Razer Synapse 2.0 Drivers causing high battery drain

[apraetor]

Is anyone else seeing dramatically decreased battery life since upgrading to Synapse 2.0, even while a Razer mouse isn't being used?

My computer is a new 2.5 ghz i7 MacBook Pro with the Radeon HD 6770M + Intel 3000 HD, so it should do on-the-fly switching between GPUs depending on which programs are running. Unfortunately, the switching is based on which frameworks an application uses, and RzUpdater apparently is calling frameworks it doesn't need. I have gfxCardStatus in my menu bar, and since upgrading to Synapse 2.0 my graphics card NEVER switches to integrated mode; it's not an issue when I'm home, since I keep my laptop plugged in.. but without dynamic switching my battery life turns to crap.

If I sign out of Synapse 2.0, RzUpdater continues to run but WILL release the frameworks it's using, and OS X will start dynamic switching again. Still, for a background updater to be using so many resources constantly..

Anyone have any luck removing Synapse 2.0 and getting the old drivers to work again?

 

[XEC]

You can open your Activity Monitor and see if RzUpdater is continuously eating a percentage of your CPU (even though its idle). If it is not, check what application eats the most CPU.

Furthermore, if you really suspect that RzUpdater is the one causing the battery draining problem, try uninstalling the Razer Synapse 2.0 and try to use your laptop for 1-2 days and see if it got any improvements in terms of battery life.

 

[apraetor]

You can open your Activity Monitor and see if RzUpdater is continuously eating a percentage of your CPU (even though its idle). If it is not, check what application eats the most CPU.

Furthermore, if you really suspect that RzUpdater is the one causing the battery draining problem, try uninstalling the Razer Synapse 2.0 and try to use your laptop for 1-2 days and see if it got any improvements in terms of battery life.

So.. You didn't read my post, then? My problem isn't CPU load, it's that Synapse 2.0 uses OpenGL and triggers the discrete graphics card, even when just RzUpdater is running in the background. You can query OS X as to the state of dynamic switching, and it'll tell you what app is engaging the discrete graphics.

My CPU load is 2%, but if I go into Synapse, sign OUT, then use Activity Monitor to kill RzUpdater the system INSTANTLY reverts to the integrates card. Plugging my Naga back in will bring the problem back.

So yes, I get great like if I don't use my Naga mouse.

 

[XEC]

So.. You didn't read my post, then? My problem isn't CPU load, it's that Synapse 2.0 uses OpenGL and triggers the discrete graphics card, even when just RzUpdater is running in the background. You can query OS X as to the state of dynamic switching, and it'll tell you what app is engaging the discrete graphics.

My CPU load is 2%, but if I go into Synapse, sign OUT, then use Activity Monitor to kill RzUpdater the system INSTANTLY reverts to the integrates card. Plugging my Naga back in will bring the problem back.

So yes, I get great like if I don't use my Naga mouse.

My bad. I assumed that RzUpdater doesn't have anything to do with loading the OpenGL framework because it is a background process AFAIK. By the way, how did you know that RzUpdater is calling frameworks it doesn't need? Can you post here those frameworks or maybe a screenshot that shows the frameworks it calls?

 

[apraetor]

My bad. I assumed that RzUpdater doesn't have anything to do with loading the OpenGL framework because it is a background process AFAIK. By the way, how did you know that RzUpdater is calling frameworks it doesn't need? Can you post here those frameworks or maybe a screenshot that shows the frameworks it calls?

I'll give you a hint, I use the program I mentioned in the /first/ post I made, gfxCardStatus. I've attached a screenshot, but before you mention the fact VLC and "External Display" also show up as dependencies let me assure you -- even with VLC closed and the display disconnected, RzUpdater remains. And yes, Synapse 2.0 shows up as a separate dependency when it is open, and yes RzUpdater is supposed to be a background process, which is /why/ I'm curious whether anyone else is having this problem.

Also -- if you know HOW to uninstall Synapse 2.0, I'd love to know. Just removing the programs isn't enough, the drivers are left behind and frell up everything if you then try to use the previous generation of Razer drivers.

 

[XEC]

Quick reply to this one:

Also -- if you know HOW to uninstall Synapse 2.0, I'd love to know. Just removing the programs isn't enough, the drivers are left behind and frell up everything if you then try to use the previous generation of Razer drivers.

I uninstall my Razer Synapse 2.0 using the uninstaller software that Razer provides. It is located in /Applications/Utilities. This should uninstall all the files that is related to Razer Synapse 2.0.

 

[blueroom]

Just got a Razer Orochi 2013 today. Had to install Synapse to turn the scroll wheel LED off, then uninstall it as it as it seems unnecessary.

BUT

Better Touch Tool (excellent) can now see all four side buttons!

Not sure what I'll program them for?

PS the new 4.0 laser tracking is excellent and quite fast for me, had to slow it down.

 

[apraetor]

extra buttons

I use the G600, and it's awesome for web browsing. I'd suggest you assign a pair of buttons to cycle forward and backward through tabs, that's one of my favorites. Also, having a button that changes the mouse DPI from the usual down to 1200 DPI only while being held is awesome for gaming.

Just got a Razer Orochi 2013 today. Had to install Synapse to turn the scroll wheel LED off, then uninstall it as it as it seems unnecessary.

BUT

Better Touch Tool (excellent) can now see all four side buttons!

Not sure what I'll program them for?

PS the new 4.0 laser tracking is excellent and quite fast for me, had to slow it down.

 

[chinmaythosar]

Razer Death Adder on rMBP

I had purchased Death Adder long time ago and currently got a new 13" rMBP ... let me tell you something the latest Synapse 2.0 drivers drain about 30-40 mins of my total battery backup (without connecting the mouse) and also 3500dpi for retina display seems to be very low .. so its pretty much not for macbook pro with retina ..

 

[EricT43]

I had purchased Death Adder long time ago and currently got a new 13" rMBP ... let me tell you something the latest Synapse 2.0 drivers drain about 30-40 mins of my total battery backup (without connecting the mouse) and also 3500dpi for retina display seems to be very low .. so its pretty much not for macbook pro with retina ..

I use one with my 15" rMBP and I haven't had a problem with the DPI being too low. I have mine set to about 3000dpi with acceleration turned off. Maybe I'm just used to a slower pointer.

I don't run on battery power very often, so I haven't noticed the problem with Synapse and graphics switching. But for sure that software needs a lot of work, it's got all kinds of problems with the Mac version.

Those of you who have observed the issue, please contact Razer about it. They need to fix this software, and if enough of us complain, they might be more motivated.