all CPU temps go to 99C when compiling xcode in 2017 iMac

[thefriendshipmachine]

I have an i7 maxed out 2017 iMac. When I compile xcode projects my CPU goes straight to 99C:

Is this tragic but normal or should I open a case with apple? Running the CPU this hot every day will destroy the device.

 

[estabya]

I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. You’re maxing our the CPU for an extended period of time, so it’s going to get hot and then enable throttling based on that. The fact that it’s staying below 100 degrees means the thermal throttling is doing its job. You won’t damage your CPU as it’s within the safe operating temperature range according to intel.

 

[EugW]

Normal behaviour unfortunately.

This is why I returned my i7-7700K: Not because of the temps per se, but because it meant that doing anything CPU-heavy meant the fans blasting at full speed all the time.

Luckily, I don't usually need to max out my CPU for long periods, so the performance of a much cooler i5 is fine for me. Things that would cause my i7 to go into vacuum cleaner mode in 30 seconds would be silent on the i5 even after 5 minutes, and just moderately audible after 10 minutes. That's perfect for me.

For many people the i5 might not be enough though.

 

[bxs]

I have an i7 maxed out 2017 iMac. When I compile xcode projects my CPU goes straight to 99C:

Is this tragic but normal or should I open a case with apple? Running the CPU this hot every day will destroy the device.

Unfortunately, this is tragic and is normal as compiling will make use of all cores and it's aggressive in using them such that the Processor gets hot. There really is no way around this issue for the iMac model you have.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Yep that’s what happens when you max out your machines performance.

 

[EugW]

Yep that’s what happens when you max out your machines performance.

Correction:

That’s what happens on the i7 when you max out performance.

 

[joema2]

I have an i7 maxed out 2017 iMac. When I compile xcode projects my CPU goes straight to 99C...Running the CPU this hot every day will destroy the device.

I have run my 2017 i7 iMac like that several days straight when transcoding video. I have done this frequently over the past six months. It is running fine today and has never had a problem.

The noise can be irritating to some people, so I understand how a 2017 i5 iMac might provide sufficient performance but much quieter high CPU operation. However I personally don't think there is a major durability risk for sustained high CPU workloads on the 2017 i7 iMac.

That said there have been a few reports of abnormally high temps on i7 iMacs, 2017 and before. The 2014 i7 iMac had some known issues in this area but even newer ones can have one-off issues, maybe from poor thermal paste application.

The iMac Pro is much quieter, somewhat faster, and the base model isn't hugely more expensive than a top-spec iMac. You can even configure an iMac so it costs *more* than the base iMac Pro.

 

[thefriendshipmachine]

I have run my 2017 i7 iMac like that several days straight when transcoding video. I have done this frequently over the past six months. It is running fine today and has never had a problem.

The noise can be irritating to some people, so I understand how a 2017 i5 iMac might provide sufficient performance but much quieter high CPU operation. However I personally don't think there is a major durability risk for sustained high CPU workloads on the 2017 i7 iMac.

That said there have been a few reports of abnormally high temps on i7 iMacs, 2017 and before. The 2014 i7 iMac had some known issues in this area but even newer ones can have one-off issues, maybe from poor thermal paste application.

The iMac Pro is much quieter, somewhat faster, and the base model isn't hugely more expensive than a top-spec iMac. You can even configure an iMac so it costs *more* than the base iMac Pro.

Your iMac runs at 99C for days straight when you encode?

 

[joema2]

Your iMac runs at 99C for days straight when you encode?

I don't usually look at the temp but I've seen it bouncing between 95 and 99C many times. Yes that is for days straight and I also did that on my 2015 i7 iMac which is still running fine.

 

[alien3dx]

I have an i7 maxed out 2017 iMac. When I compile xcode projects my CPU goes straight to 99C:

Is this tragic but normal or should I open a case with apple? Running the CPU this hot every day will destroy the device.

i had no problem temperatur or warning .. i do use xcode sometimes to compile react-native app. using base line 2017

 

[bxs]

Hey, when I run my parallel code on my 2016 15" rMBP 2.6 GHz 4-core i7 using all 4 cores and 8 threads the Processor temp leaps up to just under 100ºC within a few seconds (less than 5 secs) and stays there until the workload completes. The two fans roar at full tilt (above 5000 RPM) and the core frequencies get throttled down from a 3.1 GHz initially to around a steady 2.7 to 2.8 GHz.

The laptops will run very hot if a heavy workload is thrown at them, but that's not what most people throw at a laptop any rate.

 

[Strelok]

A combination of relatively inadequate cooling as well as Intel using toothpaste in between the die and IHS is why you get those temps. On the custom PC side a lot of people will replace that thermal paste on the die with a liquid metal and drop temps 20-30C, but you can't do that on the iMac :/. It technically shouldn't hurt the CPU since it throttles to stop it being damaged, but in the longterm those high temps aren't going to be great either.