Help + Opinions: MBP Overheating + Testing. Inconclusive.

Question

Hey guys,
So I've been reading for the last two days about the MBP overheating and there seems to be significant descrpencies from user to user. Some users swear that their MBP never gets over 60˚C (all temperatures below will be shown in ˚C) and others swear that their normal operating temperature even while browsing the internet is 75˚C +. Nonetheless, over the last few months I've noticed that my MBP is running very hot and w/ in the last two weeks I have seen it actually shut down due to temperature at 3 times. I live 2,000km from the nearest Apple Store (China) so unfortunately, at least for a while, Genuis support is out of the question. It's become quite an issue because my a professional photographer who generally has PS3 and LR3 open at the same time, which didn't use to be a problem
I'd very much appreciate some educated and thoughtful input into this subject and see what you guys would suggest to maybe alleviate the problem
Conditions
- MBP elevated about 1 inch attached to 21 inch monitor
- About 2 months ago I upgraded to Snow Leopard - didn't notice this issue right away but the upgrade is noteworthy
- Notice constant temperatures between 65˚C and 85˚C while only browsing the internet, being the same under both testing conditions - averaging closer to 70˚C
- My fans hardly ever go below 6200rpm - annoying and bad.
- The MBP is 13 months old
- I absolutely cannot play any graphic intensive game for more than 10 minutes w/o a forced thermal shutdown... sad.
- Already reset crm(sp?)/fan controls and the PRAM - helped a little under idle conditions.
- All OpenGL support in PS3 is turned off
Test #1 - "Better Battery Life"
- I took two sets of readings on these tests: The Computer temps + Processes, both w/o load and under load
- I let the computer idle for about 5 minutes before taking any readings
- Notice the temps while having one document open in PS
- Fan on max, 6200RPM most of time, bottoms out around 4200 RPM once the CPU drops to around 59˚C
http://brianhirschy.com/mbp/mbpnhigh.jpg
Test #2 - "Higher Performance"
- I took two sets of readings on these tests: The Computer temps + Processes, both w/o load and under load
- I let the computer idle for about 5 minutes before taking any readings[/
- Notice the temps while having one document open in PS
- GPU Diode seems to be 15-20 degrees HOTTER while everything else remains the same
- Fan on max, 6200RPM all the time, no matter the temp
http://brianhirschy.com/mbp/mbphigh.jpg
Strange Conclusion
If feels as if the computer actually runs cooler and faster under the "Better Battery Life" option. I feel that the GPU Diode is actually heating the computer more than necessary esp. in non-graphic intense situations. I'm tempted to run the computer under the "Better Battery Life" vs "Higher Performance" option. Strange conclusion, I know.
General Questions
+- Aside from the issue at hand, how would it be possible to see better performance under a 'lower performance' setting - ie, better battery life.+
+- I'm finding it very difficult on the internet to see if this is w/ in the range of normal operating temps+
+- What does the 'Higher Performance' option in Sys Pref -> Power Mang. actually do? Seems to just prime the GPU+
+- Is it entirely possible that I'm just NOT going to be able to game on this rig due to overheating? Seems like that's an issue.+
+- Have other users noticed that the fans just simply don't turn off when on "Higher Performance" setting?+
Nonetheless, if you've gotten this far, I appreciate your time and thanks for reading through this. I know there are many threads on this issue, but none are conclusive and most don't provide any supporting evidence to suggest there is a heat issue. As an experienced MR forum user, I wouldn't be rehashing an old issue if there wasn't a reason for it.
Thanks again,
Brian

Answer 1

If feels as if the computer actually runs cooler and faster under the "Better Battery Life" option.
It does run cooler. The Better Battery Life setting invokes the lower-powered GPU, which uses less power and generates less heat. Faster? Not likely — but under many conditions and workloads it won't be any slower.
I'm tempted to run the computer under the "Better Battery Life" vs "Higher Performance" option.
Go ahead. You may find that your workflow doesn't suffer perceptibly or at all.
Three things that can cause your machine to work extra hard and generate lots of extra heat are inadequate RAM, an overly full hard drive, and a runaway process hogging CPU cycles without your knowledge. If you don't have at least 4GB of RAM, upgrade to 4, 6, or 8GB: the more the better for your purposes. If your hard drive is more than 80% full, you need a bigger one, given your photo applications' demand for scratch disk space. To make sure you don't have something running in the background that's jacking your computer's temperature up, follow the procedure described in this article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1473
If you have USB external hard drives connected most or all of the time, switch to FireWire drives. USB imposes an extra processing load on your CPU that FireWire does not.
Finally, if you are running your machine in clamshell mode (with its display closed), open the display. It will cool itself more efficiently that way.