2020 Air Heatsink Modification Thread

[srkirt]

[QUOTE = "rshrugged, publicación: 28374935, miembro: 997440"]
Estoy confundido por esto. Has estado modificando y probando un modelo 2020. En los archivos adjuntos, ¿los identificadores se informan erróneamente como un modelo 2019?

Por ejemplo, los informes adjuntos dicen:
"MacBook Air 8,2"
"Memoria 8.00 GB 2133 MHz LPDDR3"
[/CITAR]
metroo.
modelo 2019 !!!
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Honestly, if it weren't for losing the warranty, I would remove that heatsink and adapt a copper one that would just touch the back cover ... no plates or anything direct from the CPU to the copper and this with paste to the back cover. IT WOULD BE A PRO !!!
I've tried incense smoke and that fan hardly creates a draft ... Now I put a picture of the inlet and outlet openings. Maybe it would be interesting to cover some to create more flow ...

 

[KPOM]

I've been working for a few years designing 3D Printers and in the company there are many factors that could affect these kind of decisions (having a bigger than expected gap CPU-Heatsink, in this case).

- Could be a strategic decision like some suggest, just to keep the macbook air far from pro's performance
- Could also be a 'safe bet' because they haven't had enough time o test a heatsink with less of a gap, and could press too much the CPU bringing out other problems in the long run
- Could be a production line error? Maybe the manufacturer changed a bit the milling process. That's weird but happens.
- Sometimes the cost of a better component increases so much the price of the machine vs the performance improvement that the target client wouldn't even notice, that you just avoid it giving preference to profit margin
- Could be that in the current context with covid etc affected it all. Being cost of the component, testing timings, whatever
- Could be that strategically you need to present this MBA now instead of 3 months later, even if this involves a 90% efficient heatsink, which most clients won't even notice
- Maybe they tested everything and this seemed to be the right choice for overall performance, manufacturing tolerances, cost, availability etc

Basically, there are many many factors that could drive Apple to mount this heatsink. However wouldn't surprise me to have a minor version upgrade of the MBA one-two months from now, completely silent, those that you only see from a slight change in the serial number, that suddenly mounts a better heatsink.
In any case, this kind of mods (inproving heatsink-cpu heat transmission) shouldn't be bad at all, just improving the functionality of already mounted in components. Apart from that I won't go down the road of
- changing the duct shape as it probably allows some heat from the batteries to be released
- uncovering the T2 might be an improvement instead of a failure, but no data no idea here. Won't cover it
- adding heat transmission to the cover (the 2cent coins). First I prefer a cooler case. Second, if the case for any reason bends a bit in the central part would transfer the force directly to the CPU-Motherboard, and that's not ideal at all.

A bit offtopic: After all I'm here waiting for my i5 8gb 256, being sure I'll probably not notice anything of that but will love the keyboard, display, weight, wedge shape, touch ID, premium materials and manufacturing, macOS, and using it for day to day tasks: for me that includes coding python, safari, chrome, spotify, slack, telegram and remote server access. Typing all that from my battle buddy MBP mid 2010 13", with a core2! lol

I think it’s important to point out that the chassis is normally very comfortable even if the CPU is running at 100 degrees. If they created more direct contact to siphon more heat, then that might have changed.

 

[Loog]

I think it’s important to point out that the chassis is normally very comfortable even if the CPU is running at 100 degrees. If they created more direct contact to siphon more heat, then that might have changed.

Mine was running at 100 deg for around an hour just on a teams video call, the whole chassis was hot to touch and the desk was very warm and toasty. I couldn't have had this running in my lap for a prolonged period of time.

My usual work device, HP Z book this has the fan running most of the day pushing hot air out, however I'm usually giving this some thing to work for. Teams usually plays nicely here, but on the odd occasion will consume more resource that normal. My MBA 2018 rarely gets warm at all.

 

[997440]

[QUOTE = "rshrugged, publicación: 28374935, miembro: 997440"]
Estoy confundido por esto. Has estado modificando y probando un modelo 2020. En los archivos adjuntos, ¿los identificadores se informan erróneamente como un modelo 2019?

