CPU Throttling/Limiting to 20% without any reason

Question

CPU Throttling/Limiting to 20% without any reason

It's crazy, nobody is going to care about that, it will be like talking to myself but I will write it here anyway.

My 16" MacBook from late 2019 (all best specs but the 2TB SSD) is throttling down the CPU even though it's running at ~60 °C.

Opened just Photoshop (just program, no projects), no chrome, no safari, no Spotify no nothing, literally freshly installed system, nothing plugged in on the left, no external monitor, I might be wrong butI think the fans are not even running on full speed.

When there is completely no apps opened, it's alright. No CPU limiting, but I don't need a laptop to look at it.

I did reset SMC, NVRAM, I completely formatted whole laptop and installed latest Big-Sur.

I have exactly 20 °C in my room (though it can't be a factor, since Intel show CPU is 60 °C)

I have never used it with the lid closed, never on the bed sheet or whatnot.

It's driving me insane, I can practically only use 20% of my $4k laptop, so why did I pay 4k and not $800?

Posted on Jul 7, 2021 5:41 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 8, 2021 5:21 AM in response to maksymilian19

You should post the EtreCheck report here using the "Additional Text" icon which looks like a piece of paper. You may have software installed that you think is Ok, but the contributors on here may recognize that software as known to cause problems. Of course if you performed a clean install by erasing the whole physical drive and testing it before migrating or restoring from a backup and before installing any third party apps, then there is no need to post the report.

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Answer 2

Jul 8, 2021 1:28 AM in response to a brody

You might be right, but I definitely can touch the laptop next to the screen. When I had moments when the temperature actually went up to ~100 degrees (also on the Intel Gadget thing) I couldn't touch it at all. Now when it shows ~60 degrees, it's just warm to touch, AND it throttles it down. (I am aware that under screen it's not 1:1 CPU temperature, but still)

I checked the EtreCheck. There are no background programs that shuold not be installed. This is literally freshly installed system after formatting everything. I made the screenshot 2 hours after doing the format.

I have no idea what's going on and, WHY it is going on.

Thank you very much for help though.

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Answer 3

Jul 8, 2021 1:36 AM in response to HWTech

Thank you, I think you're right and this must be some Power Related issue. The only solution is just to bring for somebody to look at it.

About the EDIT: I really tried everything. As I said, I had (and never have actually) anything plugged into my laptop besides original power cable with original 96W charger. My colleagues have exact same laptops, and I tried on couple of cables & chargers (one of my friend already got rid of his 16" just because of that exact throttling issue). I also was working just on battery - same thing. It must be hardware issue.

I didn't try turning it 180 degrees though haha. Thank you for your time!

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Answer 4

a brody

Level 10

85,372 points

Jul 7, 2021 6:14 AM in response to maksymilian19

These software that report CPU usage give one more of a placebo affect, as they do not accurately measure the temperature or indications of over throttling. If concerned about speed, run Etrecheck report to detect if there are background programs that should not be installed.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250002463

We can tell you what should or shouldn't be installed. No optimizers from Symantec, MacPaw, or Zeobit should be installed.

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Answer 5

Jul 7, 2021 5:23 PM in response to maksymilian19

If the CPU frequency is throttled when attempting to run an app or stress the CPU, then the three causes are:

Sensor issue (hardware failure)
CPU temp is reaching 100C with the fans at full speed
Power related issue

If the fans are not running at high speed when the laptop is sitting idle, then number one is doubtful, although it can not be ruled out completely. Since you show the CPU is at 60C the second item is also unlikely. This leaves a power related issue which can be extremely hard for a tech to troubleshoot. These USB-C Macs are extremely hard to troubleshoot as many times traditional logic goes out the door with these evil USB-C Macs (no I am not fond of them as they drive me insane). It could be as simple as a bad I/O Board, or a bad battery, loose battery cable connection, or even more likely a bad Logic Board. Just about anything in the laptop could be bad and causing this issue. You will need to have Apple or better yet an Apple Authorized Service Provider examine the laptop, but even then you may have trouble getting them to see the issue as Apple won't use the Intel Power Gadget as a tool for troubleshooting although a tech with an AASP may be more open/versatile. Maybe one of Apple's service diagnostics will report a failure if you are lucky.

Edit: Make sure to disconnect all external devices from the laptop. Also connect the charger directly to the laptop. Try using each of the other USB-C ports especially on the other side of the laptop. Also try rotating the charger USB-C connector 180 degrees upside down in case you have a half bad USB-C port(s). I know this sounds crazy, but I have personally experienced this with the USB-C Macs I service. Also try unplugging the charger from the electrical outlet for a minute to reset the charger's internal circuitry.

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CPU Throttling/Limiting to 20% without any reason

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