CPU vs. Heatsink Difference? 2011 MBP

[kemel]

Hello! So I just picked up my 2011 13" Macbook Pro i7 from Best Buy a few days ago... And I noticed that while running WoW or using 4x "yes > /dev/null" command there is quite a bit of difference between my CPU and heatsink temps. Here is the results afte about 15 minutes:

iStat Pro Temps

Idle
HD: 23c
CPU: 42c
Enclosure Base: 26c
Enclosure Base 2: 26c
Enclosure Base 3: 26c
Heatsink B: 34c
Mem Bank A1: 33c
Fans @ 2006rpm

"yes > /dev/null" command after 15min
HD: 23c
CPU: 91c
Enclosure Base: 27c
Enclosure Base 2: 27c
Enclosure Base 3: 26c
Heatsink B: 45c
Mem Bank A1: 38c
Fans @ 6204rpm

When under stress it seems like a large gap in CPU vs heatsink temp (46c)? Is something not right here? I am still in the window of time to swap it out for another one.

Also the battery cycles are already at 3 and health is at 97%... I've barely been using it in the past couple days. I did calibrate the battery once so far.

Any advice would be appreciated as this is my first MacBook.

Thanks!

 

[AppleMacFinder]

That's because of bad TIM (thermal interface material) application.

 

[kemel]

So... Being that it's only a few days old should I try and swap it out for another one or are those temps decent?? The CPU getting over double the temp of the Heatsink just seems quite high. I've read the around 20c would be acceptable, but 45c+?

 

[Macsavvytech]

Well personally i don't see any need, if its within the 14 days sure if you don't like it get another one, you can do this to your hearts desire. If your trying to do it on warranty it's not worth a argument, all your temperatures are in the safe zones.

 

[daneoni]

'Heatsink B' is for the GPU. 'CPU Heatsink' is for the...CPU. And that usually only has a lesser than or equal to 10C difference with the CPU.

 

[kemel]

Well personally i don't see any need, if its within the 14 days sure if you don't like it get another one, you can do this to your hearts desire. If your trying to do it on warranty it's not worth a argument, all your temperatures are in the safe zones.

Thank you for the quick response! If the temps seem fine then I have no problem keeping it, but I just wasn't sure if something was "off" or not right with the temp difference the way it is. I just wanted to make sure everything is okay before I install my 8gb I ordered (I'd rather not have to take it out and switch it out once it's put in).

 

[kemel]

'Heatsink B' is for the GPU. 'CPU Heatsink' is for the...CPU. And that only usually has a 10C difference (or less) with the CPU.

I see! Is there a way to check the "CPU Heatsink" temp? I didn't see it listed in the iStat Pro widget.

 

[Macsavvytech]

If you were getting those temps under light work then definitely replace it, however if your getting that under very heavy load then i don't really see a problem, i mean for starters if there isn't actually a problem what are you going to say? My computers temperatures are drastically different in different parts of the computer? I just can't see them replacing it unless it's in the 14 days anyway

 

[daneoni]

I see! Is there a way to check the "CPU Heatsink" temp? I didn't see it listed in the iStat Pro widget.

You should have it. I'm running iStat Pro 4.92 and here is my list right now

Edit: I just realized you're running a 13" model which has a single heatsink spanning the CPU/iGPU & Chipset Controller. So readings will be different.

Also does your temp stay at 91C or does it go down once the fans kick in? 91C is still fairly normal. There's also the fact that the 13" model has only a single fan and the HD 3000 is integrated into the CPU so...

Overall i'd say normal but as someone else pointed out above you might have too much thermal paste on your CPU.

 

[kemel]

You should have it. I'm running iStat Pro 4.92 and here is my list right now

Edit: I just realized you're running a 13" model.

So, since it's the 13" is there not a way to check that and do the temps seem fine? Thanks again!

 

[daneoni]

So, since it's the 13" is there not a way to check that and do the temps seem fine? Thanks again!

I've updated my earlier post. ^

 

[kemel]

I've updated my earlier post. ^

Thanks for the update! When it's under load it stays 89-91c+ when running the command. In a game like World of Warcraft which I used to test it, it stay around 80-94c typically depending on what is going on. When under load the fans were at max running 6204rpm and it stayed at 91c...

 

[daneoni]

Thanks for the update! When it's under load it stays 89-91c+ when running the command. In a game like World of Warcraft which I used to test it, it stay around 80-94c typically depending on what is going on. When under load the fans were at max running 6204rpm and it stayed at 91c...

Those seem fairly normal but i'd compare temps with other 13" owners in this thread