Re-applied the thermal paste on my MacBook Pro... AMAZING results!

[TBi]

It is rated, but CPU's are well documented to become unstable after around 60C.

My Athlons, my Pentium 4 and Centrino machines freak out over 55-65C. Windows I get a BSOD, Linux I get kernal panics. I'm sure the same will happen to OS X.

Laptop CPU's (like the Core DUO) are specially designed to work well at high temperatures without glitching. Some CPU's have trouble at lower temperatures but not always.

Also remember, that it might say 60C on your athlon but is that the interal die temp (like you read on the MBP) or the temperature of the CPU socket (like most older motherboards would read). The CPU Die itself is usually about 15-20C higher than what most motherboards read. So 60C on your Athlon could be a 80C core.

I think it is a little too hot for comfort. I used my 667MHz TiBook today, and it was almost unnervingly cold! I think its cooling system is actually better than the model used in the MBPs...

That or the processor in the TiBook runs a lot cooler. Which is probably true since Apple slated intel for having hot processors back when they released those CPU's.

 

[YS2003]

I have not read this thread from the beginning. So I am not sure if this was mentioned in the previous post. It seems this thermal paste thing should be covered by Apple's warranty as it seems the paste application was done improperly at the factory in Shanghai.

Why the customers (who bought MBP) need to do this by themselves to fix this heat issues (which expose them for a botched repair attempts, voiding warranty at the same time)? Did Apple refuse to take in MBC for repair to perform this thermal paste re-application?

 

[excalibur313]

I have not read this thread from the beginning. So I am not sure if this was mentioned in the previous post. It seems this thermal paste thing should be covered by Apple's warranty as it seems the paste application was done improperly at the factory in Shanghai.

Why the customers (who bought MBP) need to do this by themselves to fix this heat issues (which expose them for a botched repair attempts, voiding warranty at the same time)? Did Apple refuse to take in MBC for repair to perform this thermal paste re-application?

When I walk into an Apple store and ask them to do it first of all they say that they ship all repairs out but that this thermal paste thing is a rumor and that apple hasn't done anything about the heat issue. She said that I could send it in but there is no way to tell what they will fix or if they will do anything at all.

 

[southerndoc]

I'm going to go out and buy some arctic silver 5 so I can do this tomorrow morning. Is it difficult connecting and reconnecting all like 20 little fragile cables connecting to the macbook pro logic board? I was fine until I got to that point.

Is there thermal paste on the iMacs? If so, maybe I should replace it with some artic silver.

I haven't dealt with thermal paste since building my AMD Athlon XP 2700+ system about 5 years ago. Needless to say the thing is sitting in the corner of a guest bedroom gathering dust. I never use it, and in fact, it's not even hooked up.

Yep, I'm a recent Mac switcher.

 

[slyydrr]

I have not read this thread from the beginning. So I am not sure if this was mentioned in the previous post. It seems this thermal paste thing should be covered by Apple's warranty as it seems the paste application was done improperly at the factory in Shanghai.

Why the customers (who bought MBP) need to do this by themselves to fix this heat issues (which expose them for a botched repair attempts, voiding warranty at the same time)? Did Apple refuse to take in MBC for repair to perform this thermal paste re-application?

The problem with this is the following:

- Consumers see the issue, and realize it as being done improperly.
- Apple sees the issue, and see it as being done correctly, as per their manual. To them, they aren't doing anything wrong.

While I'm sure the technologically savvy people over at Apple see this and think 'Who in the hell wrote the work instruction for that', others just see it as being the way the thermal paste application is being done, and leave it at that.

So, unfortunately, to them, this isn't a problem in the first place.

 

[aristobrat]

Well, if the temp of the MBP case for this generation is indeed within Apple's specs, hopefully they'll take "what many of their customers think about it" into consideration for the next generation.

I can see Steve's media announcement now. "You guys said it was too hot and we listened! Introducing the newest 15" MacBook Pro ... now 30% cooler to the touch."

I've returned two and won't be purchasing another one until they've done something about the heat.

