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

[elbateria]

Ok, I just installed the complementary update to 10.15.5 and it solves nothing about dGPU, but having the MBP16 in my desktop again (it was in his box waiting DHL guy) I've been testing resolutions with SwitchResX.

My monitor shows a resolution 1920x1200 - 60Hz and it works perfect with my MBP15 (dGPU around 4W idle).

BUT


MBP16 considers it 1920x1200 - 59,950Hz and (I don't know why) it pushes the dGPU to 18-19W

Using SwitchResX I created a custom 1920x1200 - 60Hz and now the dGPU is working idle around 5W. A wattage in line with the guys who reported no issues with their external monitor.

I've tried with USB-C dongle to HDMI and USB-C to DP direct cable and doesn't matter, it works fine.

RESUME:

1) Doesn't matter if you are using your monitor via DP, HDMI or USB-C. Don't waste time and money.
2) Radeon wattage in clamshell mode is only determined by your external screen refresh rate. If your are lucky and your MBP16 decides that your external monitor works native in one of this blessed refresh rates, your dGPU should work idle around 5W. Thank God and do nothing.
3) If it drains around 18W clamshell idle, your MBP16 doesn’t like your monitor frame rate and here is where the drama begins. Doesn't matter if your monitor OSD or System Preferences show 60Hz, you should install SwitchResX and create another "real" 60Hz resolution and set it has custom.

This is the "native" resolution, Dell U2415, and the iStats resume.

Same for custom resolution I created.

System Preferences -> Screen -> Default -> 18W

Adjusted -> 5W

Is crazy because 60Hz "number 1" drain 5W and "number 2" (in fact, 59,950Hz) drain 18W.

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I tested it under FCPX and when system demands, the dGPU shows all his potencial.

Going back to 5W when idle.

I need to test if it comes back from sleep without crash and how the MBP15 considers my monitor (60Hz or 59,950Hz) but looking this evidence, I consider all of this mess comes from a massive fail with the 5500M drivers working with older or not enough fancy monitors.

Regards.

PS: temperatures and noise are INCREDIBLE MUCH LOWER when dGPU works at 5W. If it can avoid crashes, I probably keep the MBP16. I hope it helps people in my situation.

 

[elbateria]

The MBP15 2017 detects the same "problematic" refresh rate but the Radeon Pro 560 doesn't consider it a problem.

Both MBP15 and MBP16 are working under 10.15.5, so 5500M drivers are probably guilty.

Idle

Load

 

[YYD20]

1st Post here but I have been following this issue for quite some since I'm also experiencing a majority of the issues mentioned in this thread beside the kernel panics. I'd like to share my iStats Menu Charts with some annotations from last Friday to help document my experiences with this issue.

Setup:
2019 16" Macbook Pro on MacOS 10.15.5
2.4 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9
64GB Ram, 1TB SSD
AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8 GB
Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB

External Monitor: Samsung C49J89x running at 3840x1080 @ 144Hz set in SwitchResX.

iStats:

These charts show a typical workday, where I am running a Windows 10 Dev machine through Parallels and connected to an external monitor. Notice when I start the Parallels VM and a Webex meeting, the GPU Memory skyrockets to 100%, and stays relatively high throughout the day until I power the Parallels VM off. I have noticed the fans will run extremely loud when the mac screensaver is on the external display. The only time the Radeon High GPU Watts are not in the 19-27W range are when my machine is put to sleep with an external monitor plugged in. I definitely noticed a difference when updating to 10.15.5 with the fan profiles, since they are much quieter when doing light chrome work with hardware acceleration turned off.

I'm not seeing a degrade in performance when using the machine, and the fans look like they are working by design from the graphs above to remove as much heat from the machine as possible. I am truly hoping this is a software bug in Parallels or the AMD GPU Drivers...


If more logs are needed, or if there is something I need to test, please feel free to let me know.

 

[delacroix_2020]

1st Post but been following this thread as well:

I have the 5500 8GB and an external monitor Asus ROG348Q

with the clam closed, I get between 6-7 watts, running with a USB-C to Displayport cable at 3440x1440 100Hz

If I open the lid, then 20-21watts

doesn't matter the resolution with the open lid, it won't budge, always using 19-21watts.

surprisingly, it feels like with the lid close, my CPU temps are higher for some reason, around 60-74c all the time, with just browsing.

basically it is just all over the place.

