So I just got 2 copies of Snow Leopard. Installed one on my imac and it's perfect. The thing is I saw a thread and many of you were complaining that in the macbooks/macbook pros your computer was running much hotter. idling at 10ºc more. I really want to install SL on my mbp but not if it will result in higher temperature... it already idles at 45-50ºC. Just wondering if Apple will ever fix this issue or I'll just have to live with it.
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Snow leopard in macbook temperature question
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Many have the same problem like you noticed. Did you do an upgrade or did a clean install. I find that most if not all that are experiencing this did the upgrade. I'm thinking of doing a backup and then fresh install because even with minor use like surfing web with no flash, it can get pretty warm.
Sorry I think I wasnt clear enough. i still have not installed Snow Leopard on my mbp because I read the thread of the heating problems and the crappy flash version that comes with SL. So you're saying with a clean install I probably wont have the overheating problems?
Not sure. That's what I'm trying to determine. If I were you, I'd wait a bit before actually installing Snow Leopard. The heating is not bad but it is annoying.
Yeah I think I'll wait until they release the new update and probably fix this problem. Actually I had read that Snow Leopard would use less CPU and therefore make the macs cooler...so I don't understand what's going on
You, me and a bunch of other people.
My MBP is running around 55c with my fans at 3k and I'm running the 9600m GPU. That's about the same temps I was getting with 10.5, if you're worried about your temperature, then download a copy of smcFanControl and manually adjust the fans to suite your needs.
I'm not seeing any major issues with the heat and while I don't doubt others are, I've found that my MBP is not running any hotter then before.
I'm not seeing any major issues with the heat and while I don't doubt others are, I've found that my MBP is not running any hotter then before.
That's how mine was in 10.5. In Snow Leopard with the 9600M GT, it idles at 60 C+ and 50 C+ with the 9400M, clearly something isn't right with my setup.
Mine is running the same as Leopard. I did a clean install and the not noticed any change in temperatures.
Though I do use Fan Control 1.2 to automatically adjust the fan speeds, so if it hits 60'C, then the fans will come on automatically to around 3000rpm.
I'm browsing the web in a fairly chilled room and my CPU temp is 45'C.
Note: You should maybe reset your MacBook Pro's SMC and PRAM once installed Snow Leopard.
Though I do use Fan Control 1.2 to automatically adjust the fan speeds, so if it hits 60'C, then the fans will come on automatically to around 3000rpm.
I'm browsing the web in a fairly chilled room and my CPU temp is 45'C.
Note: You should maybe reset your MacBook Pro's SMC and PRAM once installed Snow Leopard.
Yeah I tried those first. I know what the problem is but I just don't know why it's happening...
Glad I noticed this thread. Since I'm so busy, I hardly have time to post on here, but I check out the threads often.
My 2009 MBP 15" is, too, much warmer than normal. I started up my computer about 25 minutes ago and have simply been playing around on Facebook, Twitter, and checking my blog stats. Nothing open except Firefox.
My fans are set (via SMC Fan Control) to 4,500 RPM and my temperature is still 180°F / 83°C. This is a good 30°C warmer than before Snow Leopard under the same conditions.
iStat reports:
CPU: 83°C
CPU heatsink: 62°C
All Enclosures: 32°C
GPU: 62°C
HDD: 35°C
I did upgraded, for what it's worth; no fresh install.
UPDATE: I have an idea. Try opening Activity Monitor; ensure "All Processes" are selected. Check out which process is using the highest CPU percentage. For me, it was Growl at 95%. I quit the process and shortly thereafter, my MBP returned to a normal operating temperature of around 55°C.
My 2009 MBP 15" is, too, much warmer than normal. I started up my computer about 25 minutes ago and have simply been playing around on Facebook, Twitter, and checking my blog stats. Nothing open except Firefox.
My fans are set (via SMC Fan Control) to 4,500 RPM and my temperature is still 180°F / 83°C. This is a good 30°C warmer than before Snow Leopard under the same conditions.
iStat reports:
CPU: 83°C
CPU heatsink: 62°C
All Enclosures: 32°C
GPU: 62°C
HDD: 35°C
I did upgraded, for what it's worth; no fresh install.
UPDATE: I have an idea. Try opening Activity Monitor; ensure "All Processes" are selected. Check out which process is using the highest CPU percentage. For me, it was Growl at 95%. I quit the process and shortly thereafter, my MBP returned to a normal operating temperature of around 55°C.
Was one of the first things I checked. Unfortunately, there's nothing running other than system processes which seem to be causing it (SystemUIServer uses the most, everything else fluctuates from 0 to 1 percent).
I see. How about this: disable all login items. Clear PRAM and restart. That may work. I don't want to act like I am expert, because I am not. However, if you try it, I hope it works!
Been through all the basic troubleshooting steps, no go. Just going to do an Erase and Install.
2.26GHz MBP 13".
Went from Leopard to Snow Leopard by means of Upgrade, I didn't wipe then restore. Had CPU temps around 60-70 during light browsing in a well-circulated room, around 75˚F.
Decided to do a wipe and installed Snow Leopard from scratch. Temperatures didn't get any better, and nothing changed once I restored my Time Machine backup.
YMMV, but it would seem that for some people, this temperature ordeal isn't going to be sorted out by means of software. I personally don't mind the temperatures, and I still get close to 8 hours of battery life.
Went from Leopard to Snow Leopard by means of Upgrade, I didn't wipe then restore. Had CPU temps around 60-70 during light browsing in a well-circulated room, around 75˚F.
