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

[peterjcat]

So I bit the bullet and got a 5700 XT in a Core X Chroma, replaced the PSU with a Corsair SF600 and the case fan with a Noctua at the lowest speed. Now the setup is barely audible from a graphics perspective, the MBP still spins up when the CPU has some work to do but much better. An expensive workaround but I figure this is probably my last Intel MBP and it'll last until the ARM MBPs are out and enough of the software is updated. And it's fun to have a decent graphics card for my MBP and Windows laptop too. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.

FWIW the 5700 XT idles at 29W with two 4K monitors plugged in via HDMI, but it's not affecting the MBP power/thermals of course.

 

[mrmachine79]

So I bit the bullet and got a 5700 XT in a Core X Chroma, replaced the PSU with a Corsair SF600 and the case fan with a Noctua at the lowest speed. Now the setup is barely audible from a graphics perspective, the MBP still spins up when the CPU has some work to do but much better. An expensive workaround but I figure this is probably my last Intel MBP and it'll last until the ARM MBPs are out and enough of the software is updated. And it's fun to have a decent graphics card for my MBP and Windows laptop too. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.

FWIW the 5700 XT idles at 29W with two 4K monitors plugged in via HDMI, but it's not affecting the MBP power/thermals of course.

How do you measure there power usage of the eGPU?

 

[robcowart]

I also struggled with this issue. However I now have a fix.

First my setup. I am using a 3440x1440 ultra-wide monitor. I am using this USB-C dock/dongle... https://www.ugreen.com/product/1324-en.html which also was providing HDMI connectivity to the monitor.

While connected to the monitor via the dongle, minimal fan speeds were around 3000 RPMs and CPU temps were about 60C. However this would often creep up to 3500-4000 RPMs and temps around 70C.

I considered the eGPU route. However, since my monitor also has a DisplayPort input, I decided to first try a USB-C to DisplayPort cable, like this one... https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HLR62ZM/A/moshi-usb-c-to-displayport-cable (which is also recommended by Apple here... https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207443)

THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ME!!! ?

As I sit here writing this post while connected to my external monitor, my fan speed is only 1820 RPM and CPU temp is only 48C.

The only downside is that I no longer have a single cable connection. I am still using the above mentioned dongle (without HDMI plugged in) for USB-3, ethernet and pass-through power as before. However I also have the separate USB-C to DisplayPort cable. While I would have preferred only a single cable, I can live with plugging in two if it means less fan noise and presumably greater longevity of the hardware components.

Additional benefits, at least in my case, is that over DisplayPort my monitor does 60Hz vs. only 50Hz over HDMI. The cable was also A LOT cheaper than an eGPU.

 

[pruso0]

Another option to lower temperature without SwitchResX.
Go to settings -> display, hold option button and click Scaling option. You'll see a list of available resolutions, for 4k monitor click for eg. 2560x1440 low resolution (disable retina display, everything is a bit blurry). Temperature will down for about 5 degrees like when using SwitchResX app.

Or check Default for this monitor or use native resolution 2840x2160 for 4k.

Thats why apple prefer 5k monitors because for 5k display default resolution will be 2560 x 1440 without gpu power costs. For 4k default option is 1080x1920 which makes interface too big.

 

[leokost]

After you create and save the custom resolution, click on the SwitchResX Icon at the top and you should now see an additional 60Hz option. Click on it to apply.


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Honestly, I have no idea why it works. I noticed that 1080p wasn't giving me issues and others were having some success with custom resolutions. A bunch of trial and error and finally came across a combination that worked. Would be great to know what the actual issue is though, and would be nice if Apple fixed it. I'm just glad I was able to help while we are forced to wait on a fix.

OK, this is so frustrating to deal with. I've invested $4k in this machine and having to go through so much trouble, more than building your actual own Hackintosh, pisses me off. This should be a freaking flawless machine, what the actual fck.

So I'm having this issue as well and I'm trying to find a workaround via SwitchResX, but I just can't understand what's going on. Here's my setup:

• MBP 16" connected to a USB-C Dock.
• USB-C Dock connects to Monitor No.1 via its miniDP -> Monitor DP port
• Monitor No.2 is connected from TB3 MBP port -> HDMI Monitor port
• Both monitors are 2K (dell u2515h)
• Monitor No.1 (via miniDP -> DP port) is running 2560x1440 at 59.88 Hz (can't go at 60Hz as it seems due to it being a Displayport cable?)
• Monitor No.2 (type-c -> HDMI port) is running at 2560x1440 at 60 Hz

I tried unplugging 1 of the monitors at a time and run a few test-resolutions through SwitchResX and compare results.
Here are the tests I ran:

• Monitor No.1 (via miniDP -> DP Port) at 2560x1440 at 59.88 Hz - Radeon High Side 17.5 W
• Monitor No.1 (via miniDP -> DP Port) at 2560x1440 at 50 Hz - Radeon High Side 4.2 W
• Monitor No.1 (via miniDP -> DP Port) at 2560x1440 at 60 Hz - N/A (Can't enable Hz due to the cable itself I guess?)

