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2011 15" MBP idles at 60C... is this too hot?

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Flabasha

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 21, 2011
357
441
I recently downloaded iStat and have been running the numbers compared to other peoples, and mine seems high. Normal use has it at around 75C, heavy rendering up to 95C...

I also recently installed a Crucial M4 SSD and 16GB RAM... would either of those lead to overheating?

Thanks for your input...
 
Flabasha said:
I recently downloaded iStat and have been running the numbers compared to other peoples, and mine seems high. Normal use has it at around 75C, heavy rendering up to 95C...

I also recently installed a Crucial M4 SSD and 16GB RAM... would either of those lead to overheating?

Thanks for your input...
Click to expand...
Your Mac is not overheating. The Intel processors used in Macs are designed to automatically shut down to prevent damage if they truly overheat (around 100C/212F - 105C/221F, depending on your processor). iStat Pro will give you accurate readings of your temps and fan speeds, among other things.

Unless there is a rare defect in a Mac, most temps are well within the normal operating range, considering the workload being put on it. Websites with Flash content, games and other multimedia apps will put higher demand on the CPU/GPU, generating more heat. This is normal. If you're constantly putting high demands on your system, such as gaming or other multimedia tasks, expect temps to rise and fans to spin up accordingly. It's just your Mac doing its job to maintain temps within the normal range.

Your fans are always on when your Mac is on, spinning at a minimum of 2000 rpm (for MBPs) or 1800 rpm (for MBAs, MBs and minis). They will spin faster as needed to keep temps at a safe level. If they're spinning up without increased heat, try resetting the SMC. PRAM/NVRAM has nothing to do with these issues, so resetting it will not help. Also, make sure you don't block the vents, which are located at the rear, near the hinge.

Learn about the fans in your Mac
Apple Portables: Operating temperature
 
If your machine is really idle, i.e. less than 1% of CPU load for several minutes, then I would be inclined to say that 60 C is on the warm side.

I had a few discussions here where it turned out that "idle" meant itunes + web browsing + video playback, in which case I would expect much higher temperatures. 95C under load (heavy rendering) is relatively normal, and if your "normal use" includes youtube videos then 75C is also about average.

I advice you to read the websites linked in GGJs post. If after that, you still feel uncomfortable with the temperatures, you should find an Apple store and have the machine checked. It is almost impossible to diagnose a problem, or the absence thereof, on an internet forum.
 
Yeah, I mean idle-idle. As in, boot to desktop only. And 60C seems high for that, right?

Thanks for the feedback so far!
 
Flabasha said:
Yeah, I mean idle-idle. As in, boot to desktop only. And 60C seems high for that, right?

Thanks for the feedback so far!
Click to expand...

It's warmer than mine. I'm at 60C right now and I'm browsing around and watching a movie in the background. But that doesn't mean yours has a problem or anything.
 
My temps for those same tasks seem to be much cooler 83°c using handbrake, 40ish for safari with espn3 flash playing, 30°c idle, what is the room/ambient temp you are in?
 
Just because you boot to desktop doesn't mean you don't have any activity going on. Check to see if anything is automatically opening when you log in.

System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items
 
TheJing said:
English is not my first, or second, language but idle means nothing open, right?

And by the way, that seems pretty low. As soon as mine is turned on it goes up to 40C.
Click to expand...

Yep... it is low,but that's the temps my machines runs at with the above apps open. Your machine runs hot, but it wont hurt your computer. So don't sweat it
 
joecool99 said:
definitely HOT. reapply thermal paste.

have 2.5GHz 2011 and idles at 31C.
Click to expand...

WOW. Guess it's time for a trip to the Apple Store. I wonder what they'll say, as technically it's not infringing on performance, but it certainly will down the line...
 
I think it also depends on the climate and room temperature the Macbook is in. Mine idles at 30C only when it's in a room that's at 15-16C, and on a super flat metal surface. If it's on my bed, it idles at roughly 40-50C easily at 18C room temp, and at 21C room temp or above, I can't get it below 60C.
 
Flabasha said:
Yeah, I mean idle-idle. As in, boot to desktop only. And 60C seems high for that, right?

Thanks for the feedback so far!
Click to expand...

All I have running right now is this web browser with only MR open and I am currently at 50ºC. Nothing wrong in that.
 
well for mine
AMD graphics chip turned, on light use: 70-75°C@2000rpm fans
powerpoint/word/outlook
Skype
safari 5+ pages

Intel chip it ranges between 50-60°C@2000rpm fans
same stuff as above
 
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