MacBook 16-inch Fan Noise

I do recall when I first used my MB Pro 16 I turned off "automatic graphics switching" and experienced similar issues. However, I reverted back to letting MacOS handle it and the noise issue hasn't happen since. Even if I jump on WOW, the fans will come on, though they don't get noisy like they did the first time. Also, does this apply to both MB's with the 5300 and 5500? I have the 5300M.

Yes, epylejr, the 5500 when not in use does not consume power - when you plugin external monitor (in my case with more than 1600x1200 resolution) start the fans incredibly. Even with no load on the GPU. It is possible with adjustments to reduce or eliminate the noise. It is unfortunately a SW defect as it does not react in all resolutions. Unlucky the common used resolutions are affected. Tough luck of Apple to rollout such a MacBook.

I we can agree to desagree. I measured and 33dB is the result in the office, in the home office and it is not a sound recording studio. Through the night it is even more quiet, letting me hear the fans at 1750 RPM which is the speed when I have eGPU or USB to HDMI adapter but not the internal GPU with the software defect producing so much fan noise.

However, coworker had no issues detecting the macbook fans also 10 feet away. I seems you are not listening your macbook in a silent environment. There it is no problem to have a noise macbook hence the defect does not kick in.

You're MBP must be an extraordinary one as everyone else in this forum produces too much noise to to software defect. Maybe also faulty thermal hardware design in addition.

I do not deny that some found a way around but this is to take a way for resolution despite the software defect of the GPU driver. Whether HDMI or DP both let the VRAM have at too high speed and consuming too much power. I is possible to reduce, having less power consumption leading to less fan noise. Clearly showing the fact that with not enough testing the bug was not found. I hope the defect is going to be fixed with Big Sur.

Chipping with an assumption it is not defect seems not correct there are software ways to influence the consumption. And marketing of Apple clearly stated new fans

[Link Edited by Moderator]

In my home, without the AC in "silence" it measures as 45 dB and with the AC on it's 54 dB.

That's as silent as any environment I've ever been in outside a recording studio.

Regardless of the environment, however, as I mentioned in my case with my monitors the fans don't exceed 2400 RPM. I've posted proof of that.

AMD's response seems to indicate it's not a software defect but rather the system is working as designed.

At this point my best advice is to remind those bothered by the fans that they should be sure to contact Apple Support directly as that is how engineering resources are allocated:

Contact - Official Apple Support

I also will state that newer Dell and HP laptops seem to run with their fans in high speed mode a lot running Windows 10 without an external monitor attached.

Dell and HP notebooks might be efficient or not in power consumption. These notebooks are operated with Windows or Linux, different to the HW manufacturer - but MacBooks are operated by MacOS which is the same. It is possible to provide attaching an external display without the fans going over 1'900.

If you're environment is at that level I recommend to look for something else. In particular 54 is not enough for adequate concentration and also not for help. Not to hear the fans in such an area is not an argument do defend a software defect with the GPU usage design.

AMDs response shows not that is not a defect but it only that they do not want to repair or change.

itunestux wrote:

Dell and HP notebooks might be efficient or not in power consumption. These notebooks are operated with Windows or Linux, different to the HW manufacturer - but MacBooks are operated by MacOS which is the same. It is possible to provide attaching an external display without the fans going over 1900

Perhaps not with the power draw of the CPU and GPU. I'm not sure why people think they know more than Apple's thermal engineers here.

If you're environment is at that level I recommend to look for something else. In particular 54 is not enough for adequate concentration and also not for help.

Not at all, it's what's considered normal for most. Certainly the 54 dB when the AC is on is noticeable but the 40-45 dB range is what is considered normal for a library. Sound levels in the 30s are considered normal for only studios or other acoustically controlled environments.

AMDs response shows not that is not a defect but it only that they do not want to repair or change.

Once again, you can disagree with their engineering decisions but to state other rationales diverges into the world of conspiracy theories.

Yes, as stated some time. Defect either in driver or in MacOS. However, will not be possible to compete against competitors with the price.

Maybe the defective thermal design needs to get another round. Similar to the MBP keyboard...

William Kucharski wrote:

The thermal design is not defective.

It is handling the load without shutting down, it's just it needs to run the fans to remove the heat being generated.

Of course it's not a defect. It's a feature that makes computer throttle while idling :D It's not very promoted, but attention to the detail is at its best. It's strange they didn't brag about it as no other macbook ever had this feature.

