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Grohowiak

macrumors 6502a
Nov 14, 2012
768
793
Update to those who might take the Razer Core X (Chroma) route: I switched the 120 mm fan with a Noctua NF‑A12x25‑FLX and it was an easy drop-in. Ten minutes, one small X-shape screw driver. The noise level was very much OK even without it, but I changed it anyway, because ... I could ... and there was a YouTube video that showed it has an effect.

It did. Now the eGPU sound is just a whisper, with an under-the-desk mount. This particular Noctua model spins just like the old one, except that I can't hear it at all. The PSU sound is still there, but it doesn't penetrate the desk in any meaningful way. I'll leave the fan situation like it is now.

The Ethernet port on Chroma still doesn't work, no one should use that as a purchase criteria. I tried 3 different drivers, both with Big Sur and Catalina. The USB ports do work, and I guess that's nice. One less cable to connect all of the USB. I've got a USB hub behind the Razer.

Temps and wattage are low and stable. I now run TB ON and no Volta max CPU W limits, it's fine. Loud when heavily taxed, silent the rest of the time.

All 3 monitors get stellar performance, even with tons of open apps and lots going on. 27" 5k + 24" WQHD + 24" WQHD. Without the eGPU things could slow down a bit, with all 3 monitors busy. LG 5k TB3 is handled direct by the 5500M, and 2xWQHD Lenovo connected to the eGPU. So, two cables total. Opposite sides of the MBP.

I'm pretty sure I could throw a lot more at the eGPU, but no need at the moment. Using a "scaled resolution" of 4096 x 2304 --> 2048 x 1152 is not blurry on the 24" wing monitors, so no need to go 4k with them. No logical reason anyway.

I found that a native 2048 x 1152 is quite blurry, and pixel-to-pixel 2560x1440 makes things too small. A HiDPI Scaled Resolution is optimal with this combo. I used this script to make it work: https://github.com/xzhih/one-key-hidpi

I've set the "Prefer eGPU" checkbox ON for apps that might benefit from it, and many of them do. Microsoft Teams is one of those that doesn't, and I wish it did, because it's quite a hog. Maybe one day.

Didn't think about upgrading the fan...
ordered it. Great reviews.
 
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antipodean

macrumors regular
May 2, 2014
198
145
When you get the 13" for 1.800 EUR and the Base 16" for 2.000 EUR you would be stupid to not go with the 16" with the bigger Display, Better Performance, thinner Bezels etc. That is more value for literally the same money since the 16" offers so much more.
I can’t agree with your blanket statement. Fine of course if 16” is better value for you. That’s great, but saying you would be stupid not to go with the 16” is like saying anyone buying a car is stupid because they could get a truck for similar money.
The price ranges for 13” and 16” MBPs have substantial overlap for CTO models. Clearly Apple is confident there is a market for powerful machines in the 13” form factor or they wouldn’t offer i7/32GB/4TB SSD as a CTO option for the 13”.
 

Minga089

macrumors regular
Jun 26, 2020
122
99
München, Bayern
I can’t agree with your blanket statement. Fine of course if 16” is better value for you. That’s great, but saying you would be stupid not to go with the 16” is like saying anyone buying a car is stupid because they could get a truck for similar money.
The price ranges for 13” and 16” MBPs have substantial overlap for CTO models. Clearly Apple is confident there is a market for powerful machines in the 13” form factor or they wouldn’t offer i7/32GB/4TB SSD as a CTO option for the 13”.
Yeah, I should‘ve written that I would be stupid because I value display size a lot and really don‘t care that much about weight and size of the devise. The 16" is portable enough for me though...
 

antipodean

macrumors regular
May 2, 2014
198
145
Yeah, I should‘ve written that I would be stupid because I value display size a lot and really don‘t care that much about weight and size of the devise. The 16" is portable enough for me though...
I do agree that the 16” has a lot of value upside if the form factor works for you (and it is decently portable). At least both are nice machines with lots of good points on both sides. The 21.5” iMac on the other hand has almost nothing going for it against the 2020 27”...
 
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macbookfan21

macrumors member
Aug 31, 2020
57
9
Yeah, I should‘ve written that I would be stupid because I value display size a lot and really don‘t care that much about weight and size of the devise. The 16" is portable enough for me though...
How do you know the 13" is a better choice? I have heard it also has overheating issues even without monitor connection?
 

antipodean

macrumors regular
May 2, 2014
198
145
How do you know the 13" is a better choice? I have heard it also has overheating issues even without monitor connection?
I’m not saying the 13” is a better choice for everyone, but my experience is that it does not overheat just from driving a 4K monitor plus internal open. On the contrary my 13” (i7/32GB/1TB) has fans at 0 rpm totally silent in normal use. This thread shows that the same cannot be said for the 16”. By all accounts the 16” will definitely have fans turning when driving a 4K display with internal open.
 

