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

[iwillbeshera]

Well, as a home studio owner, music producer / songwriter...I think we're in a similar boat. If you need the lid open, then imo, you're in for a "world of hurt" with the 16" and an external monitor. Choose a gaming 144hz monitor and *maybe* you'll be fine...not sure if that's guaranteed though. 60hz? Forget it. Clamshell + Turbo Boost turned off is tolerable imo.
eGPU is another option as I'm sure you've read. I'll know the results of that option by tomorrow evening. Expensive though. I think a 13" i7 / 32gb ram + eGPU would be a great set up for audio work.

I gotta ask, do you really need a MBP? The new rumored iMac sounds pretty sweet. I'm certainly going to consider it as a replacement for my 16" once the specs / price are known. The iMac will seriously outperform the 16" MBP. iPad Air or used 2018 iPad Pro could add mobility. This combo would work nicely for me. YMMV.

Yeah I've thought about this pretty thoroughly and, while I'd very, very much like to get an iMac (for performance and bang for the buck), the MBP solves 4 problems for me while the iMac would only solve 2. I've actually been running an iMac for the past 6 years (it finally crapped out on me, hence the need to get a new computer), and it's been pretty annoying having to find less than ideal solutions for portability, multiple video input sources, etc.

 

[jaduffy007]

Hi all - I recently bought a new MBP 16 and came across this right away. I'm connected to a 2k external monitor in clamshell mode and the fans would run full blast shortly after powering on. I disabled turbo boost and that helped a little but the fans were still running upwards of 4k. I came across this thread and also began looking into the GPU sensor. Sure enough it was at 19W when using 1440p, if I switched to 1080p using SwitchResX, it dropped to 5-6W right away. I began playing with custom resolutions as I saw that some had success. Sure enough I found a setting that is working for me. I've been working for a few hours with turbo boost enabled at 1440p. Sensor currently between 6-7W with the occasional spike and fans around 2500rpm. See screenshot for settings. Hope this helps someone.

View attachment 922806

Sorry, but would you might clarifying what settings you changed?

 

[ateslik]

Hi all - I recently bought a new MBP 16 and came across this right away. I'm connected to a 2k external monitor in clamshell mode and the fans would run full blast shortly after powering on. I disabled turbo boost and that helped a little but the fans were still running upwards of 4k. I came across this thread and also began looking into the GPU sensor. Sure enough it was at 19W when using 1440p, if I switched to 1080p using SwitchResX, it dropped to 5-6W right away. I began playing with custom resolutions as I saw that some had success. Sure enough I found a setting that is working for me. I've been working for a few hours with turbo boost enabled at 1440p. Sensor currently between 6-7W with the occasional spike and fans around 2500rpm. See screenshot for settings. Hope this helps someone.

View attachment 922806

What kind of monitor are you using?

 

[DM_1]

Sorry, but would you might clarifying what settings you changed?

Sure, I checked the "use simplified settings" box and tested all options from the dropdown. The one in the screenshot, "GTF", is the only one that worked. I'm attaching a screenshot of the default settings as shown by SwitchResX vs the GTF settings. I don't know exactly why these settings bring it back to 6-7W but it worked for me.

GTF - 6-7W:

Default Settings - 18W:

[automerge]1591728449[/automerge]

What kind of monitor are you using?

It's a Philips 326E8FJSB

 

[CibbySF]

Hey folks,

Been reading this thread, and it has me feeling pretty unsure about my options. I need to buy a new MBP, which I will be using docked 80% of the time, and will be connected to a Dell U2715H which only does 60Hz. I'll also be using both the laptop screen and the monitor. I would have looked at alternative laptops, but as an iOS/macOS dev, I need to stick with a Mac (and for development, you really don't need anything that beastly), but as a musician, I also want to get something powerful enough to do my music on. So I'm looking at the 16", as the 13" probably won't really do the trick based on the benchmarks that I've seen.

Is the general consensus that the i7 with the 5530M or 5500M has better heat throttling? While the i7 is probably enough (I'm not making songs with hundreds of tracks, that's for sure), I did want to go with the i9, ideally, because I'd want to keep this laptop for 5ish years so performance for the long term is also important. The other option was going with the i9 but disabling TurboBoost (which would basically make it equal to i7 with Turbo Boost from what a few benchmarks in this thread have suggested). I'm waiting to see if anything gets announced at WWDC and then I'm pulling the trigger either way but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I have similar needs/concerns, here's what I've learned after being on these threads for so long. I currently have a 16 i9 5500 and debating returning for an i7 or wait to see if they update anything meaningful at wwdc. Some of the refurbs right now seem pretty nicely discounted, so I wonder if a small spec bump is coming. I also had the latest 13 32gb and returned it. After 5+ yrs w a 13 which I loved for the portability, now that I'm mostly working at home I've come to really appreciate the extra screen size. I'm also a huge fan of the speakers. For those 2 reasons I want to make the 16 work over the 13. As far as fan noise, watch this video, I find this YouTuber quite entertaining

