High CPU usage with GPU-accelerated programs

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Level 1

8 points

High CPU usage with GPU-accelerated programs

When I use GPU-accelerated programs (e.g. Chrome, Spotify, Caprine, etc.), I frequently see the CPU utilization numbers go through the roof while performing seemingly basic tasks (visiting text-based websites on Chrome, browsing a track collection on Spotify, messaging friends on Facebook through Caprine, etc.)

Here are my findings:

- it only happens when the computer is docked, in clamshell mode

- if the misbehaving program is started when the computer is open, then used in clamshell mode, all is well

- if the misbehaving program is started when the computer is in clamshell mode, all **** breaks loose and the CPU utilization skyrockets

I'm running Mac OS Mojave 10.14.6 (18G6020) on a 2015 15" Macbook Pro (MacBookPro11,4) with a 2.5GHz i7 and 16GB of RAM

Does anyone have an idea of what the issue might be here?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Aug 6, 2020 5:22 PM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,674 points

Aug 6, 2020 6:02 PM in response to Livemrgreen

Only those third-party software vendors will know for sure how their applications are programmed to behave when the lid has been detected as closed. Contact the respective vendors, and/or participate in their user forums to gain more insight. Do you have access to a MacBook Pro running Catalina 10.15.6, to see if the same issue is present with these applications on a newer version of macOS.

Are all of the applications that you mention updated to their last released (not beta) version?

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Answer 2

Livemrgreen Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 6, 2020 6:08 PM in response to VikingOSX

Thank you for the reply, I understand where you're coming from, however, given that this happens with multiple applications from multiple vendors and that it's the same bug that behaves the same on all applications, this leads me to think that it's more of a Mac OS issue and that Apple should be aware of it.

Ultimately, the end user is having a bad experience and I understand that that's something Apple cares about.

I have however reached out to said vendors, just in case.

To answer your questions, I do not have access to a Macbook Pro running Catalina. I usually don't upgrade my OS until the very last update of the cycle, for stability reasons.

And yes, all the applications I mentioned are up-to-date.

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High CPU usage with GPU-accelerated programs

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