MacBook Pro - 170 degrees F for CPU

mrivmriv · mrivmriv #1 (**permalink**)

05-27-2009, 08:55 PM

I have a little dashboard program that shows info on my MBP (aluminum, 4 gig, 250 gigs, late 08). It shows the fans running at 4-5000 rpm (although I can not hear them at all), my CPU runs 166-171 F. The upper right corner underneath is to hot to touch. Normal? My previous non-Apple laptop finally gave out because the fan had stopped working, and I did not know it. On this Apple, the fans are silent. Thanks in advance.

DarkestRitual · DarkestRitual #2 (**permalink**)

05-27-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrivmriv

I have a little dashboard program that shows info on my MBP (aluminum, 4 gig, 250 gigs, late 08). It shows the fans running at 4-5000 rpm (although I can not hear them at all), my CPU runs 166-171 F. The upper right corner underneath is to hot to touch. Normal? My previous non-Apple laptop finally gave out because the fan had stopped working, and I did not know it. On this Apple, the fans are silent. Thanks in advance.

171 might be a liiittttle warm, but on my macbook i get up to around 70-72C (158-161F) while gaming or running something cpu intensive and time consuming. They run a little hot, but it's fine as long as it's running. If there is a problem, it will shut itself off from my understanding.

clayneal · clayneal #3 (**permalink**)

05-27-2009, 10:15 PM

71-77c is not too terribly hot, you wont want to see it a lot hotter . Just make sure to keep good airflow under it.

Clay

vansmith · vansmith #4 (**permalink**)

05-27-2009, 11:18 PM

I've seen my MB get up to 82C (179.6F) but that was very momentary. If I am doing something resource intensive, I can see anything between 72C and 78C (161.6F and 172.4). If I am not doing anything resource intensive though, I usually get anywhere between 42C and 52C (107.6F and 125.6F). Right now, it's at 72C (161.6F) but I'm compiling code in a FreeBSD virtual machine and bootstrapping pkgsrc for OS X (if you don't know what this is, don't worry but know that it is resource intensive).

If you are not running something intensive and you're getting between 74.4C and 77.2C, you might want to investigate but not be overly concerned. With no extensive CPU usage, it should not be that high in my experience. Do you have anything blocking the fans? Most importantly, are you using your MBP on a rug/blanket/bed? If so, you need to let it properly vent. Try using a hard surface like a table or a desk.

Snapple Lover · Snapple Lover #5 (**permalink**)

05-28-2009, 06:34 AM

mines running fine but if i leave it on my bed for too long the video gets distorted, it turns out that the video card overheats because when i put it somewhere else it doesnt do it. i took it apart and the video card is in the exct place it was hot

bungy · bungy #6 (**permalink**)

05-28-2009, 06:45 AM

How do you find out the temperature, fan speed etc?

JGruber · JGruber #7 (**permalink**)

05-28-2009, 11:20 AM

There are a number of programs that will give you that info. iStat Pro is one that comes to mind.

vansmith · vansmith #8 (**permalink**)

05-28-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snapple Lover

mines running fine but if i leave it on my bed for too long the video gets distorted, it turns out that the video card overheats because when i put it somewhere else it doesnt do it. i took it apart and the video card is in the exct place it was hot

That's because the fans are getting no air. Laptops really should only be used on surfaces where there is appropriate ventilation.

brady1027 · brady1027 #9 (**permalink**)

05-28-2009, 10:07 PM

I think the 170 range might be a little high as well. I am surprised you are unable to hear the fan at 5-6000 rpm. On my macbook, if the fan is at 6000, you can hear it quite clearly. Like mentioned above, make sure there is good airflow, that makes a world of difference.

zseese · zseese #10 (**permalink**)

05-29-2009, 10:47 AM

I honestly dont remember ever hearing more than a slight hint of my fans running since i got my macbook in late 07, and it has never gotten too hot whether it is on the bed or the desk, guess i need to get one of those programs so i can monitor these stats...

B&O · B&O #11 (**permalink**)

05-29-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zseese

I honestly dont remember ever hearing more than a slight hint of my fans running since i got my macbook in late 07, and it has never gotten too hot whether it is on the bed or the desk, guess i need to get one of those programs so i can monitor these stats...