. He compares the latest 13 to the 16 fan noise and finds the 13 kicks on a lot of the time as well. Depends how you use it for sure. That same guy also decided to keep an i7 16 inch after comparing it to the i9 citing slightly quieter (fans don't seem to ramp as quickly) and better battery life. That's where I'm leaning. Not sure what DAW you have but some are better at taking advantage of multiple cores than others. I have Ableton and don't think cores help all that much, def could be wrong on that, but I think 6 is gonna be plenty.

Now all of this is moot if you can run just as a laptop (mine is always quiet and cool) or in clamshell mode. I have an LG 27BK85U which I think only goes up to 60hz and as soon as I go into clamsheel my Radeon wattage drops at least 10 watts and is in the 8-11 range, fans drop over 1k rpm. My prob is I run lid open for the second screen.

 

[jaduffy007]

Yeah I've thought about this pretty thoroughly and, while I'd very, very much like to get an iMac (for performance and bang for the buck), the MBP solves 4 problems for me while the iMac would only solve 2. I've actually been running an iMac for the past 6 years (it finally crapped out on me, hence the need to get a new computer), and it's been pretty annoying having to find less than ideal solutions for portability, multiple video input sources, etc.

I get it...cool
[automerge]1591731259[/automerge]

Sure, I checked the "use simplified settings" box and tested all options from the dropdown. The one in the screenshot, "GTF", is the only one that worked. I'm attaching a screenshot of the default settings as shown by SwitchResX vs the GTF settings. I don't know exactly why these settings bring it back to 6-7W but it worked for me.

GTF - 6-7W:
View attachment 922827

Default Settings - 18W:
View attachment 922828
[automerge]1591728449[/automerge]


It's a Philips 326E8FJSB

Thank you!!
[automerge]1591731455[/automerge]

I have similar needs/concerns, here's what I've learned after being on these threads for so long. I currently have a 16 i9 5500 and debating returning for an i7 or wait to see if they update anything meaningful at wwdc. Some of the refurbs right now seem pretty nicely discounted, so I wonder if a small spec bump is coming. I also had the latest 13 32gb and returned it. After 5+ yrs w a 13 which I loved for the portability, now that I'm mostly working at home I've come to really appreciate the extra screen size. I'm also a huge fan of the speakers. For those 2 reasons I want to make the 16 work over the 13. As far as fan noise, watch this video, I find this YouTuber quite entertaining

. He compares the latest 13 to the 16 fan noise and finds the 13 kicks on a lot of the time as well. Depends how you use it for sure. That same guy also decided to keep an i7 16 inch after comparing it to the i9 citing slightly quieter (fans don't seem to ramp as quickly) and better battery life. That's where I'm leaning. Not sure what DAW you have but some are better at taking advantage of multiple cores than others. I have Ableton and don't think cores help all that much, def could be wrong on that, but I think 6 is gonna be plenty.

Now all of this is moot if you can run just as a laptop (mine is always quiet and cool) or in clamshell mode. I have an LG 27BK85U which I think only goes up to 60hz and as soon as I go into clamsheel my Radeon wattage drops at least 10 watts and is in the 8-11 range, fans drop over 1k rpm. My prob is I run lid open for the second screen.

I use Studio One DAW...but there are threads at Ableton forums with numerous 16" MBP owners complaining about the heat / noise. And if you really need the lid open...test it thoroughly within 14 day return window.

Here's just two:

https://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?t=236750

https://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=237394

 

[jaduffy007]

Sure, I checked the "use simplified settings" box and tested all options from the dropdown. The one in the screenshot, "GTF", is the only one that worked. I'm attaching a screenshot of the default settings as shown by SwitchResX vs the GTF settings. I don't know exactly why these settings bring it back to 6-7W but it worked for me.

GTF - 6-7W:
View attachment 922827

Default Settings - 18W:
View attachment 922828
[automerge]1591728449[/automerge]


It's a Philips 326E8FJSB

Holy moly Batman...those changes made a huge improvement. I have Turbo Boost on, launched Studio One, Capture One Pro (demanding photo app), Photoshop...all using Turbo ON...in clamshell, Radeon High Side is at 6-8W...where it ALWAYS jumped to 18W before...and never dropped below 18W. Temps and Fans are behaving. I'm kinda stunned as I had given up hope.

With lid open, the heat / fans are much better but Radeon High Side is pulling 18W. Before, lid open was un-useable for audio work.

I can't thank you enough. Tip jar? I'm going to share this on reddit. These are the settings I'm using for a 4k BenQ SW271 monitor.