Por ejemplo, los informes adjuntos dicen:
"MacBook Air 8,2"
"Memoria 8.00 GB 2133 MHz LPDDR3"
[/CITAR]
metroo.
modelo 2019 !!!

hahaha

In Terminal app try:

/usr/sbin/system_profiler SPHardwareDataType

That might draw and print the info from the same place so also/instead:

sysctl hw.model

(works in 10.14.6)

 

[srkirt]

hahaha

In Terminal app try:

/usr/sbin/system_profiler SPHardwareDataType

That might draw and print the info from the same place so also/instead:

sysctl hw.model

(works in 10.14.6)

Yes it's correct!!! but I do not see reason for laughter ... enter this channel for the interesting comments and for the similarity of the 2019 model with that of 2020. Also in my case it is a common case for both a model and another, " Refigeracion "It is a defect made on purpose !!! with the intention of reducing power to the same processor, increasing consumption and not dissipating heat.
The 2020 model is exactly the same as the socket in 2019, the CPU heatsink is still a few mm apart and paste filler to increase the temp. The fan makes an irisory flow !! not noticeable to the touch or 8,000rpm !! How is it possible?? It is to put a demand to make the machine work at 100º, which is physically at more heat, less reliability (programmed obsolescence) to end up in the workshop after 3 years. My laptop will never work at 100º nor will I burn my legs and that's why I am doing and sharing all my experiments so that you can do it with a certain foundation.
Good weekend!!!

 

[997440]

Yes it's correct!!! but I do not see reason for laughter ... enter this channel for the interesting comments and for the similarity of the 2019 model with that of 2020. Also in my case it is a common case for both a model and another, " Refigeracion "It is a defect made on purpose !!! with the intention of reducing power to the same processor, increasing consumption and not dissipating heat.
The 2020 model is exactly the same as the socket in 2019, the CPU heatsink is still a few mm apart and paste filler to increase the temp. The fan makes an irisory flow !! not noticeable to the touch or 8,000rpm !! How is it possible?? It is to put a demand to make the machine work at 100º, which is physically at more heat, less reliability (programmed obsolescence) to end up in the workshop after 3 years. My laptop will never work at 100º nor will I burn my legs and that's why I am doing and sharing all my experiments so that you can do it with a certain foundation.
Good weekend!!!

You have a good weekend too.

I meant no harm or disrespect to you with the laughter. It seemed funny to me that Apple's "About This Mac" would report a 2020 model as a 2019. I appreciate what you've posted to this thread.

 

[esphil]

I found a copper shim pack that has multiple sizes. This looks like it could work perfect to find the right size. I think I'm going to order in advance of getting my air...

https://www.amazon.com/OdiySurveil-15x15mm-Chipset-Thermal-Heatsink/dp/B01E5PU7RQ

 

[srkirt]

This confinement thing is driving me crazy ...
Well, this time I put 5 small coins again because I have tried with the smoke of the incense and air comes out but enters ??? That is why I have taken a photo of the entrances so tiny that it has hidden behind the hinges ... Already wearing the fabric of the T2 chip also outside ...
I think I'm going down temps.
But it is clear that there is hardly any air running down that "corridor" over there with the coins ...

 

[Robotronic]

This confinement thing is driving me crazy ...
Well, this time I put 5 small coins again because I have tried with the smoke of the incense and air comes out but enters ??? That is why I have taken a photo of the entrances so tiny that it has hidden behind the hinges ... Already wearing the fabric of the T2 chip also outside ...
I think I'm going down temps.
But it is clear that there is hardly any air running down that "corridor" over there with the coins ...

I think those coins might be blocking airflow, there's not much space in there to begin with.
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I found a copper shim pack that has multiple sizes. This looks like it could work perfect to find the right size. I think I'm going to order in advance of getting my air...

https://www.amazon.com/OdiySurveil-15x15mm-Chipset-Thermal-Heatsink/dp/B01E5PU7RQ

Again, sorry for not taking pics last night, but if memory serves, I think the shim would need to be ~20+mm in one dimension. There's actually two dies, I think one CPU and one GPU, separated by a gap, so a rectangular shaped shim is needed.
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Hopefully someone can make a third party heatsink that could just be directly replaced with the stock one.

This would be ideal, but I highly doubt the target market would yield enough sales for a company to invest in design and tooling. The heatsink would probably have to easily cost $100+, and I don't think even I would pay that.
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Temp maxi test 74º fan 8.000rpm.

That's insane!!! Amazing what that little chip can do when kept cool.

 

[srkirt]

With the 5 coins I have managed to work together with the temp and the cpu something very very reasonable.(before the cpu had no percentage and the temp was already at 100º)
photo 1 web page.
photo 2 1080p 0 rpm.
photo 3 4K 60fps 8.000 rpm.

Conclusion: in this laptop you can only lower the temperatures by dissipation not by ventilation.
[automerge]1587161592[/automerge]
Order made, € 5.
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On the Mac Pro I tried this and I don't end up being very reliable ... it is about unlocking the turbo boost.

Volta - Ultimate power control for Mac

volta.garymathews.com

 

[srkirt]

Not bad for a 2019 MBA, right ???

