Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Model A1225 / Mid 2007 and Early 2008 / 2.4, 2.8, or 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

433 Questions View all

Options

CPU heats up very quickly with work

The CPU heats very quickly when activity gets anywhere near 100% for a few seconds, up to 85C. The fans kick in and maintain the temp at about 75C until activity slows, then returns to normal (according to iStat Pro, at around 55C). All these temps sound extremely hot to me, but the Mac seems happy enough, so the new issue is the rapid rise.

There may be plenty of advice available, but my question that my research has failed to deliver and answer to is does this machine have a CPU heatsink and could it be clogged with dust. Second, is any heatsink the front or the back of the logic board once you lift the LCD

The HDD is replaced with an SSD, running ML

device

iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 CPU heat

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score -1
Add a comment

1 Answer

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Chosen Solution

Options

Every computer CPU has a heat sink. They all can become covered/clogged with dust. Also, over time and use, thermal paste dries out reducing its effectiveness. (That a 5 going on 6 yr. old machine is overheating is not a surprise-especially if you're running the CPU at 100% often.) Thermal paste removal/reapplication is an advanced DIY.

Since you've been in your machine you could opt to try to blow out the dust first. . . if it was exceptionally dusty that may help. If that doesn't do the trick though, then IMHO a full thermal paste replace would be called for.

While there is no specific guide for your machine it is similar to this model... If you do decide to break it down to remove the thermal paste this guide can show you what you're in for.

If you take lots of pictures and notes, you can put up a guide.

If this Answer is helpful please remember to return and mark it Accepted.

Electronics Skills Image

Guide

How to Apply Thermal Paste

Difficulty:

Moderate

—

5 - 20 minutes
iMac Intel 24" EMC 2111 CPU Heat Sink Image

Guide

iMac Intel 24" EMC 2111 CPU Heat Sink Replacement

Difficulty:

Difficult

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 1
Add a comment

Add your answer

nicco will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 0

All Time: 192