MacBook 16-inch Fan Noise

I just noticed today that my previous post was deleted for no apparent reason (I never got an email).

So here is my information again.

I managed to use this machine for the last few months by using 10.15.4 (all the other version didn't work for me) with a USB-C cable, a changing the refresh rate to 144 Hertz and using 1 single app at a time.

Now I decided to upgrade to Big Sur to be able to use the new version of Xcode and now the machine is still using 7 watts (when the refresh rate is at 144) but now the fans go over 2500 RPM for no apparent reason, even when I have just Safari open and the machine is at 60 degrees or less.

Whatever they did on 10.15.4 software or driver related was the best option for me. Now I'm back with a noisy machine just by browsing the web.

Which version of xcode requires you to update? I'm running latest non-beta on 10.15.4. But it's the sad news what you reported. Maybe it's time I try to return my macbook as it's completely broken and get the m1 one even if it's only 16 gigs of ram.

Apple's specs are pretty clear that it only supports one external display at a resolution of up to 6K.

No, it doesn't specify what speed the fans will be running at while doing so.

I can't imagine the fanless MacBook Air would do as well in that same scenario.

Whatever software or driver changes they made on Big Sure is horrible for the Macbook Pro 16-inch, now the fans run at 5000 RPM with a single program open, same program using 10.15.4 fans were running at 2000 RPM, (2500 RPM worst case scenario).

Has remembering of resolution, rotation, refresh rate and most importantly external displays arrangement in "Big Sure" been fixed? When I still had that p*** of MBP16 it was loosing all settings once disconnected displays and had to set everything all over again and again when reconnected exactly same cables/monitors to the same ports - was real pain in the neck and don't have that with DisplayLink adapters which remember different monitors' settings so can jump from one setup to another and back without touching display settings!

So time goes on.

I am now on an HMDI/DP DisplayLink Adapter and have 1800RPM when developing in my IDE all day long.

I tried Plugable USB 3.0 nach DisplayPort 4K UHD - with Chipset 5500 from Display Link - works but a little bit laggy with the mouse.

After this i tried "PLUGABLE 4K DISPLAYPORT AND HDMI DUAL MONITOR ADAPTER WITH ETHERNET FOR USB 3.0 AND USB-C" because this one has the Chipset 6950 from Display Link and support 2 External 4K Monitors and have an Ethernet Port - good for office time.

Both Adapters works. Process only takes CPU 5 - 7% while writing Code.

If you scroll much it will rise from 20 - 80% - while scrolling.

If you wnat to watch YouTube the - process will rise, as expected. Moving Videos to the Internal Display is a good work around.

Now i have a setup which works silent.

best regards

greschor

The new Logic Pro X 10.6 update has a similar problem. Now no matter what I do, any combination of external display connected and the fans go to full blast. I’m still on Catalina 10.15.7 so it’s not only Big Sur.

Totally unacceptable for a professional audio machine.

I'm getting seriously loud fans on my MBP 16" and I'm not even using an external monitor. Is this normal?

Honestly if I'd have known about these fans I would've sent it back but it's too late now. My missus looks at me like I'm an idiot for spending £4k on a laptop that can't even browse the internet without sounding like it's going to take off. Absolute joke, not happy.

I think we are going to have to deal with the vacuum noise on these "Pro" machines until Apple releases the Macbook Pro 16-inch with Apple silicon, I saw a few reviews of the new MacBook Pro 13-inch and someone at the office got one and you can't hear the fans even when compiling or rendering, exactly what is expected from a Pro machine, imagine how I feel when someone with a low entry MacBook Pro 13-inch and an external monitor is rendering a video completely silent and I'm just browsing the web with me MacBook Pro 16-inch and the fans are at full blast..........

Seriously? Who can work on an 16inch screen as a PRO? This device is there to make me money, not to cost me time and limit my possibilities. Its a scandal this machine. My fan is on the whole day and my coworkers already asked me what wild stuff i am performing on the machine. The CPU Loads is never really over 6% and I have only one 34inch screen connected in clamshell mode. Horrible device.

Hi I just bought the same monitor and my macbook went crazy hot. I've been searching solutions whole day, almost thought about return that monitor. Finally found your thread. Just wondering is this still a problem? And im trying to increase refresh rate as what you did, however the drop down is locked.

Hi all,

I think I've a definitive answer regarding this "6W" story. And unfortunately, the answer is not good.

With an official apple USB-C to HDMI, connected to a standard 21/9 curved samsung monitor, I could get 6w with the "HIGH RADEON SIDE" thing.

With a cheap USB-C hub 10-in-1, when using the HDMI, it would go up to 20 W.

BUT... checking the wattage when doing nothing on the computer is useless.

So with the first case (apple usb-c to HDMI adapter), I would get 6w but as soon as I open a program, a video, it would go to 10-12 W, then when opening Logic Pro with a single audio tracked created, HIGH RADEON SIDE would go to 20w instantly.

Even worse, when connecting a second external display, with the same usb-c to hdmi APPLE adapter, it would go to 20w instantly, even in idle.

All of these tests are done in clamshell mode.

The definitive answer is : that **** graphic card from AMD generates too much heat, and there is nothing we can do about it.

The only weird thing is when using TG pro and using a fan profile that makes less fan noise, its working perfectly silent until the CPU Throttles and we can't do anything about the throttling.

The REALLY weird thing is it absolutely wants to throttle even when the global temperature of the CPU / gpu combined is around 75-80°C, which to me is totally acceptable with a laptop....it should not need throttling at these temperatures!

I guess Apple decided to put this low level security scheme (even TG PRO can't override it) to avoid a potential failure of the CPU / GPU as a preventive measure ?

75°C should be acceptable for any inside of a laptop...but not the MacBook Pro 16 '' apparently!

It seems Apple Engineers decided to setup this CPU Throtting security because they probably noticed during beta tests of these laptops, that they had too many failures ? (Laptop so hot that their internal components start to fail)

I think it's the only reason.

You might see an improvement in terms of fan noise with only one external display combined with an official usb-c to hdmi adapter from Apple.

But pro loves to have more than one external display, so as soon as you plug a second display, you're fucked. Your Radeon will always go to 20 w.

The interesting thing is there is some other factor involved that I couldn't nail down.

When using a USB-C to MDP adapter, the Radeon power usage jumps to 19w.

But even at that power level, driving an external monitor, my MBP 16 never heats to the point where the fans go above 2500 RPM - a level that for me isn't even audible, so it clearly is a combination of monitor power and the specific application involved.

romain89 wrote:

Switch to internal graphics only. I don’t get loud fans with internal graphics only.

You can not run an external displays using Intel graphics. There is no pathway from Intel Integrated graphics to any external displays. When you connect an external display, ALL displays use Discrete graphics.

If it is brand new and you are annoyed by this in your configuration, you are likely best off returning it for a refund and buying a model with the Radeon Pro 5600M instead, or waiting for a future MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon and a GPU.