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I Drill my MBP botton cover

I

idufour

macrumors member
Original poster
May 18, 2012
39
1
I was worried that my mbp was getting hotter, is not new (late 2011) so I started to investigate and I found a lot of opinions about air flow and engineering (?), but last time I clean my MBP I found this:

oRrF7AI.jpg



That make me realize that I just need a few holes in the right place, so I bought a spare botton cover and drill this holes:


tvwuJ4f.jpg


Now my MBP is running 5 or 6 degrees celcius coller in idle than before.

Just want it to share :D
 
I get what you are trying to achieve, especially with "radeongate" and overheating issues. Hope it all works out for you. :)

Just be aware, you will most likely draw more dust into your machine requiring more frequent cleaning.
 
redheeler said:
The rMBPs added vents on the sides to improve air circulation, so it does work.
Click to expand...

The rmbp has holes for a reason. The mbp has no holes for the same reason. Drilling holes might reduce CPU temps but now airflow will be compromised over other components
 
Gav2k said:
The rmbp has holes for a reason. The mbp has no holes for the same reason. Drilling holes might reduce CPU temps but now airflow will be compromised over other components
Click to expand...

Definitely something to consider but given the gpu issues of the 2011, I'd venture to guess most people would gladly compromise airflow in other areas to reduce CPU/GPU heat.

----------

OP what did you use to drill the holes? Those actually look decent compared to some other case drilling mods I've seen.
 
So what's the verdict - did it help with the temps.

It looks like you did a pretty good job drilling (much better then if I were to attempt it).
 
matty1551 said:
OP what did you use to drill the holes? Those actually look decent compared to some other case drilling mods I've seen.
Click to expand...

Actually, I wanted to complement the OP on such a neat job, I've seen pix of other folks' job of drilling holes in the bottom case, for the same reasons, and they generally look like they've punched the holes with a hammer and nail.

Kudos to you for a tidy job!
 
RKO said:
I get what you are trying to achieve, especially with "radeongate" and overheating issues. Hope it all works out for you. :)

Just be aware, you will most likely draw more dust into your machine requiring more frequent cleaning.
Click to expand...

Not issue for me, I preffer to clean more often but have a cooler machine

redheeler said:
The rMBPs added vents on the sides to improve air circulation, so it does work.
Click to expand...

;)

Gav2k said:
The rmbp has holes for a reason. The mbp has no holes for the same reason. Drilling holes might reduce CPU temps but now airflow will be compromised over other components
Click to expand...

Did you see the first picture? Its a fare glance of the airflow that apple want to achieve, I just make it easy for the air to get in ;)

matty1551 said:
Definitely something to consider but given the gpu issues of the 2011, I'd venture to guess most people would gladly compromise airflow in other areas to reduce CPU/GPU heat.

----------

OP what did you use to drill the holes? Those actually look decent compared to some other case drilling mods I've seen.
Click to expand...

I use a Squared Notebook sheet to stablish the spots, I use a nail to make the marks, and then drill in those marks..

Nocturnal22 said:
doesn't look to hot but if it works.
Click to expand...

maflynn said:
So what's the verdict - did it help with the temps.

It looks like you did a pretty good job drilling (much better then if I were to attempt it).
Click to expand...

Yes, now my MBP stay in 47/48 degrees celsius in idle, when before it wont get under 55 ºC

RedRaven571 said:
Actually, I wanted to complement the OP on such a neat job, I've seen pix of other folks' job of drilling holes in the bottom case, for the same reasons, and they generally look like they've punched the holes with a hammer and nail.

Kudos to you for a tidy job!
Click to expand...

Thx! I use nails to mark the spot and then drilled through it
 
redheeler said:
The rMBPs added vents on the sides to improve air circulation, so it does work.
Click to expand...

Those aren't vents, they are the speaker grilles.

The rMBP's air intake is in the centre of the hinge, with the exhaust being at the edges (15") or right edge (13") of the hinge.
 
joe-h2o said:
Those aren't vents, they are the speaker grilles.

The rMBP's air intake is in the centre of the hinge, with the exhaust being at the edges (15") or right edge (13") of the hinge.
Click to expand...

They do both mate, they are air vents tho.
 
As someone else has pointed out, the rMBP has slots on the side. Their primary purpose is air management. The secondary purpose on the 13" is for speaker output.

The air management on a cMBP is absolute rubbish.

The inlet and exhaust are too close together so hot air is drawn back in. Looking at how and where the OP has drilled, matches the airflow in the computer, the dust marks prove that.

The main concerns for cooling are CPU and GPU. Those temps are down.
 
joe-h2o said:
Those aren't vents, they are the speaker grilles.

The rMBP's air intake is in the centre of the hinge, with the exhaust being at the edges (15") or right edge (13") of the hinge.
Click to expand...

They are air vents, you can see it in the keynote where they present the first retina.

Gav2k said:
They do both mate, they are air vents tho.
Click to expand...
:D

Quijano187 said:
Now you have a better chance of debris and dust to get in. i hope it works out for you.
Click to expand...

Is not a problem, just open once every one or two months to clean up...

cjmillsnun said:
As someone else has pointed out, the rMBP has slots on the side. Their primary purpose is air management. The secondary purpose on the 13" is for speaker output.

The air management on a cMBP is absolute rubbish.

The inlet and exhaust are too close together so hot air is drawn back in. Looking at how and where the OP has drilled, matches the airflow in the computer, the dust marks prove that.

The main concerns for cooling are CPU and GPU. Those temps are down.
Click to expand...

Thx! That exactly the point!
 
RKO said:
I get what you are trying to achieve, especially with "radeongate" and overheating issues. Hope it all works out for you. :)

Just be aware, you will most likely draw more dust into your machine requiring more frequent cleaning.
Click to expand...

Mine only started running hotter than normal leading up to the GPU issue and logic board replacement.

I suspect that the additional cooling will only prolong the inevitable, but time will tell.
 
idufour said:
Yes, now my MBP stay in 47/48 degrees celsius in idle, when before it wont get under 55 ºC
Click to expand...
Maybe the heat is due to another issue like poor application of the thermal grease. My average idle temp on my rMBP is the low 40s.
 
redheeler said:
As already mentioned, rMBPs run cooler due to a better cooling system and vents on the sides.
Click to expand...

I know that but his temps may be caused by other issues, not just because the vents are not on the sides.
 
maflynn said:
I know that but his temps may be caused by other issues, not just because the vents are not on the sides.
Click to expand...

Agree'd changing the paste on my cmbp and mba and mini for that matter resulted in 7-15'c improvements for idle temps and more so for load temps
 
dxmac99 said:
Have you thought about running it w/o the bottom cover at all?
J/k.
Click to expand...

It has no supporting point whatsoever without the button cover...

----------
Gav2k said:
Agree'd changing the paste on my cmbp and mba and mini for that matter resulted in 7-15'c improvements for idle temps and more so for load temps
Click to expand...

I think that is something that exceeds my know how...
 
Respect for the job done, though maybe repasting the GPU next time?

----------
Gav2k said:
Agree'd changing the paste on my cmbp and mba and mini for that matter resulted in 7-15'c improvements for idle temps and more so for load temps
Click to expand...

Does repasting reduce the max temp? Been thinking of doing it on my retina
 
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