Time to retire them to the computer rest home. They did there duty. Time for some multicore processors. I see intel talking about the 6 and 8 core xeons coming out. Probably out of my price range. Might look at AMD for my next multiprocessor system.

It seems a little hot to me. 205-209F might be just barely in spec, but even it if is that sort of heat can't be good for the surrounding components.

The Intel site is a good place for information on maximum processor temperatures.... but it can be terribly frustrating to find what you are looking for. Here's the spec on a C2D T8300, which might be similar to the processor in your macbook.

As a comparison, I have a laptop with a C2D 2.5ghz and I let both processors run WUs at 100%. I regularly see temperatures in the 130F range, but I've not run it during summer (yet). I'd start getting concerned around 150F since I'm on the conservative side when it comes to system temperatures.

If you haven't cleaned the dust out of your macbook in a while, you should try that and see if it helps.

- D

To mclaver:

Could you please contact me: xxxxxxxxxx at xxxx.xx

Edit: Contact done, thanks.

For Windows, make sure you're using RealTemp to monitor temps on Core/Core2 CPUs. I think they added support for i3/i5/i7 too.

It varies a lot by laptop. Some run hot so the fan doesn't make as much noise. Some don't. Good ones let you choose.

My Sony Vaio with a Core 2 @ 2.4ghz maintains about 60-62C running BOINC at 100%. I have a Dell Latitude D630 with a Core 2 2.1ghz that hits 80C though, and a D620 that hits 90C and it's only a 2.0ghz. Still under spec by 10C, but yeah I wouldn't want that sitting on my lap. The D620 doesn't seem to kick in the fan much at all until it gets close to 90C, so I'm assuming this is by design and not just a broken fan.

The Dells are work machines so I don't care too much if they die. The Sony is mine, sometimes the fan noise keeping it at 60C is a bit much, I can always throttle back to one core if I need it quieter for a time.

My Quads running at various speeds between 3.0-3.45ghz are around 65-70C with all four cores crunching. Of course they have nice big Zallman HSFs and are still pretty darn quiet.

140F is a lot better. As for a little dust making that much of a difference --- welcome to the world of fluid dynamics. Turbulent flow caused by dust can impact total air flow and thus cooling.... causing the fan to work harder and produce still more heat. The smaller the fan is, the more pronounced the effect and it's not a linear relationship.

Glad you've seen such an improvement from a simple dusting.

- D