• Monitor No.2 (via Type-C -> HDMI Port) at 2560x1440 at 60 Hz - Raden High Side 17.5 W
• Monitor No.2 (via Type-C -> HDMI Port) at 2560x1440 at 50 Hz - N/A (I guess I can't enable less than 60Hz at 2K with this specific USB->HDMI cable?)
• Monitor No.2 (via Type-C -> HDMI Port) at 1920x1080 at 60 Hz - Raden High Side 4.2 W
• Monitor No.2 (via Type-C -> HDMI Port) at 1920x1080 at 50 Hz - Raden High Side 4.2 W

So based on all those endless resolution changes (and multiple Macbook Pro shutdowns - ??? - for some strange reason), it seems that in my occasion:

1. A Type-C to HDMI connection needs to be able to provide less than 60Hz to 2k resolution in order for the RHS to drop its W power.
2. A miniDP to Displayport (via USB-C Dock) needs to be able to provide 60Hz or more to a 2k resolution in order for the RHS to drop its W power.

Now, the question is. HOW? What's the best approach here for me to make my 2 monitor setup work without the MBP going annoyingly loud and hot? Do I need a different cable connectivity system?

Any ideas, anyone?

I hope I've given some extra insight into this!
Any additional help would be appreciated!

 

[matram]

I tried to read up a bit on AMD forum, I found these ”nuggets”, I do know if they help ...

17 W is related to the memory clock for VRAM being set to maximum. The memory clock is related to pixel refresh rate, i.e. resolution multiplied by scan frequency.

There can be two reasons for the clock to be set to maximum, one is different pixel clocks on two display.

The other is related to ”fly back” time. This is a time interval after each line of pixels that is reserved in the HDMI standard to switch over to the next line of pixels. This dates back to the old days of CRT when the besm had to fly back to the left side. I do not understand really why, but some monitor leaves almost not time for this fly back. And the GPU cannot change the clock on the fly so it is set to maximum. This seems to be monitor dependent and DP see,s to be betterbthan HDMI as far as I understood. AMD position on this is this works as designed an will / cannot be fixed.

I hope this helps a bit and apologies for my imperfect understanding.

 

[ateslik]

The 2020 13" has arrived! Driving the exact same monitor through the exact same Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro with the exact same cables results in -total- system wattage of 7-9W, and fan speeds of 1200-1400rpm in clamshell mode. Wake from sleep is perfect every time. System temps are 133F/56C browsing the web. When the lid is open total system wattage goes to 11-14W and temps bump to 136F.

I lost 4 cores, 4 hyperthread cores, and 32Gb of ram in the downgrade to this machine - and it's noticeable but not terrible during After Effects renders - but it's whisper quiet and just works overall. I saved a bunch of money too I guess. This machine is great and delivers the experience I was expecting from the 16".

Hopefully they don't come out with something new at WWDC while I'm in the 14 day return window. lol

 

[matram]

The 13” does not have a discrete GPU which is what is being discussed in this thread.

 

[ateslik]

The 13” does not have a discrete GPU which is what is being discussed in this thread.

I know, and I completely understand that. But a discrete GPU that doesn't work is worse than not having one at all.

I had this 16" machine. I returned it. See my previous posts in this thread.

Giving information on the performance of the 2020 13" in the exact same configuration could prove helpful to some struggling with this 16" machine. That's why I posted it.

 

[pruso0]

Monitor: lg 27ud88-w 4k
Watching Twitch TV with different scaling options

 

[leokost]

Monitor: lg 27ud88-w 4k
Watching Twitch TV with different scaling options
View attachment 923840

What's the difference between 2560x1440 and 2560x1440 low res?

 

[pruso0]

What's the difference between 2560x1440 and 2560x1440 low res?

First is a hidpi (Retina mode). You can find this option in display settings -> scaling. Look my previous post how enable low resolution mode.

 

[jaduffy007]

OK, this is so frustrating to deal with. I've invested $4k in this machine and having to go through so much trouble, more than building your actual own Hackintosh, pisses me off. This should be a freaking flawless machine, what the actual fck.

