MacBook Pro seriously overheating while gaming

I tried using a MacBook Pro 9,1 with Bootcamp Windows 7 to play the Elder Scrolls Online today.  After about five minutes, HW Monitor showed that the temperature of the CPU had reached 105 degrees Celsius, and the temperature of the GPU 90 degrees Celsius.  HW Monitor shows that both fans are running around 6200 rpm, and I am using a cooling pad in addition.  I checked before I ran the game, and the temperatures were hovering around 40-50 degrees Celsius.  Even now, they are still around 80 degrees Celsius.
Is this a problem with the computer, or is this normal for a MacBook Pro?  I have heard that MacBook Pros tend to overheat, but I was not aware that they reached such high temperatures so quickly.  I know its summer, but those temperatures are still pretty crazy.  Around 80 degrees, the framerate of the game drops to around 10 fps, which makes playing pretty difficult.  It seems kind of pointless to have such a capable GPU with 1 GB of VRAM when games only run for a few minutes before overheating.  Should I take it in to the Apple Store, or should I use some other means to cool it?
Best Regards,
Alex

berj79 wrote:
This is a bootcamp issue, when running windows on a mac via boot camp the fans kick in very late, i dunno whys apple can't get this sorted
Surely Windows/ Microsoft is responsible for fan control when using Bootcamp?
I wouldn't expect Apple to fix the temperature issues Linux has when it is booted on a Mac - it isn't helped by Apples choice of fan & temperature sensors but Apple don't control how other OS's run. Search around to see if Windows has better drivers for managing the fans on your laptop model.
Also look into self powered coolers or ways to improve air circulation if you need to use this Mac running Windows for gaming. If it is in warranty take it along to an Apple store - if it isn't 'fit for purpose' or doesn't meet the original description it may be possible to get a refund (or repair/ replacement if faulty)  depending on your local consumer laws.

Similar Messages

  • Macbook pro 15" overheating when gaming

    I recently purchased a refurbished high-end ($2600, but with refurb $2200) Macbook pro for college so I would have the option of gaming on the side whenever I had some free time while also experiencing the wonderful Apple OS.  This is the first time I've ever owned and operated the Mac OS (outside of the iphone/ipad) and although a little daunting I took up the challenge of weaning off my addiction to Windows.  The Macbook pro has been absolutely wonderful except for one odd thing.  I specifically bought the much more expensive, nvidia graphics card equipped macbook for the purpose of gaming with a more than well equipped machine.  Every time I run any game that requires the slightest amount of real power (Starcraft 2, Teamfortress 2, WoW) then it will slowly begin to get louder and louder, gradually heating up while I play.  The heat worries me, but the fan-noise is really annoying.  I can sit at the SC II menu screen and the heat or fan noise will be non-existent, but when I enter a match it starts to build-up, and the same goes for WoW and Teamfortress.  If I wasn't listening to music to drown it out I think that I as well as anyone working/living around me would quickly give me a piece of their mind for the excessive noise while they're trying to work or study.  I've watched netflix for hours on end, opened multiple windows with various programs running and it runs flawlessly, but for whatever reason when I game with only that game's program running it causes the computer to overheat and run the fan to the bones.  Should I take the computer in to the apple store to get it checked out?  Is this normal, should I have expected it?  I don't know why it was a refurb in the first place or how to find out whatever issue it may have had that caused it to be a refurb (if that has anything to do with it.)  I am knew to apple, but I tried changing all the graphics to the most minimal possible and the restul was the same across the board.  Any suggestions or help would be great because I do intend to game and I paid enough money that I would like to be able to use it with moderate to minimal fan noise and heat while gaming.

    shwhalen wrote:
      Is this normal, should I have expected it? 
    Probably yes, it is normal.  Macs are not the best gaming machines.
    To check this out, install istat menus:
    http://bjango.com/mac/istatmenus/
    Open Activity Monitor to ALL PROCESSES and set % CPU to display values from high to low.
    When the MBP gets hot (playing a gam), take images of both and post them for review.
    Or you may make an appointment at an Apple store genius bar and have the technician examine the MBP.
    Ciao.

  • MacBook Pro seriously overheating

    Hi
    When running at 100% CPU utilization for more than 5 minutes the CPU main temperature reaches between 112 and 115 deg. C (233 - 239 deg. F).
    Anyone else experiencing such extreme temperatures?
    /Jeppe

    That's definitely too hot. Take the machine in for service and demonstrate the problem.

  • I left a dvd in my macbook pro for a while and now my computer wont recognize that there is even a disk in there, nor will it eject it. how do i get the dvd out?

    i left a dvd in my macbook pro for a while and now my computer wont recognize that there is even a disk in there, nor will it eject it. how do i get the dvd out?