 

[iGary]

Well, if the temp of the MBP case for this generation is indeed within Apple's specs, hopefully they'll take "what many of their customers think about it" into consideration for the next generation.

I can see Steve's media announcement now. "You guys said it was too hot and we listened! Introducing the newest 15" MacBook Pro ... now 30% cooler to the touch."

I've returned two and won't be purchasing another one until they've done something about the heat.

I was in the Apple Store in Annapolis last week and at least 5 customers had MBP's off the table and were feeling the undersides...LOL. The poor floor guy looked like he wanted to kill someone.

I just walked by and said "They're no hotter than my PB." Just so the guy would catch a break.

 

[Krevnik]

That's not true, I've been inside the inspiron 600m that my MBP replaced. It's thermal paste was perfect.

My MBP is one of the hot ones 85c or so under load, but since I live some place cold it hasn't been much of an issue yet. I'm just sort of watching to see if Apple will do anything about this. I suspect not and I'll end up taking mine apart too a little later down the line.

I stand corrected, so obviously the work quality does vary from OEM to OEM. I have seen reports of Dells and HPs done the same way as the MBP though, so it might even vary from product to product.

 

[/dev/toaster]

I have not read this thread from the beginning. So I am not sure if this was mentioned in the previous post. It seems this thermal paste thing should be covered by Apple's warranty as it seems the paste application was done improperly at the factory in Shanghai.

I was told today by Apple that the amount of termal paste applied is the correct amount as per the spec designed by Apple Engineers. They do not view this as a defect. I tried using this as ammo and it failed.

When I walk into an Apple store and ask them to do it first of all they say that they ship all repairs out but that this thermal paste thing is a rumor and that apple hasn't done anything about the heat issue. She said that I could send it in but there is no way to tell what they will fix or if they will do anything at all.

I am really not amused with the way Apple is handling this. This machine is my PRIMARY and ONLY machine. (Besides my Linux server). For me to send the machine back, I would need to call out from work for a week. (Which isn't going to happen) I don't want to void the warenty on the machine, I think its kind of silly for me to do.

Apple really needs to step up and look at the true results. I was told as well that it is purely rumor. However, I do know that an improper amount of termal paste can create more heat then disapate. The present temp of the MBP is way too high compaired to other machines. Apple needs to fix this.

 

[aristobrat]

I was told today by Apple that the amount of termal paste applied is the correct amount as per the spec designed by Apple Engineers. They do not view this as a defect. I tried using this as ammo and it failed.

Wonder what their response to "everyone who's read the instructions that come with the paste think that the MBP comes with too much on it" and "the MBP casing is at an acceptable temperature when the paste is reapplied properly" would be?

 

[excalibur313]

I was told today by Apple that the amount of termal paste applied is the correct amount as per the spec designed by Apple Engineers. They do not view this as a defect. I tried using this as ammo and it failed.



I am really not amused with the way Apple is handling this. This machine is my PRIMARY and ONLY machine. (Besides my Linux server). For me to send the machine back, I would need to call out from work for a week. (Which isn't going to happen) I don't want to void the warenty on the machine, I think its kind of silly for me to do.

Apple really needs to step up and look at the true results. I was told as well that it is purely rumor. However, I do know that an improper amount of termal paste can create more heat then disapate. The present temp of the MBP is way too high compaired to other machines. Apple needs to fix this.

Actually an update I talked to a product specialist and he said it will be done in at max four days. I sure hope he is right because I'm shipping mine off tomorrow. Any hints to ensure they replace the thermal paste? I'm going to write a nice note explaining how to make it really hot (yes > /dev/null) and asking them very nicely to fix it. Has anyone had luck with it?

 

[hevaKmaI]

Actually an update I talked to a product specialist and he said it will be done in at max four days. I sure hope he is right because I'm shipping mine off tomorrow. Any hints to ensure they replace the thermal paste? I'm going to write a nice note explaining how to make it really hot (yes > /dev/null) and asking them very nicely to fix it. Has anyone had luck with it?

So you're saying they're officially gonna announce this?

 

[mikeyredk]

If this is happening to the macbook pros and iMac dous do you think it affect older macs? such as my iMac g5?

