(2019) 16" is HOT & NOISY with an external monitor! :(

[IceStormNG]

So... because I wanted a larger screen, I hooked up my 4K 10bit screen that is usually connected to my windows pc to my MBP and used it in clamshell mode.

With VRM mod and placing the MBP vertically (vents pointing up), I see no excessive heating. At least not more than it already does without external monitor attached.

Sadly, this monitor is not sold anymore. It's a LG 27MU67-B (if anyone cares ). I hope the monitor that I will buy specially for my Mac workplace will not cause excessive heating...

 

[GumaRodak]

isnt it possible to go to the shop where they have monitors as showcase and just try them out? your macbook is portable you know...

 

[IceStormNG]

isnt it possible to go to the shop where they have monitors as showcase and just try them out? your macbook is portable you know...

Usually yes. But because of the pandemic and the restrictions here not. And not in the foreseeable future. So I have to order and return when it doesn’t work.

 

[GumaRodak]

ok, got it...here the shops are now open...so i am thinking i will visit one and test monitors

 

[laz232]

I have a 2018 15" MBP - which I use in "open" clamshell-mode with a pair of magnets - this allows me to use an external monitor and keep the 555X at running at 5W idle whilst using the internal keyboard and touchpad.

I tried doing the same thing on a MBP16 in the store - but it did not seem to react to my magnets and I was not able to get the internal screen to turn off with the keyboard accessible.

Is this possible on the current MBP16?

 

[IceStormNG]

I have a 2018 15" MBP - which I use in "open" clamshell-mode with a pair of magnets - this allows me to use an external monitor and keep the 555X at running at 5W idle whilst using the internal keyboard and touchpad.

I tried doing the same thing on a MBP16 in the store - but it did not seem to react to my magnets and I was not able to get the internal screen to turn off with the keyboard accessible.

Is this possible on the current MBP16?

The 16" apparently uses an angle sensor inside the hinges. So it probably doesn't work.

 

[jinsanpang]

For more than a year, this problem is still there?
should I wait for the next generation 16" ?

 

[Appledoesnotlisten]

I have a 2018 15" MBP - which I use in "open" clamshell-mode with a pair of magnets - this allows me to use an external monitor and keep the 555X at running at 5W idle whilst using the internal keyboard and touchpad.

I tried doing the same thing on a MBP16 in the store - but it did not seem to react to my magnets and I was not able to get the internal screen to turn off with the keyboard accessible.

Is this possible on the current MBP16?

Can you please share with us where you position those magnets? Thanks!

 

[unagimiyagi]

For more than a year, this problem is still there?
should I wait for the next generation 16" ?

Absolutely do not buy the current 16" as it's a poor value now given the m1 and soon m2 chips. The 16" is actually slower overall, and more expensive.

 

[interbear]

For more than a year, this problem is still there?
should I wait for the next generation 16" ?

I wouldn't buy the current 16 inch MBP now. I have one - it's great as long as it's in clamshell mode when connected to my monitor. Other than the regular crashes. And the fact it turns into a wheezy noisy monster if I don't use it in clamshell mode. I'd be waiting until the newer versions with M chips arrive. And that's what I will be swapping mine for when they are available.

 

[jinsanpang]

I wouldn't buy the current 16 inch MBP now. I have one - it's great as long as it's in clamshell mode when connected to my monitor. Other than the regular crashes. And the fact it turns into a wheezy noisy monster if I don't use it in clamshell mode. I'd be waiting until the newer versions with M chips arrive. And that's what I will be swapping mine for when they are available.

Thanks for your suggestion!

 

[jinsanpang]

Absolutely do not buy the current 16" as it's a poor value now given the m1 and soon m2 chips. The 16" is actually slower overall, and more expensive.

thanks for your suggestion!

 

[WilliamG]

thanks for your suggestion!

As an i9 MacBook Pro owner, agreed. With an external 5K display it's just usable, with fan speed sporadic depending on Safari content. With two displays it's awful, so loud 100% of the time. Can't wait to dump this system for an M2 MBP.

 

[IceStormNG]

So Apple did everything right. They sold us a piece of ****, and most are happy to give Apple even more Money for a potential fix. /s
They know how to run a business….

 

[dooyou]

What about this?

GitHub - xzhih/one-key-hidpi: Enable macOS HiDPI and have a native setting.

