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Macbook Pro 16'' Throttling when display connected

Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2022 10:22 pm
by versicolor
A Macbook Pro 16'' should power through a fairly undemanding performance on Modul8 and do be fair it does initially. However after an hour or so (unless the machine is warm already in which case, much sooner) it starts throttling, especially when a projector (or a 2nd display) is plugged in. Throttling is a last ditch attempt to cool down the system by dragging it down it seems. The video starts skipping frames and eventually freezes because the cpu is overwhelmed by 800% -1200% kernel_task process.

I know this is not entirely a Modul8 issue (same thing happens with VDMX) but it is one that can ruin a performance and maybe worthy of a thread here. So wondering if anybody has the same issue with a MBP 16" 2019+? Any suggestions?

I'm getting a laptop cooler tomorrow with as many fans as i can find and i've been around the web collecting info about AMD Graphics on these machines and how the design is flawed - basically it overheats when you plug in say, a projector or display and Modul8 is probably the most likely app to take it into throttling territory. I have installed a fan control app to monitor things. Any more ideas?

Re: Macbook Pro 16'' Throttling when display connected

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2022 12:11 pm
by versicolor
Just a quick update. The cooling stand arrived and in use it worked for a little longer but kernel_task returned and rendered Modul8 practically useless. As i type things have 'settled down' to kernel_task running 420% Horrrendous, and it just about plays one video clip. Just.

So i'll have to get another 2015 MBP the look of it. This one is hopeless! Luckily i have a 2009 model, an old banger with 2 cores but it JUST WORKS. Amazing.

Re: Macbook Pro 16'' Throttling when display connected

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2022 10:02 pm
by versicolor
Just updated to Monterey after reading the following. It works much better! Col. Task is kept in his place.
https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments ... 16_is_hot/