New Macbook Pro 16 inch Overheating

I don't want to defend Apple because this laptop is over powered/under cooled but 30C ambient is rather hot for any high performance machine. If I tried to work in this temp I would sweat so much the lap would get water damage :D I got i7, 32G and I am running multiple VMs including EVEng which in turn simulates routed networks. It works well. I also use eGPU because discrete GPU was creating too much heat. Over time that heat probably will damage the mobo. Also I have TimeMachine connected all the time, because when the mobo will die, data recovery from built-in storage will be very expensive.

I also use Macs Fan Control app which brings funs up way sooner so the laptop has better cooling. The firmware is optimized for the noise. Unfortunately they care about marketing too much.

Hi, I think the problem it's related to having the computer connected to an external monitor, a lot of users are having the same issue (including myself), check this: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250878229

Just by having the machine connected to an external monitor the GPU goes from drawing 3 or 4 watts to almost 20 watts and the fans go from 1700 RPM (without an external monitor) to 3000 RPM, so for me the problem is a driver/software issue, hopefully Apple will fix it soon.

I don’t mean thermal throttling. The fans run at full sometimes, when the device feels extremely hot to the touch for no reason, CPU usage low not indicating a specific app issue. I am traveling and just noticed that without the second display the heating is reduced, so I think the problem may be the second display. Apple advertises that a second display can be used, so it should not be happening.

I have the same MBP and same problem right from the beginning. When I took it to be checked they said the logic board was defective and replaced it. I still cannot use a second display because it overheats immediately, even with just with one or two basic apps like mail or notes. It also causes the screen colours to be all washed out, menu et al. Without the second display it’s OK. By the way, an old 2013 MBP with the same apps handles the same second display with no issues. I really need to work with the second display, but after paying so much for this lemon I cannot afford to buy another laptop.

So thanks a lot Apple! I wonder when you will stop caring only for your billions of dollars and start thinking of your customers. Please do something!

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There are a huge number of YouTube videos that are complete waste of pixels. Many of them should never have been committed to video at all, and would be much better as simple blog posts.

This one By Max Tech is NOT one of those. It is surprisingly helpful and on-topic, and production values are not bad:

How to FIX your 16” MacBook Pro - (Don’t Return it)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkmdHVfk4XE

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I bought my MacBook 16" in July, and after using it with a Pioneer DJ controller noticed it was getting extremely hot. After only a couple of uses the MacBook started to shut down instead of going into sleep mode. I would get a 'Problem Occurred' message 'GPU Panic, Powerplay failed'. After a bit of research I found that this was a common problem - there is a quality issue with the soldering used in the Chinese made logic board. Basically the MacBook overheating causes the soldering to fail and the machine to shut itself down. Returned the MacBook to Apple (Genius Bar) who couldn't understand why it was happening. They replaced the logic board under warranty. Everything is fine again but I dare not use the MacBook with the DJ controller again (something I could do with no issues with my previous 2012 Macbook). I'm afraid the MacBook 16" is a dud if you use it with certain software/hardware.

There is no proof of some common issue with MBP 16s. Very few are shutting down, and obviously yours did due to an error that was rectified under warranty; anything people make can fail which is why manufacturers offer a warranty.

You're making huge leaps of logic here; just because you had one failure with the controller does not mean you would experience another.

I purchased my MacBook Pro 16 in November of 2019 and had heating up issues from the start. I have worked with Apple support and while they have been great - but the issue has not been solved. They have replaced Logic Board, keyboard, outer case. While I can't say there is proof of a common issue with MBP 16 laptops, there seems to be a constant number of people on this and other forums who are having the same problem. I love all of my Apple products - am disappointed with this one.. Apple has replaced the all major parts and finally are sending me a new MacBook Pro. I am hoping that it will not have the same problem. My MBP was literally too hot to use - the keyboard measuring 118 degrees F. w a laser thermometer. Continue to work with Apple Support if it continues - and I have no special software...

I had the same issue , look at the activity and see what process is eating up GPU , kill that process . Hopefully you should be good .

I had the same issue and almost sent my machine to apple support .

AnshdeepS: I did try that at Apple Support's suggestion but it did not take care of the issue. Am glad it worked for you but keep an eye on it in case it starts developing again. In my first time I took it to an Apple store they cleaned it and reinstalled from factory reset (I'm not sure those are the right terms) but it again heated up almost immediately.

I feel sorry for many people they has purchased the MacBook Pro 16 inch 2019 this laptop came with a lot of issue, lots of problems, apple show return people money.

I think Apple should address this problem by changing the main board to everyone who’s own a 16” MBP 2019.

The fact is that the temperature is 65°c with no apps running, by just connecting to an external monitor, this is when cpu is at 7%, and the whether temperature is 24°c. I'm wondering what will happen if I use it in a hotter environment and when there is good enough load on the system.

It may throttle, it may handle the load just fine.

But the CPU being at 65ºC is no big deal by itself.

If you look up how Turbo Boost works on Intel, it purposefully drives the chip at a high clock speed until it gets too hot, then backs it down to the rated speed and below.

This is the config that I ran full screen HD video on the external monitor while reading and replying to Apple Support Communities for well over an hour without seeing my fans rise above 2500 RPM on my:

16" MBP

Radeon Pro 5500M/8 GB GDDR6 VRAM

2.4 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9

32 GB RAM

2 TB SSD

• Included Apple USB-C Power Adapter
• ITD ITANDA 4K Thunderbolt 3 to Mini DP Adapter ($14.44 at Amazon)

The external monitor was one of:

• Apple 30" Cinema Display (M9179LL/A) via Apple mDP to Dual Link DVI Adapter (MB571Z/A)
• Dell U2717D 27" QHD monitor via MiniDP cable