OP asked a specific question. You gave your opinion on a question that wasn't asked. It's utterly irrelevant.
I'm not aware of any MacBook that had a two speed fan either. PowerBook's did. All fan cooled MacBooks are variable speed to my knowledge.
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Best Mac OS X for MacBook5,2?
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OP asked a specific question. You gave your opinion on a question that wasn't asked. It's utterly irrelevant.
I'm not aware of any MacBook that had a two speed fan either. PowerBook's did. All fan cooled MacBooks are variable speed to my knowledge.
This is a good point that I missed.
Even the later AlBooks had variable speed fans. On both Macbooks and pre-unibody Macbook Pros, I've used SMC fan control to manual set the fan speed. I do this more on the MBPs to keep the GPU from cooking itself, but can infinitely vary the MB fans from about 2000rpms to 6000rpms. The computer does the same if you're not using 3rd party software to control the fans.
I have three pre-Unibody Macbooks(late '07 Blackbook, early '08 Blackbook, mid '09 Whitebook) along with a Unibody Macbook(2010) and can do this on all of them.
"You gave your opinion on a question that wasn't asked. It's utterly irrelevant."
and the fan speeds?
Are you two trolls just looking to blast someone on a forum? It is relevant and whether or not the answer is taken is fully up to the poster.
Also I have owned 5 different Macbooks over the years and the whole idea of fan speeds isn't about being "two speed" (which, BTW, is a reference to the idea fans do change speed, not to limit the answer to just two speeds, and someting none of you referenced was a loud fan is a sign of something amiss) it's about being aware there might be more here than the OS causing an issue. While I have "heard" the fan at times it has never been loud, so consider other things please and that is why I asked about cleaning and the possibility of a bearing failure (which I have had in the distant past) requiring fan replacement.
And since one of you use a "fan control" program, why don't you recommmend a little diagnostics here rather than slam another poster.
A friend of mine said to me as I was repairing and improving an earlier device, "What your doing is cleaning, spraying sweet smelling stuff and putting abow on an old pig. Maybe it's time to make bacon and get a new one." He was from Louisiana.
and the fan speeds?
Are you two trolls just looking to blast someone on a forum? It is relevant and whether or not the answer is taken is fully up to the poster.
Also I have owned 5 different Macbooks over the years and the whole idea of fan speeds isn't about being "two speed" (which, BTW, is a reference to the idea fans do change speed, not to limit the answer to just two speeds, and someting none of you referenced was a loud fan is a sign of something amiss) it's about being aware there might be more here than the OS causing an issue. While I have "heard" the fan at times it has never been loud, so consider other things please and that is why I asked about cleaning and the possibility of a bearing failure (which I have had in the distant past) requiring fan replacement.
And since one of you use a "fan control" program, why don't you recommmend a little diagnostics here rather than slam another poster.
A friend of mine said to me as I was repairing and improving an earlier device, "What your doing is cleaning, spraying sweet smelling stuff and putting abow on an old pig. Maybe it's time to make bacon and get a new one." He was from Louisiana.
I'm not from Louisiana. I'm not a troll either, having been posting here for 10+ years. (Check the info out to your left). No interest in the dick measuring contest you appear to be proposing either.
When you veer wildly from "I assume you are cash strapped" in post #6 to suggesting a new 12" MacBook in post #15 then you are inviting constructive criticism. I'd suggest you take it on the chin, quit making personal attacks and move on.
When you veer wildly from "I assume you are cash strapped" in post #6 to suggesting a new 12" MacBook in post #15 then you are inviting constructive criticism. I'd suggest you take it on the chin, quit making personal attacks and move on.
Magic
Isn't it a bit late in the UK?
So when did I write you were from Louisiana?
And you might notice I'm not measuring anything while you seem to be the one who does. I made a recommendation, even with a smily to lighten it up a bit, and your type seems to take offense.
Oh well you got me by 2 years on the posting stuff, what else are you measuring.
Isn't it a bit late in the UK?
So when did I write you were from Louisiana?
And you might notice I'm not measuring anything while you seem to be the one who does. I made a recommendation, even with a smily to lighten it up a bit, and your type seems to take offense.
Oh well you got me by 2 years on the posting stuff, what else are you measuring.
@bunnspecial has over 120 Macs, including 4 G4 Cubes, every PowerMac G4 model/speed/revision, and 4 Twentieth Anniversary Macintoshes on the way. He also has been posing on here for a couple of years now and is well respected in the PPC section.
I own 29 Macs and 17 PCs... you can add Bunn and my factors to the measuring contest.
I own 29 Macs and 17 PCs... you can add Bunn and my factors to the measuring contest.
I also own a 5,2 (2.13GHz) with only 2 gig ram and stock 160 gig 5400rpm haradrive....mine run's great. (note also redid thermal paste)
The trick is to do a clean install of El Capitan (can use diskmakerx to make a simple usb install stick) then to make sure fan's don't over work do a SMC reset
The trick is to do a clean install of El Capitan (can use diskmakerx to make a simple usb install stick) then to make sure fan's don't over work do a SMC reset
- Shut down the Mac.