I love my 16 when used as a laptop only with no external monitors, but with one connected it is a mean heat machine; I wouldn't mind the heat and noise if it had something more powerful as a GPU.

 

[iRun26.2]

1st Post but been following this thread as well:

I have the 5500 8GB and an external monitor Asus ROG348Q

with the clam closed, I get between 6-7 watts, running with a USB-C to Displayport cable at 3440x1440 100Hz

If I open the lid, then 20-21watts

doesn't matter the resolution with the open lid, it won't budge, always using 19-21watts.

surprisingly, it feels like with the lid close, my CPU temps are higher for some reason, around 60-74c all the time, with just browsing.

basically it is just all over the place.

I love my 16 when used as a laptop only with no external monitors, but with one connected it is a mean heat machine; I wouldn't mind the heat and noise if it had something more powerful as a GPU.

Damn! That is so discouraging.

 

[ateslik]

MBP16 considers it 1920x1200 - 59,950Hz and (I don't know why) it pushes the dGPU to 18-19W

Using SwitchResX I created a custom 1920x1200 - 60Hz and now the dGPU is working idle around 5W. A wattage in line with the guys who reported no issues with their external monitor.

I've tried with USB-C dongle to HDMI and USB-C to DP direct cable and doesn't matter, it works fine.

I tried this. The 60.000 Hz setting was a little difficult to get going - I had to try multiple times before it would stick in the settings and report the correct value consistently. It kept wanting to be 59.998. Anyway, I finally got it to stick to 60.000.

That definitely helped. The fans were much quieter and the machine successfully went into sleep without freaking out.

However, waking up from sleep was still a problem. My external keyboard and mouse couldn't wake it up. So I opened the clamshell and starting trying the keys in there. No luck. The keyboard backlight was on, and no fans were on. So I thought it might be stuck because the external monitor was attached. So I disconnected the USB-C. A few moments went by and then it made the big scary POOF! sound of the fans blasting for half a second and the machine shutdown. About 10 or 15 seconds later the apple logo came up and it started up again by itself.

Thank you for sharing something to try though. I'm going to use mine in laptop only non-clamshell mode until the end of my return window, and if there isn't a fix by then I'll just return it. Because if they haven't fixed it by now who knows when they'll get to it.

 

[Alex W.]

What’s the situation with this and the 5300m

 

[K3it4r0]

I tried this. The 60.000 Hz setting was a little difficult to get going - I had to try multiple times before it would stick in the settings and report the correct value consistently. It kept wanting to be 59.998. Anyway, I finally got it to stick to 60.000.

I am trying to do so, but it appears I am stuck with this specific problem, I cannot set it at 60,00. I tried multiple time, but it is always between 56,992 and 59,998. or 60,8. Nothing in the middle of it. What was the method you followed?

Putting it up and 60,8 anyhow does not change the Watt consumption. I am still >18W so probably does not really work in my case (I have a AMD Radeon Pro 5300M).

 

[Texsippi]

Just received my 16in MBP last Friday and have the same issues. Everything is fine until I connect it to my monitor. Once connected, it’s sitting at 60°C when idle, and 70+ when doing light browsing.

Apple support had me do an SMC reset and told me to return it if that didn’t work. Spoiler. It didn’t.

So before I go through returning it, is there another configuration of the 16inch that works better and has less heating issues? For example dropping from i9 to i7, 5300 better than 5500? Apologies if this has already been answered.

Machine:
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
2.3 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9
16 GB 2667 MHz DDR4
AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 4 GB
Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB

 

[BarrettF77]

For the record, I would just go ahead and return it. Their support is going to give you the run around and they aren't going to redesign anytime soon. If anything you have the most efficient series they offer of chips and it is what it is.

 

[decipherkl]

Where I live I can't usually return a product once purchased. Even if I can, most of the time I will have to exchange it for the same product (if the item is defective and in most cases for Apple products it's impossible to prove) or exchange it for something else from the seller. It's almost impossible to get a refund. Your consumer law in my opinion is fantastic.

