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Appledoesnotlisten

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 2, 2017
505
208
I have replaced my 15” i9 mbp with a new 16” pro max and can now my use 3 LG ultrafine 4K monitors with no fan noise whatsoever. Before had constant fan noise with the Intel MacBook Pro. I have just purchased a Huawei MATEVIEW 4K as a fourth monitor (as the Ultrafines are no longer available in the UK) and have been able to connect via HDMI and also via its USB-C port to the third thunderbolt port on the on the M1 Pro Max without any fan noise The experience is night and day different to the older intel model. I also purchased a 14” M1 Pro (not max) as wasn’t sure which size I wanted but can confirm the that it will only run two screens whatever resolution they are. Can’t use a third screen natively via the HDMI port if two thunderbolt displays are connected.
You mean you are running 3*4K and internal monitor and there is no fan noise? Does it get hot though?
 

arobert3434

macrumors 6502
Jun 26, 2013
265
267
But now it's the hard part, how can we call a non public function in a executable file?
Sadly i don't know how to do it or if we can do it. The code it's there but it's not reachable.

What other guys had done for a different problem was editing the plist file, but for our mac we don't have many options there.

...
Can you just load this extension explicitly (kextload), or does it trigger CPU throttling as well? If that doesn't work and the goal is low power graphics with unlimited CPU you, another fruitful direction might be to find if there's some extension involved in limiting the CPU when you turn low power mode on, and disable that somehow (via plist or otherwise). Caution required, do not attempt without means of recovery as this could brick the system!
 
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kelvincht

macrumors member
Mar 8, 2021
57
51
But now it's the hard part, how can we call a non public function in a executable file?
Sadly i don't know how to do it or if we can do it. The code it's there but it's not reachable.

What other guys had done for a different problem was editing the plist file, but for our mac we don't have many options there.

You can check by yourself:
  1. Go to: /System/Library/Extensions/AppleGraphicsPowerManagement.kext
  2. Right Click -> Show Package contents
  3. Double Click in the Info.plist
  4. open terminal to find your macbook boardId (type in terminal: ioreg -l | grep -i board-id)
  5. Search in the plist for the boardId(ex:Mac-E1008331FDC96864)
  6. And see the options inside the GFX0 tab (GFX0 == Radeon and IGPU = Integrated Graphics)
Mine: View attachment 1900207


PS: Don't make any changes on the file or save it if you don't know what are you doing ;)
Can we edit the max-power-state to be a lower number?
 

kelvincht

macrumors member
Mar 8, 2021
57
51
But now it's the hard part, how can we call a non public function in a executable file?
Sadly i don't know how to do it or if we can do it. The code it's there but it's not reachable.
Do we know the working of the event system?

Is it possible to fire a setpowermode event to with a scope to only target AppleGraphicsPowerManagement.kext subscriber?
 

firetrap

macrumors newbie
Nov 1, 2021
21
51
Can you just load this extension explicitly (kextload), or does it trigger CPU throttling as well? If that doesn't work and the goal is low power graphics with unlimited CPU you, another fruitful direction might be to find if there's some extension involved in limiting the CPU when you turn low power mode on, and disable that somehow (via plist or otherwise). Caution required, do not attempt without means of recovery as this could brick the system!
Yes it's another good option going the other way around ;)
Can we edit the max-power-state to be a lower number?
I didn't try and i can't until the weekend. because this week i've a big project to deliver and i can't risk it. But i think we can try a lower number and see if the "radeon high side" power goes lower.
Do we know the working of the event system?

Is it possible to fire a setpowermode event to with a scope to only target AppleGraphicsPowerManagement.kext subscriber?
The event it's triggered by the kernel and powerd process. You can check in console.app
Screenshot 2021-11-02 at 09.29.34.png
 

EPO75

Suspended
Oct 12, 2016
162
167
Rotterdam
I'm back in the office, using my base M14 Pro (16/10/1TB) and connected with USB-C to a Widescreen Samsung 32inch monitor (3440x1440) and my temps after a few hours of working are no higher then 48degree. Added a HDMI simple monitor (1080p) to it and no changes in temps. I'm only doing simple stuff like using my VDI for work and some safari tabs and chrome. Seems ok to me.
 