Hey Dem107,

i’m running the same exact spec/ model:

(8-core i9, 32GB of DDR4 memory and an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 8GB 2TB

MBP 16” ).

alongside my LG 34WK95U-W 34" Class 21:9 UltraWide 5K2K Nano IPS LED Monitor with HDR 600

i’ve gone back-and-forth with Apple and I’ve gotten nowhere with this issue I have been asked to do an Smc reset , Reinstall OS absolutely no luck my fans ramp up to 3500 rpm and as high as 5000 rpm while doing very light tasks on LOGIC PRO X whether ‘I’m connected or not’ to an external monitor .....,,,,,

anytime the fans sit over 3500 rpm it hits about 48 - 50 decibels .

The only workaround has been disabling turbo boost, you are very lucky to be within your 14 day return. Please do proper research and make the right decision.

unfortunately I got my external monitor after the 14 day return period. I am also interested in hearing if the 5600M has fixed this defect!

this reminds me of the butterfly keyboard fiasco... which Apple did take care of.. so I’m sure it will be dealt with it👍Apple always makes good it just takes a while.

thanks!

Anyone know if the mbp16” can be upgraded

to the 5600m?

TIA

I got the same configuration almost a year ago when it was released and if you are going to use it with an external monitor the only recommendation I can give you is to return it and wait for a new model.

I’ve tried everything including the future version of macOS and nothing works.

The only partial fix I found is using a 144 hertz monitor with macOS 10.15.4 but it’s not a perfect solution, I still get the fans to got crazy but not as much as with other macOS versions or different setups.

As stated already. Unless Apple fixes the defect or offers choosing intel graphics as workaround you have to buy an external solution (eGPU, USB graphic adapter) or live with the fan noise. If you need to concentrate while working or work in/with silent environments you have to look for older machines or hope Big Sure will fix the bug.

MittWaffen wrote:

Sir most people won't detect these issues within 14 days. Alot it's months after they see the pattern.

That's not accurate; many people have detected the issue immediately if it is extreme for them.

What I will say, is the vast majority of people here have shown there is some form of engineering issue be it software hardware combined with these units.

So, what is Apple currently doing? Are they offering repairs, attempting repairs. Have they made a statement?

As always, the best advice is for each person experiencing this issue to pursue whatever action they want to directly through Apple Support:

Contact - Official Apple Support

Apple has told some users they are aware of an issue, but at present they have not instituted a service action of any type; once again directly working with Apple Support is key.

Also has AMD made a statement on the matter?

Not as such, but on other message boards they have explained why it is necessary to drive VRAM at the high power/speed they do:

Multiple displays with different resolutions, refresh rates, timings and or using different display adapters/connections requires more resources from the GPU, this can move the GPU up into the next memory clock state to compensate and avoid issues such as flickering or corruption.

If all displays are identical, using the same resolution, refresh rates, timings and using identical display adapters/connections then the GPU may be able to run two or more without moving up into the next clock state. It can vary from Bios to Bios and GPU to GPU, but the expected behaviour is increased clock speeds so this is not something we can change.

https://community.amd.com/thread/214891?commentID=2793350

Note yet again that I don't say what I do to diminish anyone's experience, but rather because people make statements that all one needs to do is plug in an external monitor and fans will spin up to 5500 RPM and the machine will become unusable, and that's demonstrably inaccurate.

Again, if you are experiencing the issue, contact Apple Support directly:

Contact - Official Apple Support

So, today - no twitch stream. Just one tab of Firefox (to post this comment).

No coding, no music, no streaming, no email, just your old single tab web browsing to make a forum post on an external monitor.

Right fan: 5583 rpm

Left fan: 5208 rpm.

Fans have been at this speed for over 15 minutes.

Not getting very far with Apple Support. I will post when/if I get a satisfactory response. I believe I've set

records for SMC and NVRAM resets (in concert with support). If not a global record, a personal best for me - tracing my Apple roots back to before the Apple II Plus. Yes, I'm old. Yes, I've come to expect more from this company.

I'm very glad I have AppleCare for this machine.

This is one solution where you lose your CPU burst speed and get fan noise of intermediate notebooks or or you take an adapter (and lose your GPU power) and get the usual silence.

I cannot agree more with the comment on Apple. But is it required to learnt to take several notebook models, test at home and keep only the best fit while returning all the other?

I believe you want power on the RIGHT:

the orange component on the extreme right is the power chip.

In the center positions, the AMD graphics chip is diagonally-mounted on the LEFT, Intel CPU Rectangular on the Right