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w00fa Author

Level 1

15 points

Sudden rMBP graphic performance issues

Hello,

I've a MacBook Pro with Retina display, running 10.8.2 and Win7 64-bit (via Bootcamp).

It's since a couple of days now, that I'm noticing a sharp drop in my rMBP's graphic performance. This is best observed in games, running both on OSX and Windows. For example, I've played a lot of Diablo 3 with this computer, under OSX, on standard resolution (not retina), and it played very well, and really smooth. When I ran it today, it lags really bad (i.e., running at very low FPS). It's unplayable. This shift occured overnight. One time it worked, then suddenly it doesn't.

I've observed this playing Borderlands 2, under Windows (Bootcamp). This game used to run just fine until this 'performance drop' occured.

Did some testing;

According to System Information, when I'm just browsing the internet, my machine is using the Intel HD 4000, and when I run Diablo 3, it then switches to the Geforce GT 650M. I get very poor performance. Then, while the game is running, I ran Activity Monitor only to see my system totally chilling. Had 93% CPU Idle, 10.5GB free RAM, hardly any disk activity @ peaks of 1MB/sec. I then ran atMonitor, which apparently monitors GPU load and temp. the GPU was at 99%, and I'm not sure about the temp. I assume it went up as well.

I'm not sure what exactly caused this shift. Is any familiar with this? Any bright ideas?

Thanks. All the best,

-w00fa

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Sep 29, 2012 8:36 PM

110 replies

Jan 10, 2013 4:54 PM in response to w00fa

Has Apple released any comment regarding this issue or are we just being left in the Dark. I'm becoming very frustrated with the lack of communication from Apple regarding this issue.

If someone could point me an official statement from Apple it woudl be greatly appreciated.

If no statement has been given I suggest we start contacting Technology and PC sites and informing them. Maybe this will help getting response from Apple. Just my thoughts.

w00fa Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 10, 2013 6:37 PM in response to justinfromclarenville

Just touching base here. The issue has yet to reoccur on my end. I'd reset my SMC once, and that was it.

Jan 10, 2013 7:34 PM in response to justinfromclarenville

No official comment has been posted recently that I can find. I agree with your notion, this is a major problem and without stumbling on this thread, I would be in a world of hurt.

In response to W00fa, any time I let me the notebook go to sleep without AC power, it occurs and SMC reset is required.

Can we get some kind of response apple????

LogRB

Level 1

0 points

Jan 11, 2013 12:33 AM in response to teggo

Reseting the SMC worked like a charm! Thanks for the help!

Jan 11, 2013 12:38 AM in response to w00fa

I had the problem comming back to me every time, but I've been running 10.8.3 beta's for a few weeks now (12D43, 44 and now 50) and the problem has no longer occured for me. 🙂

So I'm fairly positive 10.8.3 will fix the issue, finally!

w00fa Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 11, 2013 7:18 AM in response to Qonstrukt

That's great news, Qonstrukt.

poling253: I hear you. I'm not sure if, the one time this has occured to me, it was as a result of the computer going to sleep with, or without being plugged in the wall. Either way, it came to be, and an SMC reset did the trick. Since then, I've sent the computer to sleep a ton of times, both with and without AC. No sign of recurrence.

Jan 13, 2013 3:00 AM in response to Bigze

I had an entire machine replacement - brand new machine. And it still has this issue so it is definitely not a fault with individual machines but with the entire product line.

Jan 14, 2013 5:44 AM in response to w00fa

hey i juz found out the problem .. juz dun overheat.. dun leave the battery to 20-30%.. then will solve the problem out .. if u heavy usage pls plug in the magsafe 2.. remember dun drain until 20-30% only charged,,if not u need reset SMC again ...

w00fa Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 14, 2013 6:25 AM in response to charlesKL

That's a nice workaround (if indeed it works), however, it is by no means a fix.

Jan 21, 2013 12:03 PM in response to w00fa

Ok Apple, it's time to fix this issue now. Or at least admit to it. I was in an Apple store this weekend explaining the issues I'm having with my rMBP, and the so called Genius was completely clueless to the IR and SMC issues (Although for the IR apple has their own test). And the funny thing was, there were 3 other people there with the same issues.

Can we please get an offical reply from apple regarding these issues and what Apple are going to do about it please.

As for not letting your MBP over heat, that's like buying a Frerrari and being told you can't open it up. Apple need ot fix this or send us a replacement unit.

I'm seriously thinking of writing some letters to some tech sites.

Jan 21, 2013 3:43 PM in response to justinfromclarenville

Agreed. I'm down for getting some attention. So @#%@#$ tired of shutting down my laptop to get it working at the right speed. I do a lot of gaming and video converts. Very Annoying. I am at the point I almost expect compensation by now.

w00fa Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 22, 2013 1:01 AM in response to justinfromclarenville

Unfortunately, we're not likely to get an official response from Apple, as this is a c2c discussion board.

About you thinking to write up to tech sites - I think they're well-aware of the issue, if they even give a **** about it.

Krump91

Level 1

0 points

Jan 26, 2013 12:44 AM in response to w00fa

I am having the same issue, what i notice is that after about an hour of running my macbook retina display it starts to get choppy for about 2mins then goes back to normal then it happens again more frequently and it is really starting to get annoying.. this happens regardless if i am playing or game or watching a simple youtube video.

w00fa Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 28, 2013 11:51 PM in response to w00fa

Hey guys. Good news!

I was just contacted by AppleCare, as a followup to this discussion.

A guy named Derek, who works as part of a team of AppleCare Advisors, who follow up on cases for Apple Engineering wants to know if I would be interested in testing a solution for the rMBP's Graphic Performance Issues.

I replied, saying I would require some sort of authentication, before I opt to install anything on my machine.

I'll keep ya'll in the loop as to how this unfolds. Whether this proposed solution does the trick or not - time will tell - either way; if this is indeed a valid and official communication, it means Apple has identified the issue and, moreover, are actively pursueing a solution.

I have to say, I'm _loving_ this, right now.

Talk to you soon!

-w00fa

Jan 28, 2013 11:56 PM in response to w00fa

I too got an email from Derek. I replied that I have no issue testing a solution. I have not heard back from him.

Sudden rMBP graphic performance issues