 

[raftman]

So the heat sink has a raised boarder edge that makes it not contact the CPU? Then they just goop the cavity with thermal paste? If you grinded off the raised edge, would it sit flush?

 

[ARJR84]

Love the direction this thread is heading.

srkirt, those are the copper shims I had in mind. I was unsure whether I would fit it exactly to the dies or not. Remember part of the problem is also the surface of the sink/shim, so while in a perfect world metal on metal is the best option, we need paste between the layers to fill the surface imperfections. For example, your use of coins is a great prototype but they have very obvious imperfections (i.e markings) that limit their transfer compared to a smooth piece of copper.

Looking forward to the results.

 

[Robotronic]

So the heat sink has a raised boarder edge that makes it not contact the CPU? Then they just goop the cavity with thermal paste? If you grinded off the raised edge, would it sit flush?

Not a raised edge, but a milled or carved out inner section directly over the die. Therefore you can’t grind anything down, you have to build up the milled out section with a shim.

 

[srkirt]

[QUOTE = "raftman, publicación: 28376597, miembro: 1212980"]
Entonces, ¿el disipador de calor tiene un borde de borde elevado que hace que no entre en contacto con la CPU? Entonces, ¿simplemente tapan la cavidad con pasta térmica? Si se muele desde el borde elevado, ¿se quedaría al ras?
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[QUOTE = "ARJR84, publicación: 28376699, miembro: 1213114"]
Me encanta la dirección en la que se dirige este hilo.

srkirt, esas son las cuñas de cobre que tenía en mente. No estaba seguro de si encajaría exactamente en los troqueles o no. Recuerde que parte del problema también es la superficie del fregadero / cuña, por lo que si bien en un mundo perfecto la mejor opción es metal sobre metal, necesitamos pegar entre las capas para llenar las imperfecciones de la superficie. Por ejemplo, su uso de monedas es un gran prototipo, pero tienen imperfecciones muy obvias (es decir, marcas) que limitan su transferencia en comparación con una pieza de cobre lisa.

Mirando hacia adelante a los resultados.
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Photo 1 sin coins.
Photo 2 5 coins.
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[ItsASituation]

I'll just keep it nice and simple: I believe the new 2020 Macbook Air has overheating keys. Sure, maybe not your laptop you got from Apple, but you probably will be seeing more and more posts in various forums as people deal with this overheating issue.

My brother was all excited to get his new Macbook Air, unpack it, etc all that good stuff. He saw the reviews on YouTube, he saw someone mention something about overheating but he thought they were joking around and thought nothing of it because overall, the reviews looked great right? Anyways, my brother is unboxing it all excited and starts doing some stress tests to see how the laptop does.

He opens up the calculator app and the thing gets so hot, his fingers are burning within minutes. He wanted me to post this for him because his fingers have been feeling very strange and he is unable to get anything done. I did some testing myself and he was right....this thing is a frying pan. It does not matter what task you are doing (watching video, calculator app, etc)

You can cook a well done steak or scrambled eggs on this thing. Its no joke.

My brother had a important meeting he was flying out too this weekend which he was going to take his Macbook Air to get things done on - but guess what? That's not happening because the thing overheats within minutes of doing any task.

Apple told him they might of send a defective unit to him......i mean yeah, it is possible but how many other people in this community will have this issue? Is anyone talking about this yet?

This issue was mentioned on Youtube and now my brother has this issue within minutes of unboxing. Do you think he is just unlucky and got a defective unit? I dont know....We will see the reviews speak for themselves over the next few weeks i guess for anyone that deals with the same experience that my brother went thru but i have yet to see this issue mentioned in more detail here.

 

[chabig]

I hope your brother doesn’t lose the use of his fingers. Did he go to the emergency room?

 

[esphil]

Burning hot while using calculator? Thats ridiculous. Did you just sign into iCloud, you could have stuff syncing still in the background for a while. There is 0 reason it should be doing that with calculator open. I should have stayed off this forum reading about reviews on this thing, I'm not as excited anymore to get mine in the mail this week.

 

[KPOM]

I'll just keep it nice and simple: I believe the new 2020 Macbook Air has overheating keys. Sure, maybe not your laptop you got from Apple, but you probably will be seeing more and more posts in various forums as people deal with this overheating issue.

My brother was all excited to get his new Macbook Air, unpack it, etc all that good stuff. He saw the reviews on YouTube, he saw someone mention something about overheating but he thought they were joking around and thought nothing of it because overall, the reviews looked great right? Anyways, my brother is unboxing it all excited and starts doing some stress tests to see how the laptop does.

