Macbook temperatures

I'm not so fluent regarding computer temperatures, but I was wondering if 72 C is a safe temperature for my CPU? My Aluminum Macbook has reached a little higher than 72 at times. Of course, this is only when I'm doing a lot of heavy workload on my lap like gaming. The CPU temp regularly is around 40-50 C.

 

you're fine. don't sweat it.

 

sounds a tad hot to me, i never go past 50-55°C even while gaming.

 

72c is fine for a laptop cpu.

 

But we're talking about the .95" Macbook, rather than the much larger (and better airflow) Alienware 15.

I concur - 72 is fine for your stated activity.... try encoding on it sometime and watch it bump into low 80s -- which is also normal, by the way, for that activity.

 

I believe the design temp limit for the macbook cpu is 90c, at least thats the only number I could find, but somone else might know for sure.

Lovin' my new macbook by the way.

 

thanks guys. glad i don't have to worry about it.

 

CPU temp limit is 80C for 10+ years.
GPU temp limit is 80-85C for 10+ years for ATI
GPU temp limit is 105C for 6-9 months for nVidia. nVidia will no longer publish the 10+ year limit, though since it's the same material as ATI...

 

That's within safe bounds but still quite warm considering the new Macbooks are using Intel's P-series procs which generally run very cool. My T400 with a P8400 running at 2.26Ghz idles in the high 20's and only reached a max of 54 degrees under full load.

 

woah where did you find this wonderfully infomative data from?

link please

but yeah... the poster should have nothing to worry about. its normal. depends on the climate: ambient temperature and humidity.

 

Again, the T400 has a larger chassis compared to the MacBook, with better airflow patterns, so max temp @ 54 must be considered in that context.

My MB's P8600 generally keeps in the 30s idle, but loads in 60s+ depending on what I'm doing and how long the cpu stays at max load.

 

Get a cooler pad when gaming

 

Macs have always had warmer temperatures than normal right?

 

I'm just going to let you guys research this, I've gone down this road before and it always turns out to be a huge *** report on what standards are applicable. By having you look them up, you learn. Just to help, look at the Intel and nVidia chip standards. You'll only find older nVidia standards but you should be able to find some more info on that 105C rating in the court docs.

 

Lol, I don't know you, so I won't assume anything. Links to any "huge" reports only cost you the time to post the links, which should be readily available since you seem to have the data you posted handy. Lastly, court docs are in no way, shape, or form technical data.

Until I see actual technical specifications and not some mystical numbers (that appear highly unlikely), I'll have to estimate that Nvidia cards are just as reliable as ATIs, the exception being the 8800 series which have the known heat issues (and then only a very small portion)...and they don't run any hotter or for any less period of time than Nvidias...

 

I have a new MB, and it's sitting on my desk while I read this forum, and the CPU temp is hovering around 60. Doesn't that seem a bit high? It also seems warmer to the touch than when I first got it. Any ideas? Thanks

 

I'm hovering at around 53 now without much running so that doesn't sound too bad.

 

if its the plastic macbook, then you're right where you should be. if its the aluminum one, i'd raise an eyebrow, but its not too much to worry about.

 

Are there any background programs running or something? Mine idles at around low 40's or low 30's actually when not doing anything.

 

My macbook 1.08" is idling at 40 with FF and adium, mail, etc. It gets up to 90 degrees centigrade when encoding stuff. I'm not worried.

 

**********

Here's your requested cluttered chaos:


Links to any "huge" reports only cost you the time to post the links, which should be readily available
***Those who know me know I'm currently deployed in the desert, thanks for the bordom killer. BTW, took about an hour to put this together when I could be calling my wife. Thanks for challenging my credibility.

since you seem to have the data you posted handy.
***@ Kadena AB, Japan, posting what I can now.

Lastly, court docs are in no way, shape, or form technical data.
***since evidence does not include any reliable source documents???

Until I see actual technical specifications and not some mystical numbers
***learn the math:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/221745-29-core-quad-temperature-guide
***then apply:
http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/res...obile/processors/core2duo_m/feature/index.htm
http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/res...bile/processors/core2duo_m/feature/392415.htm
http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/299986.htm
http://developer.intel.com/design/core2duo/documentation.htm
nvidia 8xxx series specs not publically available:
"prevent them from providing specifics about the models affected"
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9983840-1.html
Also, reference nVidia and ATI technitions who might happen to make certain alternate drivers.