So I'm having this issue as well and I'm trying to find a workaround via SwitchResX, but I just can't understand what's going on. Here's my setup:

• MBP 16" connected to a USB-C Dock.
• USB-C Dock connects to Monitor No.1 via its miniDP -> Monitor DP port
• Monitor No.2 is connected from TB3 MBP port -> HDMI Monitor port
• Both monitors are 2K (dell u2515h)
• Monitor No.1 (via miniDP -> DP port) is running 2560x1440 at 59.88 Hz (can't go at 60Hz as it seems due to it being a Displayport cable?)
• Monitor No.2 (type-c -> HDMI port) is running at 2560x1440 at 60 Hz

I tried unplugging 1 of the monitors at a time and run a few test-resolutions through SwitchResX and compare results.
Here are the tests I ran:

• Monitor No.1 (via miniDP -> DP Port) at 2560x1440 at 59.88 Hz - Radeon High Side 17.5 W
• Monitor No.1 (via miniDP -> DP Port) at 2560x1440 at 50 Hz - Radeon High Side 4.2 W
• Monitor No.1 (via miniDP -> DP Port) at 2560x1440 at 60 Hz - N/A (Can't enable Hz due to the cable itself I guess?)

• Monitor No.2 (via Type-C -> HDMI Port) at 2560x1440 at 60 Hz - Raden High Side 17.5 W
• Monitor No.2 (via Type-C -> HDMI Port) at 2560x1440 at 50 Hz - N/A (I guess I can't enable less than 60Hz at 2K with this specific USB->HDMI cable?)
• Monitor No.2 (via Type-C -> HDMI Port) at 1920x1080 at 60 Hz - Raden High Side 4.2 W
• Monitor No.2 (via Type-C -> HDMI Port) at 1920x1080 at 50 Hz - Raden High Side 4.2 W

So based on all those endless resolution changes (and multiple Macbook Pro shutdowns - ??? - for some strange reason), it seems that in my occasion:

1. A Type-C to HDMI connection needs to be able to provide less than 60Hz to 2k resolution in order for the RHS to drop its W power.
2. A miniDP to Displayport (via USB-C Dock) needs to be able to provide 60Hz or more to a 2k resolution in order for the RHS to drop its W power.

Now, the question is. HOW? What's the best approach here for me to make my 2 monitor setup work without the MBP going annoyingly loud and hot? Do I need a different cable connectivity system?

Any ideas, anyone?

I hope I've given some extra insight into this!
Any additional help would be appreciated!

I feel you. I'm pissed too. If you've read most of this thread, especially the last 8-10 pages, then you know as much as I do regarding options & solutions. Personally, I have a working solution now...and as soon as mini-LED 2021 MBPs come out next year, I'm dumping this 2019 16" MBP.
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The 2020 13" has arrived! Driving the exact same monitor through the exact same Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock Pro with the exact same cables results in -total- system wattage of 7-9W, and fan speeds of 1200-1400rpm in clamshell mode. Wake from sleep is perfect every time. System temps are 133F/56C browsing the web. When the lid is open total system wattage goes to 11-14W and temps bump to 136F.

I lost 4 cores, 4 hyperthread cores, and 32Gb of ram in the downgrade to this machine - and it's noticeable but not terrible during After Effects renders - but it's whisper quiet and just works overall. I saved a bunch of money too I guess. This machine is great and delivers the experience I was expecting from the 16".

Hopefully they don't come out with something new at WWDC while I'm in the 14 day return window. lol

Happy for you. I would have done the same thing if I could have returned my 16".
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I also struggled with this issue. However I now have a fix.

First my setup. I am using a 3440x1440 ultra-wide monitor. I am using this USB-C dock/dongle... https://www.ugreen.com/product/1324-en.html which also was providing HDMI connectivity to the monitor.

While connected to the monitor via the dongle, minimal fan speeds were around 3000 RPMs and CPU temps were about 60C. However this would often creep up to 3500-4000 RPMs and temps around 70C.

I considered the eGPU route. However, since my monitor also has a DisplayPort input, I decided to first try a USB-C to DisplayPort cable, like this one... https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HLR62ZM/A/moshi-usb-c-to-displayport-cable (which is also recommended by Apple here... https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207443)

THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ME!!! ?

As I sit here writing this post while connected to my external monitor, my fan speed is only 1820 RPM and CPU temp is only 48C.

The only downside is that I no longer have a single cable connection. I am still using the above mentioned dongle (without HDMI plugged in) for USB-3, ethernet and pass-through power as before. However I also have the separate USB-C to DisplayPort cable. While I would have preferred only a single cable, I can live with plugging in two if it means less fan noise and presumably greater longevity of the hardware components.

