Video: Putting the iMac Pro thermals to the test

Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2020
Apple's new iMac Pro now uses a much more advanced dual fan cooling solution, with almost 75 percent more airflow and an 80 percent increase in system thermal capacity. AppleInsider put it to the test to see how it performs with CPU and GPU intensive tasks, and we came away with interesting results.

Apple 2017 iMac Pro desktop


For our test, we used the base $4,999 iMac Pro that features an 8 core Xeon CPU, with Radeon Pro Vega 56 8GB graphics card, and 32GB of ECC RAM with a 1TB NVME SSD.

The first thing we should mention is just how quiet the iMac Pro is. Apart from the fans kicking up momentarily when we cold boot into macOS, the fans are virtually silent even when doing 4K video editing. When we ran the same tests on our regular iMac, the fan was running at full blast.





The eight-core Xeon processor has a base clock rating of 3.2GHz with a maximum turbo boost clock speed of 4.2GHz, if doing simple tasks. Under full CPU usage, like the tests we are running, the maximum turbo boost is 3.9GHz.

We started off our tests using Cinebench R15, where our iMac Pro received an impressive multi-core score of 1682 -- 80 percent faster than the fastest regular iMac. During the first few consecutive runs of the CPU benchmark, our clock speed stayed at the maximum 3.9GHz.



After the second test, each additional run would cause the iMac Pro to slow down the CPU when the temperature reached roughly 94C, which caused the clock speed to drop from 3.9ghz to about 3.6ghz for a second or two. This allowed the CPU to drop below 92C, and the clock speed to rise back to the maximum turbo boost of 3.9GHz.

Interestingly, even after 10 consecutive benchmarks, the iMac Pro fans were barely audible. Instead of ramping up the fan speed to keep the CPU at its maximum turbo boost speed, the iMac Pro just kept the cycle going, with the clock speed dipping every 10 seconds or so while staying very quiet.

The next thermal test we ran was transcoding 4K HEVC video to Apple ProRES, which consistently maxes out the CPU. After first 30 seconds, the CPU reached 75 degrees celsius and the clock speed stayed at the maximum 3.9GHz. An additional 30 seconds brought the temps up to 85C. Three minutes into the test, we saw our first short dip in maximum clock speeds, with the Mac dropping to 3.63GHz for just over a second once the temps reached 93C, and then right back up to 3.9GHz.



We recorded the same behavior for the next 7 minutes in the test, with dips to 3.63GHz when the processor hits 94C, and overall CPU temperatures ranging between 90C to 94C.

Unfortunately, none of the many fan speed applications we tested appear to be measuring correct fan speeds, and none of manual fan controls are working at present. So, we're just not sure how fast the fans were running during those tests. We could speculate they are just above idle, since they were very quiet.

Just like with most previous Macs, Apple chooses to run their machines as quiet as possible, even if it means running the components very hot and having to slow them down. We expect these applications will be updated to support the iMac Pro, allowing you to set the fans to ramp up earlier and run faster.

The last test we did was running the same HEVC transcoding test, which completely maxes out the processor, and at the same time running Unigine heaven, which will run the graphics card at 100 percent as as well. The iMac Pro uses a single cooling solution for both chipsets, so this should put a lot more stress on cooling system.



This was the first time we heard the fan speeds get loud and reach what we think is the maximum speed, with the noise level being similar to that of the 2017 5K iMac but with a deeper tone.

After 30 seconds, the iMac Pro's Xeon hit 94C, reaching the maximum temp allowed by the chip much quicker than before. The Radeon Pro Vega 56 graphics card was running at 64C.

One minute into the test, the CPU was showing the same occasional dips to 3.63GHz as it did in previous tests, with the graphics reaching 67C.

Three minutes in, our CPU started to dip down to 3.36GHz which it never had before, and it no longer bounced back to the maximum turbo boost speed of 3.9GHZ. Instead, it maxed out at 3.63GHz. Our graphics card now reached 72C, which is quite cool for a GPU under full load. We ran the test for 12 more minutes and the results stayed essentially the same. The graphics alternated between 72C and 74C, and then stayed practically pinned at 94C with a frequency between 3.23GHz and 3.63GHz.

Unfortunately there isn't a way for us to check the frequency of the Vega 56 under MacOS, but at the end of our 15-minute test, the last graphics score we received was 1667 with an average 66 frames per second. This is roughly 10 percent lower than the score of 1831 we received when running the benchmark by itself, where the CPU isn't also being maxed at the same time.