- Disconnect the MagSafe power adapter from the Mac.
- Remove the battery. (Learn about removing the battery in MacBook and MacBook Pro computers.)
- Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
- Reconnect the battery and MagSafe power adapter.
- Press the power button to turn on the Mac.
Yes, I own a 68k-based 512ke with several rare upgrades. I'm also on the verge of buying a Mac Plus, another 68k-based Mac. I don't currently own an Apple Watch since the first generation was sh*t. I do not own a C64, mostly do to the fact that a family member has a couple and may potentially give one to me, so I don't want to go spend money on one when I likely will end up getting one for free.
Alright guys, put the rulers away
(BTW, I have multiple 68K Macs, a couple of Apple IIs, a C64, and some computers based on relatively obscure architectures. I have no interest in an Apple watch-my Rolex does just fine for me day to day, thank you very much, and I have much better watches for times when I'll be around folks who will appreciate them).
All this is still getting us to the fact that the perpetual pot-stirrer in this thread answered a question not asked.
(BTW, I have multiple 68K Macs, a couple of Apple IIs, a C64, and some computers based on relatively obscure architectures. I have no interest in an Apple watch-my Rolex does just fine for me day to day, thank you very much, and I have much better watches for times when I'll be around folks who will appreciate them).
All this is still getting us to the fact that the perpetual pot-stirrer in this thread answered a question not asked.
You guys are funny.
You really need to let it go and smile a bit.
Tom I believe I posted a link to the SMC reset, but it probably is lost in all the huffing, puffing and chest thumping about their computers.
(BTW I never once posted how many of anything I have, nor asked if any of you measured up to anything at all. Why? Because it really doesn't matter)
To the original poster, take Tom's advice.
For about the fourth post:
You all need to lighten up, life is too short and computers are a joy!
You really need to let it go and smile a bit.
Tom I believe I posted a link to the SMC reset, but it probably is lost in all the huffing, puffing and chest thumping about their computers.
(BTW I never once posted how many of anything I have, nor asked if any of you measured up to anything at all. Why? Because it really doesn't matter)
To the original poster, take Tom's advice.
For about the fourth post:
You all need to lighten up, life is too short and computers are a joy!
Last edited:
I smile when I don't see a perfectly good Mac being sent to a landfill...
Ok magic boy,
That wasn't a measurement as in those numerous differerent computers posted by the two it was to point out I'm aware of the Macbook issues, the fan noise and not a newbie to them.
The rest of my compter history and experience is not worth your time nor does it matter, let's just say I know what a magnetic memory core really is.
Now I'll just let you and the other two win big!
That wasn't a measurement as in those numerous differerent computers posted by the two it was to point out I'm aware of the Macbook issues, the fan noise and not a newbie to them.
The rest of my compter history and experience is not worth your time nor does it matter, let's just say I know what a magnetic memory core really is.
Now I'll just let you and the other two win big!
The goal isn't to spend too much on a more powerful but less flexible computer system.I found something for you, apparently all macs have a system reset and the fan issue is addressed by this.
Here's the link:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295
If that doesn't work maybe a 12" MacBook ?
SMC was reset, that was actually one of the first things I did.
Thermal paste was done with even better than Arctic Silver, on a clean radiator. The highest alcohol you can find here is 90% or 95%, but I used Arcticlean kit from iFixit. Stinks, but works beautifully.
Still, fan runs fast (and noisily from its mere speed, not from a failed bearing)
Indeed, that's one of the gripes that comes with asking any question about any device on a US-led forum: no offence, but US-dwellers appear extremely happy to dive into debt and buy new whenever issues arise with non-current devices. And send yet another 90% functional device to a landfill.
Asking for 2016 speed on a 2009 system would be impossible.
But asking for 2009 quietness on a 2009 system doesn't sound weird to me.
8GB isn't supposed to work on this model, is it?
The 5,2 is the ONLY model in the pre-Unibody Macbook series to support 8gb.
Unfortunately, 4gb DDR-2 SODIMMs remain fairly expensive. A quick scan of Ebay showed the to be $40-60 each.
I've stayed content running 4gb(2x2) in all of my other non-Unibody Macbooks. 2gb SODIMMs are fairly affordable(a 4gb kit can be had for around $20) and combined with an SSD they really seem to start bottlenecking in Sierra.
As a side note, I had an early '08 Macbook Pro that I gave away several months back. I'm active in watch collecting, and I gave it to a well-known watchmaker/collector who was in long term care, out of money, and was without a computer. I was happy to give it to him, but after I sent it I realized that it had the single 4gb stick of DDR2 in it that I owned. That particular model actually runs as well on 4gb as it does 6gb as it can interleave 4gb(and maxes at 6). I certainly wouldn't want to withhold something from a gift, but I do sort of wish I'd grabbed that 4gb module.
Doesn't it depend on the OS? Somehow I remember this was quite experimental, though stable, and wouldn't work in Snow Leopard, the reason why OtherWorld Computing decided against selling 8GB kits for the 5,2.
