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Mac mini upgrade Core2 Duo runs WAY too hot, >90C

N

NatronB

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 2, 2002
127
0
All-

I upgraded my Mini Core Solo to a 2.0 Ghz Core2Duo, maxed out the RAM and put in a WD 500 GB drive. All work fine, but now the mini runs VERY hot. Right now it's at 85C with only a 15% processor load, the fan at 3500 RPM, on a stand and with the case off (to promote airflow). If I try to run more CPU intensive apps, the temperature quickly goes to 100C and the fan maxes out. HD = 29C, Heatsink = 33C, Ambient= 29C. OS 10.6.6.

I've applied and reapplied thermal paste (cheap stuff from Best Buy), replaced the stock nylon heatsink pins with nylon screws, which seems to give a snug fit between the processor and heatsink. I'm thinking about getting a laptop cooler to help out, but I can't help but think that I've done something wrong.

If anyone has any hints, I'd love to hear them.

Thank you,

-N
 
If you bought some crappy thermal paste, that might be causing the issues. I would try applying better thermal paste, it only costs like 10 bucks
 
I've done the same upgrade you have. My Mini isn't overheating, in fact the temperatures are almost the same. I see that there it a huge difference between the CPU and heatsink. My guess is that you haven't put the heatsink on correctly. If I remember correctly, the heatsink goes on only one way. Also try it with the case on. Remember, it was designed to work with the case on. And with it on the fan has the most cooling power.
 
Yeah, like intell said, if there is such a discrepancy between the CPU and heatsink, something isn't right. Either the thermal paste really sucks or the heatsink is on wrong.
 
Hellhammer said:
If you bought some crappy thermal paste, that might be causing the issues. I would try applying better thermal paste, it only costs like 10 bucks
Click to expand...

OP, also remember:

  1. Apply a very thin coat. The thermal paste should not even be 1mm thick. I put a small dot on the processor and spread it out. Then also apply some to the heatsink and spread it out as well. The goal here is to have the paste fill in any microsopic gaps in the metal .
  2. The only parts that should get thermal paste are the parts that touch. It should not be all over the processor.
  3. Make sure your heat sink is secured.
 
alust2013 said:
Yeah, like intell said, if there is such a discrepancy between the CPU and heatsink, something isn't right. Either the thermal paste really sucks or the heatsink is on wrong.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, but if the heatsink is positioned incorrectly (90 or 180 degrees rotated) the drives won't fit on top correctly (trust me, I did it twice incorrectly before).

I'm leaning towards the crappy thermal paste. At the same time, I'm finding it hard to believe it makes THAT much of a difference. Finally, running it with the case on doesn't change things that much.

Thanks to everyone who responded,

-N
 
NatronB said:
All-

I upgraded my Mini Core Solo to a 2.0 Ghz Core2Duo, maxed out the RAM and put in a WD 500 GB drive. All work fine, but now the mini runs VERY hot. Right now it's at 85C with only a 15% processor load, the fan at 3500 RPM, on a stand and with the case off (to promote airflow). If I try to run more CPU intensive apps, the temperature quickly goes to 100C and the fan maxes out. HD = 29C, Heatsink = 33C, Ambient= 29C. OS 10.6.6.

I've applied and reapplied thermal paste (cheap stuff from Best Buy), replaced the stock nylon heatsink pins with nylon screws, which seems to give a snug fit between the processor and heatsink. I'm thinking about getting a laptop cooler to help out, but I can't help but think that I've done something wrong.

If anyone has any hints, I'd love to hear them.

Thank you,

-N
Click to expand...

I did the same upgrade and had the same problem.

My issue was not applying the thermal paste correctly (see other posts in the thread) AND not tightening the heat sink scres in an even manner.

Did that and now at idle (in 70 F room in closet) it is running at 120F
 
belvdr said:
OP, also remember:

  1. Apply a very thin coat. The thermal paste should not even be 1mm thick. I put a small dot on the processor and spread it out. Then also apply some to the heatsink and spread it out as well. The goal here is to have the paste fill in any microsopic gaps in the metal .
  2. The only parts that should get thermal paste are the parts that touch. It should not be all over the processor.
  3. Make sure your heat sink is secured.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I did use a very thin coat, only on the spots it's supposed to be on.

One thing I neglected to mention is that I used replacement nylon screws I got from the hardware store, that I then had to whittle down. It's a less than ideal fix, but the processor feels snug. Where can you get replacement (purpose built) screws online?

-N
 
NatronB said:
Thanks, I did use a very thin coat, only on the spots it's supposed to be on.

One thing I neglected to mention is that I used replacement nylon screws I got from the hardware store, that I then had to whittle down. It's a less than ideal fix, but the processor feels snug. Where can you get replacement (purpose built) screws online?

-N
Click to expand...

That could be the problem, especially if the heatsink is not held tightly against the processor.

You might check iFixIt or OWC to see if they have replacements.
 
NatronB said:
Thanks, I did use a very thin coat, only on the spots it's supposed to be on.

