Will More RAM Decrease Heat?

[kardiackeith]

I have the base 2011 15 inch MBP. The machine works great so far, but I've noticed it getting pretty hot (79 celsius) when I video chat using GVid. If I were to upgrade to 8gbs of RAM, would my computer not be as hot when running a larger load of programs?

Thanks

 

[dekka007]

pretty much sure no. Indeed it might make it slightly hotter as more components to get warm.

79 is not hot btw. You could change the cpu thermal paste if it bothers you that much might lower your temp by 5-12c

 

[sebgreen]

They are built to get hot

I have the base 2011 15 inch MBP. The machine works great so far, but I've noticed it getting pretty hot (79 celsius) when I video chat using GVid. If I were to upgrade to 8gbs of RAM, would my computer not be as hot when running a larger load of programs?

Thanks

No, upping the ram will not make the machine run cooler. It gets hot for two main reasons.

Firstly it is a small form factor so there's isn't the same level of ventilation that you get in normal desktop machines. Secondly the aluminium unibody conducts the heatep. Plastic machines will get as hot, but their cases don't conduct the heat so don't feel as hot to touch, but they are.

You can get an app called SMC Fan Control. It tells you the actual machine temp and allows you to have fine control over the machines fans to keep it cooler. Apple tune their fans and set them to a slow speed to reduce fan noise, but this means the machines run hotter.

 

[zenio]

I have the base 2011 15 inch MBP. The machine works great so far, but I've noticed it getting pretty hot (79 celsius)

Yes, unfortunately compared to a premium PC, Macs run hot. I've used them all & Apple simply doesn't place much importance on quality assembly or thermal management.

Take one apart & you'll find gobs of excess sloppy thermal paste. Yet if you have the time & patience (think computer in a kit) then it's worth it to fix it yourself. I always do mine. Here's some nice pics in a guide another user posted.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1105643/

This will make it run cool as it should have for the price one pays. Too bad Apple doesn't care.

Cheers

 

[toxic]

no, it will not help with heat. best thing you can do is use FanControl or SMCFanControl to manually run the fans higher. more noise, but it won't get quite as hot. if you're comfortabe working with computers, reapplying thermal paste would be a good second step.

and 79ºC is hot. maybe not excessively hot for a laptop, but it's still hot. in any case, running cooler is always better for component life.