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erkanasu

macrumors 6502a
Jan 11, 2006
727
652
I just had my MacBook Pro "repaired" for this issue (excessive heat and noise when 4k external monitor is plugged in). I explained to apple support and then they shipped me a box for the "Repair". I had to ship it to apple since all stores are closed in AZ. They swapped out the entire logic board, graphics card, CPU, and Touch Bar. I'll let you guys know if this fixed worked or not.

following up -- at first blush the "repair" did not work
 

king11527

macrumors member
Aug 2, 2010
32
19
after more use the issue actually seems about ~50% improved. it's probably mostly software but maybe with the new logic board, cpu, video card they did something internally to improve the situation.
What is your MacBook Pro 16 inch configuration?

I just returned a 2.3G i9 5500M 8GB (that runs hot), and ordered a 2.6G i7 with 5600M 8GB instead. Will see how it goes next week.

My old MacBook 15 Touch Bar (2016) GPU runs at 10-11W with LG5k plus internal monitor. But the battery swelled second time. Likely because I use it mostly plugin with external monitors. I just found the AlDente app that can manage battery full charging percentage, hope it will help in the future.
 
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davidbend

macrumors member
Dec 28, 2019
44
51
after more use the issue actually seems about ~50% improved. it's probably mostly software but maybe with the new logic board, cpu, video card they did something internally to improve the situation.
Can you tell us what is the GPU power consumption via istats? is it still around 18 watts?
 
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Yurk

macrumors member
Apr 30, 2019
75
90
It's not defective! It's operating as designed -- it will run hot when it is used hard. FWIW, I've been using mine all day, plugged into my 27" Thunderbolt display, and once I was done installing stuff, I haven't heard the fan since. I'm using Apple's own adapter to connect the 27" to the USB-C ports (as opposed to some dock). I also have an external hard drive plugged into another USB port using a USB-C to 3 cord, and I'm currently creating an Installer USB drive for Catalina to install on my old MBP13... fan is cruising along at 2577 RPM and whisper quiet.

Like others said to me -- you have two weeks to return it. Get it... if you find it obnoxiously noisy or hot, return it. So far I'm extremely happy with mine.
It's fundamentally flawed and seriously defective.
 

jc_9

macrumors member
May 6, 2020
67
42
I just received a Dell D6000 to connect my three monitors (2 x 1440p using DP, 1 x 1080p using HDMI) all running at 60hz and it does reduce the overall power consumption by 10W, making the fans runs at 2300 RPM while playing a 1080p video on one screen, which is virtually silent in my case. Macbook lid is closed.

However the 2 display port screens lag one frame behind the HDMI one and I noticed it right away while moving the mouse. I'm not sure if I can get used to it. I just bought this 200$ dock to eliminate the fan noise but I feel like I just downgraded my setup. I also feel like the refresh rate is below 60hz on these screens when I move some windows around.

By the way, I think the HDMI plugged in the D6000 act just like it was plugged directly on the Macbook. It consumes 7W on the dGPU even thought it's plugged in the dock, and if I open the lid, I get the "standard" 18W as well. Also the HDMI screen works without starting the DisplayLink app while the DP ones dont.

Pretty sure I'm returning the dock, and maybe the whole macbook as well, this is so frustrating.
 

erkanasu

macrumors 6502a
Jan 11, 2006
727
652
Can you tell us what is the GPU power consumption via istats? is it still around 18 watts?

I don't have that app - I do have turbo boost app that does some monitoring. Not sure if that's helpful. (side note I had turbo Enabled on my tests)
 

pshufd

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2013
10,155
14,578
New Hampshire
This is on a 2015 MBP with AMD GPU. I have been running with a 4K + QHD display and normal temps with nothing running is about 52 degrees. I took the 4K off today and normal temps are 39 degrees. So 4K adds a pretty big thermal load on an older MacBook Pro. Just a data point.
 

erkanasu

macrumors 6502a
Jan 11, 2006
727
652
What is your MacBook Pro 16 inch configuration?

I just returned a 2.3G i9 5500M 8GB (that runs hot), and ordered a 2.6G i7 with 5600M 8GB instead. Will see how it goes next week.

My old MacBook 15 Touch Bar (2016) GPU runs at 10-11W with LG5k plus internal monitor. But the battery swelled second time. Likely because I use it mostly plugin with external monitors. I just found the AlDente app that can manage battery full charging percentage, hope it will help in the future.

i9, 5500
 

Appledoesnotlisten

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 2, 2017
505
208
If it's a driver issue I really don't understand why there is no fix from Apple.
What GPU options do you guys expect to see in an updated 16" (it WILL come out one day)?
It's reasonable to believe that the new GPUs will have correct drivers from the start.
 

jc_9

macrumors member
May 6, 2020
67
42
My guess is they will only refresh the 16" with the 10th gen Intel CPU and Wifi 10 at the october event but with the same AMD dGPU options and will have the same heat / fan noise as of now. So when the Apple Silicon comes out in 2021 for the Macbook pro they can say it runs so much cooler and silent than with Intel+AMD chips.
 
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performative

macrumors newbie
Apr 19, 2020
4
0
I wonder if there is a chance that upcoming Big Sur will fix/improve the situation? Has anyone tested mb16 with an e-monitor on beta?
 

Mity

macrumors 6502a
Nov 1, 2014
797
728
I wonder if there is a chance that upcoming Big Sur will fix/improve the situation? Has anyone tested mb16 with an e-monitor on beta?

Googling "big sur site:https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/16-is-hot-noisy-with-an-external-monitor.2211747"

produces the following:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/16-is-hot-noisy-with-an-external-monitor.2211747/page-84

Nothing changed in macOS Big Sur :-(
Too much bugs, runs hot and still ~18W with external monitor.


https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/16-is-hot-noisy-with-an-external-monitor.2211747/page-131

Big Sur definitely hasn't helped.
 
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Industrial Tycoon

macrumors newbie
Jun 23, 2019
29
44
So when the Apple Silicon comes out in 2021 for the Macbook pro they can say it runs so much cooler and silent than with Intel+AMD chips
I think this is quite likely. They will want the Apple Silicon machines to look revolutionary. You can expect any upgrades to the current machine to be a gesture at best, which is a shame.

Ignoring any possible performance upgrades, I wonder if the Intel macbook pro will end with a crappy720p webcam! In a covid19 world, that webcam is clearly substandard!
 

andrew_

macrumors newbie
Sep 14, 2020
1
2
Same problem. Macbook pro 16 with AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8 GB. but I always work with lid closed. my old monitor dell u2518d even with lid closed was 18W at 2560x1440! WTF. HiDPI fixed it.
Now got new dell 4K u2720Q and with lid closed 5W.
Screen Shot 2020-09-14 at 11.01.08 PM.png
 
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