Cursor Lag/General Lag on Macbook 16 inch plugged into 4k monitor

[Corncab44]

I am running an i9 2.3ghz 32gb 16 inch. It's a very snappy system and there shouldn't be any reason for what I'm seeing when I have a few chrome windows open, along with slack and maybe Spotify. My cursor simply lags, half the time it takes a split second for it to catch up with where I've moved it. Other things hang slightly for a split second as well. The computer is not slow, per se, it just seems like there is a certain lag, most noticeable with the cursor. It is extremely annoying and distracting and I can't for the life of me figure out how to fix it. I'm seeing this right now in clamshell mode while pushing a 4k dell monitor. So the 8GB Radeon 5500M graphics card is being used automatically. If this continues I'll return the computer tbh, it's completely unacceptable for a brand new $3,500 machine. I'm hoping there's a solution I'm unaware of, though. The computer is not overheating, based on monitors it's around 70 degrees.

 

[jerryk]

All depends on load. What does activity monitor show is using the CPU? You find it it useful to sort in descending order of usage.

Also, remember a new Mac (or one with a newly reloaded OS) can take a day or two to index the drive. This processing can noticeably impact the process.

 

[robvas]

Are you running 30hz or 60?

 

[Corncab44]

Are you running 30hz or 60?

60 hz, just checked to make sure. Connected usb-c to mini-display port adaptor which feeds a mpd-hdmi into the back of the monitor. Worked fine on a 5 year old windows laptop, would be surprised if this is the issue, though I could look into a single wire if that possibly is playing a role. My monitor is a Dell P2415Q.

I've seen a number of threads with this type of issue on MacRumors... doesn't seem like there's any solution? The lag doesn't seem like it's a refresh rate issue because it happens intermittently, not like, every single time you move the mouse. You'll move it around for 10 seconds, then the next move will lag, then no lag for 4 secs, then lag for a few seconds etc. etc. It's more of a "hang" if that makes sense. Like it's... loading?
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All depends on load. What does activity monitor show is using the CPU? You find it it useful to sort in descending order of usage.

Also, remember a new Mac (or one with a newly reloaded OS) can take a day or two to index the drive. This processing can noticeably impact the process.

I'm running chrome, safari, Apple Music and a vpn -- that's literally it. And I should be able to run 5x that and still use the laptop! Why do Macs have to be babied so much?

I've had this model for a week so indexing shouldn't be an issue.

 

[jerryk]

60 hz, just checked to make sure. Connected usb-c to mini-display port adaptor which feeds a mpd-hdmi into the back of the monitor. Worked fine on a 5 year old windows laptop, would be surprised if this is the issue, though I could look into a single wire if that possibly is playing a role. My monitor is a Dell P2415Q.

I've seen a number of threads with this type of issue on MacRumors... doesn't seem like there's any solution? The lag doesn't seem like it's a refresh rate issue because it happens intermittently, not like, every single time you move the mouse. You'll move it around for 10 seconds, then the next move will lag, then no lag for 4 secs, then lag for a few seconds etc. etc. It's more of a "hang" if that makes sense. Like it's... loading?
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I'm running chrome, safari, Apple Music and a vpn -- that's literally it. And I should be able to run 5x that and still use the laptop! Why do Macs have to be babied so much?

I've had this model for a week so indexing shouldn't be an issue.

Again, what is the data saying? Review the Activity Monitor and drill down into the processes that are using the CPU. Until you know that it going to be difficult to pin down.