Major Cooling Mods - 2007 MacBook Pro

[MacOligist]

Themal mods to 2007 MacBook Pro 2007 (3,1). Similar mods can be made to newer MacBook Pros.

Running El Capitan & Windows 10 via BootCamp (Windows 10 was a root canal to install as Apple dropped support but I got it to work perfectly).

This is cross-post from nbr. But that site is focused on Windows and macrumors.com really helped me get Windows 10 running on the old BootCamp.

1- Clean fans and radiators

2- Replace thermal paste

3- Improve seal between fans and radiators with 3M 105*C electrical tape

4- Drill 35mm vent holes in case bottom under fans & add covers

CHALLENGES & COMMENTS

- THERMAL PASTE - Cleaned with 99.99% iso alcohol then ArtiClean and lens tissue. I wanted to use Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut for max thermal performance. But the MBP has some ALU at the edges of the GPU & CPU heatsinks so that would be impossible to isolate relaibly. I used Gelid GC-Extreme which I find superb for the low pressure, sloppy heatsinks of laptops. The Apple factory & refurb paste jobs were atrocious BTW; fitment with only 5 screws for 3 dies is weak.

- CUT VENT HOLES IN CASE BOTTOM- Rush job so did not want to entirely disassemble the laptop before drilling. Drilled increasingly large pilot holes in case bottom at fan blade center. Used Milwaukee Hole Dozer for large diameter holes; cut the ALU in 10 seconds. Finished with Swiss micro files and some sandpaper. Despite a good masking job with polyethylene sheets and blue tape, Keeping ALU flakes out of the remaining components was nearly impossible. Pro tip: completely disassemble ALU case bottom and remove screen; will save time.

- BUILD INTAKE COVERS - Wasn't quite sure how to make plastic rims and mesh grilles. I purchased a bunch of plastic and rubber grommets. In the end I just put some fibreglass screen door material between the case bottom and the fans (no grommets used). The screen is taped with 3M electrical tape but really held in by pressure from tightening the fan screws. I will need to monitor as the screen could make contact with the fan and deterioate over time. I tested the screen extensively to ensure it does not conduct electricity, even when damaged. Also, the screen does not provide great protection for the fans. But they do allow excellent airflow and some protection.

- UNDERVOLT - When using Windows 10 in BootCamp, I use ThrottleStop to undervolt CPU to 1v.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS

- Youtube before: 80*C+ (fans 6000 rpm)
- Youtube after: 55*C (fans 2000 rpm)

Very happy with these results.

My battery just died and inflated this week. The CPU only runs at 50% unless both battery and mains power available. So everything lags a bit including youtube videos. This vintage of GPUs naturally struggles with modern video encoding. The terribly engineered nVidia 8600M GT may be a bit knackered as well so won't run at 40*C.

I ordered a 20$ battery and expect better performance and thermals. Will update.

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

Looks clean and tidy, but if I may ask... Why?

 

[MacOligist]

Looks clean and tidy, but if I may ask... Why?

Thanks for asking.

This was a thermal challenge I have been noodling on for some time. This mod looks much easier on newer MacBook Pros so I hope others consider this perhaps with more robust fan-screen solutions.

Also, this computer still runs fine for daily use in OSX and Windows 10. The keyboard is sublime. The screen, speakers and trackpad are quite good. For me this was a good enviornmental recycling opportunity for a second laptop.

The main problem was heat and loud fans. Battery life is minimal with 2007 tech so this will be for desktop use only.

Total cost was 20$ (0$ thermal mods using thermal paste I had on the desk + 20$ for a new battery so CPU will not be underclocked 50%).

 

[MacOligist]

Downside to drilling holes in the casebottom. Speakers sound a bit anemic after the thermal mod. Obvious reduction in lower frequencies.

Apple seems to be using using the "sealed" case to tune the speakers, especially for lower frequencies.

So, if you are experiencing thermal issues on your MacBook Pro, consider repasting the CPU & GPU first. If thermal issues persist, drilling holes in the case bottom might help thermals but may reduce sound quality from the internal speakers.

 

[Naimfan]

Love the work!

 

[MacOligist]

To "restore" booming bass from the speakers, I think the fix is quite easy. It just requires sealing the fans from the case:

1. tape the vents on the top of the fans (with some clearance from moving parts)

2. put foamy doughnuts between the bottom of the fans and the case bottom

I think this will also improve radiator cooling significantly. But as less air will be sucked in from the top of the fans, ambient air around the VRM...might be a bit warmer. I will have to monitor