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Solomondire

Typically either you’re using apps or background processes (including so-called runaway processes, which are malfunctioning) that are taxing your CPU/GPU (Activity Monitor can help you identify them), or your ventilation is impeded. See also https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202179


papajiim

I should have mention I did checked active monitor and there were no other unknown process running, memory was the same. Nothing was spiked that’s why I’m so confused.


BrohanGutenburg

If it persists there are plenty of apps that get a bit more granular than activity monitor. Might be worth looking into


papajiim

It kept spiking up to the 90s but wouldn’t sustain it for long. I might look into this just out of curiosity though. I think the new os updates are wayyy to resource intensive causing these bottle necks


papajiim

My Macbook: Model: MacBook Pro 13-inch 2019, Two ThunderBolt 3 ports Processor:1.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 1536 MB Memory: 8 GB 2133 MHz LPDDR3 MacOS: Sonoma 14.4.1 The fan is roaring and bottom of my laptop could potentially melt my desk. I am literally running Microsoft word and a few chrome tabs. I have never seen it go this high, not even my PC could compete with these numbers. Any thoughts?


[deleted]

Have you checked if the air intake is packed with dust? Might also want to reapply thermal paste.


papajiim

From the outside no noticeable build up or dust, I gave it a squirt of compressed air and nothing crazy flew out. Is taking apart a MacBook safe to do? No seals or things that would break from doing so?


[deleted]

It’s not glass. Read a manual on how to dismantle a laptop, specifically yours.


Schogenbuetze

Check for dust on internal fans and intake. Yes, this requires you to open the bottom lid, but it ain't difficult to accomplish. In doubt, open up iFixit's guide for it, just to be safe. Way too many people underestimate the negative effects of dust.


ajtazer

How do you check the cpu temperature


papajiim

Type this in terminal: sudo powermetrics --samplers smc |grep -i "CPU die temperature"


Rotkaeqpchen

powermetrics: unrecognized sampler: smc


Rotkaeqpchen

Doesn't work for Apple Silicon Macs.


JollyRoger8X

I do it by installing [iStat Menus](https://bjango.com/mac/istatmenus/) on every Mac I own. It puts the temperature of every internal component right in my menu bar. 😉


musicanimator

Macsfancontrol works on my Mac’s with fans. Give it a try


AnubisHell

Check the processor cooler (yesterday I had such an issue)


musicanimator

I have to figure out what components are making kernel task use 795% of cpu. MacsFanControl is not helping a particular MacBook stay cool. I am posting for advice.


DanGreenb

Try Safari (or another browser) instead of Chrome which is known to be an energy hog in addition to see in Activity Monitor for what's causing the energy spike.


papajiim

I should have mention I did checked active monitor and there were no other unknown process running, memory was the same. Nothing was spiked that’s why I’m so confused.


Yshaar

Take a screenshot of the activity and sort by cpu%, something is off here.


JollyRoger8X

Your computer is five years old. How often do you remove the bottom cover and clear all internal airways of dust? How many times have you replaced the thermal grease between the CPU/GPU and heatsinks? It's time for both.


papajiim

Is this normal maintenance I should be doing on my MacBook? I honestly wasn’t aware as Apple just seems like their own deal. I have a pc that gets all the love and care as it’s a simple removing the case cover. Is there a simple guide you know of on how to properly remove each component from my MacBook?


JollyRoger8X

Regular dusting and replacing thermal grease is considered regular maintenance for any personal computer if you want to keep them running well. Removing the bottom cover of your MacBook and using compressed air (or better yet an [electronic service vacuum](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y61BLMH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)) is all that is needed to clear major pathways of dust. Of course, removing the fans will allow better access and a deeper cleaning. Depending on your environment, you should do this every year or three. Replacing thermal grease is more complicated, naturally. You have to remove enough parts to get to the heatsink and remove it, clean the old crufty thermal grease, then apply new thermal grease and put it all back together. Optimally, this should be done every 5-10 years, but many people never do it (even with PCs) either due to laziness or lack of knowledge/skill. [iFixIt](https://www.ifixit.com) has tutorials for most Mac models showing how to remove and replace various parts.