MacBook Pro Retina closed & connected to TB Display - Constant fan - Anyone else?

[ethana]

Hi, those of you who have the 27 inch TB display, I have a question for you.

You know when you run any program on rMBP you are taxing the CPU a lot just for rendering the screen at such high resolution. If you change the resolution to 1680x1050, it will toll your system even worse.

So, I always wonder, if you connect it to your TB display and close the lid, will your rMBP behave like a truly powerful machine? In other words, do you notice a dramatic performance improvement over using it on the retina screen?

I am talking about noticeable less lag time in graphic intensive website, and much higher fps in games, etc?

Currently I am connecting it to a regular 27 inch monitor via HDMI. I don't like using the Apple wireless keyboard or trackpad, so I basically just use my laptop as a keyboard and mouse, and turn the brightness of my retina screen to 0% and just look at my 27 inch LED in front of me as my monitor. I think this will give me very bad performance though because the retina screen, even when dark, is still rendering everything in 1920x1080 (my external display resolution that it mirrors).

If you guys actually get a better performance by decoupling the retina display, maybe I will get the 27inch TB display too. But I hate how I need to buy a trackpad/keyboard. Plus, Apple doesn't sell a bigger wireless keyboard

This is a question for a separate thread please. No offense, but I am trying to find some information on a separate issue here.

E

 

[Aksta]

Try resting the SMC, below is the link on how to do it.

Fans
The computer's fans run at high speed although the computer is not experiencing heavy usage and is properly ventilated.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

 

[Icy1007]

Hi, those of you who have the 27 inch TB display, I have a question for you.

You know when you run any program on rMBP you are taxing the CPU a lot just for rendering the screen at such high resolution. If you change the resolution to 1680x1050, it will toll your system even worse.

So, I always wonder, if you connect it to your TB display and close the lid, will your rMBP behave like a truly powerful machine? In other words, do you notice a dramatic performance improvement over using it on the retina screen?

I am talking about noticeable less lag time in graphic intensive website, and much higher fps in games, etc?

Currently I am connecting it to a regular 27 inch monitor via HDMI. I don't like using the Apple wireless keyboard or trackpad, so I basically just use my laptop as a keyboard and mouse, and turn the brightness of my retina screen to 0% and just look at my 27 inch LED in front of me as my monitor. I think this will give me very bad performance though because the retina screen, even when dark, is still rendering everything in 1920x1080 (my external display resolution that it mirrors).

If you guys actually get a better performance by decoupling the retina display, maybe I will get the 27inch TB display too. But I hate how I need to buy a trackpad/keyboard. Plus, Apple doesn't sell a bigger wireless keyboard

The 27" TB display has a resolution nearly as high as the retina display. Performance will be about the same.

 

[eron]

No macbook pro ever took air in from the keyboard, that's a common misconception.

Probably, but it's physics that heat rises. With the laptop screen down, some heat can't dissipate through the top.

My MBP is cooler with the screen up when plugged into an external display.
It doesn't answer the thread starter's concern about the 'warmer' rMBP, but when I'm connected to my external display, I put the laptop in "clamshell" mode, with the screen up.

I do so by using a trick I learnt from a YouTube video. Basically find any magnet. I use those on flyers/promo that stick on fridges. It doesn't have to be strong. Stick the magnet on the bottom part of the laptop that activates "sleep mode/clamshell" mode. On the 17" MBP , it's on the right, just below the speaker grille. On some other models, it's on the left side. Trial and error till you find the spot. Then use a good sticky tape or blue tac to attach it.

 

[Tibits]

Do you guys all have the 2.7GHz model? Are you connected to a TB display with the clamshell closed?

I'm not doing anything but browsing the web. No the vents aren't covered. Temp in the room is 71F.

I have the 2.6Ghz, 16GB. In clamshell mode, the GPU temp is currently 42C surfing the web and fans are at 2k. Editing photos in Aperture, the temp jumps right up into the 60's and fans occasionally throttle beyond 3k, but are still essentially silent.

 

[mattkidd]

Hmm I have a feeling its the 650M causing the fans to kick in, when using the graphics card switching app GFX or whatever its called when you attempt to change it to the HD4000 whilst connected the OS just crashes....

 

[doh123]

Have you tried the SMC reset yet? the SMC is what monitors temps and handles fan speeds.

I have a 2.6/16/512 model but I've only used the HDMI out, but I never have a major change in fan speed.

Also, don't the Macbook Pro's intake air through the keyboard? If so, by closing the lid, you're probably hampering the cooling system.

This might not be the case for the Macbook Pro Retina since it has a revamped cooling system, but I'm pretty sure older Macbook Pro's had this air intake system.

the rMBP has side intakes.

Hmm I have a feeling its the 650M causing the fans to kick in, when using the graphics card switching app GFX or whatever its called when you attempt to change it to the HD4000 whilst connected the OS just crashes....

well... yeah, thats expected. the Intel HD 4000 only connects to the built in screen. the TB and HDMI ports only connect to the 650M. the 650M is required for running external monitors.

