Performance grinds to halt with kernel_task process on macOS
When submitting a bug report, please use the below template and thoroughly fill out the necessary information.
Date & Time: 2021-05-02 (since previous emergency patch, 2021-04-27)
Frequency: Always
World name: Adamantoise
Character name: Eifawyda Ghimmharwyn
Retainer name: N/A
NPC name: N/A
Monster name:N/A
Class/Level: N/A
Party or solo: N/A
In-game time: N/A
Area and coordinates: All (incl., The Pendants, The Crystarium, Lakeland, Mist, Limsa Lominsa, Ul'dah, Central Thanalan)
Housing: N/A
Steps:
1. Launch Activity Monitor (from Applications > Utilities folder on macOS).
2. Launch Final Fantasy XIV.
3. Wait several minutes, including simply idling in inn room, then note how %CPU of "kernel_task" process surges over 300% to safeguard computer from overheating.
Note: The kernel_task process subsides to low %CPU if the option "Limit frame rate when client is inactive" is enabled and the application is in background. Setting the maximum fps rate from "None" to "15 fps" does not help. Changing the graphics settings from "Standard (Mac)" to "Standard (Mac)" with "Enable wet surface effects", "Grass Quality", "Shadow Cascading", "Glare" and "Water Refraction" disabled does not help.
Connection Specs
- Type of internet connection/provider: Broadband/BAI (Bel Air Internet), 25 Mbps
- Modem maker/model number: N/A
■ PC Specs
To obtain the system information, open the FFXIV launcher and select Config → System Information → Display.
-=-=-=-=- System Information -=-=-=-=-
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro16,1
Processor Name: 8-Core Intel Core i9
Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 8
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 16 MB
Hyper-Threading Technology: Enabled
Memory: 32 GB
System Firmware Version: 1554.100.64.0.0 (iBridge: 18.16.14556.0.0,0)
AMD Radeon Pro 5500M:
Chipset Model: AMD Radeon Pro 5500M
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x8
VRAM (Total): 4 GB
Vendor: AMD (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x7340
Revision ID: 0x0040
ROM Revision: 113-D3220E-190
VBIOS Version: 113-D32206U1-019
Option ROM Version: 113-D32206U1-019
EFI Driver Version: 01.A1.190
Intel UHD Graphics 630:
Chipset Model: Intel UHD Graphics 630
Type: GPU
Bus: Built-In
VRAM (Dynamic, Max): 1536 MB
Vendor: Intel
Device ID: 0x3e9b
Revision ID: 0x0002
Display Type: Built-In Retina LCD
Resolution: 3072 x 1920 Retina
Framebuffer Depth: 24-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
G203 Prodigy Gaming Mouse:
Product ID: 0xc084
Vendor ID: 0x046d (Logitech Inc.)
Version: 7.03
System Version: macOS 11.3 (20E232)
Kernel Version: Darwin 20.4.0
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