MBP running too hot?

Joined
Dec 27, 2006
Messages
67
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
New York
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 15" running High Sierra
Hi all,
I have a MBP 15" , 2017, 2.9 GHz, intel core I7, 16GB memory 2133 Mhz, Graphics For 560 radeon Pro, with 500 GB flash storage.

I downloaded Mac fan controls and it always seems to run at around 118-125 F. I also downloaded Drive DX app to make sure I keep an eye on things.

Do you think this is running too hot? Thank you:)

View attachment Screen Shot 2020-02-03 at 4.57.48 PM.pdf
 
Joined
Jan 20, 2012
Messages
5,053
Reaction score
414
Points
83
Location
North Carolina
Your Mac's Specs
Air M2 ('22) OS 14.3; M3 iMac ('23) OS 14.3; iPad Pro; iPhone 14
Hi all,
I have a MBP 15" , 2017, 2.9 GHz, intel core I7, 16GB memory 2133 Mhz, Graphics For 560 radeon Pro, with 500 GB flash storage.

I downloaded Mac fan controls and it always seems to run at around 118-125 F. I also downloaded Drive DX app to make sure I keep an eye on things.

Do you think this is running too hot? Thank you:)

Hi Frostygirl - first, is there a reason(s) you feel the fans are fast and the computer is 'hot', i.e. any problems? Second, I have iStat Menus on my MBPro (early 2013 w/ a simpler CPU) - below are your numbers vs. mine on the right - fans virtually the same speeds and temps are similar - don't feel that I'm having a problem. I'm sure others will 'chime in' w/ comments, but let us know 'why' you are asking the question(s)? Dave :)
.
Screen Shot 2020-02-03 at 8.04.16 PM.png
 

chscag

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
65,248
Reaction score
1,833
Points
113
Location
Keller, Texas
Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
@frostygirl:

First, thanks for joining us once more as a long time member. :)

I have to agree with Dave, your fan speeds and temps are well within the normal range.

You probably remember the old saying: "If it's not broke, don't fix it!" :wink
 

Raz0rEdge

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
15,745
Reaction score
2,071
Points
113
Location
MA
Your Mac's Specs
2022 Mac Studio M1 Max, 2023 M2 MBA
That is TOTALLY normal temps for your machine. You should be worried when the temps get to around 90 degC (~ 200 degF) and stay there. You are then approaching the thermal shutdown point for many components and your system will automatically power off and will NOT turn back on until the temps go back down. My 2019 MBP operates around 44-48 degC at largely idle and will spike to about 75 degC under load of compilation or other activity. At that point, the fans will kick in as designed to bring the temps back down.

I do NOT recommend installing any software to manually control the fans, let the machine (and the OS) do what it's designed to do.
 
Joined
Nov 1, 2007
Messages
1,246
Reaction score
80
Points
48
Location
Swansea - South Wales
Your Mac's Specs
21 M1 Pro 14" MBP, 23 M2 Pro Mac Mini (MacOS 14), iPhone 15 Pro Max (iOS 17), iPad 6 (iPadOS 17)
right after buying it, my 16" MBP was running hot. nowhere near thermal shutdown temps but running way too hot for web browsing and compared to my 2015 MBP which was cool to the touch running the same task(s).

I solved the issue by resetting the SMC, and have had zero thermal issues since.

When and How to Reset Mac SMC (System Management Controller)
 
OP
F
Joined
Dec 27, 2006
Messages
67
Reaction score
0
Points
6
Location
New York
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 15" running High Sierra
Good morning all, Thank you for your replies. I guess I over analyze things. When I see 120 plus degrees I just get worried that its overheating but you all just put my mind to ease. Thanks again. :)
 
Joined
Jan 20, 2012
Messages
5,053
Reaction score
414
Points
83
Location
North Carolina
Your Mac's Specs
Air M2 ('22) OS 14.3; M3 iMac ('23) OS 14.3; iPad Pro; iPhone 14
right after buying it, my 16" MBP was running hot. nowhere near thermal shutdown temps but running way too hot for web browsing and compared to my 2015 MBP which was cool to the touch running the same task(s).

I solved the issue by resetting the SMC, and have had zero thermal issues since.

When and How to Reset Mac SMC (System Management Controller)

Hi Nicky - good point about SMC - on our old iMac 3 or 4 years ago, my wife came running out of our computer room saying her computer was ready to TAKE OFF! Oh my, I went in and ran iStat Menus and the fans were going at twice their usual speed - a quick SMC reset solved the issue - Dave :)
.
img22.jpg
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
I downloaded Mac fan controls and it always seems to run at around 118-125 F. I also downloaded Drive DX app to make sure I keep an eye on things.

Do you think this is running too hot? Thank you:)

Nope...not hot at all. Older MacBooks & MacBook Pro's that need to work harder (because they are asked to do more & more on older hardware)...can easily run 180°F or higher (much more than 118-125°F).

Depending on your location (if it's Winter where you are)...expect your MacBook Pro to run warmer in the Summer months...if using it somewhere with a higher ambient temp.

- Nick
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top