CPU hit 223F while putting music on iPhone

[Pinkie Pie]

Over the last six months, I've come to accept that Flash, Handbrake and copying 2,000 mp3s from an iPod are all tasks too demanding for my Macbook. The poor C2D would max itself out and hit temperatures above boiling. Ok, you're 5, you're not what you used to be - I understand. I won't push it! No more Handbrake!

But last night it happened while I was putting a 180 song playlist on my iPhone. ಠ_ಠ

What the heck could be causing this? Performance is excellent until I do something, uh, demanding. Like putting mp3s on my phone (WTF). Once the demanding task is completed, everything goes back to normal. It's never shut itself down in self-defense.

Could it be the thermal paste? Logic board? SHOULD I THROW IN AN SSD?! Or is this a normal and completely safe for a 4,1? Because it's kind of getting in my way, and I've got to keep this one going until the end of the year at least.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Open Activity Monitor and select All Processes and then sort by CPU to show you the process(es) slowing down your Mac or speeding up your fan(s) or causing more heat.

Using Activity Monitor to show you CPU and RAM usage​

And the MacBook would shut itself down before starting to melt: Those Macs in their heat - a sine of over-heating? - a short story by Mister GGJstudios

 

[Pinkie Pie]

Open Activity Monitor and select All Processes and then sort by CPU to show you the process(es) slowing down your Mac or speeding up your fan(s) or causing more heat.

Using Activity Monitor to show you CPU and RAM usage​

And the MacBook would shut itself down before starting to melt: Those Macs in their heat - a sine of over-heating? - a short story by Mister GGJstudios

1. I was watching Activity Monitor and iStat Pro while this happened. It was iTunes, using up to 120% of CPU all by itself.

2. I want to know what could be causing these performance problems and how to prevent a future shut down. My computer shouldn't be doing an impression of a rocket ship while updating my iPhone! Unless that's just something that starts happening at this age...

 

[blueroom]

iTunes may be downconverting the music as it transfers. That'll chew up CPU resources.

 

[MultiFinder17]

If the MacBook is five years old and constantly overheating while doing normal tasks, you might do some good by replacing the thermal paste. I did the same to my old Core Duo MacBook a year or so ago, and it instantly cooled the little bugger down. Give this guide a look, and see if it's something you'd be up to. If it is, go for it! If not, find a techie friend that wouldn't mind doing it for you, or take it to an independent computer repair place. Best of luck mate!