2020.3 using much more CPU - results in video dropped frames

[jamesa5454]

Hey all, I'm currently on a corona-hiatus so thought I'd take the time to upgrade my system. I was running MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6 & PT 2019.12 but have now done a clean install of Catalina 10.15.4 & PT 2020.3. (Yes, I know that 10.15.4 is not officially supported, but Apple doesn't let you download older versions of the OS )

I openned the rather large session that I was working prior to the corona-hiatus and immediately noticed that the video was dropping frames. This is not my first rodeo and I never upgrade before cloning the OS, so I re-booted with the old OS and made some comparisons.

Using iStat Menus I made a screen shot of each system's CPU usage whilst playing over exactly the same point on the timeline. (NB It's the same session playing off the same drive on the same computer)

CPU Stats from 10.13.6 / PT 2019.12:

Total User: 49%
Total System: 9%
Total Idle: 42%

Pro Tools: 354.7%
Dolby Atmos Renderer: 31.8%
EuControl: 15.1%
kernel_task: 14.8%
WindowServer 14.4%
coreaudiod: 2.5%

App CPU Stats from 10.15.4 / PT 2020.3:

Total User: 59%
Total System: 10%
Total Idle: 31%

Pro Tools: 440.6%
Dolby Atmos Renderer: 49.0%
Window Server: 27.8%
kernel_task: 16.1%
coreaudiod: 3.2%
EuControl: 3.1%

Now, I can't be sure if the problem is related to Pro Tools, or the OS - but given that there is a big difference in both Pro Tool's AND Dolby's CPU usage I'd be willing to bet that the culprit is more likely to be the OS.

I guess the next test would be to upgrade Pro Tools on the High Sierra OS to 2020.3 and see what the results are.

Anybody else seeing anything similar?

[latweek]

bet that the culprit is more likely to be the OS.

This is apple's business model....OS upgrades sell new hardware.....same .as it ever was.

[tom_lowe]

Originally Posted by latweek

This is apple's business model....OS upgrades sell new hardware.....same .as it ever was.

Not always. Sierra performed much better than El Capitan

[metalmixer]

I am using Mojave and I notice that my CPU usage dropped a lot. 2020/3 is for sure more efficient than 2019.12

[MrDibS]

Originally Posted by metalmixer

I am using Mojave and I notice that my CPU usage dropped a lot. 2020/3 is for sure more efficient than 2019.12

Same here with Mojave. I've seen a significant increase in efficiency on 2020.3 and a decrease in errors. There are WAY too many variables with Catalina still.

[Cheesehead]

Same here. Our trashcans 12 core machines works better on high sierra than our brand new Mac Pro’s with 28 Cores each and Catalina so hope PT Ultimate will catch up to the new OS as we cant and wont downgrade our new insane 7.1’s.

Wow!
Southsidemusic, is that really true?
That really makes me re-consider dropping 7 grand on a new mac, if its going to be slower than my 12core trash can.

In what way is it 'better' on the trash can macs?

[latweek]

Originally Posted by tom_lowe

Not always. Sierra performed much better than El Capitan

Exceptions prove the rule.

If you take a step back, anyone can see by far, over the history of OS upgrades on in place HW, from iPhones to Macs to PCs, the consistent theme is......you got to upgrade HW.

[Southsidemusic]

Same here. Our trashcans 12 core machines works better on high sierra than our brand new Mac Pro’s with 28 Cores each and Catalina so hope PT Ultimate will catch up to the new OS as we cant and wont downgrade our new insane 7.1’s.