Yurk

macrumors member
Apr 30, 2019
75
90
From what I recall, only with an eGPU have people seen low Radeon High Side wattage not in clamshell. I don't know if anyone has tried clamshell with two external monitors and an eGPU.

Not quite true. I can also get low wattage not in clamshell with any DisplayLink USB to HDMI or DisplayLink USB to DisplayPort adapter. The only issue is that this is laggy for HiDPI resolutions, but at native 1080p or native 4K resolutions it works fine (as long as you are not gaming). DisplayLink works essentially as a cheap, slower eGPU over USB.
 

macbookfan21

macrumors member
Aug 31, 2020
57
9
I’m not saying the 13” is a better choice for everyone, but my experience is that it does not overheat just from driving a 4K monitor plus internal open. On the contrary my 13” (i7/32GB/1TB) has fans at 0 rpm totally silent in normal use. This thread shows that the same cannot be said for the 16”. By all accounts the 16” will definitely have fans turning when driving a 4K display with internal open.
Is your 13" a 2020 10th gen version?
 

richinaus

macrumors 68020
Oct 26, 2014
2,432
2,187
Yeah, I should‘ve written that I would be stupid because I value display size a lot and really don‘t care that much about weight and size of the devise. The 16" is portable enough for me though...

If I could get away with it, I would have the 13" and a egpu with 4K monitor. A great set up for most people I would say.

I am not most people unfortunately so have to have a 16" for the screen size and power. It is very painful to have to carry around - and I mean pain in terms of size requiring bigger bags etc. The weight isn't an issue for me, but it was a hassle.
So I just got a proper desktop set up and won't bother lugging it around anymore, and will leave it for home use or when I need it for client presentations.
Laptops are compromised devices in their nature, so when you buy one there is always something that has to give.
The current machines it is heat and noise as I just experienced again this morning - I sometimes forget after a week on the desktop how bad it actually is.

But for a mobile experience of working, and not pushing it too hard, I am enjoying it again.
The right tool for the right job, as ever.
 

macbookfan21

macrumors member
Aug 31, 2020
57
9
Yes it is.
I saw you mentioned before that you use it with an eGPU on the monitor though.. in this case I wouldn't expect fan or heat as well. Have you tried if theres any heat at all when you connect directly to a monitor without eGPU? How about daily use?

Idk if getting the 13" right now would be smart since they might refresh them soon..Thoughts?
 

Yurk

macrumors member
Apr 30, 2019
75
90
From what I recall, only with an eGPU have people seen low Radeon High Side wattage not in clamshell. I don't know if anyone has tried clamshell with two external monitors and an eGPU.

Not quite true. I can also get low wattage not in clamshell with any DisplayLink USB to HDMI or DisplayLink USB to DisplayPort adapter. The only issue is that this is laggy for HiDPI resolutions, but at native 1080p or native 4K resolutions it works fine (as long as you are not gaming). DisplayLink works essentially as a cheap, slower eGPU over USB.
 

antipodean

macrumors regular
May 2, 2014
198
145
I saw you mentioned before that you use it with an eGPU on the monitor though.. in this case I wouldn't expect fan or heat as well. Have you tried if theres any heat at all when you connect directly to a monitor without eGPU? How about daily use?

Idk if getting the 13" right now would be smart since they might refresh them soon..Thoughts?
That’s right, I typically use the eGPU. Without the eGPU the 13” MBP is still quiet pushing a 4K monitor with internal open for light tasks. I think the difference is that the eGPU takes the strain for scales retina resolutions (I like to use 2560x1440 or the next one up 3080 or so on my 4K 32”) and of course any 3D rendering.
If there’s a use case you’d like me to check for the 13” with and without the eGPU, please let me know and I’ll see what it can do.
As to refresh, from what I have read the most likely next step for the 13” is Apple Silicon. I’ve seen a rumor of Intel and AS versions releasing side-by-side, but that seems unlikely.
If no urgent need I would wait for the October event and see what AS brings.
 

Mity

macrumors 6502a
Nov 1, 2014
797
728
I’m not saying the 13” is a better choice for everyone, but my experience is that it does not overheat just from driving a 4K monitor plus internal open. On the contrary my 13” (i7/32GB/1TB) has fans at 0 rpm totally silent in normal use. This thread shows that the same cannot be said for the 16”. By all accounts the 16” will definitely have fans turning when driving a 4K display with internal open.

That's because you're in the 16" thread. There are threads that show that the 13" overheats as well:
 

antipodean

macrumors regular
May 2, 2014
198
145
That's because you're in the 16" thread. There are threads that show that the 13" overheats as well:
Thank you for the link. I can only report based on my own experience (n=1). I have had my 2020 13” MBP for around 3 months and use it daily. It is mostly used with a 4K external monitor and the internal open and active. For usual office, web browsing, YouTube, etc. the fans are at 0 rpm. Right now (after 1-2 hours of Coursera online classes) the CPU core average is 50C, battery is 33C, ambient 24C. At no point in the last 1-2 hours has fan rpm been > 0. This is the most silent computer I have ever owned.
 
