Part-time gamer looking out for others.
Part-time gamer looking out for others.
Hi, I’ve been using a MacBook Air 2017 for school and figured out how to play games on it until I upgraded to a Dell XPS 15. The problem is that my CPU temperatures keep rising above 90°C and staying high without dropping. Can I lower them below 80°C without getting a new machine? Also, while desktops are better for gaming, I don’t have the budget or space right now to buy or build a proper gaming PC. HWMonitor.txt
If you're serious about it, you could resell the MacBook Air and assemble a solid setup. Just make sure you're in an area with a good used hardware market. Your temperatures around 90°C are typical for laptops when they're running heavy tasks. Unless the machine has strong cooling, which MacBooks usually don’t have, it’s going to feel pretty hot. Definitely consider thermal throttling—though replacing the thermal paste might only make a small difference (5-10°C max). Keep the laptop elevated, maybe using some bottle caps for support. If you're thinking about selling or building a desktop, I’m happy to assist. Unless you prefer the portability of a laptop.
The MacBook Air is designed as an ultrabook and isn't built for intense gaming.
With a strong internet connection, you can explore Nvidia’s game streaming options. Just register for their beta program—probably free—and wait for a code. Alternatively, consider replacing the laptop’s thermal paste and clearing out dust, or using cooling pads if needed.
I agree with the NVIDIA streaming feature. My friend has it, it's in beta and free. He doesn't have a strong internet connection. The update just works without issues. For OP, it's a good short-term fix. It performs better than the MacBook.
For cooling, consider a cooling pad or dock. https://svalt.com/products/d1 For better gaming speed, an external GPU is an option. https://www.amazon.com/Akitio-Node-Thund...B06XKKSNTS Remember you’ll need a graphics card too. See what an eGPU can achieve (this example is for a 2018 MacBook Air, performance should match). Also, keep in mind that using the system excessively can reduce its lifespan. For instance, the keyboard might wear out from heat. Learn more here: https://www.macrumors.com/guide/butterfl...rd-issues/ There’s a Reddit discussion about using a heat gun on a 2018 MacBook and not seeing immediate damage, but it’s not a reliable test. In summary: you can try it, but it’s not recommended. Expect significant costs if you need to restore it. Doing the right steps is essential to avoid damage.
I adjusted the Windows power plan settings and made some improvements. I limited processor usage to 75% and cleared out dust from the case. Temperatures dropped significantly—around 60-70°C during medium-low graphics in Star Wars: The Old Republic. It only exceeded 90°C once, during heavy multitasking. There are occasional frame drops, but that’s fine. For the eGPU, do you have any recommendations for a better card?