    Hold down the mouse button or trackpad clicker as you start up.
    If no joy, restart and hold the Option key. This brings up the Startup Manager, which will draw an Icon for each bootable Volume. When all are drawn, the Eject key is "live".

  • Can the cover on the macbook pro be closed while playing music?

    can the cover on the macbook pro be closed while playing music?

    Air is drawn in through the keyboard for cooling, so I would recommend leaving it open 1/2-1" so the air can move.  
    17" 2.2GHz i7 Quad-Core MacBook Pro  8G RAM  750G HD  120G Vertex 3 SSD Boot HD 

  • In mountain lion does the late 2011 macbook pro back up while it is asleep

    In Mountain lion does the late 2011 macbook pro back up while it is asleep?

    No. No computer backs up while asleep.

  • MacBook Pro is overheating in Windows 7

    My MacBook Pro is overheating with the public beta release of Windows 7. This never used to happen in XP. I'm at a loss as to why this is.
    Windows 7 32-bit on a MacBook Pro 2,2.

    SpeedFan has never been found to work on Mac hardware.
    Fan control is not that easy even on PC, it seems, and eVGA is working on getting a fix for their mobo.
    InputRemapper use to work, but now doesn't work for everyone, not more recent MacBook and iMac - has not been updated in two years even.
    Seems like it would not be that hard for Apple to develop their own tool, such as eVGA did with their E-LEET (based on CPUID). No way to monitor and control GPU fans in OS X (EVGA Precision, would be nice now that their GTX285 for Mac is a reality).
    We've had a number of threads over this and heat, and what to use, and "why not SpeedFan" (all it needs is a profile, right?).

  • Macbook Pro (2011) froze while working, forced shut down, now won't turn on. Grey screen with apple logo and spinning wheel for hours. Help?

    Macbook Pro (2011) froze while working, forced shut down, now won't turn on. Grey screen with apple logo and spinning wheel for hours. Help?
    Unfortunately do not know the operating system since I never updated anything and I can't get in to it.
    Thanks for your assistance.

    If you want to preserve the data on the boot drive, and it's not already backed up, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data, you can skip this step.
    There are several ways to back up a Mac that is not fully functional. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
    1. Boot from the Recovery partition or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.”
    2. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, boot the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
    3. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.

  • I recently bought a macbook pro retina and while I'm using it a yellow triangle pops up then disappears. I don't know what it says. How do I find out whats wrong?

    I recently bought a macbook pro retina and while I'm using it a yellow triangle pops up then disappears. I don't know what it says. How do I find out whats wrong?

    Oh, by all means. Uninstall it using its uninstaller if you have one. Do not install any anti-malware software as it's unneeded with OS X Lion or Mountain Lion.
    Uninstalling Software: The Basics
    Most OS X applications are completely self-contained "packages" that can be uninstalled by simply dragging the application to the Trash.  Applications may create preference files that are stored in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder.  Although they do nothing once you delete the associated application, they do take up some disk space.  If you want you can look for them in the above location and delete them, too.
    Some applications may install an uninstaller program that can be used to remove the application.  In some cases the uninstaller may be part of the application's installer, and is invoked by clicking on a Customize button that will appear during the install process.
    Some applications may install components in the /Home/Library/Applications Support/ folder.  You can also check there to see if the application has created a folder.  You can also delete the folder that's in the Applications Support folder.  Again, they don't do anything but take up disk space once the application is trashed.
    Some applications may install a startupitem or a Log In item.  Startupitems are usually installed in the /Library/StartupItems/ folder and less often in the /Home/Library/StartupItems/ folder.  Log In Items are set in the Accounts preferences.  Open System Preferences, click on the Accounts icon, then click on the LogIn Items tab.  Locate the item in the list for the application you want to remove and click on the "-" button to delete it from the list.
    Some software use startup daemons or agents that are a new feature of the OS.  Look for them in /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Library/LaunchDaemons/ or in /Home/Library/LaunchAgents/.
    If an application installs any other files the best way to track them down is to do a Finder search using the application name or the developer name as the search term.  Unfortunately Spotlight will not look in certain folders by default.  You can modify Spotlight's behavior or use a third-party search utility, EasyFind, instead.
    Some applications install a receipt in the /Library/Receipts/ folder.  Usually with the same name as the program or the developer.  The item generally has a ".pkg" extension.  Be sure you also delete this item as some programs use it to determine if it's already installed.
    There are many utilities that can uninstall applications.  Here is a selection:
        1. AppZapper 2.0.1
        2. AppDelete 3.2.6
        3. Automaton 1.50
        4. Hazel
        5. AppCleaner 2.1.0
        6. CleanApp
        7. iTrash 1.8.2
        8. Amnesia
        9. Uninstaller 1.15.1
      10. Spring Cleaning 11.0.1
    For more information visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on removing software.