Decided to do a wipe and installed Snow Leopard from scratch. Temperatures didn't get any better, and nothing changed once I restored my Time Machine backup.
YMMV, but it would seem that for some people, this temperature ordeal isn't going to be sorted out by means of software. I personally don't mind the temperatures, and I still get close to 8 hours of battery life.
10 deg C (~20 deg F) increase
My Macbook Pro underwent an Erase-and-Install of Snow Leopard. I've been running SL for about 6 hours or so, and saw 1 crash, 1 freeze - both needed a manual shutdown and restart via the power button.
According to iStat, I see an average increase in temp from Leopard - hovering about 40-45 deg C (104-113 deg F) to Snow Leopard - hovering at 50-55 deg C (122-131 deg F). Shouldn't Snow Leopard feel cooler than Leopard?
That is approx 10 deg C / 20 deg F increase, which is a leap from the previous coolness. Where did all that snow go?
I'm not running anything special, my surfing and usage habits are the same as 6 hours ago.
Snow Leopard is not feeling too cool. In fact, it's starting to warm up my Macbook Pro.
My Macbook Pro underwent an Erase-and-Install of Snow Leopard. I've been running SL for about 6 hours or so, and saw 1 crash, 1 freeze - both needed a manual shutdown and restart via the power button.
According to iStat, I see an average increase in temp from Leopard - hovering about 40-45 deg C (104-113 deg F) to Snow Leopard - hovering at 50-55 deg C (122-131 deg F). Shouldn't Snow Leopard feel cooler than Leopard?
That is approx 10 deg C / 20 deg F increase, which is a leap from the previous coolness. Where did all that snow go?
I'm not running anything special, my surfing and usage habits are the same as 6 hours ago.
Snow Leopard is not feeling too cool. In fact, it's starting to warm up my Macbook Pro.
Snow leopard in macbook temperature question
Interesting. I found this thread by Googling as I've been wondering why my MBP (17" core duo) has been running, oh, 10-15deg C cooler than it was prior to SL in 10.5. I'm running smcFanControl. Before SL I'd be often taxed to keep it under 60deg, now 50deg is high for just 'noodling' around with Firefox & Mail and no A/C here in the Southwest. Last time I saw 40 something was when I started up, but now that's doable in a cool room with default fan around 3100rpm, again without taxing the cpu much. Fyi, I did not do a clean install, just a mirror backup for just in case.
Interesting. I found this thread by Googling as I've been wondering why my MBP (17" core duo) has been running, oh, 10-15deg C cooler than it was prior to SL in 10.5. I'm running smcFanControl. Before SL I'd be often taxed to keep it under 60deg, now 50deg is high for just 'noodling' around with Firefox & Mail and no A/C here in the Southwest. Last time I saw 40 something was when I started up, but now that's doable in a cool room with default fan around 3100rpm, again without taxing the cpu much. Fyi, I did not do a clean install, just a mirror backup for just in case.
Temp and Snow Leapord
I wanted to add in details on the problem.
I have a MacBook Pro 2.4GHz 4GB third party ram.
At idle the SMC Fan Control temp is 62C. If one core runs at 100% the temp quickly goes to 90C. The laptop is still under extended warranty so I took it into the "mac store" and they agreed it was running hot for some reason. When they ran their external diagnostics where they boot from a different OS everything checked out and ran as expected. The external diagnostics does not appear to be a full OS but something that is used to boot the machine and run tests.
Doing a time machine backup at the store the temp was 100C watching a movie from Hulu was 102C and this was using one core via activity monitor. No problem on catching hung antivirus software or run away applications that keep a core busy.
They were nice enough to replace the motherboard and I still have the same temperature problems. They suggested reinstalling the OS instead of doing an upgrade but I can't imagine that would make a difference.
I am wondering if maybe SMC fan control maybe has some bug that doesn't report temp properly. When sitting the macbook on my lap I can assure you the leg is telling me it is plenty hot.
Has anyone solved the temp problem by doing a fresh install of the OS?
I wanted to add in details on the problem.
I have a MacBook Pro 2.4GHz 4GB third party ram.
At idle the SMC Fan Control temp is 62C. If one core runs at 100% the temp quickly goes to 90C. The laptop is still under extended warranty so I took it into the "mac store" and they agreed it was running hot for some reason. When they ran their external diagnostics where they boot from a different OS everything checked out and ran as expected. The external diagnostics does not appear to be a full OS but something that is used to boot the machine and run tests.
Doing a time machine backup at the store the temp was 100C watching a movie from Hulu was 102C and this was using one core via activity monitor. No problem on catching hung antivirus software or run away applications that keep a core busy.
They were nice enough to replace the motherboard and I still have the same temperature problems. They suggested reinstalling the OS instead of doing an upgrade but I can't imagine that would make a difference.
I am wondering if maybe SMC fan control maybe has some bug that doesn't report temp properly. When sitting the macbook on my lap I can assure you the leg is telling me it is plenty hot.
Has anyone solved the temp problem by doing a fresh install of the OS?
Glad I stumbled onto this thread... I thought it was my imagination that my laptop was running hotter after Snow Leopard... I can only say that I did a clean install and nothing has changed it still seems to run hotter than it did when I was running the snowless leopard. My solution was to download a little non-apple software to control the fans and the set them to go on sooner and run faster than before... it might cut down on my battery time but I would gladly trade that for lower temps.