Late 2013 MBP 15" Temperature Problems

[TCOS2]

I've got a Late 2013 MBP, 15", 16GB, 2.3Ghz, GT 750m. But I've been having some temperature problems, even after replacing the thermal paste. I can get up to 90c just flicking through Google Images, or about 80c watching YouTube or downloading a game on Steam. The battery does have high cycles but is supposedly still at 86% health. Any ideas on what I can do to try and get these down? Even with the fans on full blast, it can still get really hot just doing simple tasks. Thanks

EDIT: I should probably mention that I've had the same results across Mavericks, Mojave, Big Sur, Windows 8, and Windows 10 LTSC

 

[mike.coulter]

When you repasted did you clean out the fans? My Late 2013 MBP had quite a lot of dust in them when I had a look.

Also you may want to check Activity Monitor for any rogue processes that may be running in the background.

 

[TCOS2]

When you repasted did you clean out the fans? My Late 2013 MBP had quite a lot of dust in them when I had a look.

Also you may want to check Activity Monitor for any rogue processes that may be running in the background.

Yep! I gave the fans a good clean. They actually weren't that bad, which surprised me. And yeah, I checked Activity Monitor, but it doesn't seem to show anything out of the ordinary. Thanks for trying to help though

 

[mike.coulter]

Yep! I gave the fans a good clean. They actually weren't that bad, which surprised me. And yeah, I checked Activity Monitor, but it doesn't seem to show anything out of the ordinary. Thanks for trying to help though

Hmm, perhaps you could try macs fan control and change when the fans spin up. I think I custom set mine to start ramping up from 40C average core temp.

Macs Fan Control - control fans on Apple computers, also on Windows via Boot Camp

Control fans on Apple computers, also on Windows via Boot Camp. Monitoring of fan speed and temperature sensors. Solve fan noise and overheating problems, iMac HDD replacement

crystalidea.com

 

[TCOS2]

Hmm, perhaps you could try macs fan control and change when the fans spin up. I think I custom set mine to start ramping up from 40C average core temp.

Macs Fan Control - control fans on Apple computers, also on Windows via Boot Camp

Control fans on Apple computers, also on Windows via Boot Camp. Monitoring of fan speed and temperature sensors. Solve fan noise and overheating problems, iMac HDD replacement

crystalidea.com

I gave it a try earlier, and although it could help a bit, the temps could still go out of control without doing anything really intensive. I even tried with the fans on max and it was pretty much the same. I'm not sure if it's relevant, but my idle temperature is around 50-55c. I can't really see what would be causing this. Maybe a bad battery?

 

[OllieFallon10]

I gave it a try earlier, and although it could help a bit, the temps could still go out of control without doing anything really intensive. I even tried with the fans on max and it was pretty much the same. I'm not sure if it's relevant, but my idle temperature is around 50-55c. I can't really see what would be causing this. Maybe a bad battery?

Yea, I'm pretty sure Intel macbooks just ran insanely hot. My 2013 13" MBP runs about 48C idle during Australian winters. Opening settings makes it go to 66C ( and I just repasted, it was previously worse. And during startup, it gets all the way up to 90C because the stock fan curve of keep fans at idle until 100C turns off once I log in due to Macs Fan Control.

 

[TCOS2]

Yea, I'm pretty sure Intel macbooks just ran insanely hot. My 2013 13" MBP runs about 48C idle during Australian winters. Opening settings makes it go to 66C ( and I just repasted, it was previously worse. And during startup, it gets all the way up to 90C because the stock fan curve of keep fans at idle until 100C turns off once I log in due to Macs Fan Control.

Ah ok. That does give me some reassurance. I’ve managed to keep it down a little bit while doing simple tasks by disabling turbo boost, although it can still get quite hot. If I can’t find a solution (if anything is even wrong), I guess I’ll just run it with a more ideal fan curve and keep turbo boost disabled until I actually need it.

 

[arcite]

For reference….that laptop has around 2 billion transistors. A new M3 has 25 billion.

It’s an entirely new world. Anyway, your laptop has fewer transistors than an Apple watch.

You’re probably just asking a bit too much from your ancient piece of tech.

 

[dannyyankou]

Try using a laptop stand, one that is open on the bottom and back like this one-

Curve for Macbook and Laptops from Twelve South

Elevate MacBook performance and comfort with Curve, a stylish stand designed for Apple laptops. Avoid tech neck or neck pain by raising your laptop screen.

www.twelvesouth.com

It'll help with airflow. I use one and there's a noticeable difference in temperature. Also since it's aluminum, it can absorb and discharge heat from the MacBook quickly.

 

[TCOS2]

Try using a laptop stand, one that is open on the bottom and back like this one-

Curve for Macbook and Laptops from Twelve South

Elevate MacBook performance and comfort with Curve, a stylish stand designed for Apple laptops. Avoid tech neck or neck pain by raising your laptop screen.

www.twelvesouth.com

It'll help with airflow. I use one and there's a noticeable difference in temperature.

Thank you.