 

[DM_1]

Holy moly Batman...those changes made a huge improvement. I have Turbo Boost on, launched Studio One, Capture One Pro (demanding photo app), Photoshop...all using Turbo ON...in clamshell, Radeon High Side is at 6W. Temps and Fans are behaving. I'm kinda stunned as I had given up hope.

With lid open, the heat / fans are much better but Radeon High Side is pulling 18W. Before, lid open was un-useable for audio work.

I can't thank you enough. Tip jar? I'm going to share this on reddit.

Glad to hear! Been driving me nuts since I got my MBP, I was going to return it as I couldn't deal with the fans running full blast.

 

[K3it4r0]

Sure, I checked the "use simplified settings" box and tested all options from the dropdown. The one in the screenshot, "GTF", is the only one that worked. I'm attaching a screenshot of the default settings as shown by SwitchResX vs the GTF settings. I don't know exactly why these settings bring it back to 6-7W but it worked for me.

GTF - 6-7W:


Default Settings - 18W:

[automerge]1591728449[/automerge]


It's a Philips 326E8FJSB

Just tested with simplified settings and with lid closed it works great! I have 5W consumption from the GPU now! thank you very very much!

Not for me. Stock fans on razer core X chroma were just a little louder than issue fans in MBP (30dB at 2 feet, where my ears are normally). But I replaced them with noctua fans that are even quieter. Still audible, but barely. No permanent modification required. Just be careful when unplugging the internal power supply fan as it can still hold charge while unplugged. Route the new fan cable out of the PSU with three other cables and connect to the same motherboard fan header as the case fan with a y cable splitter. I used this one:

NA-SYC1 chromax.black

The NA-SYC1 chromax.black is a fan accessory set consisting of three NA-YC1 y-cables that make it possible to run two 4-pin PWM fans on a single fan header and to let the motherboard control the speed of both fans simultaneously. Multiple NA-YC1s can be daisy-chained to control more than two PWM...

noctua.at

And these fans:

- https://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a12x25-flx
- https://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a8-flx

Thanks! Resolved or not, I am probably going to buy one for some 3D work I need to do, so thank you for the links!

 

[davidbend]

I am happy to see that many of us found their solution for clamshell mode.

This workaround is great, but it's a big shame that we have to do it.

To all of us, if you want Apple to do something, please keep to:
1) Send feedback every day, with the following information: (https://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html)

title: High GPU Power Consumption While Using External Monitor | MacBook Pro 16-inch
comments: While I connect an external monitor and use the internal screen as well, the GPU power consumption rises to 18 Watt in idle state. It leads the CPU temperatures to rise as well. Beyond the fairly high CPU temperatures in idle state, the problem starts to get very disturbed when I do basic operations, and naturally the CPU temperatures rise by at least 10 to 20 degrees as a result. Directly, this causes the fans to work frequently.

2) Call Apple support!

Don't give up! We need to make them despair until they help us solve this annoying issue.

 

[jaduffy007]

I am happy to see that many of us found their solution for clamshell mode.

This workaround is great, but it's a big shame that we have to do it.

To all of us, if you want Apple to do something, please keep to:
1) Send feedback every day, with the following information: (https://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html)


2) Call Apple support!

Don't give up! We need to make them despair until they help us solve this annoying issue.

Sent..and I'll send it every freakin' day.

 

[DM_1]

Just tested with simplified settings and with lid closed it works great! I have 5W consumption from the GPU now! thank you very very much!

That’s great, I’m glad I was able to help.
[automerge]1591752274[/automerge]

I am happy to see that many of us found their solution for clamshell mode.

This workaround is great, but it's a big shame that we have to do it.

To all of us, if you want Apple to do something, please keep to:
1) Send feedback every day, with the following information: (https://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html)


2) Call Apple support!

Don't give up! We need to make them despair until they help us solve this annoying issue.

Agree 100%!!

 

[ateslik]

Sure, I checked the "use simplified settings" box and tested all options from the dropdown. The one in the screenshot, "GTF", is the only one that worked. I'm attaching a screenshot of the default settings as shown by SwitchResX vs the GTF settings. I don't know exactly why these settings bring it back to 6-7W but it worked for me.

GTF - 6-7W:
View attachment 922827

Default Settings - 18W:
View attachment 922828
[automerge]1591728449[/automerge]


It's a Philips 326E8FJSB

Damn dude, this actually works! I'm getting Radeon High Side 4-7, fans at 1800rpm, low temps 135F in clamshell mode running 2560x1440 59.999Hz with a Dell U2719DX -> DisplayPort -> Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock -> Macbook USB-C. Beautiful! When I open After Effects and playback a heavy comp Radeon HS goes to 19W during playback, and right back down to 4-7 afterwards. That's what I'm talking about!