"Lol, I don't know you, so I won't assume anything."
"have to estimate that Nvidia cards are just as reliable as ATIs"
***Please post your sorces stating the "higher than normal" ATI failure rates please.

the exception being the 8800 series which have the known heat issues
****8400m? 8600? Good thing my 8400m isn't at risk of failing. Oh wait, it has, three times. http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=2203
HP: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c01087277&dlc=en
Dell: http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/...nvidia-gpu-update-for-dell-laptop-owners.aspx
Apple: http://www.techspot.com/news/32017-apple-confirms-faulty-nvidia-chips-in-macbook-pros.html

(and then only a very small portion)...
***Since a 30% stock drop as a result of "higher than normal" failure isn't big.
http://channel.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=14193
"NVIDIA Corporation stated that it would take a $150 million to $200 million charge against cost of revenue..."
***You have a point, not a $700 Billion bailout
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045810/000119312508145974/d8k.htm

and they (ATI) don't run any hotter or for any less period of time than Nvidias
***Yes, if I use ATI as opposed to nVidia, it would probably run hot for around the same period of time.
***Yes, I should hope ATI doesn't run any hotter than nVidia's 105C
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=56073933
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=268081&page=16



Again, thanks for helping me kill time. 4 more days left and no more flights!

 

woah thats a lot!! thanks trebuin.

i repped you for your (obvious) effort!

well done sir.

 

@ trebuin...thanks for effort...and for the smoke and mirrors. The issue is heat in GPUs in laptop units, specifically Macbooks (and MBP). From actual experience, I can tell you that my MBP does not run any hotter (actually, probably not as hot) as my xps 1710 OR the PCMW machine in my sig.

It is really starting to become comical the number of Windows fanboys who come to the Mac forum and, having never owned a Mac, spend countless energy buidling diatribes on why Windows PCs are better than Macs, why Apple is evil and Micro$oft isn't, and, my favorite, "Waaaahhh, why can't I be allowed to run OS X on my Windows PC machine."

It would be really great if they could set this up like many of the gaming forums, where you have to actually OWN a product to comment on it in that products forum. It eliminates the "noise" and people can actually get the help/facts they need.

 

@The_Shirt: Smoke and Mirrors, learn to read. You missed a lot of what I said, skipped all the sources (7 links to the GPU on not only mac, but other systems), and your response makes no sense then goes off topic into rhetoric about EULA violations and then noise.

Anyhow, I'll keep my current ATI mac as I haven't done much gaming.

 

While 72 is within recommended range, i'd be concerned running this temp for long periods, i.e. not just when the cpu load is heavy. Try vacuuming out your grills.

 

But that's not the pattern reported by OP, and it's a system that's less than 8 weeks old. And the vents in the new MacBooks aren't exactly accessible since they're inside the recessed hinge housing.

A good suggestion for older systems and you're correct in your analysis/suggestion, but MacBooks don't have vents to pull air into it which would suck in hair, and the only way to get this kind of problem in that short a time frame would be to run it next to a *very* shaggy, shedding animal for very long time .

 

It's true the GPU on the MacBook Pro's GPU runs just about as hot as the same GPU on a Wintel machine. But it feels like it runs much warmer because a lot more heat makes it to aluminum case. The heat just doesn't make it to your lap as easily when it goes through the plastic on any other laptop.

 

The difference between the macbook pro and a lot of other notebook that causes this hotter feel is the aluminum. Apple uses the case as a thermal cooler so apple doesn't have to run the fan at a higher speed. Depending on the heat pipe design, this would be the same for the GPU and the CPU. Faster hard drives can also cause the case to warm up. Poor chipset integration can also cause this, but this should not be the case with the macbook pro, unless the new model is running arond 10C higher to the touch. I don't own the new one so I can't advise there.

Under my wintel, I have to use a utility to speed up the fan. I've noticed the fan always runs at the slowest speed resulting in temps greater than 80C CPU, and around 72C max on the GPU (ATI). Running the utility drops the temps into much more comfortable ranges, tough it's a bit more noisy.

Plastic machines tend not to feel near as hot, but are ususally hotter internally or run their fans faster.