Retina MacBook Pro EFI Update Causing Graphics, Processor Slowdown for Some

Apple’s latest EFI firmware update for the 15-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro is said to be causing problems for some users’ machines. Reports are cropping up on the Apple Support Communities forums that the update has caused reduced frame rates and processor slowdowns when using graphically intense applications.

Cult of Mac:

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.

Significant throttling of the processor and graphics processing unit speeds are being reported when high temperatures are reached. One user reports that the speed reduction kicks in around 65°C, and then it drops again at 80°C. The chip can withstand up to 105°C, according to Intel.

Have any of our reader had this happen to their machines since updating to the new EFI firmware? Were you planning to update, and now may hold off for awhile? Let us know in the comments section below.

Chris Hauk

Chris is a Senior Editor at Mactrast. He lives somewhere in the deep Southern part of America, and yes, he has to pump in both sunshine and the Internet.