Little underside case mod = Big temp decrease

Ok was thinking to myself that my UMBP got way too damn hot. and was getting tired of the heat. So I started out just taking the bottom of the notebook case off and blowing it out. Then I started looking at it more closely, the fans have no direct access to fresh air intake. Yes I know the speakers/keyboard are meant for that. But the tinkerer in me fired up the drill press and with a 11/32 bit started making some small holes areound the fan intake and ram. Well my MBP now runs so much cooler before I was running 44-55C on mbp just idling and light web browsing. No I am so so happy to say my MBP is running at 35-40C. That is significant decrease in temps.



Will post some pics later.



I do not recommend this to anyone. I have a second bottom case and did this entirely as an experiment.

Reply 1 : Little underside case mod = Big temp decrease

Man, are those holes ugly... but they once again show how the unibody sucks for heat dissipation.



I'd put some sort of wire net or something over them to make sure nothing large gets in...



The only vent is it at the back, and you are right, there is no proper air flow in there. Actually, in the 17-inch unibody matte option, that heat flowing out the back screws with the screen backlight, giving you two dark patches up the screen, perfectly aligned with the two main fans. With the glass display, the glass mostly negates the effect of this.



I commend you on drilling your unibody case. A rare feat. They are, however, expensive to replace, although they cost Apple very little.

Reply 2 : Little underside case mod = Big temp decrease

its a good idea/way of cooling your macbook but many people wont drill a hole into their macbook.



have you tried using arctic silver 5 (thermal compound) on your macbook?

it usually lowers temps by 4-5degrees in most laptops as it helps get rid of heat better.

its very cheap and probably wont void your warranty and you dont need to drill into your 1800 laptop.

Reply 3 : Little underside case mod = Big temp decrease

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnterKnight Man, are those holes ugly... but they once again show how the unibody sucks for heat dissipation. I'd put some sort of wire net or something over them to make sure nothing large gets in... The only vent is it at the back, and you are right, there is no proper air flow in there. Actually, in the 17-inch unibody matte option, that heat flowing out the back screws with the screen backlight, giving you two dark patches up the screen, perfectly aligned with the two main fans. With the glass display, the glass mostly negates the effect of this. I commend you on drilling your unibody case. A rare feat. They are, however, expensive to replace, although they cost Apple very little.

They sure are ugly. But hey get the job done and after the issues I have had trying to get Apple to fix it i figured what the hell. I have some mesh I use on my snowmobile air intake that I think will work wonders there. I will get that installed once I get abck to canada next week.



I have another lower case with no holes. And they are easy to change out. If warranty works need taking care, of a simple swap is all I have to do.

Reply 4 : Little underside case mod = Big temp decrease

Quote:

Originally Posted by owais its a good idea/way of cooling your macbook but many people wont drill a hole into their macbook. have you tried using arctic silver 5 (thermal compound) on your macbook? it usually lowers temps by 4-5degrees in most laptops as it helps get rid of heat better. its very cheap and probably wont void your warranty and you dont need to drill into your 1800 laptop.

Well Artic silver will void your warranty also, so really it is a toss up. But because I have another lower case I figured what the hell, it's worth a shot.

Reply 5 : Little underside case mod = Big temp decrease

Have you tried identifying which of the 3 holes cools the notebook most , then 2nd, 3rd

Reply 6 : Little underside case mod = Big temp decrease

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinderbox (UK) Have you tried identifying which of the 3 holes cools the notebook most , then 2nd, 3rd

No I haven't but I will try some tape and run some test. I would bet the 2 fans would be the biggest help. The RAM was just an after thought.

Reply 7 : Little underside case mod = Big temp decrease

I wonder if drilling those holes will void the warranty?

Reply 8 : Little underside case mod = Big temp decrease

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLdan I wonder if drilling those holes will void the warranty?

Pretty sure it will if it gets sent in with that bottom case. Luckily I have 2. lol.

Reply 9 : Little underside case mod = Big temp decrease

D: I would of done smaller holes and on a CNC machine :| That looks ugly, But good thing the bottom is always on something.