  • MacBook Pro charger overheating.

    MacBook Pro charger overheating replaced it and new one is overheating also don't know if its the charger causing the the problem.

    Yikes!  I assume you mean that thing some people use to smooth out their clothes?
    Are you still under warranty?  I would take it in to make sure it's not something on the computer side.
    charlie

  • My laptop macbook pro 2010 froze while i was installing its latest update what should i do ?

    My laptop macbook pro 2010 froze while i was installing its latest update what should i do ?

    Shutdown then restart if possible. If you do restart OK, then try the update again after doing this:
         Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the
         COMMAND and R keys until the Utilities menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the
         computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager
         screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
    When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu. Select Restart from the Apple menu.
         Reinstall the 10.9.2 update: OS X Mavericks 10.9.2 Update (Combo).

  • I'm using a macbook pro 2011 15",while i was charging it,i accidentally switched off the power supply while it is half way charging,will the battery get damaged if charging got interupted and switched on and off?

    i'm using a macbook pro 2011 15",while i was charging it,i accidentally switched off the power supply while it is half way charging,will the battery get damaged if charging got interupted and switched on and off?

    you are welcome

  • Macbook overheating while gaming in Windows 7?

    I was playing WoW in Windows 7 in boot camp and the laptop felt hot to the touch to the point that if i were to leave my finger there it would start to burn. The hottest part of the laptop was the top left corner. Thinking it was overheating, I downloaded a GPU & CPU monitoring program. The CPU and GPU were both sitting around 70 deg celcius and i could hear the fan blowing at max speed. Is this normal operation temps for the new model of macbook pros?
    The system I am using is the 15-inch Macbook Pro, the model that just came out. Thanks for the help!

    Yes, 70°C at the CPU and/or GPU is far below the danger threshold for your machine. If it goes over 100° and stays there in spite of the fans, that's when you should be concerned.

  • MacBook Pro Cooling Pad for Gaming

    Ok, I'm having problems with MacBook Pro overheating when I'm playing a game and the FPS drops very low, so does anybody know the best solution for this situation?

    Cooling pads will not work as there are no ports to remove hot air on the bottom of the laptop. The only vents on the macbook/macbook pro line are in the back side of the computer. As there are no cooling pads that have functions to suck hot air/flow cold air to that specific vent, all conventional cooling pads are useless. the most you will do with normal cooling pads/gaming colling pads, is possibly lower external temperature by 2 degrees at the most.  unless you manage a way to function the computer without a bottom case, use a desk that has a built in liquid nitrogen colling spot, or drill holes into the bottom of your laptop, cooling pads are useless for macbook pros.
    sorry to tell you this, but trust me, i've gone through this with many people and genius' and 1800 apple reps.
    best advice, use your laptop in a well ventilated area and air out your vents with dust spray cans regularly.
    oh and do not use on your lap. dust is composed of fibers, skin and other foreign objects.  using it on your bed, your clothes, etc increases the chance of dust build up inside your computer.  use on a solid surface. Glass desks (like i have) are able to disipate the heat best IMO.

  • My MacBook Pro completely crashes while loading up games

    Hey all, thanks for reading.
    I'm running a MacBook Pro (<1 year old)
    Processor: 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
    RAM: 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3
    It's connected to the power supply, and it's set to High Performance (meaning the dedicated graphics card should be in use)
    Every time I try to play a game, my Mac completely freezes. I'm currently trying to play the Sims 3; hardly graphic-intensive. As soon as I click the Play button, the screen goes black and the disc drive starts to whirr (sometimes vibrating the computer violently). Then the animated EA logo swirls onto the screen, and the load music starts up. Before the EA logo can fully animate, my computer dies. The screen instantaneously goes black, and the background music keeps playing in a skipping fashion, like a broken record: click-click-click-click.
    Force Quit does nothing. None of the hardware buttons, e.g. volume/brightness controls, do anything. I have to hold down the power button to restart.
    It probably isn't overheating, since I've tried with my fans on full blast (smcFanControl) and I'm currently using a laptop cooling pad.
    I used to be able to play the Sims for a few hours before it would crash: it has gotten much worse. I downloaded the WoW demo and got a bit farther: I could create a character, but within 5 seconds of playing this same problem would happen.
    I know Macs aren't particularly good at playing games, but this seems a bit ridiculous. Can anyone help? I have the full error report saved, if that would be useful.
    Summary: While loading a game, my MacBook Pro full-crashes, becoming totally unresponsive, before the EA logo can even animate.

    Try it using the other (dedicated) graphics. Also, run your hardware tester.
    Check out the new remodeled MacOSG website! 24-hour Apple-related news & support.
     MacOSG: An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast  Follow us on Twitter: MacOSG

Maybe you are looking for