How warm does a unibody MacBook Pro get when playing games?

[Timur]

The chips specs allow a maximum temperature of 105°C. Even after running stress tests for hours with a CPU temperature of around 100°C the computer wont crash. The GPU usually stays well below that anyway.

Besides, the fans are operated by hardware and thus run just the same on Windows as on OS X, at least on my late 2008 Unibody Macbook Pro. As far as I can tell they ramp up quite late and slowly after a longer Idle period. But after that they react quicker. This is to make the computer quiet and nothing to worry about.

Just to mention it: iStat seems to read the CPU Diode instead of the Core temperatures. This usually is around 10°C higher than what's going on inside of the CPU. Furthermore Speedfan lists Core temps about 3-5°C higher than HWMonitor (which specifically supports Macbooks).

 

[celtikmind]

85 C under load (might have even been a bit higher since I had to quit my game before I could get to temp program) in Windows 7 doesn't look any good to me. Especially considering any lengthy run.

Imo, without any Fan Control, the fans on the uMBP kicks in to late the first time, for them to be able to maintain stability when running it for any longer period of time. That's makes me a little worried over how it's going to stay stable when I'm doing my renderings eventually... Pretty bad not being able to save your 2 hour render because the machine freezes up first, though knock on wood, I haven't dared to try it yet.

Other than that it's a great machine and I would be so happy with it if Apple took to heart and fixed this. Thus making any extra software unnecessary like it should've been from the start.

 

[Timur]

85 C under load (might have even been a bit higher since I had to quit my game before I could get to temp program) in Windows 7 doesn't look any good to me. Especially considering any lengthy run.

Imo, without any Fan Control, the fans on the uMBP kicks in to late the first time, for them to be able to maintain stability when running it for any longer period of time.

6.5 hours of running Prime95 Torture/Stability test at around 100°C without any errors. I don't think your renderings are in any danger.

Just make sure you're running the proper set of drivers and consider fixing the graphic-card's performance level via Rivatuner (helps both performance and stability eventhough I'd prefer a bugfix).

 

[celtikmind]

6.5 hours of running Prime95 Torture/Stability test at around 100°C without any errors. I don't think your renderings are in any danger.

OK, but what about long-term damage? Running a those temps wouldn't that cut the life-expectancy pretty short? I know we're talking years but I wouldn't want a $2300 computer to crap out after a mere year...

Just make sure you're running the proper set of drivers and consider fixing the graphic-card's performance level via Rivatuner (helps both performance and stability eventhough I'd prefer a bugfix).

Care to elaborate? I know I got proper drivers since the temp backs down a bit when it isn't under load. Still I'm going to push it some more to see where goes over the edge since I know it does in OS X eventually (several times).

Btw, which uMBP do you have? Mines the 2.4... Wondering if all this overheating business is due to any differences between the models.

 

[Timur]

OK, but what about long-term damage? Running a those temps wouldn't that cut the life-expectancy pretty short? I know we're talking years but I wouldn't want a $2300 computer to crap out after a mere year...

The chips specs allow a maximum temperature of 105°C. Even after running stress tests for hours with a CPU temperature of around 100°C the computer wont crash. The GPU usually stays well below that anyway.

Care to elaborate? I know I got proper drivers since the temp backs down a bit when it isn't under load.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/704274/

Btw, which uMBP do you have? Mines the 2.4... Wondering if all this overheating business is due to any differences between the models.

Late 2008 15" with 2.8 GHz CPU

 

[celtikmind]

Late 2008 15" with 2.8 GHz CPU

OK, thanks!

What about the CPU in the 2.4, same specs? It's clear it's another model since it only has 3Mb vs 6Mb of cache... Seems many people having problems with temps have the 2.4 one and I wonder why. If it's due to manufacturing or what?

 

[areusche]

I had my Machine go into emergency standby playing Crysis a couple of days ago. I didn't set the fan speed to max in OS X. I'm surprised nothing exploded that thing was so hot.

 

[JRob65a6]

I'd like to recommend SMCFanControl. It seems to help a lot. I don't know how much it will help you but it's worth a try.

 

[JRob65a6]

Turn it up before you start playing.

 

[Timur]

One problem is that on XP the Nvidia driver does not or cannot dynamically clock down the GPU. It always runs at full speed and voltage. That's quite a bad bug.

So even when you only see some level loading screen the GPU has no chance to use the time for a good cooldown like it would on any other computer (or in Vista where the driver isn't broken that way).

 

[celtikmind]

One problem is that on XP the Nvidia driver does not or cannot dynamically clock down the GPU. It always runs at full speed and voltage. That's quite a bad bug.

So even when you only see some level loading screen the GPU has no chance to use the time for a good cooldown like it would on any other computer (or in Vista where the driver isn't broken that way).

Thing is, I don't understand why Apple had to cut it that close since that is what happens eventually when it goes to full power in OS X. Most of the problems could probably go away if they adjusted the firmware controlling the fans, say 10% and making them ramp up earlier.

'Keep gaming and you'll see it set something on fire' doesn't sound like a good by-line for a $2300 computer...

 

[michael.lauden]

if you keep your computer on a table or something you're fine. in the past i have played games like Spore, and under CrossOver - Jedi Academy, KOTOR 1/2, Quake 3, etc

i mean FanControl can help... make sure you aren't in a hot room and be mindful where you put it.

 

[celtikmind]

i mean FanControl can help... make sure you aren't in a hot room and be mindful where you put it.

It'll freeze eventually when I run a game in OS X. Sometimes an hour, two if I'm lucky.

Thing is, I shouldn't have to use some third party program to avoid freezing and keep a $2300 Apple computer in control, it's embarrassing and makes it look like one of those cheap PC netbooks. It annoys me the more I think of it. Besides I'm already on my fourth one...

I'm going to call Apple since I'm not happy with this issue. Whenever I can find the time to do it in a calmly fashion that is. Assignments are piling up while I spend time on this so right now, I'm too p****d off.