I'm running Handbreak on my MBP right now, and the CPU temp is around 91 Celsius, with the fan running at 2900 rpm. Is this normal??
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Is handbreak supposed to run so hot?
- Thread starter fel10
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Yup. Handbrake uses 90%+ of your cpu when encoding. Your temp seems a tad high, but you have the 2.53gig, so that could explain it. Mine usually floats around 71C-82C, but when I encode I make sure the mbp is well ventilated and usually raise up a bit off the desk with some magazines under each side (leaving the middle part underneath open to vent). I think my fans run at ~3,000rpms. I also shut everything else down, including airport and just walk away, leave it workin on its own while I do something else - I don't have to, I've multitasked before while encoding, but that's how I like to do it.
Not if it's a new mbp. Mine run about the same speed.
Well, it did go up to around 3200, but then it went down to 2900. And it stayed there.
So it's a Core2Duo? That would explain the few degrees hotter temps, no biggie. I'd say everything's normal. Just make sure it's ventilated when running handbrake, i.e. don't do it in bed over the sheets/block the vents, etc. and you'll be fine. The fans aren't the only thing that cools off the mbp, the unibody case does lots of heatsinking as well.
Yes, its a C2D.
Thanks for the info. I actually have my MBP on a glass table. Maybe I will put something under it to help with the air flow.
Oh man. I was so concerned about my macbook running really hot while encoding a video on handbrake. But its good to know that its a comon issue.
Go for it. I use two magazines/books, one on each side, just under the mbp far enough to catch the foot pegs, leaving the rest open to air. I also position the screen in a 90 degree upright position, to prevent any trapping or slowing down of heat coming from the vents. Works pretty good and seems to keep the temps and fan speeds as low as they can be, given the workload. Aside from where the cpu is, rest of unibody is cool to the touch, i.e. around trackpad, wrist resting areas, etc.
Of course, these are my mickey mouse build a house methods - laptop stands work as well (and look better lol).
I wouldn't even call it an issue - perfectly normal for that kind of workload on the cpu (I believe they can go as high as 225F or somewhere in that neighborhood, depending on cpu model). Also one of the few times many of us will ever use the full power of our cpus
I think the highest mine peaked once was around 195F-205F for a few seconds. Fans took it down to 180ish and kept it there. Normally doesn't get that high - once it hits ~180F fans kick in and keep it there.
Your encode will also make a difference. For example, I do a 1st pass turbo, then 2nd pass normal (mbp encode, high quality, custom settings). The 1st pass turbo only uses ~80% cpu, so temps float around 140F-160F, while the 2nd pass is a full one, using ~94%-98% cpu on avg, thus raising the temp to the 180ish avg as well.
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Yeah i know its not an issue i just couln't find the right word for it. But anyway i quess its good to "torture" the cpu sometimes, isn,t it?I wouldn't even call it an issue - perfectly normal for that kind of workload on the cpu (I believe they can go as high as 225F or somewhere in that neighborhood, depending on cpu model). Also one of the few times many of us will ever use the full power of our cpus
Another noob question. I have like 6 movies that I want to encode, and I was wondering if its ok if I do one right after another, or should I take breaks between each encoding, so I don't overwork or "fry" my MBP?
6 movies would take me about 13 hours. I think you should do 2 at a time. But who am i to judge
As long as its well ventilated and your mbp isn't so old that it has a significant layer of dust inside it, it should work fine. I've read comments by others here on the forums that leave their mbps encoding on Handbrake overnight, all night, with a few movies in the queu (sp?). Do one and keep an eye on it - if it looks normal, or in line with some of the temps we're reporting here, you're good. When you start to encode, shut everything else down, like airport, all other apps, bluetooth, put the screen to sleep, etc. so the mbp is only focused on that one task and can run as efficient as possible.
One tip: I think I remember my energy settings put my mbp to sleep while encoding, even though Handbrake was running (it was either that or Skype - I forget). Easy fix - change your energy settings or download a cool little app called Caffeine (its up on the mac app store now - free) - uses minimal resources and its whole purpose is to prevent the mbp from going to sleep without having to change energy settings. Works great when using Skype or reading a long article online without being bothered by a screensaver or screen sleep/backlight dim!
I usually do 2 at a time like you and then allow it to take a break, or continue the next day.
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thats not healthy
Handbreak is suppose to ramp up your cpu but if you fan is so low and your computer is 91 degrees you either need to ramp up your fan or not use handbreak because that can damage your system. Use smpfancontrol or something like that.
Handbreak is suppose to ramp up your cpu but if you fan is so low and your computer is 91 degrees you either need to ramp up your fan or not use handbreak because that can damage your system. Use smpfancontrol or something like that.
nah
encoding is extremely cpu inefficient, so while your cpus are loaded at 100% its actually not doing all that much, its just loaded with crap it has to do, stuff it only has one inefficient way to do.
as an example when i'm encoding ill leave my MBP encoding over the weekend, temps will hit 92-96º and stay there, fans don't go above 2500, but when i'm playing world of warcraft cpu usage is at 20% but fans are going at 5500 to keep it cool, simply because the calculations are way more efficient, so it generates a lot more heat.
so in all, if you uncomfortable with the temps use smc sure, but the MBP will adjust fan speed according to heat generated, not cpu usage
Thanks everyone for the help. I did 4 movies out of the 6, and my MBP is still working like a champ. But I'm going to leave the other 2 for tomorrow. It's not like I'm going to watch all the movies tonight anyways.
A little off-topic so i apologize, but how do I get my upper task bar to display fan speed and temperatures and things like that?
It's in the preferences for smcfancontrol. It's under the menubar preference setting.
Apple places a higher priority on styling, than thermal management. That's just a fact.
I can do identical tasks on my identically configured ThinkPad that's just 0.3" thicker, with proper vents, quiet fans, and it runs completely cool.
In addition, I weighed them at work on a very accurate industrial scale & the Lenovo was only 0.4lb heavier.
I'm not saying ones better than the other, just different.
Personally I enjoy them both, and do have a preference for OS X