To ensure that this performance loss wasn't due to limited CPU power going to the graphics benchmark, we monitored the percentage of CPU performance Unigine Heaven was receiving. In both the isolated graphics test and simultaneous CPU and GPU benchmarks Unigine was receiving the same 5 percent to 7 percent of processing power, meaning that a 10 percent lower score is likely from the graphics chip throttling itself in order to keep the system from getting too hot.

It's important to note that this type of scenario, where both the CPU and graphics are both running at 100 percent for an extended period of time, is extremely rare. Even editing and render RED 8K RAW video -- one of toughest tasks for any machine -- won't do that.



Along with that, the base clock speed for this Xeon 8 Core is 3.2GHz, a speed that the iMac Pro stayed above even when throwing the unrealistic maximum workload possible at the machine. The regular iMac, on the other hand, will run slower than its base clock speed -- even without maxing out the system.

With that said, it is a bit disappointing to see Apple prioritize noise over performance and thermals on a high-end pro machine. We look forward to gaining manual fan control, in order to boost the fans just a bit under normal work, to keep the iMac Pro running at its maximum turbo boost speed.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 51
    You bought a machine rated at 3.2 GHz and you’re consistently getting more than that under full load. Boost is just that. Momentary. I’m not seeing why you would expect it to function differently.
    tmayandrewj5790thtchiajony0
  • Reply 2 of 51
    cpsrocpsro Posts: 3,189member
    Not familiar with Intel Power Gadget. Does near-100% utilization mean 16 threads (8 cores + 8 hyperthreads) were active?
  • Reply 3 of 51
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,148member
    jkichline said:
    You bought a machine rated at 3.2 GHz and you’re consistently getting more than that under full load. Boost is just that. Momentary. I’m not seeing why you would expect it to function differently.
    True. You have to admit though, that the throttling of the boost phase is also mostly about the design compromises both to reduce fan noise (which of course other high end manufacturers do not place much of a priority) and to achieve all this in a thin AIO case. As Scotty would say, you “cannae change the laws of physics!”

    It would be interesting to run this same comparison on higher spec iMac Pros. It might be the case the extra spending may not generate all the expected extra performance due to heat management (or maybe in some tests the other way!). No doubt there will be a sweet spot somewhere that maximises performance/price.
    edited December 2017
  • Reply 4 of 51
    Over the years I've taken apart iMacs and laptops to repair them at board-level. One of the consistent construction issues is the use of thermal paste between the CPUs and the heat sync. In all cases grey thermal paste has been over applied and caked in a thick blanket between the CPUs and the metal heat sync. Furthermore, the thick application of thermal paste creates a blanket around the sides of the CPUs and keeps the heat in rather than allows it to escape the CPUs.

    Is it possible that the fan ramping effectiveness is monitored under load and the fan ramping is not as effective as it was intended, being bypassed using more effective cooling noticed by clocking down the CPUs by monitoring software in real time?

    Physically checking the thermal paste (and reapplying properly) might give you different results and something interesting to report to Apple's assembly team. Additionally the fan blade shaping spreads their sound over many frequencies and makes them very quiet though no less effective as they speed up (more of a hiss than a hum when they crank up).

    I'd really love to hear if the thermal paste is finally being applied properly.
    applesnorangesxzucornchipdysamoriawatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 51
    Mike WuertheleMike Wuerthele Posts: 6,837administrator
    softeky said:
    Over the years I've taken apart iMacs and laptops to repair them at board-level. One of the consistent construction issues is the use of thermal paste between the CPUs and the heat sync. In all cases grey thermal paste has been over applied and caked in a thick blanket between the CPUs and the metal heat sync. Furthermore, the thick application of thermal paste creates a blanket around the sides of the CPUs and keeps the heat in rather than allows it to escape the CPUs.

    Is it possible that the fan ramping effectiveness is monitored under load and the fan ramping is not as effective as it was intended, being bypassed using more effective cooling noticed by clocking down the CPUs by monitoring software in real time?

    Physically checking the thermal paste (and reapplying properly) might give you different results and something interesting to report to Apple's assembly team. Additionally the fan blade shaping spreads their sound over many frequencies and makes them very quiet though no less effective as they speed up (more of a hiss than a hum when they crank up).

