 24° in my home. When I use the ATI card it is about 5-10° more for both temps.

So even I think I'm lucky I'm very perplex on all these differences and I am wondering if the thermal paste application is the only reason...

can you post a screen shot from iStat ?

 

[xxfury2xx]

joecool, have you applied all of the latest updates? I know that Apple recently released some new firmware and a software update that was supposed to improve performance.

 

[ayeying]

joecool99, you're expecting way too much. here's a couple of reasons:

1. your heatsink temperature is hovering around 50s deg C. now physically, your core temperature cannot be lower then that because the core is generating the heat, then transferring to the heatsink. now if your heatsink was lower then the core temperature, your core temperature would also drop to match equilibrium.

2. these laptop cpus have a maximum temperature of 105 deg c. thats the maximum temperature intel has rated to be safe for these cpus. from your postings, it seems that you're barely reaching over 80 deg c mark, which is well within your tolerance.

3. comparing your differences with another user is absurd at best. that user could have different environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity. secondly, he or she could have left their system on idle for over 30 minutes before taking a reading. if i leave my system overnight on idle, in the morning, it would be reading approx 28 - 30 deg c with the heatsink at 25 deg c. however, if i were to use the machine, the temperature would rise to about 45-50 deg c, normal since im putting a load.

4. your idle temperatures shouldn't be your main concern. your load temperature should be because thats where most of your heat generation is coming from. if you're idle, who cares if its a little high or warm. however, if you're under load and your heatsink cannot remove heat fast enough, then it will cause damage.

 

[clickclickw00t]

So after reading a bunch of threads on re-applying thermal compound to the 2011 MBP, I decided to do it myself, and BOY, what a difference it makes.... I've built my own computers before, applied Arctic Silver 5, but NEVER done it on a laptop, mostly because I know MBPs are a PIA to take apart.

I used this youtube video to follow along:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlMxoHK0Os4

I bought some Arctic Silver 5 (my old syringe was about 4 years old, and I wanted to use a new one). It was a whopping $8.95 lol.

I opened up the laptop, and applied the compound. I'll post pics of what it looked like before.

As for temps:
Before:
Idle: 44-48C
Browsing: 50-56
Load: 65-73

Now:
Idle: 36C
Browsing: 38-41
Load: (haven't really run full load yet) but so far peaks at 62

These temps are reported using SMCfancontrol with fans running at 2000 for idle, 2000 for browsing, and 3500 min for load.


Here are some pics: (iphone)
Opening up the MBP

Bottom of the Heatsink

Heatsink

CPU and GPU (grossss)

All nice and Clean:

Processor Cleaned and GPU cleaned with a dab of Arctic Silver 5

AS-5 Spread over CPU and GPU (I still spread it more don't worry)