Mid 2012 Macbook Pro 15" GT 650m Throttling in Bootcamp

[Saint_Granty]

Just thought I'd add my experience to this post:

I plan on putting together a gaming rig at some point but for now I play Battlefield 4 and Game Stock Car Extreme on my Macbook Pro (MacBookPro9,1) and heat is the main cause of throttling and fps issues.

When I know I am going to play games for a few hours, I remove the bottom cover (only 10 screws) and I sit the laptop on 4 small blocks about an inch high from the desk surface, so that cooler air can circulate underneath. I use "Macs Fan Control" and set the fans to maximum speed when playing games and this helps MASSIVELY!!
Now when I play BF4 the cpu core temperature averages between 60 to 70degress celsius, which is cool enough for the MBP to run efficiently and prevents major fps stutters. Obviously these machines are no good playing games on high or ultra settings but are surprisingly good at low and some medium settings.

Anyway, hope this helps!

 

[ckWTB]

Just thought I'd add my experience to this post:

I plan on putting together a gaming rig at some point but for now I play Battlefield 4 and Game Stock Car Extreme on my Macbook Pro (MacBookPro9,1) and heat is the main cause of throttling and fps issues.

When I know I am going to play games for a few hours, I remove the bottom cover (only 10 screws) and I sit the laptop on 4 small blocks about an inch high from the desk surface, so that cooler air can circulate underneath. I use "Macs Fan Control" and set the fans to maximum speed when playing games and this helps MASSIVELY!!
Now when I play BF4 the cpu core temperature averages between 60 to 70degress celsius, which is cool enough for the MBP to run efficiently and prevents major fps stutters. Obviously these machines are no good playing games on high or ultra settings but are surprisingly good at low and some medium settings.

Anyway, hope this helps!

Processor throttling is common if not expected when playing games, even for a brand new laptops. When running intensive tasks the processors generate a significant amount of heat, and if that heat is not removed then it will build up internally, eventually leading to slower performance as the computer throttles processor speeds in order to avoid overheating. However, with adequate supplemental cooling you can reduce or eliminate throttling to regain maximum performance, or even overclock for faster frame rates and overall performance.

Cation should be used when replacing the thermal paste or running a laptop with the bottom cover removed. Replacing the thermal paste is an advanced procedure best left to certified technicians or someone willing to accept the risk. Running a laptop with the bottom cover removed exposes the computer to damage from the build up of static charge, immediate shorts by touching an internal component, or burns from touching a hot component.

 

[Saint_Granty]

Processor throttling is common if not expected when playing games, even for a brand new laptops. When running intensive tasks the processors generate a significant amount of heat, and if that heat is not removed then it will build up internally, eventually leading to slower performance as the computer throttles processor speeds in order to avoid overheating. However, with adequate supplemental cooling you can reduce or eliminate throttling to regain maximum performance, or even overclock for faster frame rates and overall performance.

Cation should be used when replacing the thermal paste or running a laptop with the bottom cover removed. Replacing the thermal paste is an advanced procedure best left to certified technicians or someone willing to accept the risk. Running a laptop with the bottom cover removed exposes the computer to damage from the build up of static charge, immediate shorts by touching an internal component, or burns from touching a hot component.

Yes you are right to point out the potential risks but I am extremely careful as it is an expensive bit of kit. But this fix works for me until I build a proper gaming rig.

 

[The Brainwasher]

Hi,

I was experiencing same issues with videogames both on OS X and Windows 10, stuttering at any resolution and settings.

I read A LOT of topics around that kind of problems with MacBook pro with GeForce gt 650M. I found problems was getting bigger and bigger, so I decided to open my MacBook pro retina ... AND IT WAS REALLY DIRTY INSIDE.

First, I have cleaned all fans and radiators. Then I bought thermal paste silver 5 and changed it on both CPU and GPU. It tooks me 30 minutes to do that, very carefully. Then, on Windows 10 installed with bootcamp, I plugged my external cinema display to stand by integrated one and keep Macbook cooler.

I can now play my games again without anormal lags or stuttering, and that gt 650M have really nice performances.

For exemple, I play Rocket League in 1280x720 in medium, and it's beautifull already, with a liltle more than 60 fps all the time

I hope that can help you, and sorry for my bad English.