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What do you think is the source of the graphics issues on Mac Pro (Late 2013) ?

  • Hardware

    Votes: 67 52.3%
  • Software

    Votes: 28 21.9%
  • Hardware & Software

    Votes: 32 25.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 1 0.8%

  • Total voters
    128

axantas

macrumors 6502a
Jun 29, 2015
801
1,107
Home
One more week, torturing the system wir all kind of multimedia browsing, driving the processor nuts with Logic pro and so on. No crash - nothing, Just hours of continuous work. I hope, I will not wake up, discovering that this only was a dream...
 
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Idolum

macrumors member
Jun 10, 2016
91
43
One more week, torturing the system wir all kind of multimedia browsing, driving the processor nuts with Logic pro and so on. No crash - nothing, Just hours of continuous work. I hope, I will not wake up, discovering that this only was a dream...

MacOS 10.14.2 continues to work for me without any issues. I will give 10.14.5 a shot within the next few days. 10.14.4 had the infamous lockups while casually browsing the internet and working with Xcode 10.2.1. Easy-breezy stuff. After Firefox also caused reboots I went back to 10.14.2 which is super solid.
 

Idolum

macrumors member
Jun 10, 2016
91
43
MacOS 10.4.5 seems to work fine. I am using the same setup as I did with macOS 10.14.4 albeit without the iMovie update that detects media files incompatible with future version of macOS. Maybe it was just a fluke but I'll keep a perfectly working 10.4.2 partition just in case. So far so good.
 

Idolum

macrumors member
Jun 10, 2016
91
43
I just had another crash last night with 10.14.5. Just as the previous mac OS version it was caused by Safari while casually browsing youtube. Since then the computer rebooted three times.

It's worth repeating that macOS 10.14.2 had zero crashes in over six months. In case Apple tech still monitor this thread - watching streaming media content on Safari is an issue again in macOS 10.14.4 and 10.14.5. Other programs seem to be stable.
 
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Idolum

macrumors member
Jun 10, 2016
91
43
So you don’t see the same issues if you use Chrome for instance?

Thanks so much for the suggestion. I was using chrome today whenever watching videos online without any issues. Granted it has only been one day, however, Safari crashed the entire system again first thing in the morning. The key might be that I have the 'use hardware acceleration when available' option disabled in the system settings of chrome.

Looks like macOS 10.14.6 is just around the corner so I am hoping that Safari will return to the stability it enjoyed in macOS 10.14.2 - last call before macOS 10.15 comes out ;-).
 
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SamPotts

macrumors 6502
Sep 25, 2010
278
59
Sydney, Australia
Graphics issues seem to be back for me with Catalina. Tried beta 6 and 7 - eventually it'll crash; the screen freezes but audio continues. Brings back memories. I have the latest BootROM too (132) but it didn't seem to make a difference. Beta 7 seems to be longer between crashes at least.

Code:
panic(cpu 2 caller 0xffffff7f9c39bb5c): userspace watchdog timeout: no successful checkins from com.apple.WindowServer in 140 seconds
service: com.apple.logd, total successful checkins since wake (1660 seconds ago): 167, last successful checkin: 0 seconds ago
service: com.apple.WindowServer, total successful checkins since wake (1660 seconds ago): 147, last successful checkin: 140 seconds ago

Backtrace (CPU 2), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff9d9b75b820 : 0xffffff801b942afb
0xffffff9d9b75b870 : 0xffffff801ba79ca5
0xffffff9d9b75b8b0 : 0xffffff801ba6b70e
0xffffff9d9b75b900 : 0xffffff801b8e9bb0
0xffffff9d9b75b920 : 0xffffff801b9421e7
0xffffff9d9b75ba20 : 0xffffff801b9425cb
0xffffff9d9b75ba70 : 0xffffff801c0d3495
0xffffff9d9b75bae0 : 0xffffff7f9c39bb5c
0xffffff9d9b75baf0 : 0xffffff7f9c39b866
0xffffff9d9b75bb10 : 0xffffff801c06a1ab
0xffffff9d9b75bb60 : 0xffffff801c073143
0xffffff9d9b75bca0 : 0xffffff801ba29772
0xffffff9d9b75bdb0 : 0xffffff801b948968
0xffffff9d9b75be10 : 0xffffff801b91f685
0xffffff9d9b75be70 : 0xffffff801b9360e5
0xffffff9d9b75bf00 : 0xffffff801ba51bf5
0xffffff9d9b75bfa0 : 0xffffff801b8ea396
      Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
         com.apple.driver.watchdog(1.0)[3D47B3EC-5466-33F2-95E6-0E90FFB7DF03]@0xffffff7f9c39a000->0xffffff7f9c3a2fff

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: watchdogd

Mac OS version:
19A546d
 

loby

macrumors 68000
Jul 1, 2010
1,815
1,428
Graphics issues seem to be back for me with Catalina. Tried beta 6 and 7 - eventually it'll crash; the screen freezes but audio continues. Brings back memories. I have the latest BootROM too (132) but it didn't seem to make a difference. Beta 7 seems to be longer between crashes at least.

Code:
panic(cpu 2 caller 0xffffff7f9c39bb5c): userspace watchdog timeout: no successful checkins from com.apple.WindowServer in 140 seconds
service: com.apple.logd, total successful checkins since wake (1660 seconds ago): 167, last successful checkin: 0 seconds ago
service: com.apple.WindowServer, total successful checkins since wake (1660 seconds ago): 147, last successful checkin: 140 seconds ago

Backtrace (CPU 2), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff9d9b75b820 : 0xffffff801b942afb
0xffffff9d9b75b870 : 0xffffff801ba79ca5
0xffffff9d9b75b8b0 : 0xffffff801ba6b70e
0xffffff9d9b75b900 : 0xffffff801b8e9bb0
0xffffff9d9b75b920 : 0xffffff801b9421e7
0xffffff9d9b75ba20 : 0xffffff801b9425cb
0xffffff9d9b75ba70 : 0xffffff801c0d3495
0xffffff9d9b75bae0 : 0xffffff7f9c39bb5c
0xffffff9d9b75baf0 : 0xffffff7f9c39b866
0xffffff9d9b75bb10 : 0xffffff801c06a1ab
0xffffff9d9b75bb60 : 0xffffff801c073143
0xffffff9d9b75bca0 : 0xffffff801ba29772
0xffffff9d9b75bdb0 : 0xffffff801b948968
0xffffff9d9b75be10 : 0xffffff801b91f685
0xffffff9d9b75be70 : 0xffffff801b9360e5
0xffffff9d9b75bf00 : 0xffffff801ba51bf5
0xffffff9d9b75bfa0 : 0xffffff801b8ea396
      Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
         com.apple.driver.watchdog(1.0)[3D47B3EC-5466-33F2-95E6-0E90FFB7DF03]@0xffffff7f9c39a000->0xffffff7f9c3a2fff

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: watchdogd

Mac OS version:
19A546d

Well...I doubt apple is working on the mac pro 2013 to be compatible with Catalina since they will probably discontinue it once the new mac pro comes out. Looks like Mojave will be the last decent OS for the mac pro 2013.
 
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SamPotts

macrumors 6502
Sep 25, 2010
278
59
Sydney, Australia
Well...I doubt apple is working on the mac pro 2013 to be compatible with Catalina since they will probably discontinue it once the new mac pro comes out. Looks like Mojave will be the last decent OS for the mac pro 2013.

You're probably right, sadly. I bet it's planned obsolescence that they'll deny :)
 

CC88

macrumors 6502
Sep 29, 2010
475
113
Well...I doubt apple is working on the mac pro 2013 to be compatible with Catalina since they will probably discontinue it once the new mac pro comes out. Looks like Mojave will be the last decent OS for the mac pro 2013.

Are you saying that Catalina will not install on nMP2013? Can you explain?
 

loby

macrumors 68000
Jul 1, 2010
1,815
1,428
Are you saying that Catalina will not install on nMP2013? Can you explain?

No, it should install on it. But probably apple will not work hard to fix any hardware related issues. If they do not discontinue it once the new mac pro is released, then they will of course make sure it runs well on Catalina, but if they discontinue it (as they of course desire too), then it is not on their priority list.

I plan on installing Catalina on my mac pro 2013 and see how well it does. Mojave works well for me on it, so I might stay on it for that machine.
 

axantas

macrumors 6502a
Jun 29, 2015
801
1,107
Home
As they FINALLY found a cure against the crashes with Mojave - I did not have a single crash in Mojave - I doubt, they will worsen the situation again. Not supporting anymore would not be very wise as well. They were officially available at Apple not so long ago.
 
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MCal27

macrumors member
Nov 15, 2010
40
15
Stoke on Trent. UK
Of course the 2013 Mac Pro will be supported. My guess is that they have not tweaked the firmware to support the fix that worked in Mojave yet. 10.15 has been a particularly troublesome beta by many accounts and Apple are running late with it. I would stay clear until around 10.15.2 at a minimum personally...
 

loby

macrumors 68000
Jul 1, 2010
1,815
1,428
Of course the 2013 Mac Pro will be supported. My guess is that they have not tweaked the firmware to support the fix that worked in Mojave yet. 10.15 has been a particularly troublesome beta by many accounts and Apple are running late with it. I would stay clear until around 10.15.2 at a minimum personally...

What I want to do is to try to stay on Mojave for another year and wait to install Catalina 10.15.6 on my Mac Pro 2013. Then it will seem like a new operating system when I upgrade. Let most of the bugs be dealt with first. Getting tired of waiting every year for apple to fix the bugs, then to start over again with the yearly OS's. This year went by sooo fast. Seems like I JUST put Mojave on my system and now we are at another one..

My Mac Pro 2013 seems to FINALLY run well (Final Cut Pro X) with no "seen" issues. It seems to run cooler (still hot of course by better)...Maybe they tweeked the firmware so the CPU does not run as fast (down-clocked)?? Maybe they messed around with the dual-GPU's so it does not fully output or switch back and forth?...Does anyone know what apple did in Mojave to fix the issues? Something had to be compromised (speed etc.) if it was hardware issues...
 
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R3k

macrumors 68000
Sep 7, 2011
1,509
1,481
Sep 7, 2011
I wont be updating my 2013 MP production system beyond Mojave, the negatives such as possible slower performance and issues with any 3rd party plugins outweigh the the benefits of any new features introduced. These possible new crash issues add weight to that decision.

My laptop- Catalina no problem.
 
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SamPotts

macrumors 6502
Sep 25, 2010
278
59
Sydney, Australia
To give more detail, I ran beta 6 on the Mac Pro for less than 24 hours as it crashed after 4-5 hours a few times. I rolled back to a backup of Mojave and put the OEM SSD into the machine without the Amfeltec Carrier Board so I could update the firmware (127.0.0.0 to 132.0.0.0) using the 10.14.6 update in case that was an issue. I installed Catalina beta 7 on a spare drive just to see if it was any more reliable. It was fine for a couple of days so I but the bullet and used Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the "spare" drive onto the OEM SSD. That was fine for a few days other than the previously mentioned crash. Something has helped, either beta 7 or the firmware update. I'll report back how I go with beta 8. I always have a recent backup ready just in case anyway.

I use the machine daily but have another machine I can use if need be. It's been stable enough for me though. I do design/development work using VS Code, Sketch, etc. I'm fully aware it's a beta and there will be bugs, one crash doesn't seem so bad for me given it's state - I'm certainly not complaining.

Prior to Catalina, my machine had been rock solid for years. I did have both GPUs replaced under warranty due to issues previously.
 

MCal27

macrumors member
Nov 15, 2010
40
15
Stoke on Trent. UK
Well sold my nMP today and purchased a 2018 Mac Mini minutes after... good luck guys.. I wonder how the Trashcan will be looked back on in Apple’s Mac line up? :(
 
Last edited:

th0masp

macrumors 6502a
Mar 16, 2015
815
479
As they FINALLY found a cure against the crashes with Mojave - I did not have a single crash in Mojave - I doubt, they will worsen the situation again. Not supporting anymore would not be very wise as well. They were officially available at Apple not so long ago.

Just wondering if your comment regarding Mojave stability applies to 10.14.6 and security updates for it? Asking because this might be the next OS for me to settle on for a while.



Also while I do understand making the Trashcan obsolete might please the stalwarts of the classic cheesegrater who argue against the former at every turn... but the Trashcan is still available for purchase directly from Apple! Just the link is a bit hidden now way down on the MP page.

Considering that IMO it would be quite the dick move if this computer became obsolete within the next few years and OS versions and such an event should raise glowing red flags to any purchasers of the new MP as to Apple's commitment towards their corporate/professional customers.
 

sbarton

macrumors 6502
May 4, 2001
263
65
It's a weird situation, my nMp and d700's has have never had stability issues with High Sierra or Mojave. I push it constantly with high loads including gaming in bootcamp and it just performs. Not the most cost effective system I've owned but definitely one of the best in usage for my needs.
 
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axantas

macrumors 6502a
Jun 29, 2015
801
1,107
Home
Just wondering if your comment regarding Mojave stability applies to 10.14.6 and security updates for it? Asking because this might be the next OS for me to settle on for a while.



Also while I do understand making the Trashcan obsolete might please the stalwarts of the classic cheesegrater who argue against the former at every turn... but the Trashcan is still available for purchase directly from Apple! Just the link is a bit hidden now way down on the MP page.

Considering that IMO it would be quite the dick move if this computer became obsolete within the next few years and OS versions and such an event should raise glowing red flags to any purchasers of the new MP as to Apple's commitment towards their corporate/professional customers.

It is about my D300 and ALL Mojave iterations for now, including 10.14.6. It is absolutely rock solid. Just yesterday I was cleaning up my iTunes library, doing all kind of things which crashed the Mac in earlier OS versions, there was again not a single hang or problem.

Remember: It is NOT the heavy work (running at full throttle for hours), that crashes our Trashcans, but the daily things like browsing the net, watching a video etc. etc.

I am finally very satisfied with it and i made a sticky note to myself: Download the Mojave Installer and save it for future use, in case they spoil it again - which I doubt, but you never know. ;)
 

Martyimac

macrumors 68020
Aug 19, 2009
2,444
1,678
S. AZ.
It is about my D300 and ALL Mojave iterations for now, including 10.14.6. It is absolutely rock solid. Just yesterday I was cleaning up my iTunes library, doing all kind of things which crashed the Mac in earlier OS versions, there was again not a single hang or problem.

Remember: It is NOT the heavy work (running at full throttle for hours), that crashes our Trashcans, but the daily things like browsing the net, watching a video etc. etc.

I am finally very satisfied with it and i made a sticky note to myself: Download the Mojave Installer and save it for future use, in case they spoil it again - which I doubt, but you never know. ;)
Glad for you. I gave up waiting for the fix and traded my trashcan in on a new 2019 27" iMac.
 

axantas

macrumors 6502a
Jun 29, 2015
801
1,107
Home
Glad for you. I gave up waiting for the fix and traded my trashcan in on a new 2019 27" iMac.

I was not just waiting for better times - Bootcamp with Windows did a great job in the meantime...
Almost never crashed. One could say, Microsoft did a better job in programming their OS, making it much more robust.
 
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