It is really strange they use that chipset, aimed at the cheap products with integrated video. It was supposed to be a 'pro' machine.
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Horrible Thermal Paste in Brand New MBP
- Thread starter nikhsub1
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Artic Silver 5 is the best thermal paste on the market, used it on my dell and my temps dropped 10 degrees.
Run hi-res game benchmarks or timedemos. Those will be GPU bound, as opposed to low-res things, which are more typically CPU bound.
On the cheap, you could also just play one (maybe two) hi-res QT vids, but it's more difficult to say if you're GPU bound there or not. If you play many videos, you will be CPU bound, of course.
I just picked up my MBP from an Apple Genius I know (nice to have connections) who was happy to put in a work order and replace the thermal grease on the chips inside and, I must say, it runs noticeably cooler with all levels of operation.
Before I sent it in I did a double "yes > /dev/null" to get a rough benchmark to judge by (though regrettably I didn't have the foresight take down any hard numbers). It took a very short time for the CPU A reading to max out at 92º celcius, when the fans kicked up to 4-6krpm and eventually held the temperature around 85ºC. Right after I got it back, I did this same test in the Apple Store which is a bit colder than my room and noticed I couldn't even get near 90ºC not to mention that it was taking forever to heat up. At home it maxes out around 82ºC and holds around 78ºC after fans using the same "yes > /dev/null" which is an awesome improvement in heat dissipation. So I'd say that reapplication of the thermal grease in a less sloppy manner definitely gives a sizable improvement in heat dissipation and possibly extends the life of your machine if used frequently for high-performance applications.
Before I sent it in I did a double "yes > /dev/null" to get a rough benchmark to judge by (though regrettably I didn't have the foresight take down any hard numbers). It took a very short time for the CPU A reading to max out at 92º celcius, when the fans kicked up to 4-6krpm and eventually held the temperature around 85ºC. Right after I got it back, I did this same test in the Apple Store which is a bit colder than my room and noticed I couldn't even get near 90ºC not to mention that it was taking forever to heat up. At home it maxes out around 82ºC and holds around 78ºC after fans using the same "yes > /dev/null" which is an awesome improvement in heat dissipation. So I'd say that reapplication of the thermal grease in a less sloppy manner definitely gives a sizable improvement in heat dissipation and possibly extends the life of your machine if used frequently for high-performance applications.
so if I bring it in and tell them its too hot they will replace the thermal grease?
Well don't just bring it in for no reason. If you don't have a problem with the heat then why bring it in? But if you do decide to...make a Genius Bar appointment online at http://www.apple.com/retail and tell the Genius that you've noticed that your MBP is operating what seems to be hotter than it should. They shouldn't put up much of a fight, if any.
Oh well, couldn't help it, I reapplied the thermal paste myself. Word of the wizened: DON'T DO IT. I voided my warranty and the results are mixed (read on).
It is idling at ~6C less than before (and it'll get better in time). It is taking for ever to get to ~88C on two 'yes > /dev/null' just like others reported (but it does get there). After you stop the test, the temperature drops really quickly down to 45C. The fans never kick into high gear (or I didn't wait long enough). The cooling is improved for sure but it's not good enough (88 is too high).
So I use FanControl now. I set it to 2000rpm at 45C and 6000rpm at 75C. It never goes past 70C. FanControl is probably the best remedy for these laptops.
It'd be nice if Apple applied the thermal paste better (or used a more viscous one). Apple likes to differentiate themselves from PC manufacturers and this one way to do it. It'd also be nice if they provided a control for fan like FanControl or have the fans kick in a bit sooner.
After all this bitching I have to say that this laptop is better done than anything else I've seen (well, it's awesome really). Too bad about my warranty but I probably won't need it (right?). I have some thermal paste pics but I won't post them, it's same as the others.
It is idling at ~6C less than before (and it'll get better in time). It is taking for ever to get to ~88C on two 'yes > /dev/null' just like others reported (but it does get there). After you stop the test, the temperature drops really quickly down to 45C. The fans never kick into high gear (or I didn't wait long enough). The cooling is improved for sure but it's not good enough (88 is too high).
So I use FanControl now. I set it to 2000rpm at 45C and 6000rpm at 75C. It never goes past 70C. FanControl is probably the best remedy for these laptops.
It'd be nice if Apple applied the thermal paste better (or used a more viscous one). Apple likes to differentiate themselves from PC manufacturers and this one way to do it. It'd also be nice if they provided a control for fan like FanControl or have the fans kick in a bit sooner.
After all this bitching I have to say that this laptop is better done than anything else I've seen (well, it's awesome really). Too bad about my warranty but I probably won't need it (right?). I have some thermal paste pics but I won't post them, it's same as the others.
As long as you didn't visibly damage your laptop, dusanv, your typical Apple Genius on a good day wouldn't give you any trouble with repairs. Remote AppleCare service people tend to be much stricter, though, since by then your computer is already at their corporate service plant. And corporate isn't nice sometimes. 
