Mac users, is Skype a CPU monster for you?

[scarletmike]

I've been using Skype to video chat with my girlfriend since I've been back in Indiana (this long distance thing sucks, btw), and have noticed that smcfancontrol will typically read about 70C when using my iSight, which is "normal" from what I've observed with both Yahoo and iChat. However, the past few days have seemed to have things running MUCH hotter than normal when using Skype. I have now seen my temps spike close to the critical range of 100C. Just to double check, I downloaded iStat Pro to check what temp readings it gave me. The CPU was reading at about 83C and the GPU was about 79C, compared to the starting reading from smc at a warm 52C, after just about 2-3 minutes of use.

Doing some quick and basic searching online, I was only able to find one slightly relevant thread in the Apple Support communities about a somewhat similar issue, except the person is running Snow Leopard. I am still running Leopard (2007 3,1 MBP, everything is up to date). Has anyone else encountered any similar situations using Skype for video chats?

Also, I checked what would happen using my iSight in iChat and Yahoo, which resulted in a very small increase of temperature (from 40C up to about 44C), so it seems to be a Skype issue. Kinda of even more annoying because my iSight wouldn't work in iChat lately for some reason, which pushed me over to Skype.

Any help you guys can give me with links or advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't have the means to purchase, or the best ability to save up for a new $2,000+ MBP right now, so I'm trying to push this one's life as long as possible.

 

[scott91575]

I think you need to eliminate the skype vs. other programs talk. Simply stick to temp vs. CPU usage. First of all, get a hardware monitor that measures CPU usage and temps. I am not a Mac expert, but I am sure a quick search will find you something. Now use a program to stress all your cores to 100% and monitor temps.

Your computer, even when using 100% of the CPU, should run at decent temps. I am assuming you are using a laptop, and therefore temps will run rather high. Even in the 80's is not unusual.

Finally, if you really are worried about Skype, then monitor CPU usage not temp. Then ask people on forums about their CPU usage. Temperatures are just too machine specific. One computer can run 5 or more degrees cooler that another computer with the same specs. Yet CPU usage should be similar.

edit: If you still have temp issues, it may be as simple as reapplying thermal paste to the processor. Manufacturers love to glob the stuff on (which is not optimal), and don't always use the best stuff. Technically you could do it yourself, but you probably won't want to. Any computer repair shop can do it. Cost of thermal paste is minimal ($10), but labor may cost you $100 or so (I assume you are out of the warranty period). Yet first determine if you really have a temp issue, and then if Skype is using more resources than usual. Even if Skype is using too many resources, you should still be able to run at acceptable temps at 100% CPU usage.

BTW...your GPU temp is fine. It is not unusual for GPU temps to reach near 100C, especially mobile ones. It really depends on the actual model, but I won't get into that.

 

[Dryden]

Agree with scott's advice, and would add that - presuming you've got an older machine given you're running an old OS - you should verify that all fans are functional and that there aren't any obstructions to the exhaust ports.

 

[powerlifter]

Agree with scott's advice, and would add that - presuming you've got an older machine given you're running an old OS - you should verify that all fans are functional and that there aren't any obstructions to the exhaust ports.

Was typing that before I refreshed. Although it wouldn't explain a surge,it might bring overall temps down to begin with. There is always more shit inside your computer,then you think. You might also consider eliminating unused programs that begin at startup as well to cut down on the usage.

 

[scott91575]

Agree with scott's advice, and would add that - presuming you've got an older machine given you're running an old OS - you should verify that all fans are functional and that there aren't any obstructions to the exhaust ports.

I agree, good advice. Heck, just run to your local radio shack and grab a compressed air duster. It literally just blows air, and will look like a can of WD40 (even comes with a straw type thing). Point it into an intake and let it blow. That should dislodge any dust buildup. I suppose you could use a simple vacuum attachment too on the exhaust end. I use dusters all the time on my computer heatsinks.

If it's a fan issue, then you will see temps go crazy during a stability run (running CPU at 100% for an extended time). Don't worry, the machine will begin to throttle down CPU usage at 100C (assuming this is a Core 2) and then eventually shut down before any damage. Besides, if you hit 100C just stop the program yourself.

Since I am not a Mac expert I don't have any links to programs for Mac, but Mac hardware is the same as PC hardware. So everything else applies.

 

[scarletmike]

While the CPU/GPU temps are high with other intensive tasks (as I would expect), Skype has been a sudden and unexpected problem that has pushed my machine hotter than it has even been since I installed smcfancontrol after the wonderful burnout the failure-prone 8600GTM did to my logic board about a year and a half ago. So keep in mind, this is a GPU/CPU combo with a known problem for burning out logic boards. I have already done/answered several of the questions asked by you guys in my original post, so read it again for answers to questions you've asked.

