Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

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

Cooler after Firmware Update

I can confirm that my MBP 2.0 that was running in the mid 60's is now running in the mid 40's since the update. Not sure why but I can now keep this in my lap for extented periods of time now.

Another thing I have noticed is that it will run 5-8 hotter when the power cord is attached.:)
 
bdallas9 said:
Another thing I have noticed is that it will run 5-8 hotter when the power cord is attached.:)
Click to expand...
Wonder if the CPU slows down while on battery power but not on AC?
 
howesey said:
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.
Click to expand...

When I talked to a apple support person in a store she said that if indeed they put that much on she would never apply that much when putting together a computer. She insisted though that she didn't think that was the problem but refused to elaborate.
 
excalibur313 said:
She insisted though that she didn't think that was the problem but refused to elaborate.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's so frustrating to hear considering that everyone (from what I've read) who's fixed the thermal paste on their MBP and posted back said that their MBP is cooler.
 
Well I just got my MBP back from its 1st repair (The bottom case was warped and the LCD inverter buzzed). Im pretty sure in order to replace the bottom case, they would have had to re-apply the thermal paste to the cores. Now my MBP idles at around 50 degrees C instead of 65-70. Under load it goes up to about 70 and the back of the case still gets pretty warm, but nowhere near as warm as before.
 
Sutekidane said:
Yeah, blame china. This doesn't happen and isn't an issue on millions of other chinese made laptops except for the macbook pro, so it's china's fault
Click to expand...


relax.
 
ekenny said:
Now my MBP idles at around 50 degrees C instead of 65-70. Under load it goes up to about 70 and the back of the case still gets pretty warm, but nowhere near as warm as before.
Click to expand...
AWESOME!
 
ekenny said:
Well I just got my MBP back from its 1st repair (The bottom case was warped and the LCD inverter buzzed). Im pretty sure in order to replace the bottom case, they would have had to re-apply the thermal paste to the cores. Now my MBP idles at around 50 degrees C instead of 65-70. Under load it goes up to about 70 and the back of the case still gets pretty warm, but nowhere near as warm as before.
Click to expand...

Where was your MBP warped? I have a strange "dent" next to where the magsafe plugs in.... its like its sucked in (to the rear of the machine. I wonder if this could somehow be due to the heat. Also my top screen is starting to warp up at the sides... is this normal?
 
Responding to this thread a bit late... IO_Burn... nice job! That recent firmware update is just a silly workaround... to create more continuous cooling to simply deal with the problem. Glad to see that properly replacing the thermal paste works well!!!
 
LastZion said:
Where was your MBP warped?
Click to expand...

If you looked at the laptop from the back, the center of the bottom case (back where the vents are) was bowed. Several "geniuses" denied it being warped and that it was just my imagination.
 
Here are some pics about the strange dent that I feel could be attributed to the heat. Unless someone else dropped my computer (but I know I didn't)... even if, its a strange place for a dent, and I have dropped powerbooks before...

What do you guys think? (sorry about the quality its off my cell phone)

05-20-06_1310.jpg

05-20-06_1311.jpg

05-20-06_1312.jpg
 
LastZion said:
Here are some pics about the strange dent that I feel could be attributed to the heat. Unless someone else dropped my computer (but I know I didn't)... even if, its a strange place for a dent, and I have dropped powerbooks before...

What do you guys think? (sorry about the quality its off my cell phone)
Click to expand...
That's an impact or manufacturing defect dent.

You know how much heat would be required to disfigure the aluminum case like that? The whole thing would have burst into a fireball ;)
 
This is an absolutely great thread! Thanks to all of the MBP owners who have been providing this temperature info. :) I know that a few of you have posted photos of the thermal paste before scraping it off; however, I was wondering if you would be willing to post the photos of the chips/heatsinks *after* you have re-applied the thermal paste (if you took any of those photos)? I'm not sure I would have the heart to break open my MBP (don't have one yet, but seriously considering buying one) to do this, but just in case...and also for the others out there that would like to do this fix.