    I'd really love to hear if the thermal paste is finally being applied properly.
    Over the last few years, in my experience, they're using either something very precise to dollop the paste on, or a consistent pad of compound. 

    I haven't seen an over-application in a long time.
    chiaStrangeDayscornchipdysamoriawatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 51
    softeky said:
    Over the years I've taken apart iMacs and laptops to repair them at board-level. One of the consistent construction issues is the use of thermal paste between the CPUs and the heat sync. In all cases grey thermal paste has been over applied and caked in a thick blanket between the CPUs and the metal heat sync. Furthermore, the thick application of thermal paste creates a blanket around the sides of the CPUs and keeps the heat in rather than allows it to escape the CPUs.

    Is it possible that the fan ramping effectiveness is monitored under load and the fan ramping is not as effective as it was intended, being bypassed using more effective cooling noticed by clocking down the CPUs by monitoring software in real time?

    Physically checking the thermal paste (and reapplying properly) might give you different results and something interesting to report to Apple's assembly team. Additionally the fan blade shaping spreads their sound over many frequencies and makes them very quiet though no less effective as they speed up (more of a hiss than a hum when they crank up).

    I'd really love to hear if the thermal paste is finally being applied properly.
    Over the last few years, in my experience, they're using either something very precise to dollop the paste on, or a consistent pad of compound. 

    I haven't seen an over-application in a long time.
    Well, it certainly is the case that I do not get recently manufactured motherboards to repair. They tend to be well out of warranty :-)
    entropysxzudysamoriawatto_cobracolinng
  • Reply 7 of 51
    jkichline said:
    You bought a machine rated at 3.2 GHz and you’re consistently getting more than that under full load. Boost is just that. Momentary. I’m not seeing why you would expect it to function differently.
    Rubbish.  The turbo boost speed is for when you are running single threaded tasks and should be able to do so sustainably for long periods.  If you are running heavy multi-threaded tasks the turbo boost does not kick in.
    edited December 2017 dysamoria
  • Reply 8 of 51
    What ambient temperature were these tests done at?  It's about 90F in my office for 3 months over summer.  What would 80% humidity and 90F do to these test results?  I reckon you'd get much shorter times at max performance and a significantly reduced real-world speed.  

    Back in the PowerPC processor days Apple were diligently focussed on real world performance. Not so much now, at least for desktops.  Thankfully on the iPad they still are focussed on real world performance - yet another reason why I'm moving as much of my work away from the desktop as I can. 

    I'll wait for the new Mac Pro for a real power desktop (if I still need such a thing by then)
  • Reply 9 of 51
    My first OS X-based machine was an iBook back in 2001. I had no idea that it even had a fan in it, since it never kicked in. That machine was so quiet... until I left it on the carpet overnight and woke up to what sounded like a jet engine! Those fans were going at max speed! Freaked me out!  :o
    cornchipwelshdogwatto_cobra
  • Reply 10 of 51
    dws-2dws-2 Posts: 276member
    arthurba said:
    jkichline said:
    You bought a machine rated at 3.2 GHz and you’re consistently getting more than that under full load. Boost is just that. Momentary. I’m not seeing why you would expect it to function differently.
    Rubbish.  The turbo boost speed is for when you are running single threaded tasks and should be able to do so sustainably for long periods.  If you are running heavy multi-threaded tasks the turbo boost does not kick in.
    Here's some information: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/turbo-boost/turbo-boost-technology.html

    It basically says that sometimes you won't get the turbo speed, depending on 
    • Type of workload
    • Number of active cores
    • Estimated current consumption
    • Estimated power consumption
    • Processor temperature
    It seems that temperature is the limiting factor here, indicating that the processors could go faster if the cooling was better.

    The real question is whether it's Apple's cooling system that isn't keeping up, or whether the internal core temperature just gets too hot after a while, and no reasonable cooling system would help.
    edited December 2017 VRingGG1arthurbadysamoriawelshdog
  • Reply 11 of 51
    Mike WuertheleMike Wuerthele Posts: 6,837administrator
    arthurba said:
    What ambient temperature were these tests done at?  It's about 90F in my office for 3 months over summer.  What would 80% humidity and 90F do to these test results?  I reckon you'd get much shorter times at max performance and a significantly reduced real-world speed.  

