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High GPU and CPU temps on the new 15 inch MBP
- Thread starter Macaman
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Absolutely. I'm pretty ok with my idle and medium-load temps. Full load is actually scaring me. I'm getting a ****ing 95 degrees celsius using handbrake in November. Try doing this in the summer month.
Yes, if the CPU in the new MBP hit 95-100 C during load it can actually reduce the life of other components in the laptop significantly over a longer time of usage. Apples obsession with thinness cause these problems and that makes Applecare a mandatory thing...
But as for now we do know for a fact that the new 15 inch MBP line is not really a big improvment in terms of heat dissapation, despite the new, very "advanced" cooling system. The CPU temperatures during load seems to be on par with last year 2015 retina Macbook pro hitting well over 90 C.
If Apple just had kept the new 15 MBPs as thick as last year 15 retina MBP, I do believe that we would actually had noticed a real improvment in temperatures.
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In this form factor it's ok to have CPU temps around 80-85C. 85-90C is reserved for hotter weather or true 100% load. 95C is for FFT Prime95 super stress test. If CPU hits 100C it's bad. Above ~103C is where thermal throttling begins and it's bad bad.
It seems that 2.6GHz 2016 model stayed at 90C during my load test in Apple Store, which is 5C cooler than a 2.2GHz 2015 model under the same conditions and that's an improvement.
The problem is, however, inability to replace thermal paste without taking out the logic board completely. Going with a paste like Kryonaut instead of the stock one may shave ~5C or even more under 100% load.
It seems that 2.6GHz 2016 model stayed at 90C during my load test in Apple Store, which is 5C cooler than a 2.2GHz 2015 model under the same conditions and that's an improvement.
The problem is, however, inability to replace thermal paste without taking out the logic board completely. Going with a paste like Kryonaut instead of the stock one may shave ~5C or even more under 100% load.
I have the 2.9 GHz / 460 / 1TB model and was using PDF Expert with huge PDF files and word documents on an external display when I heard the fans and snapped a screenshot of my temps... 100 degrees C CPU!
This can't be good... should I bring it in? Return it? Is this normal?
This can't be good... should I bring it in? Return it? Is this normal?
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With 2.9GHz and dGPU active reaching 100C is normal, but.... it doesn't mean much at all unless your fans are at 5500/6000 rpm. The screenshot is also absolutely meaningless without the actual CPU load %. CPU Highside load could be an indicator, but it's not that helpful either unless you know the idle/max wattage.
I'd strongly recommend you to install Macs Fan Control and adjust the default rpm curves. It's a mandatory thing to do for a decade already for any Apple laptop. The moment your CPU hits ~85C both fans should be at their max rpm.
In my opinion 100 C is never good. But also as Maratus pointed out the fan curve profile seems to be weird. The CPU is reaching 100 C but the fans are only spinning at around 3500 RPM and that makes no sense. They should be at 5900 RPM when the temp is that high. If I were you I would install SMC fan control and adjust the fan speed accordingly.
This fan issue should be reported to Apple aswell so they can make the fan profile more aggresive in a future update. People dont pay these sums of money to get a Barbecue grill, people want a laptop that can last them for years.
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They start to spin up at 95C but they accelerate rather slowly. Higher-end CPU combined with active dGPU may be enough to briefly reach 100C instead of 95C (95C happens to be the limit for a 2.6GHz CPU @ 100% with fans in 3800-4500 range which they achieve faster)
Is Macs Fan Control updated for macOS Sierra? I read somewhere it is a bit buggy nowdays, I might try it later. The problem with istat or SMC fan control is that you have to adjust the profiles manually, its always preferable to have something that are more automatic.
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I did a fresh install of Sierra because I was having some other issues and thought they may be related to restoring from a time machine backup...
Look at these temps! And the MacBook Pro is elevated on a Griffin laptop stand with lid open and an external display, mouse, and keyboard attached...
