SMP client on MacBook

mirage

Just for kicks, I tried FAH SMP client on my wife's Macbook yesterday. 2GHz Core2 CPU temperature went upto 80C CPU actually started to throttle and the complete notebook heated up as if it was going to melt. I wonder what is the point of placing this CPU in the notebook if you can not run anything at full capacity. My $40 PCChips Mobo is a more respectable piece of hardware than this $1200 toy. :rolleyes2

Sledgehammer70

I haven't heard of them heating up like that under full load... maybe something is wrong.

mirage

Sledgehammer70 wrote:

I haven't heard of them heating up like that under full load... maybe something is wrong.

Do you think this notebook in particular could have a problem? I would really appreciate if someone can confirm that SMP client runs without any heating problem on a Macbook (Core2 2GHz). Then maybe I can contact Apple for service. What a hassle! I say maybe because my wife does not care about this problem since she only uses the web browser, word processor, and email programs. But still it would be good to know.

Donut

Just browsed at the folding forums, http://forum.folding-community.org/ftopic18077.html


On my desktop machines running Linux, the SMP client actually runs a little cooler as they run the CPU's at less than 100%.

mirage

Donut wrote:

Just browsed at the folding forums, http://forum.folding-community.org/ftopic18077.html


On my desktop machines running Linux, the SMP client actually runs a little cooler as they run the CPU's at less than 100%.

Thanks Donut, I should have done the search before. There is so much good info. Thanks again. :thumbup

Heat is confirmed, but I did not know there was a utility for undervolting CPU in Mac. I had done that in my current Dell notebook by lowering the core voltage from 1.4v to 1.0v @ 1.3 GHz and 1.0v to 0.7v @ 600MHz using RightMark CPUClock utility. It not only reduced heat but also increased the battery life slightly. I will try this on Mac now :bigggrin: You guys are great!

mirage

There is only one software that I could find for undervolting CPU in Macbook. It is called Coolbook (not shareware or freeware), and its functionality is nowhere near RMClock (which is free) in Windows. As far as I read in some forums, Coolbook disregards (or disables) Speedstep, i.e. Core2 processor runs at constant frequency and voltage. It is too primitive in my opinion, has anybody tried this? Actually there is no trial, I should have said bought ($10).

the_technocrat

mirage wrote:

There is only one software that I could find for undervolting CPU in Macbook. It is called Coolbook (not shareware or freeware), and its functionality is nowhere near RMClock (which is free) in Windows. As far as I read in some forums, Coolbook disregards (or disables) Speedstep, i.e. Core2 processor runs at constant frequency and voltage. It is too primitive in my opinion, has anybody tried this? Actually there is no trial, I should have said bought ($10).

http://geeklimit.com/2006/11/07/macbook-heat-issues-resolved/

meh?

BuddyJ

Also, mirage, is your wife's MacBook up to date in terms of software and firmware updates? IIRC, a couple months ago, Apple released an update to address laptop cooling.

mirage

I have updated the OS but I did not check the firmware; I will do. Regarding the fan control, fan was too noisy at full speed when FAH was running. That's why I did not try higher rpm fan settings. I know those software, and I will try them too.

Thanks guys

mirage

I checked the OS and firmware, they are all latest version. I have also installed fancontrol. With that installed, when I load both cores (using "yes > /dev/null" command), temperature still goes upto ~80C. I will wait until someone comes up with a nice software similar to RMClock to undervolt. Anyway, my wife asked me to stop tinkering with her computer.