So all the MBP16 you guys have been returning returns to the market as refurbished? If so, I think everyone should just buy the refurbished unit since a new unit isn't too different and it's in ample supply

 

[Texsippi]

For the record, I would just go ahead and return it. Their support is going to give you the run around and they aren't going to redesign anytime soon. If anything you have the most efficient series they offer of chips and it is what it is.

So you think I should return it and not worry with another machine because the one I've got is the most efficient version they offer?

 

[BarrettF77]

So you think I should return it and not worry with another machine because the one I've got is the most efficient version they offer?

If what you need is a machine for heavy lifting and cannot work on a lesser powered Mac, then yes and feel that the fans will bother you.

Perhaps wait for a iMac update? The short of it is maybe apple will throw a surprise in WWDC this month, but their product lately have been just lame to date so I don't think much is happening.

 

[jaduffy007]

The MBP15 2017 detects the same "problematic" refresh rate but the Radeon Pro 560 doesn't consider it a problem.

Both MBP15 and MBP16 are working under 10.15.5, so 5500M drivers are probably guilty.

Idle

View attachment 920771

Load

View attachment 920772

elbateria I think you're on to something. Using SwitchResX and creating a custom setting at 60hz has improved the heat / fans a LOT. Still testing but so far...big improvement. Even with lid open, it's behaving far better. THANK YOU!

 

[Texsippi]

The MBP15 2017 detects the same "problematic" refresh rate but the Radeon Pro 560 doesn't consider it a problem.

Both MBP15 and MBP16 are working under 10.15.5, so 5500M drivers are probably guilty.

Idle

View attachment 920771

Load

View attachment 920772

If 5500 drivers to blame does the 5300 behave the same way? Anyone having the same overheating on a machine with the 5300?
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If what you need is a machine for heavy lifting and cannot work on a lesser powered Mac, then yes and feel that the fans will bother you.

Perhaps wait for a iMac update? The short of it is maybe apple will throw a surprise in WWDC this month, but their product lately have been just lame to date so I don't think much is happening.

I could probably get away with a lesser powered machine (dropping down to i7 vs the i9), but wondering if the i7 has the exact same issues when plugged into a monitor. Or is it really more to do with the 5500 drivers as posted above. If so, would the 5300 have the same issues?

 

[K3it4r0]

elbateria I think you're on to something. Using SwitchResX and creating a custom setting at 60hz has improved the heat / fans a LOT. Still testing but so far...big improvement. Even with lid open, it's behaving far better. THANK YOU!

Hi, just to be sure. did you disable the System Integrity Protection before applying the SwitchResX custom setting?

 

[ateslik]

I am trying to do so, but it appears I am stuck with this specific problem, I cannot set it at 60,00. I tried multiple time, but it is always between 56,992 and 59,998. or 60,8. Nothing in the middle of it. What was the method you followed?

Putting it up and 60,8 anyhow does not change the Watt consumption. I am still >18W so probably does not really work in my case (I have a AMD Radeon Pro 5300M).

honestly I just kept typing in 60.000 and setting and unsetting it until it stuck. I'm sorry I can't remember an exact step.

In laptop mode this machine works perfectly. Makes me sad. I really like it.

 

[elbateria]

If 5500 drivers to blame does the 5300 behave the same way? Anyone having the same overheating on a machine with the 5300?
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I could probably get away with a lesser powered machine (dropping down to i7 vs the i9), but wondering if the i7 has the exact same issues when plugged into a monitor. Or is it really more to do with the 5500 drivers as posted above. If so, would the 5300 have the same issues?

I don’t know if 5300M have issues because I’ve never tested it, but 5300M and 5500M share drivers and Navi architecture, so most probably both show the same issues.

5500M outperforms 5300M, also the i9 Vs the i7, so I deduce heat problems in baseline MBP16 are the same but less noticeable because the wattage/heat is lower.

 

[HarryPot]

Since updating to 15.5.5 my MBP 16" has run completely silent even when using it open lid with my 1080p monitor.
It still draws 18W, but fans almost never go above 2850RPM and temp stays around 50-55C.

And this is while having multiple Excel files open, Safari, and several other apps open.

