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TimUzzanti Author

Level 2

252 points

MacBook 16-inch Fan Noise

We are testing two new 16-inch MacBook's before doing a rollout across our organization. Under low loads (25% cpu utilization), fan noise will get annoyingly loud. We're not doing any GPU related and more routine work such as: using web applications, debugging web pages, Microsoft Teams conferencing (audio/video) with a handful of people, Photos downloading from iCloud, Mac Mail downloading a new mailbox from Exchange.

We DID NOT notice this on our 2015 MacBooks and this might prevent us from continuing the 16-inch MacBook rollout in our organization.

Interested to hear others experiences.

Tim

MacBook Pro 16", macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 21, 2019 11:34 AM

4,224 replies

TimUzzanti Author

Level 2

252 points

Feb 25, 2020 12:08 PM in response to hardmod

Don't waste your time. Their posts aren't making sense. It is clear they are moderators or someone how affiliated with the monitors. The entire time the posts are to antagonize users. Very disappointing.

DPJ

Level 4

1,368 points

Feb 25, 2020 12:11 PM in response to TimUzzanti

"leads many of us to believe you're not even using a 16inch MBP. "

If you're eyes can check closely at my avatar you would realize you're dead wrong. It's a brand new 2019 16" MBP Core i9 32GB Ram 1TB SSD. And I don't have to answer to you sir. Good day.

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,557 points

Feb 25, 2020 12:20 PM in response to TimUzzanti

It's capability vs. usability.

For example, trucks have a listed tow capacity, but you are going to be in a world of inconvenience (ironically, mostly due to cooling issues for the engine and transmission) if you exceed about 80% of it for long.

It's of course possible, but not ideal.

TailsDog

Level 1

18 points

Feb 25, 2020 12:22 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

The fact is there are multiple people having issues when using an external monitor with a 2019 MacBook Pro 16''.

The machine should be more than capable to run an external display when idle without getting so hot. Actually it can run several 4k displays fine at a normal temperature when in clamshell mode and using a dock, there is some issue when using the combination of the internal screen and an external display which is causing heat. In this situation the machine is not working correctly.

We would like solutions rather than some thread flaming.

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,557 points

Feb 25, 2020 12:23 PM in response to DPJ

DPJ wrote:

"Actually he has mentioned it or inferred it many times in this thread."

Show me where William actually stated the 16" MBP is not designed to be connected to an External Monitor?

Indeed, I've always said it is the more optimal solution.

Spinnn

Level 1

16 points

Feb 25, 2020 12:48 PM in response to brycesteiner

brycesteiner: “The 16" is by far the quietest for me when working on video and other heavy tasks and with dual 4k screens”

Is this real? You have the 2.4 i9, 8GB AMD 5500m connected to two 4K displays, working with video and they are silent (faint fan noise)? Are they hot?

thanks!

TailsDog

Level 1

18 points

Feb 25, 2020 12:51 PM in response to Spinnn

From what I understand brycesteiner is using a dock and has the macbook in clamshell mode - a lot of people have noticed that this setup doesn't cause the GPU to get so hot and also drain as many watts.

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,557 points

Feb 25, 2020 1:01 PM in response to TimUzzanti

TimUzzanti wrote:

Everyone that is using two monitors and now eGPU at the office is in clamshell mode and it helps substantially.

That's a rather interesting data point; have you shared that with the Apple teams you have been working with?

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,557 points

Feb 25, 2020 1:13 PM in response to TailsDog

TailsDog wrote:

MacBook Pro 16'' machines have a dGPU, like the 15'' predecessor these should be-able to be hooked up to a monitor without issue.

Correct, and I would expect that to result in increased heat and the need for more cooling as you've just enabled a GPU that draws much more power (generating more heat) than the integrated unit.

TailsDog

Level 1

18 points

Feb 25, 2020 1:18 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

OK how about this - people have reported no heat issues when using 2 4k monitors and macbook in clamshell mode yet when they use 1 4k monitor and the laptop open with the internal screen (which is not even 4k) it consumes more power and produces more heat.

TailsDog

Level 1

18 points

Feb 25, 2020 1:22 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Or how about this - when not connected to a monitor and using CPU + GPU intensive tasks it produces less heat than when connected to a monitor and is doing nothing.

I see what you are trying to say but I rather think that these cases don't fit in to your narrative.

TimUzzanti Author

Level 2

252 points

Feb 25, 2020 3:14 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

In the first 20 or so posts (now over 1,000) we said a single monitor causes the 16inch MBP to hit 100 degrees Celsius and that causes thermal throttling and/or hardware failure.

We have Apple marketing four 4k monitors or two 6k monitors but when we run one monitor it will stay at 100 degrees Celsius for extended periods of time with only 10% cpu. Before it gets to 100 degree Celsius it sounds like an airplane under no load which is just a symptom of a bigger problem.

To make matters worse, Bootcamp is unusable (another marketed feature) and is throttled significantly compared to MacOS because Windows and its drivers aren't nearly as efficient as MacOS. Again, another symptom of a bigger problem. I have posted this previously; we use Bootcamp heavily on all previous MBP generations but have instructed all employees to not use it to avoid hardware issues until there is a solution.

Bottom line, If your are purchasing a 16inch MBP and do not intend to use it with a monitor, then you may never hit these issues that have existed on every build and laptop Apple has sent us and seen by our Apple Business Team who also says... its not operating correctly!

If you plan on using a single monitor, two monitors, three monitors or Bootcamp... all capabilities Apple markets to its consumers... you will hit thermal conditions that will impact your laptop performance and/or longevity.

It is as simple as that.

Thanks,

Tim

Spinnn

Level 1

16 points

Feb 25, 2020 3:23 PM in response to TimUzzanti

It's probably also worth sharing that I did notice very strange behaviour with my wireless mouse, which uses a USB receiver I connect either to a Hub or directly to the MBP using a usb adapter. The tracking/moving of the cursor is not smooth while using an external monitor, something that NEVER happened with my late2013 MBP. After some minutes, tracking improves but it's never as smooth as when the MBP is not connected to any external monitor. So, definitely something is wrong and we need Apple to tell us if this is a software/optimization issue (probably AMD graphic card drivers), or if it is a hardware issue (defective AMD cards or any other component inside the computer).

TimUzzanti Author

Level 2

252 points

Feb 25, 2020 3:29 PM in response to Spinnn

If you are using a 4k monitor and HDMI, please make sure your cable, hub and / or monitor all support 4k@60hz otherwise it will run at 30hz and your mouse will be choppy. Only sharing this because 9 out of 10 times people tell me this and I go help them, its one of these components.

Spinnn

Level 1

16 points

Feb 25, 2020 3:38 PM in response to TimUzzanti

Yes, it’s a usb-c to displayport cable from Ivanky. The monitor is Dell U2515H. The refresh rate is 59Hz as shown by System Report. And tracking on external monitor is smooth when using the built-in trackpad.

MacBook 16-inch Fan Noise