When running the multi-core test of Cinebench R23, the M2 continues to get hot, but thanks to the thermal pad mod, temperatures reached 108 degrees Celsius in one minute, 23 seconds, compared to just 28 seconds without the pads, so that is impressive.Īlso, the new MacBook Air obtained a higher score since it managed its temperatures a little better. Next, Adobe Lightroom Classic was fired up, and thanks to the additional pads, the test involving the export of 50 images was completed faster than the M2 MacBook Pro did with its active cooling fan, as shown in the video. You can also remove the logic board to apply a coat of thermal paste on the M2 SoC to get better thermals, though that process will take longer to complete. Afterward, the video shows placing the thermal pads on top of the heatsink.

Removing the back panel of the M2 MacBook Air is simple, as it only involves removing four screws, then you can use a guitar pick to pry off that aluminum casing. Prior to the modding process, the temperatures of the M2 MacBook Air were reaching a jaw-dropping 108 degrees Celsius in a few seconds. Thankfully, Max Tech manages to solve this little problem with a $15 solution called thermal pads. Bringing the M2 MacBook Air Temperatures Only Involves Some Thermal Pads That Make Additional Contact With the Heatsink #ĭespite the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro featuring the same M2, it is the MacBook Air that suffers from severe thermal throttling that causes its multi-core performance to drop drastically.

Macbook air m1 lightroom classic