Apple's latest MacBook Pros get throttling bug fix

[HEXUS]

Previously, the new Core i9 MacBook was being outpaced in tests by last year's Core i7 model.

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[Platinum]

Looks like the Dell XPS 15 is throttling as well, Apple and Dell should have tested the chips more and sorted their cooling but I wonder if Intel is partially to blame, the i7 is fine and has the same TDP as the i9, is Intel telling porkies with the power draw?

[Kanoe]

Would be interesting to get some more details about the patch, like does this just allow the chip to run hotter for longer before it starts throttling, which isn't much of a fix.

[3dcandy]

Is it just me or can anybody else not see the point of a laptop that is always throttling performance?

[Platinum]

Ok looks like the Razer Blade throttles as well, interesting.

[philehidiot]

I wrote a rant but it went astray. The description sounds like it just allows the chip to run hotter for longer. This is a bad idea as I found when I bought a laptop that had a desktop P4 in it... the CPU didn't cook but the surrounding components did and parts failed one by one. There is clearly a thermal design issue in that it was running at >90 degrees under load and it sounds like they've just changed the throttling parameters - you can't force the chip to run cooler. All you can do is run the fans faster for longer with a lower starting threshold and hope it compensates. I suspect there are two issues going on here. Firstly the marketing department wants to advertise an i9 and doesn't care if it throttles. Secondly the engineers will be well aware of the issues but told to shut up and get on with it. The lifespan of the laptop will likely be decreased by this patch as the CPU may be able to handle it but the extra thermal expansion and contraction of the surrounding copper tracks and components will likely cause a higher rate of premature failures as well as the possible extra wear on the fans (although I doubt this is a major issue - I've only ever replaced one fan in a laptop). My Macbook Air has an i5 in it and it throttles at the drop of a hat and it's very frustrating. It was clearly a marketing decision to drive sales. There's no point in sticking a giant engine in a car when the cooling, transmission, chassis etc can't handle it. All you get is bragging rights and an expensive repair bill when it all goes horribly wrong.

[Platinum]

Yea Apple / Dell / Razer should have done more testing and either not gone with the chip or beefed up the cooling solution on the CPU and VRM's.

[TheAnimus]

Ok looks like the Razer Blade throttles as well, interesting.

I think they always have, or was that just the GPU?

However, lots of people are painting this "all light laptops throttle" which is true, but this throttling was rendering the i9 useless, no better than the i7.

[tinbin]

lol not good apple

[Biscuit]

I just did a quick test on my i7 8550u equipped thinkpad and I also noticed that it throttles pretty sharpish. It hits 100% on all cores, temps hit 80~90 and bam, locks at 2000Mhz.... but then the fans slow down.

I would probably prefer, certainly when I'm plugged in, that the fans ramp up and allow me to have a higher clock speed.... have to look into this.

edit - actually this isnt throttling I suppose as the base clock is 1800Mhz

[GinoLatino]

And magicomically they will issue "a fix" after serveral media reported the issue. Did they even test the device before releasing it?

[Platinum]

And magicomically they will issue "a fix" after serveral media reported the issue. Did they even test the device before releasing it?

Hey at least they have been quick to test and fix the issue, haven't seen a fix yet from Dell or Razer.

[flearider]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjor24HO2HA the real reason it's the vrm's

thinner is not always better you lose loads of cooling ..and with very little ventilation it's just MADNESS ..
90c for most of it's life and it's not going to live that long say bye bye to your £2000 - 3000

[TheAnimus]

Hey at least they have been quick to test and fix the issue, haven't seen a fix yet from Dell or Razer.

Because they don't have the same problem.

This is happening on a single thread load, and almost immediately.

That's the difference.

[Glyce]

I wrote a rant but it went astray. The description sounds like it just allows the chip to run hotter for longer. This is a bad idea as I found when I bought a laptop that had a desktop P4 in it... the CPU didn't cook but the surrounding components did and parts failed one by one. There is clearly a thermal design issue in that it was running at >90 degrees under load and it sounds like they've just changed the throttling parameters - you can't force the chip to run cooler. All you can do is run the fans faster for longer with a lower starting threshold and hope it compensates. I suspect there are two issues going on here. Firstly the marketing department wants to advertise an i9 and doesn't care if it throttles. Secondly the engineers will be well aware of the issues but told to shut up and get on with it. The lifespan of the laptop will likely be decreased by this patch as the CPU may be able to handle it but the extra thermal expansion and contraction of the surrounding copper tracks and components will likely cause a higher rate of premature failures as well as the possible extra wear on the fans (although I doubt this is a major issue - I've only ever replaced one fan in a laptop). My Macbook Air has an i5 in it and it throttles at the drop of a hat and it's very frustrating. It was clearly a marketing decision to drive sales. There's no point in sticking a giant engine in a car when the cooling, transmission, chassis etc can't handle it. All you get is bragging rights and an expensive repair bill when it all goes horribly wrong.

This!