MBP Temp Disturbing

B

bowjest

Registered
Hello to all,

I've posted about this before, but haven't found anything definitive covering this issue as yet.

I'm current working on my MBP with it sat on a tray on my lap. I'm running Firefox, Word 2008, a translation tool called OmegaT (Java-based), TexitEdit and Dictionary.

The temp has risen to 72 degrees C and I can't touch the black hinge just below and to the left of the MacBook Pro logo printed beneath the centre of the screen without burning my finger.

I have just turned on smcFacController and set this to 4575rpm for both fans and this has brought the temp down to about 58-60 degrees C.

Is this really normal? I mean, should I expect my MBP to burn my finger if I touch part of the keyboard/screen?

I'm not doing high-end video editing, I'm just word crunching and text editing, so cannot understand why the temp is rising so high.

Is this indicative of a fault that is developing in some way?

Thanks
 
72 degrees C is not that excessive for a MBP.The fact that you turn on SMC and the temp drops to 55>60, shows that the cooling fans are working as they should I believe that the problem lies in SMC.I have a 1st gen.MBP and had smc installed.I had to replace the cooling fans a few weeks ago as they were getting noisy.Much to my surprise it was quite dusty inside so I cleaned it out.After the fan replacement I stopped using SMC and switched to a 3 fan laptop cooler.As I type this I am at 51C @2475 rpm with Mail and Preview running in the background and the MBP is running a external monitor with the lid closed.One thing to remember is that the external casing acts as a giant heat sink and after while it does get very hot,Mine gets hot enough that I don't care to leave it on my lap.So I guess the whole point of my rambling is.Try to get the dust out.Don't use SMC unless you have to.Try and keep the bottom elevated with good airflow around it.Try a laptop cooler It seems ideal for your situation.
 
Oldmanmac,

Thanks for that. I appreciate it.

Currently, I've had my MBP on for less than 10 minutes running Firefox and Thunderbird.

My CPU temp is at 53 degrees and my fans are running at between 1996-2005.

Can you give me any advice on how to clean any dust out that might have collected? I can't see any way to open the case.

Do you have any preference for laptop coolers? I've never used one before, so no idea really what I should be looking for. I often have no real choice but to work from my lap, so if that's a factor in choosing one, please let me know.

All the best,

Bowjest
 
Send me the model number so I can lookup the disassembly procedures. Your current temps are right were they should be.Watching a long YouTube video in flash will easily bring it up to 70>80 C.As far as coolers go look for quality and fan size.I have a Targus brand with 2 good sized fans that works well and would be well suited for use on your lap.I found it at Wal-Mart.I have another one with 3 small fans that I found on bay and it works just as well,so the choice would really be dependent on your use.One last thing.If you're not comfortable taking apart a laptop I don't recommend starting on a Mac.Sometimes they can be a maddening puzzle to take apart !
 
oldmanmac and jbarley,

Thank you both for your help. It is greatly appreciated.

The advice on the laptop cooler (oldmanmac) and the link to the ifixit site (jbarley) are extremely useful. Here's to hoping I don't have to take anything apart - after watching the heat sink video on ifixit I have no desire to go through that!

I've also followed some advice from another site about lightly running a vac hose across the fan vent between the screen and the keyboard.

I'll monitor things and see how they go.

Thanks again to you both.

Bowjest
 
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