Anywho, I knew the Apple Genius that reapplied mine and trusted that he would do a good job of it, but your mileage may vary.
Anywho, I knew the Apple Genius that reapplied mine and trusted that he would do a good job of it, but your mileage may vary.
I agree-perhaps Apple should be more careful especially with grease information in the service manuals-perhaps suggest to Apple (at svc.trng@apple.com) to provide a safe and adequate procedures for their techs.
Obviously, AASP's could be doing the wrong method when applying the grease,
well, my MBP is back from the Apple Store and the heat problem is gone. It tops out at 80c now (before the fans kick in) and with them at 100% load it runs about 70-75c. It was definitely worth it to take it in to them and have them fix the thermal paste issue. I'm very glad I did.
This is such a lie.
There is no way, that paste was applied at the factory. Mine looked fine when I checked it out. Nothing like the pictures posted here. In fact they looked like a perfect rectangle on the heatsinks as if they had been printed on. I call BS on this claim. Makes me wonder!!!!
You guys are wasting your time.
There is no way, that paste was applied at the factory. Mine looked fine when I checked it out. Nothing like the pictures posted here. In fact they looked like a perfect rectangle on the heatsinks as if they had been printed on. I call BS on this claim. Makes me wonder!!!!
You guys are wasting your time.
This is such a lie.
There is no way, that paste was applied at the factory. Mine looked fine when I checked it out. Nothing like the pictures posted here. In fact they looked like a perfect rectangle on the heatsinks as if they had been printed on. I call BS on this claim. Makes me wonder!!!!
You guys are wasting your time.
Believe what you want, I'll stick with my improved heat dissipation.
Whatever, just be content to keep your head planted up your rear end. What do they say, 'Ignorance is bliss'?This is such a lie.
There is no way, that paste was applied at the factory. Mine looked fine when I checked it out. Nothing like the pictures posted here. In fact they looked like a perfect rectangle on the heatsinks as if they had been printed on. I call BS on this claim. Makes me wonder!!!!
You guys are wasting your time.
A**holes: 3
Manners: 0
No need to be so abrasive, buddy. Believe what you want, but the results don't lie. Everyone who's had their thermal paste reapplied is seeing a significant drop in temps.
I just got a new MBP 2.4 on monday. I was a little concerned about temps after watching onlin video got me up to 70c, but after I did a double 'yes > /dev/null' I was impressed. Durring around 15 minutes it never got above 75c. This was sitting on a flat desk and running on an external monitor. However, I am switching out this MBP with another one tomorrow due to an unrelated problem (kernal panics). Hopefully, that one will be just as good if not better.
Zach
Zach
Umm OK, but I started this thread remember? I've seen the results. Yes I can be an ****** no doubt about it. Are you confused? Off the meds?
Hi There,
Just want to ask some questions since I am considering to purchase a MacBK Pro.
1. Does the new Macbook Pro that is been shipping with the past week still have the thermal paste problem?
2. If the MacBook Pro have the thermal paste problem. Then I assume that MacBook also have this problem, since they should all be builded in China. Am I correct?
Thank you for your time.
KengiePanda
Just want to ask some questions since I am considering to purchase a MacBK Pro.
1. Does the new Macbook Pro that is been shipping with the past week still have the thermal paste problem?
2. If the MacBook Pro have the thermal paste problem. Then I assume that MacBook also have this problem, since they should all be builded in China. Am I correct?
Thank you for your time.
KengiePanda
Do ALL MacBook Pros have this thermal paste problem? Or was it just the initial batch?
I'm about to order one for myself and am wondering if I should wait till apple corrects this problem...or if this was just an isolated problem with a few thousand units.
I'm about to order one for myself and am wondering if I should wait till apple corrects this problem...or if this was just an isolated problem with a few thousand units.
It's not really a problem. Yes, some MBP's, possibly very few, do appear to get, what some consumers may find, unacceptably hot. All MBP's get hot under load, as the aluminium case conducts the heat.
Buy now. If you do have a problem then it will be Apple's responsibility to fix it.
All I know is, that all three MacBooks I had would run up to ~87 °C when stressing the CPU, and even though the fans were running full speed, it never got cooler. They actually began underclocking themselves to 1.83 and 1.67 GHz (it was the C2D 2.00 GHz model) because of the heat.
The only MacBook Pro I've had (the new one should arrive today), was way cooler. I did the same thing to stress the CPU, and it initially reached 87 °C, but then the fans kicked in full speed and got the temperature down to 72-74 °C, without underclocking the CPU (SR C2D 2.2 GHz). I hope the new one won't get hotter.
It really isn't all that much of a problem. If you bring it in and have a competent Apple Genius replace the thermal grease by hand, chances are you're going to see some kind of drop in temperatures. However, it isn't necessary by any means especially if you're not going to be doing any real heavy processing on your machine. Yeah, a lot of MacBook Pros that come off the line have sloppy application of thermal grease from what we can see but it really isn't a big problem by any stretch of the imagination. Your computer isn't going to melt or anything as long as the fans are working.