Pros run hotter due to the GPU.

vansmith #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,331 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	05-27-2009, 11:18 PM I've seen my MB get up to 82C (179.6F) but that was very momentary. If I am doing something resource intensive, I can see anything between 72C and 78C (161.6F and 172.4). If I am not doing anything resource intensive though, I usually get anywhere between 42C and 52C (107.6F and 125.6F). Right now, it's at 72C (161.6F) but I'm compiling code in a FreeBSD virtual machine and bootstrapping pkgsrc for OS X (if you don't know what this is, don't worry but know that it is resource intensive). If you are not running something intensive and you're getting between 74.4C and 77.2C, you might want to investigate but not be overly concerned. With no extensive CPU usage, it should not be that high in my experience. Do you have anything blocking the fans? Most importantly, are you using your MBP on a rug/blanket/bed? If so, you need to let it properly vent. Try using a hard surface like a table or a desk. Important Links: Community Guidelines : Use the reputation system if you've been helped. M-F Blog :: Write for the blog :: M-F IRC Channel - Chats every Sunday at 8PM EST.
	QUOTE Thanks

brady1027 #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 85	05-28-2009, 10:07 PM I think the 170 range might be a little high as well. I am surprised you are unable to hear the fan at 5-6000 rpm. On my macbook, if the fan is at 6000, you can hear it quite clearly. Like mentioned above, make sure there is good airflow, that makes a world of difference. MacBook Pro 2.7 GHZ Core i7 4Gb Ram 500 GB Hard Drive
	QUOTE Thanks

zseese #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 25, 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 62 Mac Specs: 2010 MacBook Air, 2.13GHZ, 4GB RAM, 256GB Flash Memory, SuperDrive, 32GB iPhone 4	05-29-2009, 10:47 AM I honestly dont remember ever hearing more than a slight hint of my fans running since i got my macbook in late 07, and it has never gotten too hot whether it is on the bed or the desk, guess i need to get one of those programs so i can monitor these stats... Yup, Yup, Yup, Mm-Hmm
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
MacBook is getting 65 Degrees Celsius	Hit	Apple Notebooks	17	07-09-2008 03:23 PM
How do I make application rotate 45 degrees	a1website	OS X - Apps and Games	3	05-18-2008 10:07 PM
Can I rotate movie 90 degrees?	scudman	OS X - Apps and Games	2	04-14-2008 10:50 AM
Burning 170 MB Episodes to DVD	stlboi	Movies and Video	7	01-01-2007 05:12 PM
Backlight goes off when ibook is open past 60 degrees. Advice?	sanfordphoto	Apple Notebooks	9	05-19-2004 06:31 AM

MacBook Pro - 170 degrees F for CPU

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

mrivmriv #1 (permalink)
Member Since: May 27, 2009 Posts: 14 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro, late 2008, 8gb ram, 120gb SSD boot, 500gb hard drive, Snow Leopard	05-27-2009, 08:55 PM I have a little dashboard program that shows info on my MBP (aluminum, 4 gig, 250 gigs, late 08). It shows the fans running at 4-5000 rpm (although I can not hear them at all), my CPU runs 166-171 F. The upper right corner underneath is to hot to touch. Normal? My previous non-Apple laptop finally gave out because the fan had stopped working, and I did not know it. On this Apple, the fans are silent. Thanks in advance.
	QUOTE Thanks

Snapple Lover #5 (permalink)
Member Since: May 25, 2009 Posts: 40 Mac Specs: Powerbook G4 1.67ghz 2GB ram DL SuperDrive	05-28-2009, 06:34 AM mines running fine but if i leave it on my bed for too long the video gets distorted, it turns out that the video card overheats because when i put it somewhere else it doesnt do it. i took it apart and the video card is in the exct place it was hot
	QUOTE Thanks

bungy #6 (permalink)
Member Since: May 11, 2009 Location: London Posts: 132 Mac Specs: 2009 Macbook White 2Ghz 2Gig RAM 120Gig HDD	05-28-2009, 06:45 AM How do you find out the temperature, fan speed etc?
	QUOTE Thanks

JGruber #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 20, 2005 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 739 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 15" 2ghz/2GB/250gb/SD - White Macbook 2.16ghz/2.5GB/250GB/SD	05-28-2009, 11:20 AM There are a number of programs that will give you that info. iStat Pro is one that comes to mind.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)