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(2019) 16" is HOT & NOISY with an external monitor! :(
- Thread starter Appledoesnotlisten
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It won't go to 80W because you attach 4x 4K screens. As I understand it, it hops to 20W and sits there no matter how many screens you connect. It's only when you start using all the processing power of the GPU (e.g. 3D graphics or AI) that the power will go beyond 20W.
Hey Peter,
Thanks for the clarification! May I ask, is it normal for a MBP 16's dGpu to use about 20W regardless once an external display has been connected?
I just move the apps up on to the monitor and view them there rather than on the laptop screen.
Although I have to say that despite all of this, today my MacBook Pro fans appear to be back to running more noisily than I'd like
Not at all! I used the "trick" with SwitchResX mentioned here to get my external screen working, in clamshell mode, at 5W or less. The problem seems to be that once there is more than one screen managed by the GPU (so not via AirPlay like an iPad in SideCar), then the Radeon kicks in at full throttle because it can't work with different clocks for the two screens. It's a crappy way of doing things and it should be fixed. But I agree with Apple that it's not the most important. My MBP16 has been crashing for no reason at all because of the GPU panics (PowerPlay failed to resume) and it makes it hard to use the computer at all. Not just less optimal.
Although this isn't exactly regarding the current topic: I also often had the "PowerPlay failed to resume/initialize" error (even after full reinstalls). I just returned my MBP (through Amazon) and got another base model which didn't have any issues (even on the same OS versions) in the last couple of months. (Ofc still has the 20W issue mentioned here)
Is this true? I used the SwitchResX 'fix' as well and got my Dell U2515H 1440p display running via USB-C to DP cable at 5W Radeon draw. I tried to add a second monitor as well (a 1080p portable monitor) and it immediately ramped up to 19W as you say. But I have also tried an iPad over Airplay running as a second screen, and the GPU draw ramps up to 19W once again. So I think the SwitchResX fix only manages a single screen regardless of airplay or wired.
While I agree that it's not the most important issue, it has been 7 months since launch. I'm starting to think that Apple is just unable to fix this. Deeply disappointed with how Apple handled it. The thermals for the MBP 16 is already less than stellar to begin with. Adding this into the mix just further complicates it.
We users of MBP 16 (which is a >$2400 machine) should not resort to using a 3rd party app to keep the temperature in check. The buggy release of Catalina is just a final nail to the coffin.
This is soo true. We paid for a top tier laptop, we shouldn't be resorting to using third party programs and disabling software. Hope one of these days Apple makes an announcement about this or something, cause this is ridiculous.
Don't get your hopes up. I've been told by multiple senior advisors that it is working as intended. But with further testing in my office with an eGpu (5700XT) connected, identical external display and connection method, the 5700XT sips around 11W~15W. Far less than the dGpu (5300M) which is 20W in an open lid test.
Mind you that's a full fat desktop 5700XT consuming less wattage on idle as compared to a 5300M powering the same amount of pixels.
With my eGPU (Chroma + 5700XT) connected...at idle, the 5500M 4gb sits around 2W in clamshell.
Here is my interpretation of the situation:
1) We external monitor users are a minority of 16" MBP owners, maybe 5% (pulling numbers out of my a$$).
2) Of those 5%, not many will know that there's a problem with dGPU power. Heck, I consider myself pretty computer savvy but unless my (soon to be purchased) 16" MBP had blasting fan noise under low usage conditions, I seriously doubt I would know about this problem without this thread.
3) The "working as intended" bothers me. I could see that meaning it's a fundamental design and spec problem. Maybe Apple has a spec about max power draw for dGPUs under load when connected to the mains, but nothing about consumption at idle. Maybe it's a problem that Apple can't fix itself with the drivers, and it's a code for AMD needs to fix the problem, with the $2.4K question being whether it's a hardware, firmware or software problem.
We don't know if the 5600M solves the problem. The opinion here is no, and that it may make it actually worse.
1) I have no research or evidence whatsoever to back my opinion up
but am fairly convinced that more than 5% of MBP16 owners are using external monitors. I'd estimate somewhere between 25-40%.2) I reckon the majority of those connecting external monitors to their MBP16 will absolutely know that there is a problem, as the jet engine / hairdryer fan noise will commence soon after starting work including in low usage conditions - I only use MS teams, Office apps, Chrome, Safari, Apple Music and Podcasts. I'd say that's low usage. No coding. No video editing. No graphics editing. And I've still had to take action so that other participants in MS Teams calls can hear me above the fan noise (disabling Turbo boost).
3) Agree that "working as intended" is bothersome. Having spent over £2k on a premium laptop I did not expect to have to buy 3rd party workaround software to disable a feature and make it usable.
1) I have no research or evidence whatsoever to back my opinion up
I'm going to return my number from where it originally came. A quick google, since I should be doing real work, shows this paper from Dell around 10 years ago, that says 30-40% of laptop users in work enivonments have an external monitor. I have to say I am probably biased working around young adults who use laptops alone (wait till they get older and their eyesight fades!). Maybe the real number is on the lower range of your scale, which is still a lot of users.
I was just emailing w someone at MaxTech, they did a quick review of the 5600m yesterday on their YouTube channel. They're planning to look at the wattage w external monitor for their full review but told me as of right now iStats isn't displaying any of that info for that machine (yet). Are there any other tools that measure that? I'd like to let them know so they can give them a try.
@AFPBoy I think it really depends on "work environment". I'm a developer and everyone in my office has a company laptop and I'd say that 90% of those use an external monitor AND the laptop monitor. That 10% is when people are in meetings, or working in the lunchroom at just the laptop. lol
Currently dealing with the same issues as everyone in this thread. My Apple store in NJ is opening tmrw and I was able to get a Genius Bar appt before all the slots got taken. I’ve been dealing with this for weeks and am still in the return period for my machine. I’ll report back what the Genius Bar comes back with. Anyone have any suggestions on what exactly to tell them? Want to make sure I do this problem justice by pointing them in the right direction.
I would suggest installing iStat Menus... if you haven't already.
That's my usage and use case. Software development with large 4K 32" and the laptop monitor for CLI. I use a third USB-C 1080p on occasion for Zoom meetings.
Don't let them gaslight you in saying it's "normal behavior". It's definitely not. They may also say you should reinstall macOS or reset PRAM/SMC. That's just a huge waste of time and won't do anything.
If they keep insisting it's normal behavior you should just return it on the spot while you're still in the return period.
i've been reading the thread but confused and could use a drop of help. bought my first macbook pro since 2008. Its the macbook pro 16 along with the dell U2720Q. both arrive tomorrow and wasnt sure what cables ill need to hook them all up. I understand there are heat issues but being much older alot of this over my head. can anyone advise me of what cables or other devices are my choices to hooking them up? thank you so much.
Although this thread is mostly about the 16" machines, I came here because I was having fan noise issues with my 2019 15" MBPro as well, mostly when running Logic Pro X sessions both with my LG Ultrafine 4k external monitor and internal display running. Keeping the MBPro in clamshell mode, as suggested here by many, is already making a difference, and the SwitchResX trick is bringing my Radeon High Side further down to below 5w. So far so good, my fans are mostly behaving. Here's what I'm wondering: if I got a second identical LG Ultrafine 4k, would running both LG monitors be less taxing on the GPU than running the LG/internal combo, since both monitors would would be set to the same resolution? I welcome any informed speculation.
2000 Posts now. Macrumors, this needs to be a front page item!