    Back in the PowerPC processor days Apple were diligently focussed on real world performance. Not so much now, at least for desktops.  Thankfully on the iPad they still are focussed on real world performance - yet another reason why I'm moving as much of my work away from the desktop as I can. 

    I'll wait for the new Mac Pro for a real power desktop (if I still need such a thing by then)
    Video guys report 70F on the dot with low humidity.

    I think your interpretation on "real-world performance" isn't complete enough in the forum for me to properly assess the situation. What are you talking about, specifically?
    dysamoria
  • Reply 12 of 51
    Mike WuertheleMike Wuerthele Posts: 6,837administrator

    softeky said:
    softeky said:
    Over the years I've taken apart iMacs and laptops to repair them at board-level. One of the consistent construction issues is the use of thermal paste between the CPUs and the heat sync. In all cases grey thermal paste has been over applied and caked in a thick blanket between the CPUs and the metal heat sync. Furthermore, the thick application of thermal paste creates a blanket around the sides of the CPUs and keeps the heat in rather than allows it to escape the CPUs.

    Is it possible that the fan ramping effectiveness is monitored under load and the fan ramping is not as effective as it was intended, being bypassed using more effective cooling noticed by clocking down the CPUs by monitoring software in real time?

    Physically checking the thermal paste (and reapplying properly) might give you different results and something interesting to report to Apple's assembly team. Additionally the fan blade shaping spreads their sound over many frequencies and makes them very quiet though no less effective as they speed up (more of a hiss than a hum when they crank up).

    I'd really love to hear if the thermal paste is finally being applied properly.
    Over the last few years, in my experience, they're using either something very precise to dollop the paste on, or a consistent pad of compound. 

    I haven't seen an over-application in a long time.
    Well, it certainly is the case that I do not get recently manufactured motherboards to repair. They tend to be well out of warranty :-)
    Oh yeah, some of the old machines, like the first run of Intel MBPs were pretty bad.
    dysamoria
  • Reply 13 of 51
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,796member
    I can't wait for the Mac Pro to come out so everyone who doesn't understand the Pro market can pick it apart about how terrible it is....
    andrewj5790chiaStrangeDayscornchipdysamoriawatto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 51
    SoliSoli Posts: 10,035member
    I'm starting a class action lawsuit since Apple won't run their iMac Pro fast enough to cause it to melt and catch fire.
    macxpressandrewj5790bigpicspscooter63philboogieStrangeDayscornchipwlymwelshdogwatto_cobra
  • Reply 15 of 51
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,796member
    Soli said:
    I'm starting a class action lawsuit since Apple won't run their iMac Pro fast enough to cause it to melt and catch fire.
    Well they are clocking it down just to save on power consumption. /s
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 16 of 51
    VRingVRing Posts: 108member
    Any chance you guys can try SPEC workstation benchmarks?

    https://www.spec.org/benchmarks.html

    This would allow for a more realistic work environment, as well, it would provide us with some useful values for comparisons.

    Although, based off the initial results of both the CPU and GPU at load, the system definitely throttles.
    edited December 2017 muthuk_vanalingamdysamoria
  • Reply 17 of 51
    Don’t panic people, it’s just those Apples emojis working in the back
  • Reply 18 of 51
    g-newsg-news Posts: 1,107member
    Throttling or not, it‘s pretty obvious without having looked at the numbers even that the iMac Pro is another design compromise in a thin enclosure. Running the chip at 90-94°C over extended periods of time is going to cause problems, I can guarantee you that. In a few months to a year, the first heavy users will be sending their units in for repair on either shot cpus or gpus.

    Thermals have been an Apple pitfall for years, they just don‘t want to get it. Meanwhile my cheap-ass HP Omen maxes out around 60°C and still is quiet enough to not be annoying. Of course it looks like a black shoebox, but hey, physics are physics.
    arthurbaLatkocornchipdysamoria
  • Reply 19 of 51
    cgWerkscgWerks Posts: 2,952member
    Thanks for this article and info.

    I'm glad they are putting an emphasis on quiet, though it looks like it can get noisy when pushed.
    I, like G-News above, would be a bit concerned about the longer-term impact of running stuff that hot, or the impact on surrounding components. Hopefully it will all be OK.
    cornchipwatto_cobra
  • Reply 20 of 51
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,148member
    I get worried when my 2011 iMac, the one whose GPU has the bad solder, gets above 70 C. 
    dysamoria
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