FCP jerky playback and high GPU useage on Mac Studio M2

Hello! Mac Studio 2023 (M2 Max), 32GB ram, 2TO SSD, Tahoe 26.1, FCP 11.2

I'm editing a very simple project with a single 4k video file (H265) and two synced audio files. I monitor the output on a 4k TV, connected by the HDMI plug on the Mac, with the main work screen connected by USB-C I got jerky playback on the TV and high GPU useage (see pic). I'm wondering why my system is so taxed with such a simple project. I may have a more complex multicam 4k project coming in a few months and I'm worried the Mac Studio will not handle it. I was under the impression those screaming Macs Studio could handles dozens of 4k streams with no issue...

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Mac Studio (2023)

Posted on Dec 10, 2025 8:08 AM

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

73,224 points

Posted on Dec 10, 2025 8:18 AM

Your mac is more than capable of handling this sort of work.

Something must be off.

First, try deleting preferences - always one of the first things we do when FCP misbehaves.

To delete preferences, hold down command and option while starting the application and click Delete Custom Settings. The application will start with default settings and open an "Untitled" library. Adjust the settings, reopen the library you were working, and see how it works now.

Second, there could be some third party software modifications causing trouble.

Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. Use the "additional text" button and paste the report into the text box.

You may also temporarily test using just one display and see if that makes any difference. Using two displays makes the GPU have to do more work, but the work you describe should not tax it as much as you are seeing.

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16 replies

BenB

Level 6

13,184 points

Dec 11, 2025 6:14 AM in response to Deromax

What effects are you applying to the clips in the timeline?

FCP jerky playback and high GPU useage on Mac Studio M2