I have several compressed air canisters around, and tried that a few times last night, but the way the cooling systems are set up in the extremely tight MBP enclosures, I doubt that did much of anything, and certainly didn't do anything based on the numbers. While I was checking iStat Pro during the video chat last night I noticed the CPU was running around 70-80% on average, spiking up to 90 or above at times. And again, that was during a quick time test that lasted no longer than 3 minutes, so the temps and usage shot up quite a lot in a very short amount of time. Again this morning, the temp. started out about 45C, nothing running other than Skype. The moment I open my video feed the temp shoots up to 55C and had climbed to 97C in a matter of under 3 minutes. Again, nothing is running other than Skype when this is happening, and when I do open additional apps, there is no appreciable increase in CPU use or temperature readings. When I just have a simple chat window open in Skype, it can suck up 25% of my CPU. And yes, I have the latest version of Skype.

I use iChat and Yahoo Messenger rather frequently and have never seen the temp spike over 73C even during video chatting, and even with Skype I never saw it spike above 80C until the other night. There has been no steady, slow increase in the temperatures overall in normal use, both fans sound like they're working fine, so I wouldn't expect a dust buildup that epic to have happened in a matter of 24hrs.

Oh, and no external applications run at startup, only system startup processes, so nothing is hidden from startup that would be causing this (double checked in Activity Monitor, all root processes are normal).

 

[scott91575]

Sounds like 2 different issues. One, Skype is using too many resources. There are a bunch of reasons that can happen. This is just one example of someone with the same complaint....

http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=81616

I won't be able to go into that one any further, so I can't help there.

The next is your CPU should not be hitting 97C even at 100% usage. I know you mentioned that before, but also stated it was 83C (which would actually be fine during heavy usage). Anyway, 97C is too hot for not even hitting 100% (heck, it's hot for 100%). Your fan may not be increasing RPM with load (check BIOS), or there may be other issues (like thermal paste as I mentioned). Yet since it's not jumping over 100C I don't think it's a dead fan (plus you stated they are working). As temps rise, does your fan get louder? Overall, it's not something you should look into replacing the computer. It's a cooling issue, and most of that can be cleared up through BIOS or replacing some inexpensive components.

 

[powerlifter]

It looks like its somewhat of a common problem. Maybe there is a memory leak in the skype program? I read some users mentioning reducing the video quality and frame rate. .

 

[scarletmike]

Thanks for that link. I've never been a fan of how Skype has their website setup, so I avoided it to try and find answers. I may try going back to the previous version I was using before. I updated it...about 4 days ago.

EDIT: And it sounds like Skype for Mac is just as bad of a resource hog as it is on Windows. At least one user reporting temps of 80C+ in video mode.

 

[scott91575]

Thanks for that link. I've never been a fan of how Skype has their website setup, so I avoided it to try and find answers. I may try going back to the previous version I was using before. I updated it...about 4 days ago.

That sound like an idea (going to an older version). I searched some more, and it looks like Mac people have the same issue with the newer versions of Skype. It's simply a resource hog.

 

[scarletmike]

Yeah, and like most of the people on there, I'm not a fan of the UI either. If I can get iChat to work properly, I will be going back to that ASAP. The bit about prolonging my comps life had more to do with the fact that I've already had the logic board burn out once thanks to the lovely 8600GTM, and the really hot temps inside that small space don't exactly help the components. Just don't want to be using an application that's known for melting systems. lol

 

[OCBucksFan]

Is this the new version of Skype? I have been using the old version for over a year and my macbook pro has never even flinched. Now flash on the other hand, that's a different story :(

 

[Taosman]

Skype hasn't been a problem for me using a pc. A friend has put it on her
iPod touch to have an internet phone and it works great on that. It shouldn't be a problem on any Apple product. You do need a high speed line. Or it will break up/drop.( possibly the video portion could be a hog?)
Besides. Who wants to video chat with some unshaven dude in his pajamas? Or a chick without her makeup on?

 

[Taosman]

Yeah, and like most of the people on there, I'm not a fan of the UI either. If I can get iChat to work properly, I will be going back to that ASAP. The bit about prolonging my comps life had more to do with the fact that I've already had the logic board burn out once thanks to the lovely 8600GTM, and the really hot temps inside that small space don't exactly help the components. Just don't want to be using an application that's known for melting systems. lol

Dirt and heat are not your friend! Skype by itself would not burn up a board. I'm running Skype on a 15 year old Dell laptop with a dead fan and no problems. :tongue2: