Roon Mac remote high GPU utilization

[Gary_V (Gary Volwerk)]

Core Machine (Operating system/System info/Roon build number)
Mac Mini running Catalina 10.15.2 / Roon 1.7 build 511

Network Details (Including networking gear model/manufacturer and if on WiFi/Ethernet)

Netgear Orbi WiFi

Audio Devices (Specify what device you’re using and its connection type - USB/HDMI/etc.)

USB / McIntosh preamp

Description Of Issue

I am using a MacBook Pro 2019 16 inch running Mac Catalina 10.15.2 / Roon 1.7 build 511 as the remote. When using Roon, CPU and GPU usage is normal until an album is opened. GPU utilization then jumps to at least 50% with peaks hitting 90%. There is no unusual behavior on the sever. This occurs whether or not the album is actually playing, and is the same for local or streaming sources. This causes the display to exhibit some jerkiness when scrolling as well as some mouse lag. If I return to the library/album listing the problem disappears.

Here is a screenshot in the album list view:

After opening an album:

Thank you.

[dylan (Dylan Caudill)]

Hi @Gary_V,

Was this device working with Roon previously? If so, was there any change in your setup?

Can you confirm which of these graphics settings is being used?

[wizardofoz (Mr Fix It aka The Wiz)]

@Dylan Interesting little app available at http://gfx.io in case anyone missed that. I have noticed high utilisations too but its not consistant. Mine is set to Dynamic for the record and is a Radeon Pro 5560X

[Gary_V (Gary Volwerk)]

Hi Dylan,

The system is running in dynamic switching mode.
I bought the new Macbook and updated to Roon 1.7 at about the same time so I’m not sure where this began, but I never noticed this issue before these changes. I haven’t had any graphics issues with any other applications.

Thank you.

[dylan (Dylan Caudill)]

Hi @Gary_V,

Can you set it to Discrete Only and let us know if that results in any change?

[Gary_V (Gary Volwerk)]

Dylan,

I switched to discrete and graphics processing switched to the Radeon GPU; the utilization was normal.
Upon resetting to dynamic mode it seems the problem has disappeared, even after a restart! Sorry to waste your time. It never occurred to me to try toggling this setting.

Thank you,
Gary

[dylan (Dylan Caudill)]

Hi @Gary_V,

Thanks for the update! If you see the issue return with the Dynamic settings please do let us know!

[wizardofoz (Mr Fix It aka The Wiz)]

I’ll be trying this too, but I also sometimes run a server core on laptop as well so will test both. 2018 mbp 15” i9 32gb

[noris]

Hi @Gary_V,

I wanted to check in with you to see if this issue has re-occurred?

We are currently investigating this behavior internally and if this issue is still ongoing, one thing that might help us better understand the issue is to install the Intel Power Gadget and share some screenshots of the GFX Frequency line when this issue is occurring. The screenshot would look like this:

If you have noticed the same behavior, I kindly request that you run this tool for both discrete and dynamic mode. Thanks!

[Gary_V (Gary Volwerk)]

Hi Noris,

Thanks for reaching out. Yes, the problem is recurring. If anything it is worse.
Here are the screenshots you requested:

Dynamic mode:

Discrete Mode:

Without Roon Display:

[noris]

Hi @Gary_V,

Thanks for sending these screenshots over, I have forwarded them to the technical team for closer inspection!

[noris]

Hi @Gary_V,

I spoke to QA regarding this behavior and we would appreciate some clarification regarding this issue.

@Gary_V

CPU and GPU usage is normal until an album is opened

• Does this same behavior occur when you are on any type album details page?
• If you open a single album or EP, do you still see this high GPU usage?
• Do multi-disk albums with at least 5-6 disks consistently display this issue?

[Gary_V (Gary Volwerk)]

Noris,

At this time I only see this behavior when the album is playing, it disappears if playback is paused.
The problem only occurs on the Tracks details page. There is no issue if Credits or Versions are selected.

The largest multi-disk album I have is 4 disks. The problem only occurs when either viewing the tracks of the currently playing disk or if the All Tracks option is selected.

I have also noticed that GPU usage drops in half if I scroll down the track listing until the cover art and synopsis scrolls off the screen.

Hope this helps.

[noris]

Hi @Gary_V,

Thank you for providing that additional information, I have noted it with QA.

[noris]

Hi @Gary_V,

One more aspect we’re considering here - does Roon get into this high GPU usage state when it’s opened on the album details page and the track which is currently playing belongs to this album or it can be reproduced by simply playing a random track and being on a random album details page?

[Gary_V (Gary Volwerk)]

Noris,

It only happens on the details page of the track that is playing.

[noris]

Hi @Gary_V,

We’ve released a new update, Roon 1.7 Build 528, which contains a few graphics-related improvements. Can you please let us know if there has been any change in behavior with the new update?

Please see our full release notes below:

Roon 1.7 (Build 528) is Live!

Hi everyone! We have a maintenance release going live, with a number of bug fixes and performance improvements. As we continue to push Roon’s graphical capabilities forward, we’ve become aware of issues related to some older graphics chipsets. Over the last few weeks our team has acquired a number of older devices, which have allowed us to better understand how their drivers are misbehaving and work around these limitations. Today’s release addresses a number of hardware releases, along with…

[noris]

Hi @Gary_V,

Have you by any chance seen my previous message? Has there been an improvement in build 528? Please let me know when possible, thanks!