Apple’s M3 MacBook Air models are known for their silent operation due to the fan-less cooling design. However, this design choice comes at the cost of performance. The M3 MacBook Pro, which features a single fan, outshines the MacBook Air in sustained workloads. Additionally, the M3 MacBook Air tends to get uncomfortably hot, which may pose an issue for users.
While the fan-less design may limit performance, a recent YouTube channel, Max Tech, discovered a simple modification that can significantly improve the M3 MacBook Air’s performance. By applying $15 thermal pads to the heatsink, Max Tech was able to bring down the high temperatures and sustain performance even under heavy workloads.
In tests conducted by Max Tech, the M3 MacBook Air showed impressive performance in benchmarks such as Geekbench 6’s single-core, multi-core, and Metal tests. However, when it came to sustained workloads like 3DMark’s Wild Life Extreme Stress test, the M3 MacBook Air lagged behind the M3 MacBook Pro, even though both models featured the same SoC.
The M3 MacBook Air experienced temperatures as high as 114 degrees Celsius for the CPU and 102.9 degrees Celsius for the GPU. To prevent overheating, the MacBook Air’s power draw declined, resulting in a 33 percent decrease in performance compared to the MacBook Pro.
Notably, the aluminum chassis of the MacBook Air conducts heat well. As temperatures rise, the exterior temperature of the M3 MacBook Air can reach uncomfortable levels of 45 to 46 degrees Celsius. This can be problematic for users who need to run intensive workloads on their laptops.
The thermal pads used in the modification help dissipate heat more efficiently, allowing the M3 MacBook Air to sustain performance for longer periods. Interested users can purchase these thermal pads from Amazon at a reasonable price and enhance their M3 MacBook Air’s performance.
In conclusion, by making a simple modification to the cooling system, users can alleviate performance issues and high temperatures on the M3 MacBook Air. While Apple may need to address these concerns in future iterations, the thermal pad mod provides a cost-effective solution for users seeking better performance from their MacBook Air.
FAQ Section:
Q: What is the main issue with the M3 MacBook Air models?
A: The main issue with the M3 MacBook Air models is their fan-less cooling design, which limits performance and leads to high temperatures.
Q: How does the M3 MacBook Air compare to the M3 MacBook Pro in terms of performance?
A: The M3 MacBook Pro, which features a single fan, outperforms the M3 MacBook Air in sustained workloads.
Q: Can the performance of the M3 MacBook Air be improved?
A: Yes, a recent YouTube channel, Max Tech, discovered that applying thermal pads to the heatsink can significantly improve the M3 MacBook Air’s performance.
Q: What are the benefits of using thermal pads on the M3 MacBook Air?
A: Using thermal pads helps dissipate heat more efficiently, allowing the M3 MacBook Air to sustain performance for longer periods.
Q: Where can users purchase these thermal pads?
A: Interested users can purchase these thermal pads from Amazon at a reasonable price.
Key Terms and Jargon:
– Fan-less cooling design: A cooling system in which a device, such as a laptop, does not have a fan to cool the internal components.
– SoC: System on a Chip, referring to the main processor and other integrated components on a single chip.
– CPU: Central Processing Unit, the primary component responsible for executing instructions in a computer or device.
– GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, a specialized electronic circuit that accelerates the creation and rendering of images, videos, and animations.
Related Links:
– Apple
– Max Tech YouTube Channel
– Amazon
The source of the article is from the blog lokale-komercyjne.pl