 

[KohPhiPhi]

the Intel HD 4000 only connects to the built in screen. the TB and HDMI ports only connect to the 650M. the 650M is required for running external monitors.

I understand that the 650M kicks-in to drive the external display, but if there's hardly any on-screen activity (OP says he's just browsing the internet), why should the dedicated GPU heat up to fan-triggering levels?!?

 

[MacBird]

I understand that the 650M kicks-in to drive the external display, but if there's hardly any on-screen activity (OP says he's just browsing the internet), why should the dedicated GPU heat up to fan-triggering levels?!?

I guess it also depends on the website. If Adblock or Glimmerblocker is not installed, the ads could keep the GPU quite busy, the same might apply to youtube, etc.

For the OP, I don't close the laptop entirely when attached to an external monitor. If you leave it a little bit open, the laptop display goes dark but the heat can dissipate a little better.

 

[doh123]

I understand that the 650M kicks-in to drive the external display, but if there's hardly any on-screen activity (OP says he's just browsing the internet), why should the dedicated GPU heat up to fan-triggering levels?!?

it shouldn't and it might not be.. thats why resetting the SMC is important. If something is wrong and it cannot tell if its too hot or not, it may spin up the fans anyways.

 

[satchow]

Attached is a picture of my iStat with the computer sitting Idle connected to the Tunderbolt Display with clamshell closed.

GPU is almost 70C degrees!

Anyone else seeing the same stats or different?

Can you enable the viewing of processes in iStat. Would be good to know what apps are utilizing your CPU.

 

[ctdw]

I just picked up a rMBP last night and the fans are not running high or making any noise with my TBP display (been on it for 7 hours). My GPU is at 119F.

 

[ladeer]

The 27" TB display has a resolution nearly as high as the retina display. Performance will be about the same.

that is not true at all.

if you read anandtech, you will know that MBPR doesn't render the page at 2880x1800. In fact, when you change your resolution to 1920x1200, your computer first upsample it to 3840x2400 (double the 1920x1200), then down sample to 2800x1800 to fit your retina screen to ensure best quality output. This all happens on the fly, so it actually tolls the system MUCH MUCH more than simply rendering things at 2800x1800. There are two additional upscaling and downscaling all the way to 3840x2400 involved. That's why even a tiny MacBook Air can drive a 27 TB display, but MBPR has problem rendering on its own display.

 

[ethana]

I shut down the computer last night completely (usually I just let it fall asleep) and let it cool fully down. This morning I am plugged in and I don't hear a fan at all. Here is my current iStat with the TB display connected.... much better stats today.

Granted, I have only been using the computer for 15 minutes so far, but I'll post another update if the fan kicks in after extended use.

 

[ladeer]

This is a question for a separate thread please. No offense, but I am trying to find some information on a separate issue here.

E

you have a 27 TB, can you answer me please?

 

[ethana]

you have a 27 TB, can you answer me please?

PM me with your issue and I will help you.

 

[ethana]

Just an update to this....

I've been running like normal all day and no fan sound at all. Temps are good and everything is running smoothly.

Must have been a fluke in the OS that cause the temps to spike and stay there. A shutdown, cool down, and restart fixed my issue. If it happens again in the future, I'll let you guys know.

E

 

[eron]

Just an update to this....

I've been running like normal all day and no fan sound at all. Temps are good and everything is running smoothly.

Must have been a fluke in the OS that cause the temps to spike and stay there. A shutdown, cool down, and restart fixed my issue. If it happens again in the future, I'll let you guys know.

E

Maybe it was indexing the other time.

 

[andymac2210]

I find it best not to run in clamshell mode.

What I do is open the laptop while it's plugged into the external display (which mine is most of the time) and put a fridge magnet on the lower left corner to keep the internal display off (saving graphics, since it's only pushing one display).

This allows the laptop FAR better cooling and means the GPU is only driving one display.

Clamshell mode sucks.

 

[derbothaus]

^^^ Nice tip.

 

[snakebitesmac]

You know when you run any program on rMBP you are taxing the CPU a lot just for rendering the screen at such high resolution. If you change the resolution to 1680x1050, it will toll your system even worse.

If you guys actually get a better performance by decoupling the retina display, maybe I will get the 27inch TB display too.(

You could always set it to the non-retina mode for 1:1. Running clamshell will turn off the retina display anyway. What got me excited about this was the dual thunderbolt ports so I can support two DVI-D adapters for 2x 30" dell monitors.

If you are looking for a new keyboard. I present the best keyboard ever made: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Pro-W...alls&hash=item3cc918e19b&_uhb=1#ht_500wt_1314 I have two of them. They've been disassembled and cleaned multiple times.

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I find it best not to run in clamshell mode.

What I do is open the laptop while it's plugged into the external display (which mine is most of the time) and put a fridge magnet on the lower left corner to keep the internal display off (saving graphics, since it's only pushing one display).

This allows the laptop FAR better cooling and means the GPU is only driving one display.

Clamshell mode sucks.

Have you tried putting the exhaust fan down? (like the BookArc does, this helps SIGNIFICANTLY on my 2010 MBP)