Also, we haven't heard much from the 17" MBP owners...Anyone out there that want to comment on their temps? Good or bad? I spent about an hour in my local Apple store today playing with the 17" MBP and found that under full load, the f-key area and underside seemed to approach the limit of my pain threshold. I *could* hold my fingers there, but it was rather uncomfortable. I suspect putting that temperature on bare legs (in shorts) could be unbearable or dangerous.

For iGary:
When I was at the Apple store today, I saw the same thing... :D *Everyone* at the MBP display table were picking up the lappies to check the temperatures...The sales people (I spoke to 3 independently) all told me that it wasn't that big of an issue and that the whining is very rare and can be fixed by following the directions on the Apple Support page. Hmm... :eek:
 
aristobrat said:
Wonder if the CPU slows down while on battery power but not on AC?
Click to expand...
Yes.

I just got my MBP back from repair and they replaced the heatsink and thermal paste. Hovering around 54º right now. Before it would be around 70º, so yeah, they fixed it. Under a load it goes up to the high 70's, but then the fans come on, instead of continuing on up to 85º!

Also, the SMC update DID bring it down about 5º
 
iHeartTheApple said:
Also, we haven't heard much from the 17" MBP owners...Anyone out there that want to comment on their temps? Good or bad? I spent about an hour in my local Apple store today playing with the 17" MBP and found that under full load, the f-key area and underside seemed to approach the limit of my pain threshold. I *could* hold my fingers there, but it was rather uncomfortable. I suspect putting that temperature on bare legs (in shorts) could be unbearable or dangerous.
Click to expand...
Yes, we have heard from the MBP17 owners https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/202281/ ;)

The are above the keys is where the vent is, it's going to be the hottest, and no the rest of the laptop doesn't get that hot.

I can sit my MBP on my lap after 4 hours of UT2004, and I luckily never had to take it apart. :D
 
Kingsly said:
Yes.

I just got my MBP back from repair and they replaced the heatsink and thermal paste. Hovering around 54º right now. Before it would be around 70º, so yeah, they fixed it. Under a load it goes up to the high 70's, but then the fans come on, instead of continuing on up to 85º!

Also, the SMC update DID bring it down about 5º
Click to expand...

They told you that they replaced the heatsink and re applied the thermal paste? This was an Apple Auth service through Applecare?
 
remowilliams said:
Yes, we have heard from the MBP17 owners https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/202281/ ;)

The are above the keys is where the vent is, it's going to be the hottest, and no the rest of the laptop doesn't get that hot.

I can sit my MBP on my lap after 4 hours of UT2004, and I luckily never had to take it apart. :D
Click to expand...

True, true...you got me Remo! :) I did read your thread yesterday...I just meant in this thread we haven't heard from nearly as many 17"-ers as we have from the 15" MBP. Also, the MacBooks seem to be getting a lot of forum action as far as the heat goes. :( I hope they fix this stuff soon... :mad:
 
JBook, even though the thermal paste may cause MacBook and MacBook Pro cases to become too warm for many folks, the CPU temp never goes over the maximum recommended temp.

iMacs and Mac minis should be fine. If anything, they're more likey to have better ventilation and a lower CPU temp.
 
aristobrat said:
JBook, even though the thermal paste may cause MacBook and MacBook Pro cases to become too warm for many folks, the CPU temp never goes over the maximum recommended temp.

iMacs and Mac minis should be fine. If anything, they're more likey to have better ventilation and a lower CPU temp.
Click to expand...


K thanks.
 
two questions:

1) I've read a few of these re-application guides, and i'm still not sure how you actually get Apple's paste off. I'd be nervous about using anything on those delicate internal parts. So what's the technique? rubbing alcohol? water? Q-tip? ...power-sander? :p

2) I imagine this does make the fans come on more often. That's fine. More fan (even audible fan) is a fair trade for a colder portable. But does the more fan impact battery life significantly? I sortof doubt it, but I still wonder.

Thanks.

And...as far as my earlier question (which nobody answered) about whether this was likely to be fixed on the Merom edition MBPs, I'm having my doubts. Heat has always been something of a problem for Apple. My TiBook gets hot. I remember when the 12" AiBooks came out and they were nigh unusable because of heat. This isn't anything new. I'm sure Apple knows about this, and I'm sure they made their peace with it long ago. This disappoints me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back