15" rMBP Hot To The Touch-Is SMC Fan Control A Good Idea?

[niblet]

My 15" Retina Macbook Pro is very hot to the touch when running games, and I am wondering if enabling a higher fan speed on SMC fan control (or other program) would cause any long term issues with the fans. (I am worried about the fans dying prematurely)

 

[simon48]

No, they'll be fine, but if it's that hot, I bet they're already running really fast.

 

[durkkin]

Those fans will probably outlast everything else in that computer. If not, they're a cheap fix. Go ahead and try SMC Fan Control, but like simon48 said, they're probably already running fast if not at the max. SMC won't be able to push the fans past their max RPM, but will be able to force them to run at max. Games are pretty much a guaranteed way to max out your hardware, so the MBP is going to get hot. Part of the reason for the aluminum body is so that it acts like a heat sink, this makes the outside hot, but helps reduce the temperature on the inside. I would suggest putting the MBP on an elevated surface and making sure there is good airflow under the computer to help aid cooling.

 

[maflynn]

It will increase the noise and hopefully cool things down.

 

[michaelsviews]

My 15" Retina Macbook Pro is very hot to the touch when running games, and I am wondering if enabling a higher fan speed on SMC fan control (or other program) would cause any long term issues with the fans. (I am worried about the fans dying prematurely)

Apple designed and built these computers to certain specifications, if it's that much of a concern to you, than I suggest maybe an appointment at the genius bar, or calling Apple Care. Not being a smart a$$ just saying let the people that are trained in this give you the answer.

Take into consideration what programs were running to heat up the system for the fan's to kick in.

 

[niblet]

Those fans will probably outlast everything else in that computer. If not, they're a cheap fix. Go ahead and try SMC Fan Control, but like simon48 said, they're probably already running fast if not at the max. SMC won't be able to push the fans past their max RPM, but will be able to force them to run at max. Games are pretty much a guaranteed way to max out your hardware, so the MBP is going to get hot. Part of the reason for the aluminum body is so that it acts like a heat sink, this makes the outside hot, but helps reduce the temperature on the inside. I would suggest putting the MBP on an elevated surface and making sure there is good airflow under the computer to help aid cooling.

Is my Speck Shell making the temperature worse? Also, any good ways for me to elevate my laptop?

 

[durkkin]

Is my Speck Shell making the temperature worse? Also, any good ways for me to elevate my laptop?

The Speck shells definitely prevent the body from dissipating heat, but that's probably only going the raise the temperature 5-10 *F max.

I used to have something like this for when I was playing games on my 2008 pre-unibody MBP: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834982222

Got it as a Christmas present, and it wasn't worth using all of the time, but it certainly helped improve airflow when my computer was under a high load.

I should note that your MBP will shut off if it gets too hot. That's not a bad thing, it's a safety mechanism to prevent it from overheating and damaging something. All of these ways to reduce heat are more for your comfort, not because your computer needs it. The thermal design of the MBP is made to handle a high load for an extended period of time.