Additional benefits, at least in my case, is that over DisplayPort my monitor does 60Hz vs. only 50Hz over HDMI. The cable was also A LOT cheaper than an eGPU.

Happy for you, but if I buy this cable...it would be the 4th (!!) displayPort cable I've tried...and the first three didn't do squat. Once my local Apple Store reopens, I'll give it a try...with the ability to return it.

 

[Valpmy]

THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ME!!! ?

As I sit here writing this post while connected to my external monitor, my fan speed is only 1820 RPM and CPU temp is only 48C.

Hi. Thanks for sharing your experience.

You are not in clamshell mode, right?

Can you please share screenshot of iStat?
Especially interested in wattage consumption of Radeon High Side and temperature of Thunderbolt Left & Right Proximity sensors.

 

[BlueseaApple]

My 2nd attempt at the 16" on refurb with i9 and 5500M 8GB
Also have new 2020 13" in parallel
Using a LG5k Ultrafine.
Connect to LG 20W on the AMD! 3000 rpm constant and slowing baking my hands as I type
13" is almost 0 rpm connected to the LG and happily drives the 5k
Better route is to get an eGPU and divorce the heat powering GPU from my 13" and have max portability to boot
Sorry Apple again, 16" returns today.

 

[earlyadoptermakeshistory]

My 2nd attempt at the 16" on refurb with i9 and 5500M 8GB
Also have new 2020 13" in parallel
Using a LG5k Ultrafine.
Connect to LG 20W on the AMD! 3000 rpm constant and slowing baking my hands as I type
13" is almost 0 rpm connected to the LG and happily drives the 5k
Better route is to get an eGPU and divorce the heat powering GPU from my 13" and have max portability to boot
Sorry Apple again, 16" returns today.

what about the comparison between the two machines (i.e. 13 and 16) without external monitor attached to them. Is the 16 inch generally quieter than the 13 inch, also with intensive tasks?
also, how do you plan to connect the lg5k to the egpu?
thanks!

 

[joelhinch]

I wonder how the 5600M will perform.

 

[bomby0]

I wonder how the 5600M will perform.

*overheating intensifies*

 

[Camarillo Brillo]

*overheating intensifies*

Lol

I hope that this new option isn't their solution to the overheating...because it's a very expensive add-on and it doesn't help me, since I bought mine 6 months ago. But yea you're probably right it will probably get worse ?

 

[DM_1]

I tested with a DP to USB-C cable in clamshell mode and had no luck, Radeon high side jumps to 18W and fans kick in high shortly after. I enabled the the custom resolution with SwitchResX and it's back to about 5W with fans at around 1800rpm. Same outcome with HDMI or DP.

 

[jaduffy007]

I wonder how the 5600M will perform.

I got $100 that says...same or worse than 5500M

I tested with a DP to USB-C cable in clamshell mode and had no luck, Radeon high side jumps to 18W and fans kick in high shortly after. I enabled the the custom resolution with SwitchResX and it's back to about 5W with fans at around 1800rpm. Same outcome with HDMI or DP.

Same for me. I haven't tried the moshi cable (Apple approved)...but the other 3 dp > usbc cables I tried failed to help. SwitchResX worked.

 

[jc_9]

Is it common for Apple to add more dGPU options to their Macbook Pro after their release? For 800$ more, it would be a very pricey solution for a problem that should not happened in the first place...

 

[sauria]

Is this pattern the same using all Thunderbolt 3 ports?

 

[dooyou]

Now a very simple question, since I have already read a lot about the problem with external displays here and a german computer magazine also reports about it. This is a bug or? But if so, why is Apple not able to fix it?

There are people who claim that it is normal for the fans to turn up on a 4k screen. But I didn't read anything about this on the previous model. The german magazine C't writes, that everything is quiet in clamshell mode. Is that true?

Thats what they (the magazine) say:

The cause of the heat development and fan activity seems to be a bug in the interaction with the integrated AMD GPU (Radeon Pro 5000M series): As soon as an external display is connected, the graphics card suddenly draws about 20 watts (instead of about 5 watts) and thus takes care of the heat development and finally also the turning up of the fans.

https://heise.de/-4657349

 

[Camarillo Brillo]

I don't have a 4k screen to test. But I do have an HD monitor with HDMI. 2017 15" can run that monitor not in clamshell and the fans never spin up. 16" in the same situation is blasting the fans within 10 minutes.

Clamshell is better yes.