Now I need to test the return from sleep. If that works I'm in a pickle, because the 13" I ordered is supposed to arrive 6/16!

I much prefer this problem to the thing just not working though! Thank you!

UPDATE: Comes back from sleep perfectly! So now the only problem is it doesn't work with the lid open. Hmm.....

 

[matram]

Don't give up! We need to make them despair until they help us solve this annoying issue.

Reading about this problem on the AMD board, it seems that AMD view is that the GPU works as designed.

I am not sure that I fully understand why, but it seems that the GPU has to increase the VRAM clock to maximum to handle some combinations of refesh rate and monitor resolution and that is what causes the jump to 18W.

If that is the case, a solution is unlikely to come. The best thing to do would be to try to understand what monitors and settimgs work best.

 

[jaduffy007]

Reading about this problem on the AMD board, it seems that AMD view is that the GPU works as designed.

I am not sure that I fully understand why, but it seems that the GPU has to increase the VRAM clock to maximum to handle some combinations of refesh rate and monitor resolution and that is what causes the jump to 18W.

If that is the case, a solution is unlikely to come. The best thing to do would be to try to understand what monitors and settimgs work best.

Yep...I don't expect a real solution, so I intend to replace my 16" MBP by year's end.

 

[covertsurfer]

Good to see clamshell mode working for some but is there no way to get low wattage with the lid open.

 

[Appledoesnotlisten]

Yep...I don't expect a real solution, so I intend to replace my 16" MBP by year's end.

They might upgrade the 16" MBP with bigger fans...

 

[jc_9]

...or stop applying subpar thermal paste :

 

[MrGunnyPT]

...or stop applying subpar thermal paste :

View attachment 922928

Makes absolutely no sense lol.

 

[vemac575]

guess I wonder why anyone really needs an external monitor with a 16" I like using things in their native form...

Really? I find it odd that you have to wonder. It's pretty well known that photographers use accurate monitors, videographers tend to need another monitor, and producers (like myself) need extended displays.

 

[Syther101]

If any of you who have recently applied SwitchResX and successfully managed to get your GPU to idle. If you find scrolling laggier than normal in some apps on the external display. Try this fix:

I'd be interested your results. I've reported the bug to apple so would be interesting to see if others can reproduce. This fix stays active between sleep and also disconnecting and reconnecting back to the monitor. I think logging out or restart might undo it.

 

[jaduffy007]

They might upgrade the 16" MBP with bigger fans...

Bigger fans results in quieter??
[automerge]1591804357[/automerge]

guess I wonder why anyone really needs an external monitor with a 16" I like using things in their native form...

Whaaaaaa? ok, then let's suggest Apple remove all of the ports as well...to keep everything "native". Absurd indeed. For example, should I ask, why would anyone need to attach an external hard drive when they can just buy a 2TB internal ssd? And no one needs more than 2TB, right? Well, WRONG...ask videographers and photographers. I have nearly 400GB of sounds and virtual instruments. Sometimes I read s*** like this on these forums and I think my head is going to explode.

But why an external monitor? Maybe when I'm mixing a song with 50+ tracks? Or maybe when I'm working on a track, which requires to have 4-5 plugins + multiple VSTs open at one time, etc. Or maybe when I'm editing a 60MP image from my Sony A7R4, I would prefer to not have to scroll and scroll and scroll and scroll to see other parts of the image. I can go on and on and on with whys.

Sorry, it's this "I don't need it, so why should anyone else" vibe that makes nuts. Especially when it's used to make excuses for poor design by Apple. And yes, I feel much better now

 

[jaduffy007]

...or stop applying subpar thermal paste :

View attachment 922928

Good idea imo.

 

[Appledoesnotlisten]

Bigger fans results in quieter??

Yes. Bigger fans spin at a lower speed to move the same amount of air, so the 16" MBP will be noticeably cooler and quieter with bigger fans.

 

[DM_1]

Damn dude, this actually works! I'm getting Radeon High Side 4-7, fans at 1800rpm, low temps 135F in clamshell mode running 2560x1440 59.999Hz with a Dell U2719DX -> DisplayPort -> Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock -> Macbook USB-C. Beautiful! When I open After Effects and playback a heavy comp Radeon HS goes to 19W during playback, and right back down to 4-7 afterwards. That's what I'm talking about!

Now I need to test the return from sleep. If that works I'm in a pickle, because the 13" I ordered is supposed to arrive 6/16!

I much prefer this problem to the thing just not working though! Thank you!

UPDATE: Comes back from sleep perfectly! So now the only problem is it doesn't work with the lid open. Hmm.....

Sweet, glad it works....in clamshell. I don't use mine open with my external monitor but will test it and see what I get.