Enable macOS HiDPI and have a native setting. Contribute to xzhih/one-key-hidpi development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[kajukenbo]

I can't believe this is still an issue. I'm curious on options for those that recently upgraded:

1) Do nothing and hope for a recall
2) Buy Apple Care and keep trying to fix it??
3) Trade in to Apple at a major loss and hope for better luck with M2

 

[IceStormNG]

So.. after my new monitor finally arrived and I could use it some days (in clamshell obviously):
There're no heating issues for me caused by the monitor. Yeah, I did some fixes like thermal pads and putting the mac in a vertical stand. But it runs as quiet/loud as using it with the same workload with just the integrated display for me.

The thermal pads probably made the biggest difference to cool the VRMs. The vertical stand allows the bottom plate to cool more efficiently.

Still sad that we have to do all this ourselves on a very expensive machine that's marketed as "just works". All in all... I can finally work without feeling like sitting next to a leaf blower except I'm doing compute heavy stuff.

 

[crymimefireworks]

SOLVED by 1440p HiDPI: MacBook Pro 16" is HOT & NOISY with an external monitor​

anyone tried this?

SOLVED: MacBook Pro 16" in clamshell mode is HOT & NOISY with a 1440p external monitor!

TLDR: My Macbook Pro 16" is hot and noisy when connected to a 2560x1440p60 monitor, even when idle and the lid is closed. This article…

axu2.medium.com

 

[xanderon]

I finally could return my MacBook 16“ 2020 with 5300 and get my money back. A fight with apple and my retail sums up after 6 months of headaches.

tldr: your only chance is to track your battery degregation and let Apple repair it at about 90% capacity left. My machine was at 89% after 40 cycles. after the new battery repair, I tracked the degregation again and got to 91% and 30 cycles. ready for the next repair…

in my country the machine can be returned on the 3rd repair attempt and after 2 attempts on the same issue. So I argued with the lifespan of the internal parts, mostly battery lifespan.

don’t give up people. This is such a bs from amd and thus apple. iMac 2011 amd gpu drama all over again.

it’s the last machine Apple will have to deal with. M1 and onwards will not suffer the same destiny.

Keep the pressure up

 

[Minga_]

SOLVED by 1440p HiDPI: MacBook Pro 16" is HOT & NOISY with an external monitor​

anyone tried this?

SOLVED: MacBook Pro 16" in clamshell mode is HOT & NOISY with a 1440p external monitor!

TLDR: My Macbook Pro 16" is hot and noisy when connected to a 2560x1440p60 monitor, even when idle and the lid is closed. This article…

axu2.medium.com

Nothing new and already stated by various people in this thread. I run my 24" 2K monitor in 2048x1152 HiDPI in Big Sur and get the following Radeon High Side values in clamshell mode:

- 2560x1140 (native): 17-18W

- 2048x1152 HiDPI: 5W

But that applies only to clamshell mode. I can just encourage everybody with a intel Mac and 1440p monitor to try HiDPI mode. The difference is night and day and it looks much better.

 

[Minga_]

What about this?

GitHub - xzhih/one-key-hidpi: Enable macOS HiDPI and have a native setting.

Enable macOS HiDPI and have a native setting. Contribute to xzhih/one-key-hidpi development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Works perfectly fine. This is how I enabled HiDPI mode for my 24" 2K monitor in Big Sur.

 

[pcote]

My 16" is running 11.3 just fine. I have a 24" LG UltraFine 4K Display with a Belkin Thunderbolt 3 dock. I've never had any issues with over heating or the fan running. Don't remember even hearing the fan come on.

Interesting. Have you tried to plug your monitor directly to the Mac or is it plugged to the dock?

 

[GlenK]

Interesting. Have you tried to plug your monitor directly to the Mac or is it plugged to the dock?

It's plugged into the dock.

 

[akalogiros]

It's plugged into the dock.

Thanks a lot for your feedback @GlenK

2 questions from my side as well, if I may of course:

a)I presume you have either the 5300m or the 5500m gpu right? and not the 5600m gpu.
b) If you connect the Mac directly to your monitor does it then become noisy? because to us here after we connect the external monitor it goes from 1.8000 to 5.300 in 2-3 minutes

Thanks a lot.
Alexandros.

 

[GlenK]

Thanks a lot for your feedback @GlenK

2 questions from my side as well, if I may of course:

a)I presume you have either the 5300m or the 5500m gpu right? and not the 5600m gpu.
b) If you connect the Mac directly to your monitor does it then become noisy? because to us here after we connect the external monitor it goes from 1.8000 to 5.300 in 2-3 minutes

Thanks a lot.
Alexandros.

Processor - 2.4 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9

Memory - 32 GB 2667 MHz DDR4

Graphics - AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8 GB
Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB

I haven't tried connecting it directly to the MBP for any length of time. It doesn't do anything for short periods.