2019 MBP Fan

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2019 MBP Fan

Hi guys, I have a 2019 MBP on Big Sur 11.4 with 2.4Ghz quad core i5 and 16 GB ram. I use Parallels and two external monitors. The MBP cannot cope and the fan goes crazy all day long. Other than parallels, i use google chrome, slack and zoom.

I spec'd this machine with Apple and they said it would fulfil my needs. Is this a MBP issue or Parallels or graphics card issue?

Has anyone got a similar set up or had similar problems?

Sometimes the fan goes deathly quiet for a few mins and then will start up again. I don't think the fan is kicking in because the machine is too hot or anything. Its like it cant cope and is having an asthma attack!

My colleagues cant hear me on Zoom because the fan is so loud and sometimes everything just stops working..

Thanks

Posted on Jul 6, 2021 10:00 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Limnos

Level 10

411,373 points

Jul 6, 2021 10:10 AM in response to Amb1M4c

Nothing surpising given what you are doing with intense video, Chrome, and dual graphics plus the one on your computer and it is midsummer (at least here it is). All that generates heat and it is trying to cool itself. You can try using one of those notebook cooling stands or at least a small fan directed at it.

Apps can affect Mac performance, battery runtime, temperature, and fan activity - https://support.apple.com/HT203184

See this document about the operating temperature of Mac notebooks 'Keep your Mac notebook within acceptable operating temperatures' - https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201640

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Answer 2

Amb1M4c Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 6, 2021 10:20 AM in response to Limnos

Hi Linmos

thank you for the response. I do understand what you are saying and have read lots of articles including the two in your reply.

I do have the A/C on too but I guess my question is what kind of spec would work for what I am using the machine for?

My MBP cost me £2,400 which is a lot and I did expect it to be able to cope. Dare I say it, I’ve used windows machines in a past life that coped under similar circumstances.

thanks!

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Answer 3

Jul 6, 2021 10:43 AM in response to Amb1M4c

The MacBook Pro 16-in is the muscle-car of Notebook computers. You are using it intensively, and with that compute-load and external display support it will heat up and spool up the fans. It sounds like it is performing as expected, considering the intensive graphics-heavy and virtual machine tasks you are requiring.

You may be happier with a Mac Pro tower for what you are doing. Its entry price is US$6K and UP.

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Answer 4

Limnos

Level 10

411,373 points

Jul 6, 2021 10:45 AM in response to Amb1M4c

I'm not sure on alternatives. The M1 Macs I think are supposed to run cooler but they don't have the display support you're using (only 1 external display for notebook models).

To me (and maybe just to me) you're asking a notebook to do the job of a desktop. Not that I can say with confidence that you'd be any better off in terms of heat with a Mini of that age. If I recall correctly others have been complaining about heat with graphics on Intel model Macs.

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Answer 5

Amb1M4c Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 6, 2021 10:59 AM in response to Limnos

Thank you Linmos. I may switch to one monitor but slightly bigger and see if that helps. Doubt it though, I think I probably need to move to a desktop.

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2019 MBP Fan

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