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JAYSON20

macrumors newbie
Jul 29, 2020
5
0
Hi everyone,

I bought the i9 with the 5300m and had to return it as because of the heat and fan noise.
I would be grateful if i could please hear from Logic Pro x users and owners of MBP 16" with 5600M and 5500M.

In terms of reducing fan noise and heat:
Is there any benefit from having the 5600M in the i9 model when using it without external Monitors?.
Would I be better off with i7 with the 5600M or are the 2 extra cores in the i9 valuable for my workflow?

I intend to use the MBP 16" primarily for Music production/Audio engineering, without connecting to external monitors.

Session are quite heavy. About 80-120 Audio channels, 15 MIDI Channels with plug-ins effects in series (Waves, FabFilter,Space Designer,SoundToys etc.).

I'm worried if I opt for the i9 again,that it would run hot, throttle the CPU, making the additional power of those 2 extra cores useless overall.
 

macbookfan21

macrumors member
Aug 31, 2020
57
9
Is there any instance where getting an i7 16" would be better than i9 16"? I will use it for mainly google chrome, microsoft office, adobe pdf reader, but heavily on all these programs (20-30 tabs open on chrome). I don't use photo or video editing. I wonder if the i9 will make things faster if at all since it has more cores? I just want a fast laptop since I have the budget for it, but is there a thing where too fast can be slow if not using it for heavy workloads?
 

phrehdd

Contributor
Oct 25, 2008
4,508
1,463
So I can use a 27 or 32 inch?
Edit: And not hurting my neck.
I have an older MBP (mid 2015 2.5) and as I write this I am staring at a 27 inch "4k" monitor. It certainly is nothing new to attach a laptop to either a docking station/hub or directly to a monitor. I disconnect when I go places and need my laptop otherwise I use my monitor.
 

Grohowiak

macrumors 6502a
Nov 14, 2012
768
793
Is there any instance where getting an i7 16" would be better than i9 16"? I will use it for mainly google chrome, microsoft office, adobe pdf reader, but heavily on all these programs (20-30 tabs open on chrome). I don't use photo or video editing. I wonder if the i9 will make things faster if at all since it has more cores? I just want a fast laptop since I have the budget for it, but is there a thing where too fast can be slow if not using it for heavy workloads?

None of the apps you specified will take advantage of the i9 to any noticeable degree.
Get i7 but add RAM. 32GB will suit you well.
 

macbookfan21

macrumors member
Aug 31, 2020
57
9
None of the apps you specified will take advantage of the i9 to any noticeable degree.
Get i7 but add RAM. 32GB will suit you well.
What's your reasoning to go for the 32gb? I think that might be overkill, no? Unless it helps prevent the laptop from getting slower over time?

Also do you think the i9 would heat up more than the i7 on light work like what I'm using it for?
 

Vinamra07

macrumors newbie
Aug 21, 2020
11
2
Can someone please confirm the graphics card power consumption when performing intensive tasks like rendering? My base model MacBook pro 16" tends to draw 55w on the Radeon High side which is a lot. The TDP of the card itself is 50w.
 
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pshufd

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2013
10,155
14,578
New Hampshire
Can someone please confirm the graphics card power consumption when performing intensive tasks like rendering? My base model MacBook pro 16" tends to draw 55w on the Radeon High side which is a lot. The TDP of the card itself is 50w.

Wow, the CPUs are 45 Watts I think.

I'm planning on building a desktop as there are a lot of component sales this weekend. I do transcoding, and some video editing and my old MacBook Pros just get plain noisy doing this. I'm looking for a 65-watt i7-10700 as I think that the 10th gen CPUs are probably the most efficient. Why don't more people get a desktop (Mini, iMac, Pro) for heavy-duty work and use the laptops for smaller tasks?
 
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matteomel

macrumors newbie
Aug 4, 2020
5
2
my MacBook Pro 16 i7 5300m has the max fan speed at 5300 rpm (Leftside) and 4900 rpm (Rightside). Is it normal? Thanks
 

Vinamra07

macrumors newbie
Aug 21, 2020
11
2
my MacBook Pro 16 i7 5300m has the max fan speed at 5300 rpm (Leftside) and 4900 rpm (Rightside). Is it normal? Thanks
It isn't normal if you aren't performing any CPU/GPU intensive tasks on your MacBook. If I am using safari and normal browsing the fans would remain at 1800/1900 rpm.
Otherwise at maximum load the fans can go upto 6000rpm.
 
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