16" MacBook Pro Too Hot | Overheating! I fixed it!

[denzdaniel]

Hi everyone!

I just bought a refurbish 16" MacBook Pro 2.3Ghz /16GB/ AMDRadeon 8GB /1TB and it looks amazing!
I setup all my apps including (FCPX and Luminar 4). I tested ran GeekBench and and Cinebench and got a score! It was lower than what its suppose to be.
My MBP 16" wasn't throttling but it's was reaching 100C* while I was doing the test, using TGPRO!
After all of this... I decided to do a thermal paste reapplication using IC Diamond 24 Carat.

It took me almost 1 1/2 hours to do the disassembling of MBP and thermal paste reapplication. And what I get after???
My idle is used to be around 48-55C and now 39-43C / Load was from 75-85C Fan running at high! and now 65-75C at 4500RPM.
I have the video and proof! Let me know guys if you want me to post it here.
I took a screenshot of my system check it out! 😀👊🏼

 

[Alex W.]

use liquid metal next time

 

[maik_is_here]

nice success. I wished it is something we could ask Apple to do for us!

However, I wonder. Even if I was skilled enough to do this (which I am not):
Would this not void the warranty + Apple Care?

And what app did you use on the right to display stats?

 

[Alex W.]

nice success. I wished it is something we could ask Apple to do for us!

However, I wonder. Even if I was skilled enough to do this (which I am not):
Would this not void the warranty + Apple Care?

And what app did you use on the right to display stats?

TG Pro

 

[JokerPower]

I have the video and proof! Let me know guys if you want me to post it here.

Yes please!

Btw, why not Arctic MX-4?

 

[CooperBox]

use liquid metal next time

I really think that you should have added a cautionary note on your advise to "use liquid metal next time", especially to the OP who's shown as a newbie. Just my 2cents, but he was probably better off using the paste that he did.
Why? Well, it's a known fact that liquid metal whilst thermally very affective, is also electrically conductive, so if too much is applied it can lead to short-circuiting and inefficiency overall. Many a newbie has used liquid metal, over-applied and adversly affected components around the die. Copper and especially aluminium is affected by liquid metal applications.

As the OP is repasting a laptop and components are smaller, particular care and attention is required and imho his choice of thermal compound was a wise and safe one as it's non capacitive or electrically conductive.
Having said that, the choice of the 'best' thermal compound has been debated ad-infinitum and will surely continue with never a clear 'winner'. A quick look at some of the in-depth videos on YTube comparing the alleged top contenders is interesting, especially as one apparently doesn't always get best thermal performance for the highest price. So many people forget that marketing is a very powerful tool, and only too often get blinkered to the bare truths.......

 

[maflynn]

use liquid metal next time

Liquid Metal is generally not a good idea when it comes to laptops since they're getting jostled around, there is a risk of the highly conductive liquid getting on the logic board causing issues.

 

[MrGimper]

nice success. I wished it is something we could ask Apple to do for us!

However, I wonder. Even if I was skilled enough to do this (which I am not):
Would this not void the warranty + Apple Care?

And what app did you use on the right to display stats?

This needs clarifying. I've build PCs for decades and recently replaced the thermal paste on my 2014 13" (Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut). I'd be happy to do the same with my 2-week-old 16" if the warranty isn't affected.

 

[Alex W.]

Liquid metal is used is many laptops today, it’s used by msi in their manufacturing process.

if you follow the instructions that come with the manual, the static charge and tension prevents it From shifting or moving.

 

[CooperBox]

Liquid metal is used is many laptops today, it’s used by msi in their manufacturing process.

if you follow the instructions that come with the manual, the static charge and tension prevents it From shifting or moving.

It is indeed used in many laptops today, and is certainly effective if used correctly, but so many non-professionals have fallen foul of it, not knowing the potential damage it may cause. Forewarned is forearmed - which I wanted to bring to the attention of newbies or those not familiar with the properties of liquid metal.
So many have also been told "it's second to none" which in itself is very debateable.

 

[Dhock_Holiday]

I've had a lot of success re-pasting laptops in the past, but I won't touch the MBP. Taking it apart is a huge PITA. Multiple size screws, different lengths and the screws are super delicate. I have gorilla hands too so those paper thin connectors won't stand a chance 😮

I would be careful with liquid metal, it actually scratches the die and etches copper. I would just stick with a high quality paste like Thermal Grizzly.

 

[leman]

What are your Cinebench scores (and temperatures) after the mod?

 

[CooperBox]

I've had a lot of success re-pasting laptops in the past, but I won't touch the MBP. Taking it apart is a huge PITA. Multiple size screws, different lengths and the screws are super delicate. I have gorilla hands too so those paper thin connectors won't stand a chance 😮

I would be careful with liquid metal, it actually scratches the die and etches copper. I would just stick with a high quality paste like Thermal Grizzly.

As you have gorilla hands you're definitely not someone that I'm about to argue with.......
However fwiw, I love tearing apart and refubishing any of the MBPro models mid 2012 and older. I agree the wafer thin ribbons and very small connectors must be handled with great care for fear of damaging them, but hey, perhaps I should have been a gynecologist in my spare time.......
In my extensive collection I have refurbished all my iBooks, PowerBooks, MacBooks and MBPros using good brands of thermal paste, but never the most expensive - and never had a problem. And I agree with your comments about liquid metal.

Just a tip for those who like tinkering with Apple laptops and who have either mouse-like or gorilla-like hands, I'd advise to stay well away from the 12" G4 aluminium Powerbooks - unless you like a considerable challenge and possibly end up with a migraine. Along with the G3 iBook 'clamshell' - which has a somewhat difficult to remove top cover, the 12" G4 PBook design must have been dreamt up in a nightmare, such is the complexity of tear-down and rebuild. Even something simple like a CD/DVD stuck in the optical drive, necessitates complete tear-down and even removal of the motherboard to get access to the drive. I believe the expression 'a huge PITA' was tailor-made for those laptops.
If required, everything you want to know about the repair of these - and more, can be found over on the excellent PPC forum.