Almost giving up on this 2011 Macbook Pro (processors run too high, fans too):

[orango]

PROBLEM
The computer seem to run too hot while performing processor demanding tasks.
Like up to 180% of the processor is hogged during Windows emulation or video processing.

SETUP:
Macbook Pro 8,1 (2,3 GHZ, 16 GB Ram + Solid State drive (not a original SSD from Apple).


Anyways I am not used to a Mac running the fans like that. I have had many..... and find it annoying (loud noise).

WHAT I HAVE TRIED:
- Cleaning the fans by a pro
- Changing the cpu cooling paste.....
- Resetting SMC

Running out of options.

 

[chscag]

Could be that you have a defective temperature sensor on the logic board driving the fan high. However, it is normal for the fan to rev up if the CPU is working hard like playing games or video processing. I'm assuming you're monitoring the temperatures?

Anyway, give Macs Fan Control a try to see if that helps to tame the high RPMs but be careful you don't allow your machine to overheat as that can cause damage.

 

[pigoo3]

Could also be that the computer is getting too old to do what you want it to do (or at least in a cool & more quiet manner). I have a 2011 17" MacBook Pro that I game with...and when I game it gets super hot & the fans are roaring away.

Just what happens when a computer gets old...especially considering that you've done some physical maintenance.

- Nick

 

[MacInWin]

Both Windows Emulation and video processing are CPU and GPU intensive. So when you run them you are really stressing the machine more than normal, which makes it run warm. The fans come on to protect it. I would advise you to avoid using any fan controller to hold down the fan speed or you can easily cook either the CPU or GPU. The GPU in that system is already a bit dicey, so it is definitely not wise to stress it any more than you absolutely must.

 

[pm-r]

Anyways I am not used to a Mac running the fans like that. I have had many..... and find it annoying (loud noise).

Just out of curiosity, how much dust is there inside that Mac or possibly blocking the air ports or plugging the fans?

And are the fans actually running??? :Blushing:

BTW: The Macs Fan Control.app I read somewhere (developers blog perhaps), won't run the Macs fans below the default set OS temp/speeds. Faster yes, but not slower.




- Patrick
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[Rod]

Yes I can confirm that, I use Macs Fan Control app myself but only to increase the default speed.

 

[orango]

Could also be that the computer is getting too old to do what you want it to do (or at least in a cool & more quiet manner). I have a 2011 17" MacBook Pro that I game with...and when I game it gets super hot & the fans are roaring away.

Just what happens when a computer gets old...especially considering that you've done some physical maintenance.

- Nick

Yes! I think sadly you are on to something. So when one upgrades the Mac gradually the "load" becomes more and more heavy for the cpu making it harder and harder for it to run fast enough due to the demands of higher speed on updated software. Is that it? Hmmm. I thought the 16 GB ram and SSD would kind of compensate..... But no?? So a mac from 2011 even with that spec of RAM and SSD could not handle the latest software?

Ok so is there any way of sofware limiting the cpu processes effectivly to avoid this? For example set ut Vmware Fusion and not allow it by terminal commands to run at more than 90% capacity of the cpu?

 

[pm-r]

Yes I can confirm that, I use Macs Fan Control app myself but only to increase the default speed.

Thanks Rod, and I have used the Macs Fan Control.app for years now for the same reason. I found Apple's default temp limits just way too high on our Macs for my liking.

And no, for those wondering, we cannot hear any fan noise from the small increase in the fan speeds.




- Patrick
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