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Brand spanking new MBA 13" running too hot to play Diablo?

S

Snoozler

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 25, 2012
7
0
Hey everyone! I'm new to the forums here and new to Mac in general.

I have a PC that I game on but I was really hoping i'd be able to play D3 on this little bugger in a pinch.. From what I researched prior to buying, people seem to be playing diablo just fine on it, even on medium/high settings! But my macbook starts getting real hot to the touch in the upper left corner area as soon as I log in, before even entering the game - So I'm worried about playing at all now

Here are my temps (Celsius) from istat before and the highest temps during (about 5 min playing). I don't know what all these are so just putting them all.. :

HD: 46 / 55
CPU: 31 / 100
Enclosure Base: 31 / 36
Enclosure Base 2: 31 / 36
Enclosure Base 3: 30 / 41
Heatsink B: 38 / 68
Mem Bank A1: 34 / 38

Is this normal?

Would really appreciate any insight on the matter!
 
Your Mac is not overheating. The Intel processors used in Macs are designed to automatically shut down to prevent damage if they truly overheat. CPU Tjmax = 105C, GPU Tjmax = 100C on i3, i5, i7 processors. (Source: Intel) If you're not already using it, 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.

It is also quite normal for your Mac to become extremely hot to the touch during intensive operations. The aluminum body transfers heat more effectively than other materials used in computer casings, so you will feel the heat more. This doesn't indicate that it's overheating and will not harm the computer to be hot to the touch.

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). iMacs have 3 fans with minimum speeds in the 800-1200 range. 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.)

The intake and exhaust vents are in the back of the computer near the hinge on all Mac notebooks (except the new MBP with retina display, which has intake vents along the sides at the bottom). The iMac vent is a slot on the back near the top of the computer. Make sure the vents remain unblocked to allow your computer to perform at its best.

Learn about the fans in your Mac
Apple Portables: Operating temperature

For Flash-related issues:
 
As long as you don't exceed 105C, you'll be fine. Go play and have fun. Resist the urge to read any more heat related threads on Macrumors... :rolleyes:
 
Thank you for this new information. It's not like there aren't threads about this exact same thing on page 1 of this sub-forum already.
 
Heat Issues according to me = Macbook Air shutting itself down due to being too hot

Heat Issues according to Macrumors Forums = Anything over 80c is too hot omg my Macbook Air is going to explode!
 
Ahh really?.. So I'm not doing any long term damage by gaming at 100c?

Those temps are from istat pro (which one of the temps is the GPU??)

edit: Im just IDLING in tristram right now and its at 102...
isnt that too close to the "max" to be good for the mac?
 
Snoozler said:
Ahh really?.. So I'm not doing any long term damage by gaming at 100c?

Those temps are from istat pro (which one of the temps is the GPU??)

edit: Im just IDLING in tristram right now and its at 102...
isnt that too close to the "max" to be good for the mac?
Click to expand...

Restart your MBA.

I am also using iStat Pro on my Ultimate 2012 13'.
 
Snoozler said:
Ahh really?.. So I'm not doing any long term damage by gaming at 100c?

Those temps are from istat pro (which one of the temps is the GPU??)

edit: Im just IDLING in tristram right now and its at 102...
isnt that too close to the "max" to be good for the mac?
Click to expand...
If you're at 102C, you're far from idling. Launch Activity Monitor and change "My Processes" at the top to "All Processes", then click on the CPU column heading once or twice, so the arrow points downward (highest values on top). Then look to see what other apps/processes may be consuming system resources, along with your game.
 
GGJstudios said:
If you're at 102C, you're far from idling. Launch Activity Monitor and change "My Processes" at the top to "All Processes", then click on the CPU column heading once or twice, so the arrow points downward (highest values on top). Then look to see what other apps/processes may be consuming system resources, along with your game.
Click to expand...


(by idling i meant not doing anything in the game except standing in the town). The only next highest process is 4%..

----------
RocketRed said:
Restart your MBA.

I am also using iStat Pro on my Ultimate 2012 13'.
Click to expand...


What does restarting help?
 
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