Mac Mini 2018 i7 - core 4 and 6 always hotter - repaste CPU?

[Peter_M]

Hi,

I have a question for the more technically knowledgeable of you, and would very much appreciate some advice.

I have a maxed-out 2018/20 Mac Mini i7, which I use for Logic Pro, where single thread performance is important. I put the Mac Mini under my desk, but the first time it dropped to the floor.

I've noticed that CPU cores 4 and 6 are always hotter. Core 6 quickly peaks at 100C when doing intense tasks, and I assume makes the CPU clock down. I use iStat Menus to monitor temps, but it doesn't show clock rates.

Could this happen because of the CPU cooler possibly shifted position a bit, since the Mac Mini fell to the floor and landed on metal table leg (drop of 40-45cm)? I didn't check the temps closely before btw.

The Mac Mini is positioned vertically (plenty of airflow), with the backside w/connections on top. I assume the cores 4 and 6 be the top ones, and getting the rising heat from the 4 other cores. Or maybe cores 4 and 6 are closest to the iGPU, which is working hard as I use a 3840x1600 monitor.

I'm wondering if I should repaste the CPU, to see if I can get lower temps for core 4 and 6, and get more performance.

I would be great if other Mac Mini i7 owners here could check if their CPU operates in a similar manner, ie. heavy CPU load and uneven temperatures across the cores.

Thanks!

 

[California]

Take it to a third party person or to Apple to see if there is damage or "shifting' of internal components, or brave the task yourself

Or:

Buy an external fan.

And:

You understand that the mac mini's exterma; case is itself a heatsink? Therefore, especially for your purposes, you do not want to put it in any type of container or anything on top of it (especially, because heat rises). Keep it elevated off of desk surfaces and put an external fan over it.

Or:

Put an insulated ice pack on it while you think it is clocking down and see if that helps performance (as a test).

 

[Peter_M]

Thanks for the advice, but it would be great if other Mac Mini i7 owners could look at how their CPU cores operate in terms of temperature during heavy loud (using iStat Menus or other similar software).

Are one or two cores typically hotter than the others, and more quickly reaching 100C?

Thanks again!

 

[frou]

If I max out all cores on the Mini then the temps across cores aren't necessarily even. This Mini hasn't taken a fall.

 

[Peter_M]

If I max out all cores on the Mini then the temps across cores aren't necessarily even. This Mini hasn't taken a fall.

View attachment 2078421

Thanks, this was exactly what I was hoping for!

In my case, the difference can be larger (like about 80c in most cores, then core 4 or 6 jumps up to 100C). But the large difference only happens during heavy load. I've read about Intel CPUs a few places, and I think this is expected behaviour. I see your core 4 and 6 are also the hottest. Probably because of their placement, maybe close to the iGPU, which runs very hot (from being underpowered).

Mac Mini i7 still has plenty of power for Logic Pro, and no worries about compatibility issues, which is great. However, it can be quite noisy, if you put it on your desk by your monitor. I'm certainly in no rush to get a Mac Studio yet.