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April 27, 2006

tips

How-To: Make your MacBook Pro run cooler

Posted Apr. 27, ’06, 9:11 AM PT by Cyrus Farivar
Category | Tips

So this guy decided that his MacBook Pro was running so hot that he decided to figure out why.

When he opened it up, he determined that there was a bunch of thermal gel that wasn’t applied very cleanly. (TUAW documented this in February 2006.) By using something called Arctic Silver 5, he was able to run the MBP a lot cooler — but admittedly much louder now.

It is now a laptop despite Apple selling me a notebook. Gone are the sweaty, clammy palms, the typing on a heat pad feeling, the amazed stares of those who touched the bar between the function keys and the display hinge to feel the bite of a working MBP.

[via MacBidouille]


1 Comments

Se4n said:

As a PC builder (former, I should say, now that I have a MBP), applying thermal compound to CPU's and GPU's was always the most nerve racking part - especially when planning to overclock your system - it could make the difference in success or failure.

Artic Silver 5 is a non-conductive, silver-based compound that has great heat transfer properties. I started using it when it first came out and they appear to have continued perfecting the formula. It only takes a very, very thin layer to get the best result. Also, it takes many, many hours of use before the compound reaches its optimal transfer capability. I wouldn't be surprised to see the MBP's of those that do this begin to run cooler and cooler over the first few weeks after it is applied. There is detailed information on the their website.

Considering the color of the compound used by Apple, I wonder if they are using a silver or aluminum-based compound. Silicone based compounds are usually white. If this one of the reasons causing the heat problems then hopefully Apple is making some production changes.

April 27, 2006 2:17 PM

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