Temp control on crunching macs ...

A.N.Other · 12 Nov 2006 at 10:19

A few days ago, when I started my MacBook Pro folding, I was having some serious temp issues - core getting to 83C and higher. So, I did some reading around and found a neat little app that gives control of the minimum speeds that the fans are allowed to run at. My temps are now 69Cish, which is much better.

This is designed to work on MacBooks and MacBook Pros, so I'm not sure about compatibility with MacPros etc (you could still try it). Anyway, smcFanControl can be found here.

I'm finding that the new Gromacs SMP core is giving some tasty results - around 700 ppd on my laptop, I think (it's a pre-core2duo one, so only a coreduo). Get folding with those macs!

Berserker · 12 Nov 2006 at 11:18

I'll give it a blast on my Mac Mini. I've not found anything else that works, so I'm not hopeful, but no harm in trying.

VeNT · 12 Nov 2006 at 12:23

still high! 70C in a laptop?

Berserker · 12 Nov 2006 at 12:45

Is perfectly normal. Mine would hit 80 without fan control (even with it hits 70-75).

Same with my Mac Mini, but if there's anything I can do to make it run a little cooler.

tolien · 12 Nov 2006 at 13:15

Might be too much hassle, but it's very possible you'll see an improvement if you replace the thermal gunk on the CPU - Apple (used to) ladle it on.

Tempted to try my Core 2 Duo Dell, but the possibility of "once you've popped..." disturbs me

VeNT · 12 Nov 2006 at 13:28

dell are right buggers for you changing anything hardware wise. had hell when a client had replaced a graphics card in his (the old one had died).

Berserker · 12 Nov 2006 at 14:26

I've had no trouble with Dell when doing that. They supply servicing manuals after all. They won't support the replaced part, but that's all. Besides, I did all my own servicing (Dell just sent the parts), so what they didn't know never hurt them.

I'm trying to convince the office to buy me a new C2D laptop. Opening that up wouldn't be so clever. :eek:

A.N.Other · 12 Nov 2006 at 16:46

Yeah, I have no problem with replacing the thermal compound, I've pulled a few laptops apart. It's the warrenty that bugs me tbh though - I don't want to screw it for the sake of a few degrees. If apple thinks that it can go this high without throttling, then it's their problem if it dies.

It's running at 66, 67C on the cores at the minute, which isn't that bad. The fans go up to 7000rpm if you need them to but I've only got them going at 5000 for the sake of my ears.

Berserker · 25 Nov 2006 at 22:19

Finally got around to this. My Mac Mini has been out of action for the last week (I have a 4 PC limit and had to swap it out for a laptop).

Anyway, it works. Fan control and Folding client installed and running. \o/

A.N.Other · 26 Nov 2006 at 02:08

Glad to hear that

SiriusB · 26 Nov 2006 at 02:16

A.N.Other said:
Yeah, I have no problem with replacing the thermal compound, I've pulled a few laptops apart. It's the warrenty that bugs me tbh though - I don't want to screw it for the sake of a few degrees. If apple thinks that it can go this high without throttling, then it's their problem if it dies.

It's running at 66, 67C on the cores at the minute, which isn't that bad. The fans go up to 7000rpm if you need them to but I've only got them going at 5000 for the sake of my ears.

7000 rpm!? :eek:

Does it hover across the table when the fans are spinning that fast?

SiriusB

Berserker · 26 Nov 2006 at 02:23

Running at 56-58C, fans @ 3000 RPM. I'm very comfortable with that.

With the fan at default (1500 RPM) it wasn't enough to move air away from the back of the Mac Mini, so there was a large heat build-up (all the connectors plugged in the back got hot).

A.N.Other · 26 Nov 2006 at 10:49

SiriusB said:
7000 rpm!?

Does it hover across the table when the fans are spinning that fast?

SiriusB

\o/ I've never taken it up that far - no need. The fans are just about audible at 4500 rpm, which is what I have it set to now.