He opens up the calculator app and the thing gets so hot, his fingers are burning within minutes. He wanted me to post this for him because his fingers have been feeling very strange and he is unable to get anything done. I did some testing myself and he was right....this thing is a frying pan. It does not matter what task you are doing (watching video, calculator app, etc)

You can cook a well done steak or scrambled eggs on this thing. Its no joke.

My brother had a important meeting he was flying out too this weekend which he was going to take his Macbook Air to get things done on - but guess what? That's not happening because the thing overheats within minutes of doing any task.

Apple told him they might of send a defective unit to him......i mean yeah, it is possible but how many other people in this community will have this issue? Is anyone talking about this yet?

This issue was mentioned on Youtube and now my brother has this issue within minutes of unboxing. Do you think he is just unlucky and got a defective unit? I dont know....We will see the reviews speak for themselves over the next few weeks i guess for anyone that deals with the same experience that my brother went thru but i have yet to see this issue mentioned in more detail here.

That definitely sounds like a defective unit.
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Burning hot while using calculator? Thats ridiculous. Did you just sign into iCloud, you could have stuff syncing still in the background for a while. There is 0 reason it should be doing that with calculator open. I should have stayed off this forum reading about reviews on this thing, I'm not as excited anymore to get mine in the mail this week.

It sounds like that poster had a very unusual experience. To put it into perspective, I’ve been running some routines at https://foldingathome.org/ (there are various projects associated with coronavirus right now). It’s about as taxing to the CPU as possible. While the MacBook Air CPU easily hits 99-100 degrees, the chassis is fine and the keyboard is comfortable to use. I can also confirm that the CPU when multiple cores are taxed like that tends to top out around 1.7 GHz, while the 13” Pro tops out around 3.0 GHz because of its higher wattage processor and better cooling system.

The Air is slower at CPU-intensive tasks but it hasn’t gotten uncomfortably warm for me.

 

[mbaire]

My MBA arrives on Monday, seeing this thread and some YouTube videos, I will finally return it and wait to see the MBP13, it's a shame, I was really excited about this MBA...
Two questions please:
1) it is clear that this machine is not to process 4K video, nor is it capable/very hot CPU when playing 4K video?
2) In a review, I have seen that the CPU temperature increases a lot when using the webcam, can someone check if the CPU gets too hot, for example when using Hangouts?

Many thanks

 

[nill1234]

I compiled code and tested it with an iphone simulator in XCode with various tabs open and youtube videos playing all on my lap and it was only warm not even hot and the fans were not spinning. Sry but your talking nonsense if you think that this air can get hot by opening the calculator. All in all its snappy silent and perfect for my needs (developing in XCode).

 

[chabig]

seeing this thread and some YouTube videos, I will finally return it...

I saw a story on the internet that said 5G causes coronavirus. Do I base my life decisions on it? No.

 

[KPOM]

My MBA arrives on Monday, seeing this thread and some YouTube videos, I will finally return it and wait to see the MBP13, it's a shame, I was really excited about this MBA...
Two questions please:
1) it is clear that this machine is not to process 4K video, nor is it capable/very hot CPU when playing 4K video?
2) In a review, I have seen that the CPU temperature increases a lot when using the webcam, can someone check if the CPU gets too hot, for example when using Hangouts?

Many thanks

Apple has built it to run between 90-100 degrees when the CPU is active. But that doesn’t mean the case is hot. It isn’t, partly because Apple isn’t using the bottom case for CPU heat management from what I can tell.

The 4K video issue is when playing VP9 content (which includes YouTube 4K) because Apple doesn’t support the codec. If you install Windows 10 in Boot Camp it works so it’s not the CPU. H.265 content works fine. 1080p works fine. If you expect to process or play VP9 4K content, wait for the 2020 MacBook Pro (or get a 2019 if you don’t mind the butterfly keyboard).

 

[mbaire]

Apple has built it to run between 90-100 degrees when the CPU is active. But that doesn’t mean the case is hot. It isn’t, partly because Apple isn’t using the bottom case for CPU heat management from what I can tell.

The 4K video issue is when playing VP9 content (which includes YouTube 4K) because Apple doesn’t support the codec. If you install Windows 10 in Boot Camp it works so it’s not the CPU. H.265 content works fine. 1080p works fine. If you expect to process or play VP9 4K content, wait for the 2020 MacBook Pro (or get a 2019 if you don’t mind the butterfly keyboard).

Hello!
I do not doubt that the case has a normal temperature, I said it because of the speed and noise of the fans ...

Thank you very much for your explanation, I will wait to see if the new MBP is presented in May and what features and prices it has...

 

[erasr]

Bottom line, if you want 13" MacBook Pro performance, get the MacBook Pro!

I have a MBP and the fans go crazy when there’s a few on video call. ‘Pro’, for sure.