MBP overheating REALLY BAD

[Dull_Shooter]

https://support.apple.com/kb/SP583?locale=en_US

Specs above. When playing games like E4, my laptop has hit 110 C, I think once 120 C. Fans roaring, cooling pad going, everything I can think of to cool it down. This does not happen often, but it has happened. I know the CPU has a safe operating limit of 95-105 C, so should I be worried? What can I do to try to decrease temps.

 

[Saberus]

It may need cleaning. Have you had this laptop since 2010?

 

[jay_nar2012]

You should be concerned, those temps aren't very good for the GPU or CPU's lifespan.

On the bottom there is a large cover you can remove.

Open the cover (with the laptop turned off) and check if there is any dust build up near the fans, if there is clear it and put the cover back on and test temps again.

 

[nukemaster]

As others have said, dust and even hair can build in on the fan side of heatsinks. This greatly reduces cooling and leads to this issue.

You may be able to use a can of compressed gas(air duster) to blast short burst of air into the outlet vents(with the system off) and try to see if you can remove anything that gets caught in the fans.

 

[Dull_Shooter]

Yes, I've had it since 2010. I have seen some dust inside the case (I had it off in January to put in new RAM). I thought it was still neglibable, but maybe not. I have access to several air compressors, so could I clean them out with that, as long as I turn down the pressure a lot and don't let the fan blades spin?
So would dust in the fan blades be the main cause? Is there anything else I should look for while I have the case open?

 

[jay_nar2012]

Well dry thermal paste can cause temps to rise a lot, you can check and replace the thermal compound by unscrewing the heatsinks.

The main problem with doing this is that it requires taking out the motherboard so its up to you whether you want to do it or not.

And yes, don't let the fan blades spin unless you disconnect them, dust in the fan blocks airflow which is another crucial part of cooling.

other than that, the cooling system designed by Apple isn't the best, my stepdad's mbp gets fairly hot at the bottom which i find is a big design flaw.

 

[nukemaster]

I use an air compressor all the time(pressure way down), but many users say it will kill something

Air dusters are made for this and generally considered to be safer.

You want to hold the fan to stop it from spinning like crazy.

This image shows why you should blast air from the outlet side.

The fan did not look bad, but over time crap started to build in the heatsink and it started to grab all kinds of crap.
Not a mac, but the same cooling idea as other laptops. Yes this one was bad(overheating within maybe 10-15 min of startup).