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ojk7

macrumors member
Feb 5, 2008
31
16
You mean you are running 3*4K and internal monitor and there is no fan noise? Does it get hot though?
I’m running 4*4K monitors as well as the internal
You mean you are running 3*4K and internal monitor and there is no fan noise? Does it get hot though?
No I mean 4x 4K monitors (3 LG Ultrafine 23.7" via thunderbolt and 1 Huawei Mateview 28.2" via USB-c) as well as the internal 16" screen. No fan noise and not getting hot at all. Im not doing graphics intensive work though
 
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ojk7

macrumors member
Feb 5, 2008
31
16
Thanks. Have you noticed any fan noise at all with the 14 inch M1 pro
? With the laptop lid open?
No but I haven't used it as much as the 16 and will returning it as want to be able to run at least three 4K external displays which it cant do.
 
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JosepPont

macrumors regular
Oct 25, 2019
240
197
Albaida, Valencian Country
Here a MBP i9 2.3, 5500M 4GB with LPM off, LG ultrawide monitor 3440x1440, 60Hz:

- Hub with RJ45, USB, HDMI, etc (Plugged to HDMI): Temps and fans rump up after few minutes. Faster if play YT videos.

- Directly with USB-C to Displayport (75cm cable): Around 60º continuously even if play video. This is mi solution ATM, late in the day will run some heavy programs and VM to test it.
 

mystery hill

macrumors 65816
Apr 2, 2021
1,058
3,984
No I mean 4x 4K monitors (3 LG Ultrafine 23.7" via thunderbolt and 1 Huawei Mateview 28.2" via USB-c) as well as the internal 16" screen. No fan noise and not getting hot at all. Im not doing graphics intensive work though
What are you using 4 external monitors + the internal display for?
 

ojk7

macrumors member
Feb 5, 2008
31
16
What are you using 4 external monitors + the internal display for?
Remote access of client computer and servers via Remote Desktop and Logmein. Logmein is still an Intel app running in Rosetta2 but performance is vastly improved over my previous i9 Intel mbp
 
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firetrap

macrumors newbie
Nov 1, 2021
21
51
Guys for the last days i'm trying to hack the "Low power mode" for the GPU but without success.
Can you guys instead of buying the new Macbook pro M1 etc etc please submit a feature request here? It's 5 minutes and Apple must listen us and fix this instead of promoting the new Macbook pro and "force" to spent another 3500$ in another Mac.


My request as an example:
  • Subject:
    • Low power mode
  • Feedback Type:
    • Feature Request
  • Feedback Area:
    • Applications/Utilities
  • Comments:
    • It will be a great feature to have a "Low power mode" for the CPU and GPU separately.
      The main goal it's to be able to use the device for our need's. In my case i don't need the dedicated GPU with high performance but i need all the power from my CPU.

      With this our temperatures will be much lower and we can get more from our device when not using GPU dedicated software.
      Also this will reduce the power consumption of the GPU from ~15W to ~5W which means better temperatures, less money spent on electricity bill and better for the environment ;)
      In my opinion and almost every 2020 16 Macbook pro users this is a must have feature.
  • Which computer are you using?
    • 16-Inch Macbook Pro (Intel)
 

Hollycene

macrumors member
Oct 17, 2020
39
49
T
Guys for the last days i'm trying to hack the "Low power mode" for the GPU but without success.
Can you guys instead of buying the new Macbook pro M1 etc etc please submit a feature request here? It's 5 minutes and Apple must listen us and fix this instead of promoting the new Macbook pro and "force" to spent another 3500$ in another Mac.


My request as an example:
  • Subject:
    • Low power mode
  • Feedback Type:
    • Feature Request
  • Feedback Area:
    • Applications/Utilities
  • Comments:
    • It will be a great feature to have a "Low power mode" for the CPU and GPU separately.
      The main goal it's to be able to use the device for our need's. In my case i don't need the dedicated GPU with high performance but i need all the power from my CPU.

      With this our temperatures will be much lower and we can get more from our device when not using GPU dedicated software.
      Also this will reduce the power consumption of the GPU from ~15W to ~5W which means better temperatures, less money spent on electricity bill and better for the environment ;)
      In my opinion and almost every 2020 16 Macbook pro users this is a must have feature.
  • Which computer are you using?
    • 16-Inch Macbook Pro (Intel)
Totally agree! I already submitted a feature request! :)
 
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zawadzkipiter

macrumors newbie
Nov 4, 2021
1
2
I also did. But i would not count on any reaction - because they must had tones of feedback about high radeon power usage. So when they introduced low power mode on which macbook is using low power (~5W) they just confirmed that fixing this is possible, but on purpose they won't fix it in "old" intel devices.
I guess we have to keep looking for workaround.
 