 

[/dev/toaster]

Actually an update I talked to a product specialist and he said it will be done in at max four days. I sure hope he is right because I'm shipping mine off tomorrow. Any hints to ensure they replace the thermal paste? I'm going to write a nice note explaining how to make it really hot (yes > /dev/null) and asking them very nicely to fix it. Has anyone had luck with it?

I was told countless times on the phone that if I shipped my machine back, unless they needed to replace one of the chips the termal paste would not be touched. Even in the event that it was done, the same amount would be reapplied.

Let me know what happens when you send your machine out, I am very curious to see what happens.

 

[aristobrat]

If this is happening to the macbook pros and iMac dous do you think it affect older macs? such as my iMac g5?

Even if it did, unless you're using a notebook, I don't think it'd be a problem. The CPU is still operating within it's comfort zone. The only side effect appears to be that notebook cases become uncomfortably hot for some.

 

[excalibur313]

I was told countless times on the phone that if I shipped my machine back, unless they needed to replace one of the chips the termal paste would not be touched. Even in the event that it was done, the same amount would be reapplied.

Let me know what happens when you send your machine out, I am very curious to see what happens.

I just installed the firmware update and my macbook definitely seems cooler than before and the fans now run.

 

[TBi]

I just installed the firmware update and my macbook definitely seems cooler than before and the fans now run.

Strangly for me i picked up my MBP earlier on the side by the hinge. I held it a little too tightly and i heard it click. Checked and one of the screws seemed loose so i tightened it up and the MBP has been physically cooler since. I can keep it on my lap much more comfortably now although the temperature itself hasn't changed.

 

[slyydrr]

I just installed the firmware update and my macbook definitely seems cooler than before and the fans now run.

You know, I was wondering if they would try to throw out a fix and mask it with something else... hmmm.

Also, has anyone seen the disassembled pictures of the MacBook? From those pictures, it looks as though the thermal paste wasn't gobbed on quite so generously... maybe they are taking us seriously enough to NOT do it the newer products off the line?

 

[gkhaldi]

I get 85C on a 1.83 model.

I get 97° Celsius on a MacBook Pro 2.0 with 2GB ram and no external monitor connected (monitor might influence since it draws on the video card)

 

[howesey]

The problem with this is the following:

- Consumers see the issue, and realize it as being done improperly.
- Apple sees the issue, and see it as being done correctly, as per their manual. To them, they aren't doing anything wrong.

While I'm sure the technologically savvy people over at Apple see this and think 'Who in the hell wrote the work instruction for that', others just see it as being the way the thermal paste application is being done, and leave it at that.

So, unfortunately, to them, this isn't a problem in the first place.

I have read the service manuals. The amount of paste used in the photos is shocking. So, you take it to an apple store, they look at the service manual, and put the same amount on as you had in the first place.

 

[dogbone]

by the by...

What is the upper limit Cº of chips and their surrounding circuit boards to run over time without failing?

 

[blouis79]

I read that the metal containing heatsink compounds can cause electrical shorts if overapplied. Arctic silver is meant to be safer than silver and copper compounds, but can cause capacitive problems if overapplied.
http://www.arcticsilver.com/as5.htm

Silicone-based non-conducting (electrically) are safer, but with reduced thermal performance.

This site seemed useful:
http://www.heatsink-guide.com/content.php?content=compound.shtml

 

[aristobrat]

On the Apple Support Forum, most folks are saying that the SMC firmware update lowered their MBP temps around 4-7'C.

Anyone here had the same experience?

 

[slyydrr]

On the Apple Support Forum, most folks are saying that the SMC firmware update lowered their MBP temps around 4-7'C.

Anyone here had the same experience?

I thought it was running a little cooler, but then again I had my window open yesterday too and it was quite cool at night. I'll see where it seems to want to sit consistently...

 

[TBi]

Mine dropped about 5-7C too. However as i've posted elsewhere, the whine has gotten the better of me and it's going back under 14 day remorse period. I have to pay for the shipping but it beats wasting time talking to AppleCare and maybe getting a noisy laptop back and no chance of a future return.