High Temp, should I be concerned

[jmathews05]

I've had my MBP for roughly 6 months now. Purchased in April of 2010. It's a 15" with an i5. Recently I started playing more games on my mac, WoW, Sims, Flight Simulators, ect.. I just recently started to notice my CPU temp reaching upwards of 88C. I have exhausted all my efforts trying to search through google for know issues or if this is common and not a concern. I was wondering if the heat sink could of came loose. I downloaded smcFanControl and when I'm running the games I turn the fan rpm to max. When surfing the net, emails, and just basic everyday stuff it's idle in the 30sC. Can someone please calm my nerves. Yes I came from PC to mac this year so still trying to understand everything.
Thanks

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Those are normal temperatures, especially as games are CPU intensive and high CPU use, especially in such a confined space, will result in more heat, but the CPUs are designed to withstand those temperatures.

 

[jmathews05]

Is the CPU in these Macs different then in desktops? What makes them capable of withstanding such temperatures but on desktops anything that high people get worried and terrified about?

 

[Nukauk]

You can install smcFancontrol. It will take of it

 

[Hellhammer]

Modern CPUs can stand heats of up to 105c according to Intel (that's the temp when they should shut themselves down)

 

[jmathews05]

Already downloaded and installed smcFanControl. I guess I won't take it to the nearest apple store when I get back home then

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Is the CPU in these Macs different then in desktops? What makes them capable of withstanding such temperatures but on desktops anything that high people get worried and terrified about?

They are mobile CPUs, like in most other mobile computers. They use less power (TDP), around 35W. CPUs in desktop computers can withstand such temperatures too, as they have a much higher power usage (around 90W), but also more space to dissipate the heat.

 

[GGJstudios]

I just recently started to notice my CPU temp reaching upwards of 88C.

Your temps are perfectly normal, as searching the forum with MRoogle will reveal:

Macbook Pro Heat Dissipation
2010 Macbook Pro 17" i7 heat question
Heat on my i7 Macbook Pro 15"
Macbook overheating?
My Macbook Pro reached 106 degrees !
Macbook pro heat problem
MacBook Pro Over Heat Issue
Heat on my i7 Macbook Pro 15"
Macbook pro Hot after 10.6.3. Update
Macbook Pro too HOT!!!
My Macbook Pro Runs Hot
Macbook Pro gets really hot when running windows 7
How hot should my macbook be getting?
Macbook Boiling Hot!
Hot 15" i5 MBP!
MacBook Pro Overheating or That's What I Think It Is?
Macbook pro temperature
MacBook Pro heat causing pain in hands
Alu Macbook vs. 13" Macbook pro: Heat & Battery Life
Etc., etc., etc.