macbook 16" fan noise - do I need an eGPU?

[tarponjargon]

I *just* got a new mbp 16" with 2.4 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9 and 64gm of RAM. The graphics chip is AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8 GB.

Sadly, it suffers from the same issue my 2018 mbp did - the fan is ALWAYS blasting, which is super irritating. I had hoped upgrading to the fattest setup available would help.

I *suspect* it's because I run 3 external displays. 2 of them are 2011 thunderbolt gen 1 apple displays connected thru thunderbolt adapters, and one is an ASUS VZ27A HDMI display connected thru one of those usb-c multi-port adapters (shown in pic). I just like the screen space, I don't care that much about graphics.

When the fan is blasting (which is nearly always), the CPU load and memory pressure are almost nothing. So there doesn't appear to be a software/os issue that's causing it to crank up. Which is why I think it's the GPU (is there a way to visualize GPU pressure?). Already tried SMC reset.

Anyway, I am thinking maybe an eGPU might help? If so, would I be able to use an eGPU with my current monitor setup? That would suck to have to get new monitors + an eGPU just to quiet the damn fan. But...it's drivin' me nuts.

 

[Ted Persson]

Yup. I have the same spec as you, very annoying. I run a Pro Display XDR and a LG 5k, slooowwwww.
I switched to a Razer Core X with rx5700xt and now the machine is quiet, but struggling with getting the Pro Display to work 100% with the eGPU setup. But that's another story.

 

[Macdude2010]

Yup. I have the same spec as you, very annoying. I run a Pro Display XDR and a LG 5k, slooowwwww.
I switched to a Razer Core X with rx5700xt and now the machine is quiet, but struggling with getting the Pro Display to work 100% with the eGPU setup. But that's another story.

Im curious, what are the problems you are running into with running the XDR on an eGPU?

 

[cardfan]

So after spending 4k plus on a MacBook the solution is to spend nearly another k on a eGPU? So we can get the fan to stop whirling and stuff.

Sounds a bit insane. May as well buy a Mac Pro.

 

[tarponjargon]

Yup. I have the same spec as you, very annoying. I run a Pro Display XDR and a LG 5k, slooowwwww.
I switched to a Razer Core X with rx5700xt and now the machine is quiet, but struggling with getting the Pro Display to work 100% with the eGPU setup. But that's another story.

OK - well it's good to know the egpu at least solved the fan problem. thanks for replying

So after spending 4k plus on a MacBook the solution is to spend nearly another k on a eGPU? So we can get the fan to stop whirling and stuff.

Sounds a bit insane. May as well buy a Mac Pro.

no kidding. I'd get a pro but I need the portability.