(Mac OS X) MacBook Air gets really hot after 10 minutes

[localhorst]

Hi!

When playing FTL my 2012 MacBook Air 13" gets really hot after 10 minutes with the fans constantly running while the game consumes about 80% CPU load which seems too high. Any advice you can give me for this and/or any fix for the Mac version in the works?

Thanks,
Localhorst

[Matthew]

Someone may be able to correct me, but I do not believe there is a way to force V-Sync ("Vertical Refresh") to ON in Mac OS X. That would be the best way to fix that. It's on the list of things to allow easier customization of once we're able to find the time to put out an update. Sorry for any delays, it's a very busy time right now with launch!

[BobTheRob]

No, there is no way to force VSync in OS X.
I'm on a MacBook Pro mid 2010, and it gets hot too. CPU usage is around 70% which seems a little too much.

[latusaki]

Same issue. MBP 2012 also getting hot running this game. Guess OSX client needs some optimisation.
OPERATING SYSTEM:
MacOS 10.8.1
CPU TYPE:
Intel® Core™ i7-3520M CPU @ 2.90GHz
CPU SPEED:
2.92 GHz
SYSTEM MEMORY:
8 GB
VIDEO CARD MODEL:
Intel HD Graphics 4000
VIDEO CARD MEMORY:
580 MB
VIDEO CARD DRIVER:
-
DESKTOP RESOLUTION:
1280x800
HARD DISK SIZE:
118.44 GB
HARD DISK FREE SPACE:
46.34 GB (39%)
DOWNLOAD SPEED:
638.2 kB/s (5.2 mbps)

[kikito]

Same issue here. Right after the game starts, the fan of my MBA 13' grows gradually louder. After 4 or 5 minutes I can't hear the game music any more.

Would appreciate a fix - I enjoy this game a lot in my windows desktop, and seems like a good game for travelling around with the laptop too.

Thanks!

[localhorst]

Any news on this and when a fix might be available? I would really love to play the game and am always glad to support Indie developers, but the extreme noise is unbearable Thanks!

[Agouti]

Sorry to say, but this is a fault with MacBook Airs not FTL. Assuming simply replacing your computer isn't an option, you have a few things to try.

1. Purchase a laptop cooler
These are, in essence, simply a raised stand for laptops with fans to assist cooling. Most laptops have their air intakes on the underside, and the majority of newer and well built laptops use the casing to assist cooling, so providing additional air flow cools them down a lot. $10 - $20 for a decent one.

2. Install Windows or Linux
Installing a different OS will give you access to V-Sync as well as access to power saving options (someone might need to confirm for MBA, to my knowledge you can but I'm not 100% sure) such as limiting CPU speed.

3. Running on batteries
You may be able to force the on board power management chip to downclock the CPU by running on battery power. Worth a try.

[boa13]

Any news on this and when a fix might be available? I would really love to play the game and am always glad to support Indie developers, but the extreme noise is unbearable Thanks!

A corrective version is being developed, a beta has been made available on Steam: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2707

If all goes well, the new version (1.02) will be distributed more broadly starting next week.

[nfiea2]

Any news on this and when a fix might be available? I would really love to play the game and am always glad to support Indie developers, but the extreme noise is unbearable Thanks!

A corrective version is being developed, a beta has been made available on Steam: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2707

If all goes well, the new version (1.02) will be distributed more broadly starting next week.

1: rush unfinished product to market
2: get consumers to test it for you
3: tell them not to worry as fixes are on the way
4: ?????
5: profit

[localhorst]

Sorry to say, but this is a fault with MacBook Airs not FTL.

I have a hard time believing that 80% CPU load is my computer's fault

Thanks for your answer though, I think I'll just wait until a patch is released or I'll be able to use my Windows PC again next month while all my friends keep talking about how great FTL is .......