Retina MacBook Pro’s Latest EFI Update Causing Graphics, Processor Issues For Some Users

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Apple's latest EFI update for the Retina MacBook Pro should be avoided if possible.
Apple's latest EFI update for the Retina MacBook Pro should be avoided if possible.

If you haven’t already installed Apple’s latest EFI firmware for your 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, you may want to avoid it for a little while. Users on the Apple Support Communities forum are reporting that the update causes reduced frame rates and processor slowdowns when using graphically-intensive applications.

There are countless threads regarding the issue, with all users reporting that the problem is very inconsistent. It appears to affect MacBook Pros that are waking from sleep mode, or those that are used for gaming and using Windows in Boot Camp. The more graphically-intensive the application is, the bigger the problem.

Many report significant throttling of the processor and graphics processing unit speeds when high temperatures are reaches. According to one user, the speed reduction kicks in around 65°C, and then it drops again at 80°C — temperatures that are harmless to a chip that can withstand up to 105°C, according to Intel.

Electronista reports that some users are speculating that the behavior could be intentional — a “feature” introduced by Apple, designed to eliminate the persistent whine from fans when the computer is placed under heavy load, or to prevent overheating. However, for many users, it’s nothing more than an annoyance.

Have you suffered any of these issues on your Retina MacBook Pro?

Source: Apple Support Communities

Via: Electronista

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