One thing I neglected to mention is that I used replacement nylon screws I got from the hardware store, that I then had to whittle down. It's a less than ideal fix, but the processor feels snug. Where can you get replacement (purpose built) screws online?

-N
Click to expand...

I dont think the originals are screws - more like a barbed clip. Mine broke when I removed them and I replaced them with nuts and bolts - being very careful not to short anything on the circuit board.

I think you have found your problem.
 
davids8477 said:
I dont think the originals are screws - more like a barbed clip. Mine broke when I removed them and I replaced them with nuts and bolts - being very careful not to short anything on the circuit board.

I think you have found your problem.
Click to expand...

You're right, the originals are clips. I, too, broke them when I took them out.

And, I'm sorry, I used nylon bolts, not screws, that I had whittled down.

When you say 'nuts and bolts' do you mean metal nuts and bolts? I'm a little apprehensive about this. Should I not be?

Thanks,

-N
 
NatronB said:
You're right, the originals are clips. I, too, broke them when I took them out.

And, I'm sorry, I used nylon bolts, not screws, that I had whittled down.

When you say 'nuts and bolts' do you mean metal nuts and bolts? I'm a little apprehensive about this. Should I not be?

Thanks,

-N
Click to expand...

Well I did a dry run with the METAL nuts and bolts to be sure there was no possibility of shorting. I read somewhere on the web that the breaking clips is a well know issue and on that page the writer suggested to correct size nuts and bolts (and washers).

If you use nylon then there is no electrical issues of course, but are you also using nuts? I tightened my heatsink down really well and if you do not use a nut then I don't think you can do that - as the originals were clips - and therefore no thread for your whittled bolts to bite into.
 
davids8477 said:
If you use nylon then there is no electrical issues of course, but are you also using nuts? I tightened my heatsink down really well and if you do not use a nut then I don't think you can do that - as the originals were clips - and therefore no thread for your whittled bolts to bite into.
Click to expand...

Okay, I'm going to sound foolish, but hear me out: I wasn't using nuts, but the threads of the nylon bolts were catching on the board. In hindsight, it's clear to me that the heat sink simply isn't tight enough with the processor. I'm going to try metal nuts and bolts this evening.

Thanks for the help,

-N
 
Remember to use some isolation washers, so the metal nuts and bolts won't touch the motherboard directly.
I did a 1.66 CD -> 2.33 C2D upgrade and noticed the temps even a bit lower than before the upgrade. Managed not to break any original bolts and used Arctic Silver thermal paste. When putting it back together I was actually afraid I am going to crush the CPU with the heatsink, but I didn't and it works this way for almost 3 years now.
 
So - I too have done this upgrade - broke the pins and replaced with nylon screws and bolts and have found the following,

Ambient temp is about 60 deg c
Under heavy load is about 90/95 deg c

I've also started getting random freezing.

I'm looking for any good suggestions as to where I may have gone wrong? I think I applied about the right amount of thermal paste and although its not the expensive stuff I did use the following

http://www.maplin.co.uk/nano-diamond-thermal-compound-351526

Any ideas - paste not good enough or should I really tighten down the screws (although I thought it was pretty damn tight)?
 
my solution....

I was able to resolve my issues with a two-prong approach:

1) Cleaned off the processor and heatsink and used Arctic Silver.

2) Used metal 4/40 nuts and bolts with nylon washers on both sides. Tighten as much as you possibly can.

This is a less than ideal solution, obviously. If I could've found nylon 4/40 screws, I would've used them. My computer is running FAR cooler now though, topping off at 65C.

Good luck,

-N
 
I have a mini late 2009 and since i installed Lion I get temps up to 93 C.

mini_temps.png


I'm afraid that because i leave in a very dusty environment the airways are clogged thus i'm having the problem.

But i'm very skeptic of opening up my mini.
 
a4ex said:
I have a mini late 2009 and since i installed Lion I get temps up to 93 C.

Image

I'm afraid that because i leave in a very dusty environment the airways are clogged thus i'm having the problem.

But i'm very skeptic of opening up my mini.
Click to expand...

Compressed air is your friend!
You can probably buy small canisters at you local computer store.
 
cluthz said:
Compressed air is your friend!
You can probably buy small canisters at you local computer store.
Click to expand...

I have a blower and i did it a couple of weeks ago but it seems it didn't help. I'll get compressed air canister and i'll try also to open it.
 
NatronB said:
I was able to resolve my issues with a two-prong approach:

1) Cleaned off the processor and heatsink and used Arctic Silver.

2) Used metal 4/40 nuts and bolts with nylon washers on both sides. Tighten as much as you possibly can.

This is a less than ideal solution, obviously. If I could've found nylon 4/40 screws, I would've used them. My computer is running FAR cooler now though, topping off at 65C.

Good luck,

-N
Click to expand...

link for nylon parts


http://www.smallparts.com/dp/B000FMUD8M/ref=sp_dp_g2c_asin


http://www.smallparts.com/dp/B00137IZF6/ref=sp_dp_g2c_asin


http://www.smallparts.com/


many other choices then the two i gave you
 
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