When you say it has been fixed, can you confirm that the power draw when using a display with the clamshell open is now 3-5 watts instead of 18-20 watts? (I ask because the earlier versions of Big Sur I used did not correct this problem.)
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
(2019) 16" is HOT & NOISY with an external monitor! :(
- Thread starter Appledoesnotlisten
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
When you say it has been fixed, can you confirm that the power draw when using a display with the clamshell open is now 3-5 watts instead of 18-20 watts? (I ask because the earlier versions of Big Sur I used did not correct this problem.)
Thanks but no thanks. I rather pay higher electricity bill than installing that piece of crap on my machine and having my eyes bleed (due to awful UI) while working every day.
/s
Is this some kind of joke?
I haven’t seen any change during beta testing, it’s still 18 W in these known scenarios. Fan curves are a bit different though, I think it didn’t spin up quite as eagerly as with Catalina. Now I’m using an eGPU and the noise issue is eliminated.
Do you have a wattage screen shot and configuration to share, something that shows you’re using ext monitors and Radeon High Side takes 5 watts?
Could you please provide some details?
Tested my setup (base spec MBP16 Big Sur, Lenovo L24q-30) - nothing changed.
Lid closed, standard 1440p@60HZ, 1440p@75HZ - GPU power consumption 17W
Lid closed, SwitchResX 1440p@60HZ - 4W
Lid open, any resolution - 17W
Last edited:
I'm using Dell u2415, and it changes nothing.
Apple won't fix this. Ever. Their fix will be: buy a new model once they announce it
Just to clarify, for me the worst problem was the noisy fan, going up to 4000 rpm only by connecting my external display. Today the fan speed remains at 1800 rpm (clamshell mode off), I didn't install anything for controlling the fan speed, I don't have SwitchResX, only default parameters. Indeed, GPU power consumption remains at 17W, but GPU temperature is constant and equal to 60°, I'watching Resident Evil Extinction on Prime (worst film ever) and debugging some C++ code. My display is old Acer P243W, I will try next time on my full HD display at work. I'm using the Caldigit mini port adapter. You will fin some screen shots below. Stay safe !
Attachments
-
Screenshot 2020-11-15 at 16.10.55.png -
Screenshot 2020-11-15 at 16.12.52.png -
Screenshot 2020-11-15 at 16.19.55.png -
Screenshot 2020-11-15 at 16.20.09.png -
Screenshot 2020-11-15 at 16.20.21.png -
Screenshot 2020-11-15 at 16.20.32.png -
Screenshot 2020-11-15 at 16.21.29.png -
Screenshot 2020-11-15 at 16.49.43.png
Last edited:
After Big Sur update, power consumption is the same but external GPU temperature (140F) is not causing throttling any more. Not ideal but I can use external TB dock and two monitors just fine. Previously, Mac would start throttling like crazy after 30 minutes or so.
Not ideal but good enough for me and justifies the upgrade.
Not ideal but good enough for me and justifies the upgrade.
Hi,
I did some tests this evening with Big Sur on my Macbook Pro I9 2.3Ghz 32 GB and Radeon 5500m.
I tested with my computer cover closed. Just with an external screen (an old I-INC 24,5')
Big Sur, as Catalina finds my screen refresh rate to be 59.88Hz.
In this case, the consumption is 18W and the fan accelerates quickly.
If I force the rate to 60 Hz, the consumption goes to 4W and I no longer have any fan noise in office use.
On the other hand, if I run Logic or Final Cut or Photoshop, the consumption goes to 18W and the fan accelerates quickly.
With Word, consumption remains at 4W and the fan doesn't accelerate
I did some tests this evening with Big Sur on my Macbook Pro I9 2.3Ghz 32 GB and Radeon 5500m.
I tested with my computer cover closed. Just with an external screen (an old I-INC 24,5')
Big Sur, as Catalina finds my screen refresh rate to be 59.88Hz.
In this case, the consumption is 18W and the fan accelerates quickly.
If I force the rate to 60 Hz, the consumption goes to 4W and I no longer have any fan noise in office use.
On the other hand, if I run Logic or Final Cut or Photoshop, the consumption goes to 18W and the fan accelerates quickly.
With Word, consumption remains at 4W and the fan doesn't accelerate
Attachments
If I run it at default resolutions (1080p mode basically) - it stays in 7-8w in clamshell mode.
I would like to go higher in terms of screen real state by changing the scaling. The bad thing is that if you select 1440p it renders HiDPI as 5K. So that's more taxing by itself and it also jumps to 18w.
My 2017 15" died and I have been credited with the entry 16" as a replacement (2.6ghz i7, 16gb ram, 5300m). I am allowed to pay for any upgrades I would like. I was going to go with 2.3ghz i9, 32gb ram, 5500m 8gb (an additional $1350AUD). Reading through this thread I am pretty concerned about the 5500m. I use the 27" LG Ultrafine display. It costs an extra $900AUD to move to the 5600m and I don't need that performance. What would those with the machine recommend? Use case is mainly FCPX work.
Are you planning to use it in clamshell mode or also use the built-in retina display?
You don't have to worry too much if you have it on clamshell mode but if you are planning to use it with the lid open it will shoot up to 18w unless you get the 5600.
By the way, in case it's useful for anyone, I get 7-9w usage with 2 Dell P2715Q at 2304 x 1296 @ 60Hz which is better for me compared to 1080p default mode.
It's also 6-8w at 3008 x 1692 @ 60Hz but that's too small for me.
A third P2715Q does kick it up to 18-22w unless they are all in 1080p mode.
Go for the 5600m if you can afford. 5500m + LG5K + open lid won't be fixed by Apple, I've already gave up (I'm on big sur, no change.)
(My only hope that my mb 16 will die within my 3 years applecare, and get apple silicon replacement...
I not hates my mb 16, it is beast, but it could be better...)
Hello, I'm coming with an update regarding Big Sur update:
- no more fans problems after update... at least until now in my case, tested for the last 2 hours and seems fine.
- no more fans problems after update... at least until now in my case, tested for the last 2 hours and seems fine.
I had a 5500M MBP (same spec you are considering). I now have a 5600M MBP (same CPU/RAM/SSD). I am inclined to recommend the 5600M in your usage case scenario. The 5600M is going to operate cooler and you are going to get a lot better performance even if you use the system in a way where the 20-watt power draw of the 5300M/5500M is not occurring (i.e., certain displays in clamshell mode only.) Especially if this is a computer you are going to use a lot, and even more so if your 2017 15-inch saw usage that generated a lot of heat, I think you are going to be much happier with a 5600M MBP.
So I imagine temperatures are even higher in Big Sur since the power consumption is the same. I can't update myself now
Last edited:
On my system GPU temperature (147F) is lower than CPU (153F). Two external monitors (1080p and 1200p) connected via Thunderbolt dock. I do not use clamshell mode - such a waste of a beautiful screen.
