Chosen Solution

Hi, I would like to understand what happens here. In order to lower my MacBook Pro 15” mid 2014 (2gb GPU) cpu, usually 55-65c , 3000rpm (single monitor), 75c 4000rpm (dual 1080p) I decide to change thermal paste. I disconnected the battery cable, not not all pins at once, I pulled it from right to left. No damage on pins. I applied new thermal paste, than the nightmare started. First computer won’t boot. With magsafe pugged in it boots, but clearly slow. At login screen it shows 87% battery (non apple, 83 cycles only ), after logging it shows 0% not charging. Testing cpu scores it gives mediocre 200 single core, 700 multicore . I was before 900, 3800. Using intel power gadget, power never does above 10w, frequency core max 0.8, temp around 55c max. This is the third time I applied the thermal paste, the first using X pattern, it was 42, 44, never above 48c. I have no idea that is going on. I can clearly see performance loss, including video lag, switching workspaces, maximizing. Techtool pro 14 thinks everything is ok. except for battery. Tried to reset pram and smc with battery connected and disconnected. None work. One time computer turned on on battery with fans running crazy, I tested performance was bad but did not check for cpu and power informations. Any advice? Geekbench 5 cpu test does not raise temperature over 59c, nor fan speeds. Takes forever to finish. Previously I had it 3-4k easy on tasks. I see computer running slow even on right click. All happens after change cpu and gpu on my retina. Tried to max out processor with yes to bit bucket, not help.

Please check my Geekbench full results: https://browser.geekbench.com/v5/cpu/117…

TG Pro Sensors:

Techtool Pro 14 - Passed all sensor tests.

Coconut Battery Info:

I have applied thermal past 5 times. In the 4th I put extra, so here are the pictures before apply the 5th time.

Cleanup and reapply:

Insulator removed, I can see apple thermal paste all over, they are the bigger chunks hardened paste. The one I applied was easy since it still soft just like when I applied. We can notice the Arctic Silver 5 color is a bit darker than original apple thermal paste.

Results after use CPUTune, turboboost enabled just for test. Not recommended since full speed fan tem got to 99c. https://browser.geekbench.com/v5/cpu/118…

Sensor tests - CPUTune on, turbo boost off.

Performance restored after battery replaced. According to my tests. yes apple throttle cpu and gpu performance if Macbook has no battery or poorly functional battery. Not sure how I damage. the battery had around 90 circles and was working before I disconnected sideways from the board. Testes running on battery only: https://browser.geekbench.com/v5/cpu/119… https://browser.geekbench.com/v5/compute…

Passed on all Techtool Pro tests as well.

Update I installed new battery, tested performance running on battery only, I didn’t touch thermal paste since I don’t have proper cleaning spray. Performance on battery is back to normal, boot times everything after replace battery. GPU 1739 OpenCL (Geekbench 5), 907/3631 single/multicore. I will update test on AC after battery drains out and calibrate it. Seams the problem was the battery Dan. I do not disregard people can have performance problems with termal paste. But again it is not the case here. I appreciate all your help. Remember that I never put too much past, I changed thermal paste many times, the one that picture had much more, was last before full cleanup, and the only one that yes was too much. I pretty sure all times I removed, the proof of that is just replacing battery, removed custom kext and computer is running at correct speeds. You always be correct about battery issues. I can’t understand how I damaged it while disconnect since was working. Att

Other than checking the battery a bit deeper, I think you’ll need to inspect your thermal paste as leakage of the TIM onto the carrier is about all I can think of here. Basically, you may have applied too much paste so the squeezed out wetting the small SMD devices causing problems with them. Take the heat sink off again but before you wipe off the paste take a picture of the chips and the heat sink sides posting them in your question so we can check things out. Also who’s paste did you use?