Look at these temps! And the MacBook Pro is elevated on a Griffin laptop stand with lid open and an external display, mouse, and keyboard attached...
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Doesn't look exciting but I don't think it's defective either. And yep, that's the reason why I'd always go with the base Quad core configuration (this time it's 2.6GHz). Extra 10% in frequency isn't worth 10C higher temps, possible throttling and reduced lifespan with higher chances of hardware failure due to temperature.
I'd recommend to do a repaste with Kryonaut, but removing the heatsink is such a pain on these 2016 models.
100 C with fans almost spinning att full RPM while the MBP is standing on a laptop stand? I went with the 2.7 ghz mainly because of me being afraid of the 2.9 ghz version getting too hot. Now I begin to seriously regret not taking the 2.6 Ghz version... It feels dumb that a machine with the purpose of acting like a professional mobile workstation can't handle temperatures better than this.
I dont care what anyone say, 100 C is too much and even if the CPU can handle 105 C, these high temperatures will negatively affect the lifespan of other components in the laptop. I mean, the majority of the people dont buy a MBP just because it looks nice, they also want to utilize it without being afraid of toasting it.
My only recommendation is to buy Applecare, especially if you buy the 2.7 or the 2.9 GHz models, then you are atleast covered for 3 years. When I invest this amount of money in a computer I do expect it to last me a while.
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I'm bringing it into the Apple Store today. If it werent for Apple's service + AppleCare + Amex 4th year I'd return this laptop in a heartbeat and just fix my old 2011 model. Theres just no other manufacturer with as good service.
But 100 degrees C is absurd - so while I'm giving Apple a chance, still may end up returning it if it stays consistently hot (right now its 76 degrees with only Photos, Chrome, and Mail open...)
In what circumstances does the CPU reach 100 C? Does it take much before it gets this darn hot?
I'd also recommend to install Intel Power Gadget – it gives you real time power consumption and frequency of the CPU in addition to temperature.
Literally just had Photos app downloading my backup photos and a large PDF open.
Apple claims its normal based on going to their support - but that can't be right. Are there any other 15" MBP users with these temps?
With 100% load
Yes - basically everyone. As the Quadcore (even the basic version) gets ****ing hot and the cooling system seems to be ok with it reaching 100 degrees.
Mine reached 95 degrees with handbreak video encoding while standing next to an open window (very very cold). This is nothing but a calculated risk Apple takes.
They prefer a low-noise cooling system and small footprint of the device to longevity. For a "Pro" Model, they seem to have gone too far.
Yes - basically everyone. As the Quadcore (even the basic version) gets ****ing hot and the cooling system seems to be ok with it reaching 100 degrees.
Mine reached 95 degrees with handbreak video encoding while standing next to an open window (very very cold). This is nothing but a calculated risk Apple takes.
They prefer a low-noise cooling system and small footprint of the device to longevity. For a "Pro" Model, they seem to have gone too far.
I've seen photoanalysisd use a huge amount of CPU (to where Activity Monitor looks like it does when I'm ripping a movie in Handbrake) when importing photos.
I'm guessing Photos is analyzing your backup photos for faces/scenes/etc as it downloads them?
I guess you haven't used 15" MacBooks from 2006-2015. 95C is a trigger point for fans. And it's always been like that. If you want conventional rpm curve, you need to install aftermarket fat control software.
Was playing wow on mine last night for 3 hours, didn't get above 76c. I was impressed with how cool and quiet it stayed compared to my iMac retina 4GHZ i7 and my 2.3GHz mid 2012 15" MacBook Pro when doing the same.
That's interesting! Looks like reduced TDP from Pro 460 (not even base Pro 450!) makes a difference vs 650M.
What's your CPU?
If you expect it to last years then why buy Applecare? I think you meant to say you DONT expect it. And I love how we reward apple for overheating their hardware with obsession for thinness and we reward them by throwing Applecare money at them.