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firetrap

macrumors newbie
Nov 1, 2021
21
51
I also did. But i would not count on any reaction - because they must had tones of feedback about high radeon power usage. So when they introduced low power mode on which macbook is using low power (~5W) they just confirmed that fixing this is possible, but on purpose they won't fix it in "old" intel devices.
I guess we have to keep looking for workaround.
Totally agree. They want everybody to go to the M1's. I also want but it's hard to justify changing for a new device when i've bought the TOP device of 2020 for a lot of money. Bad timing from my side when I bought it!? yes but once again they don't give a f*ck about the costumers.
 

Hollycene

macrumors member
Oct 17, 2020
39
49
Totally agree. They want everybody to go to the M1's. I also want but it's hard to justify changing for a new device when i've bought the TOP device of 2020 for a lot of money. Bad timing from my side when I bought it!? yes but once again they don't give a f*ck about the costumers.
I also have full specs 16 inch intel from 2019 and honestly I don't think there is a rational reason to want to switch to M1 from 16 inch Intel today. Many apps and professional programs are not optimised for M1 chip yet: Nuke, AfterEffects, Autodesk etc. The only reason I am pissed off, is because of the gpu issue while connecting to external monitors, otherwise I am completely fine with 16inch Intel. Monterey with low power mode is kinda "fix", and It is much better than before (at least on LPM). I am running on 2 external displays and 1 internal display at the same time with 6-8 GPU wattage, which is really great in comparison with what we have walked through last 2 years (18W with 1 SINGLE monitor), but limiting the CPU at the same time is not ideal. In case Apple will FINALLY fix this issue with multiple displays setup and keep the CPU power at full performance, I am completely fine with 16 inch Intel Mac. (It also runs Windows natively for occasional gaming, which is nice bonus).
 
Last edited:

arobert3434

macrumors 6502
Jun 26, 2013
265
267
I also have full specs 16 inch intel from 2019 and honestly I don't think there is a rational reason to want to switch to M1 from 16 inch Intel today. Many apps and professional programs are not optimised for M1 chip yet: Nuke, AfterEffects, Autodesk etc. The only reason I am pissed off, is because of the gpu issue while connecting to external monitors, otherwise I am completely fine with 16inch Intel. Monterey with low power mode is kinda "fix", and It is much better than before (at least on LPM). I am running on 2 external displays and 1 internal display at the same time with 6-8 GPU wattage, which is really great in comparison with what we have walked through last 2 years (18W with 1 SINGLE monitor), but limiting the CPU at the same time is not ideal. In case Apple will FINALLY fix this issue with multiple displays setup and keep the CPU power at full performance, I am completely fine with 16 inch Intel Mac. (It also runs Windows natively for occasional gaming, which is nice bonus).
The lack of eGPU support (in other words, no upgradeability or ability to keep up with advances in technology) and needs to interoperate with an Intel world will keep me on the 2019 for at least this generation. The ugly form factor and removed touchbar don't help either, but won't change in the future; eGPU support and x86 virtualization may eventually come. I've actually grown to like low power mode's CPU control as well. You still get 80% of the speed for half of the power (/heat/noise), and I added menubar shortcuts to turn off low power mode when I need the extra juice to speed up a workload.
 
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kelvincht

macrumors member
Mar 8, 2021
57
51
The lack of eGPU support (in other words, no upgradeability or ability to keep up with advances in technology) and needs to interoperate with an Intel world will keep me on the 2019 for at least this generation. The ugly form factor and removed touchbar don't help either, but won't change in the future; eGPU support and x86 virtualization may eventually come. I've actually grown to like low power mode's CPU control as well. You still get 80% of the speed for half of the power (/heat/noise), and I added menubar shortcuts to turn off low power mode when I need the extra juice to speed up a workload.
For my workflow, I need both x86 windows native bootcamp, as well as Apple macOS apps. So the new M1 won't work for me.
 

Norbert Mikołajczyk

macrumors 6502
May 26, 2016
346
171
The lack of eGPU support (in other words, no upgradeability or ability to keep up with advances in technology) and needs to interoperate with an Intel world will keep me on the 2019 for at least this generation. The ugly form factor and removed touchbar don't help either, but won't change in the future; eGPU support and x86 virtualization may eventually come. I've actually grown to like low power mode's CPU control as well. You still get 80% of the speed for half of the power (/heat/noise), and I added menubar shortcuts to turn off low power mode when I need the extra juice to speed up a workload.
I’m also happy with mine fully loaded 16. I use Lpm mode frequently for light design and animation work. For heavier stuff I turn the lpm off and use the laptop with lid closed or with egpu (most frequently). Of course the lpm mode could be better in terms of cpu performance…
 
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