Macbook Pro Overheats

[Jazper]

Hey,

I just got a 2013 Macbook Pro (2.3GHz model) so top of the range and this thing overheats more than my pervious 13" non-retina macbook pro. I really thought that the two fans would mean I'd be able to work on more things before it overheated.

If I play a youtube video in 1080p the fans turn on (Google chrome helper CPU goes to 50-70%), if I have 2 youtube videos open the fans will always start. If anything slightly intensive is happening the fans will definitely start.

(I know the fans starting doesn't really mean overheating, but my 13" macbook pros fan were always silent unless I had a lot of stuff open or something intense was running).

Any ideas? I know flash uses a lot of CPU but I'm presuming the videos are playing in HTML5 anyway.

Thanks.

 

[GGJstudios]

If you're not already doing so, use iStat Pro (free) or iStat Menus ($16) to get accurate readings of your temps, fan speeds, etc., rather than relying on your sense of touch or sound. A forum member has posted a copy of iStat Pro that has been "tweaked" to enhance compatibility with recent OS X versions. You can download it here.

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The Intel processors used in Macs are designed to automatically shut down to prevent damage if they truly overheat. CPU Tjmax = 105C (221F), GPU Tjmax = 100C (212F) on i3, i5, i7 processors. (Source: Intel)

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Unless there is a rare defect in a Mac, most temps are well within the normal operating range, considering the workload being put on it. Websites with Flash content, games and other multimedia apps will put higher demand on the CPU/GPU, generating more heat. This is normal. If you're constantly putting high demands on your system, such as gaming or other multimedia tasks, expect temps to rise and fans to spin up accordingly. It's just your Mac doing its job to maintain temps within the normal range.

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It is also quite normal for your Mac to become extremely hot to the touch during intensive operations. The aluminum body transfers heat more effectively than other materials used in computer casings, so you will feel the heat more. This doesn't indicate that it's overheating and will not harm the computer to be hot to the touch.

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Your fans are always on when your Mac is on, spinning at a minimum of 2000 rpm (for MBPs) or 1800 rpm (for MBAs, MBs and minis). iMacs have 3 fans with minimum speeds in the 800-1200 range. They will spin faster as needed to keep temps at a safe level. If your fans are spinning up without increased heat, try resetting the SMC. (PRAM/NVRAM has nothing to do with these issues, so resetting it will not help.)

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The intake and exhaust vents are in the back of the computer near the hinge on all Mac notebooks (except the new MBP with retina display, which has intake vents along the sides at the bottom). The iMac vent is a slot on the back near the top of the computer. Make sure the vents remain unblocked to allow your computer to perform at its best.

Learn about the fans in your Mac Apple Portables: Operating temperature​

For Flash-related issues:

• Find your Flash version and make sure it's the latest version available.
• Install ClickToFlash (Safari), Flashblock (Firefox) or FlashBlock (Chrome) to control which Flash content plays on websites.
• Use the YouTube HTML5 Video Player to watch YouTube videos, when available. (May impact fullscreen viewing. See link for details.)

 

[simsaladimbamba]

I know flash uses a lot of CPU but I'm presuming the videos are playing in HTML5 anyway.

Why?

 

[Jazper]

Thanks for the reply, the weird thing is that my laptop is at most of the time at very low temperatures, much lower than my previous macbook pro 13", currently at 45-50 degrees (my other macbook was at 60-70 almost all the time) and yet the fan come on. I'm going to monitor the temperature a bit more and see what temperature the fans come on.

Thanks for the link to the widget.

 

[appleii.c]

Does this only happen while watching youtube videos? Only when using Chrome? I notice on mine (I think I have the same exact one you have) the Chrome browser tends to use a lot of resources for some reason causing my fans to fire up. I only use Chrome when I need Flash as I've uninstalled flash system-wide. . The only other times my fans fire up is during gaming or using Photoshop with many other apps open at the same time.

What other times do you notice the fans firing up so strongly?

 

[Jazper]

Does this only happen while watching youtube videos? Only when using Chrome? I notice on mine (I think I have the same exact one you have) the Chrome browser tends to use a lot of resources for some reason causing my fans to fire up. I only use Chrome when I need Flash as I've uninstalled flash system-wide. . The only other times my fans fire up is during gaming or using Photoshop with many other apps open at the same time.

What other times do you notice the fans firing up so strongly?

Only really just got it, so not sure yet, but watching youtube videos definitely makes the fans start.

I noticed how the GPU diode on iStat Pro is higher than the rest and the fans increase when it reaches 70-75%.

 

[littlepud]

Get gfxcardstatus. It's possible that Flash movies are causing the nVidia dGPU to kick in vs. staying on the Iris Pro iGPU.