Since you mention it, I think I remember there being something about SL being iffy with 8gb.
AFAIK, Lion+(including Sierra, which can run on this model with patches) are fine with >6gb.
Hm, this SL-only issue may be the reason why OWC doesn't officially sell 8GB kits. Would installing two individual 4GB sticks work properly in El Capitan? I don't plan to upgrade to Sierra, this would probably be too much for this computer. What "patches" are you referring to?
Update: cleaned radiator and fan, re-did thermal paste (Gelid G751), reset SMC, cleaned the OS as much as I could, but it still heats up very quickly and is very loud.
I leave Macs Fan Control running all the time so the fan only starts to spin up at 65º, and reaches max speed at 78º. I know this is a very short range, without it the fan would run at 4000rpm for 50º CPU.
Under real, 100% load, it reaches a searing 105º.
Still not sure why, but the reported temperature for MCP Diode is always a few degrees hotter than the CPU.
What does the MCP represent in a MB, anyway? Sources I found say it's just fancy acronym for "southbridge".
Should I resort to more extreme solutions, like cutting a large, round hole below the fan and put a grill there?
and, I'm guessing, manually recreate settings and restore needed documents?
I leave Macs Fan Control running all the time so the fan only starts to spin up at 65º, and reaches max speed at 78º. I know this is a very short range, without it the fan would run at 4000rpm for 50º CPU.
Under real, 100% load, it reaches a searing 105º.
Still not sure why, but the reported temperature for MCP Diode is always a few degrees hotter than the CPU.
What does the MCP represent in a MB, anyway? Sources I found say it's just fancy acronym for "southbridge".
Should I resort to more extreme solutions, like cutting a large, round hole below the fan and put a grill there?
IMO the sweet spot for that machine would be between 10.6.x - 10.7.5 however some software work with it (i.e. Chrome). I have a mac mini with similar specs to you and it runs 10.7.5 quite well.
I've been working on this problem with a couple of MacBook 3,1 models (Late-2007/Early-2008), which all had overheating issues.
First, how did you reapply your new thermal paste (a.k.a. Thermal Interface Material/TIM)? Tutorials on iFixit and other places like YouTube commonly show people using their fingers to spread their TIM over the CPU/GPU. This is actually, arguably, one of the worst things you can do as it can introduce air bubbles into the layer of TIM between the CPU/GPU and the heatsink, leading to insufficient cooling. Then there's the common error of either putting on too much or too little (mistakes I often make myself).
Also, while it may seem trivial, I actually find that giving the heatsink a slight twist under pressure (but not too much pressure) after you reattach it to your fresh TIM reapplication (before screwing it back on) helps too. Also, if you didn't know this already, some (but not all) thermal pastes need some time to "cure" before reaching full efficacy.
It also might be possible that the heatsink itself may be faulty. Mercifully, replacements don't seem to be that costly on eBay.
As for the OS, I've been able to run El Capitain on 2 GB of RAM on my rehabilitated MacBook 5,2 faily well -- though I did need to disable a lot of stuff in Onyx to get it to a useable state (and obviously more RAM would be needed).
I used a cut credit card, previously cleaned with 95% alcohol. Started with a dab of paste about 2mm diameter, thinned to cover the CPU but no more. And a less than 1mm dab on the radiator, same method.
I made a "massage" motion of the radiator as I was pressing it against the CPU, and bent the metal retainers upwards so as to increase pressure a bit.
I'm starting to wonder, indeed. It heats up very quickly from a 59 CPU temp at minimal load to 80 in less than a minute when load increases. Macs Fan Control is set to reach max speed at 80C, but the CPU routinely goes past 100 if the load is really high.
Did you lower the memory consumption? On mine, I had to resort to aggressive measures like tabs unloading, but it costs more CPU to load them.
What did you disable? I recall breaking more than one installed Mac OS X when I carelessly tried to "optimize" stuff.
Try undervolting as well: http://coolbook.se
You need a fix to make it work on Mountain Lion and newer (up to Sierra) using this guide: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...mavericks-details-here.1662099/#post-22946432
I'll also get a Noctua NT-H1 thermal compound. I've been using it and it's great, I average 40 degrees celsius now, fans hitting 3k RPMs.
Yeah, that really doesn't sound right at all. I came to the conclusion that the heatsink had to be faulty when I actually swapped the heatsink from another similar MacBook model...lo and behold, the temperatures dropped from values like yours to something a little more reasonable (70-75 degrees C under load, 39-45 degrees C idle). In any case, at least we can at least rule out the thermal paste. (It sounds like you did a surface spread with a credit card, which I've seen is the best method for mobile Intel CPUs.)
I disabled pretty much every bit of visual flair (transparencies, animations, etc.) that I could find in Onyx. I disabled Dashboard in System Preferences, and also disabled Mission Control in Onyx. Additionally, I enabled the two options in Accessibility to get rid of opacity and use enhanced contrast.
I also opted to not use any online features or accounts (iCloud, etc.) that involved background checking for information online.