I have no idea if Apple changed something, but before this last update, fans went to 4-5000RPM in no time. And temps where easily above 60-65C.

 

[jaduffy007]

Hi, just to be sure. did you disable the System Integrity Protection before applying the SwitchResX custom setting?

Not intentionally. How do I do that? Thanks !!!

 

[CibbySF]

Not sure if this has been discussed, but I get very different Radeon High Side Watt readings if I'm watching video on Safari vs Chrome. I'm going back and forth watching a live video feed from my local ABC station. Safari doesn't really change wattage at all, 19/20 or so. When I close that and open the same link in Chrome, wattage jumps to the high 20s, even low 30s. Interestingly that's only when I'm actively on that tab. If I switch tabs and can still hear the audio, the wattage jumps back down to 19/20. I have hardware acceleration turned off in Chrome. There definitely appears to be something w how Chrome handles video that causes the Radeon to draw more power. Safari nothing seems to change if I'm on that page or switch tabs.

 

[SiddharthJadav]

Since updating to 15.5.5 my MBP 16" has run completely silent even when using it open lid with my 1080p monitor.
It still draws 18W, but fans almost never go above 2850RPM and temp stays around 50-55C.

And this is while having multiple Excel files open, Safari, and several other apps open.

I have no idea if Apple changed something, but before this last update, fans went to 4-5000RPM in no time. And temps where easily above 60-65C.

What configuration of MBP 16" are you using?

 

[Texsippi]

Since updating to 15.5.5 my MBP 16" has run completely silent even when using it open lid with my 1080p monitor.
It still draws 18W, but fans almost never go above 2850RPM and temp stays around 50-55C.

And this is while having multiple Excel files open, Safari, and several other apps open.

I have no idea if Apple changed something, but before this last update, fans went to 4-5000RPM in no time. And temps where easily above 60-65C.

Crazy. I updated but still get the same results. Idle sits around 60c when connected to monitor.
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I don’t know if 5300M have issues because I’ve never tested it, but 5300M and 5500M share drivers and Navi architecture, so most probably both show the same issues.

5500M outperforms 5300M, also the i9 Vs the i7, so I deduce heat problems in baseline MBP16 are the same but less noticeable because the wattage/heat is lower.

Makes sense. May be a trade off on performance and heat with these. Unless someone finds a reliable fix. The use of SwitchResX seems promising. Guess that will be my next test before deciding to return for a different, lower end model. Was hoping to future proof. ?

 

[HarryPot]

What configuration of MBP 16" are you using?

I'm using the base model:
2.6 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7 / AMD Radeon Pro 5300M

 

[interbear]

4. ANYONE doing presentations - display and share in presentation mode on the external screen, while keeping presenter mode or notes on the internal screen. Granted, sharing powerpoints doesn’t necessarily need a top end MacBook Pro, but if they overlap with any of the other reasons, it should certainly work while not making embarrassing jet engine sounds presenting to a live or remote audience.

I’m quite sure I’m missing lots of ‘multiple screen’ cases, but yes, this should indeed work sanely.

I‘m in this category. I use my MacBook Pro 16 connected to a USB-C widescreen monitor. Using MS Teams, Zoom regularly for video calls and presentations, every day. I don’t do any intensive work, Office for Mac and Chrome / Safari primarily. No video editing, no coding, nothing like that. In retrospect I’ve probably over specced my MBP for what I need. However, it should not have the fans run like crazy and sound like a jet engine when I’m working or presenting. But it does. After reading other experiences on here I downloaded the Turbo Boost Switcher app today and will see if that helps. However I don’t think it reasonable to spend this sort of money on a laptop to then have to download 3rd party software to have it play nicely. Neither should I have to use it in clamshell mode. I prefer having the two screens when presenting, I also use the speakers on the MacBook Pro for video / conference calls (audio quality being a key selling point of this laptop) and I personally prefer using the onboard keyboard and touchpad than externals. I also find the touchbar quite useful for volume changes and simple things. So I want / need to keep my laptop open as it’s very functional for me to do so. I should add that I also had to disable the PowerNap feature to stop it crashing and causing graphic corruptions, a totally different issue but another niggle. I’ve had mine for 6 months now and have been putting up with it but I‘m not sure I should be.