NVIDIA DISASTER: thousands of GPUs used in MacBook Pro fault...

[MacBytes]

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Category: 3rd Party Hardware
Link: NVIDIA DISASTER: thousands of GPUs used in MacBook Pro faulty (http://www.macbytes.com/link.php?sid=20080802231347)
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Posted on MacBytes.com (http://www.macbytes.com)
Approved by Mudbug

[thechidz]

aaaaand up on ebay mine goes...

[ventro]

So glad I didn't upgrade my MBP.

[wheelhot]

oh crap, oddly enough, My MBP 8600M GT is not having any problems just in certain condition, the screen color will become blueish, my remedy is just go to system preferences -> display -> color and everything will turn back to normal. I wonder if this is also cause from the faulty Nvidia GPU. Lets hope Apple announce about MBP recall or something.

[triscuitbiscuit]

Me too! It gets really annoying at times and the opening of the control panel makes no sense whatsoever.
And what stinks is that I'm out of warranty!

[AbsenceOfTruth]

Starting yesterday, it seems that my GPU is dying. Every now and then my screen will either freeze or have particles all over. I just tried booting up to WoW and it froze with particles. I bought the MBP in June 07 when the new revisions came out (2.4 8600GT).

I can't believe this is happening to me the day before my trip to Europe. I'm really disappointed that I've only had this laptop for a little over a year putting extremely limited stress to it. I have not purchased AppleCare for it either.

What's should I do? I would really appreciate any help with this.

It's crazy that I've been reading these stories about GPUs dying in Macbook Pros last week and BAM! mine has to bite the dust as well... is Apple doing anything about this?

Thanks.

[quagmire]

What I wonder is since the MBP's 8600M is underclocked, we won't be as affected as other laptops using the 8600M at regular spec. Or is that nullified by the thin enclosure of the MBP's? Though we have had reports of 8600M's failing in MBP's though it seems most of them have been the 128 MB VRAM model.

[MarkW19]

My 2.5 Penryn MBP (4GB RAM, 512mb VRAM) has never performed as well as I'd hoped for games under Windows (when compared with others' experiences), and even screensavers in Leopard are often jumpy.

Could it be that I've got a faulty GPU?

[Tallest Skil]

This seems like the perfect time for this.

I sent this yesterday to sjobs@apple.com. His reply is as follows.

[Abhorred]

]This seems like the perfect time for this.

I sent this yesterday to sjobs@apple.com. His reply is as follows.

I have to commend you for that. So far, it's the only official word that's been released from Apple.

And, if I may say, it's not terribly encouraging; the evidence is pretty heavily against them at this point.

You should probably post this, or at least the textual equivalent, in the MBP forum where it's likely to get a bit more noticed.

[mklos]

I don't know why people who own these are getting their panties in a bunch. If there's a major issue, Apple/NVIDIA will fix it for free. Just like they did with the battery replacement program, the iBook G3 logicboard replacement program, etc.

[wgilles]

I see a lot of people freaking out about the 8600 card issue, but I have a question. I have Apple Care and have had my MBP for about 6 months. If my card dies it will be covered under Apple Care right? If they didn't cover it, I'd be out 2500 bucks, that doesn't seem right...

[Sun Baked]

If there is a problem with the GPUs, apple will add a line here.

http://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/

Like the Battery problem and the power brick problems, if your machine exhibits the symptoms it'll be fixed -- even if the machine is out of warranty.

[Jiten]

I would believe so. Since that would be a manufacturing defect.

[turtlelee]

I had my 17 "MBP 2.4 with 256MB 8600M GT, under bootcamp XP i updated new driver 175 series from laptopvideo2go, i have been OC my 8600 GT into a 8700 GT specs ( core GPU @625 & memory @750 for the past several months. My gaming FPS has increase significantly & smooth. During really intense graphic fighting scene , temp reach 89 but never over 90 degree, yes, i have been pushing this 8600 GT on my MBP while playing games for the pass several mths now. Till today , NO PROBLEM at all. Just loving it! For me this 8600M GT is very Overclockable!!! Even pushing it's temperature to high 80s, still solid as a rock. What can i say?? i think it's the driver. Also the overall laptop hardware build ( because i see Dell, HP are having problem, but MBP few of these problem is reported. So i think it has to do not only with the chip but also the laptop overall build itself) i am the testimony of this as i have really push this MBP 8600 GT to the OC max!! Correction , it a OC 8600 GT into a 8700 GT spec. My Advise , get the 175 series drivers from laptopvideo2go. Just loving it. Simple logic, if the 8600GT chip is really bad , all laptop brands using this chip will be screaming by now. But i see Apple laptop with this GPU still going strong. i know this because i have OC it to the max but still solid as a ROCK! By the way, what is the recommanded OC temp that one should not exceed?? Personally i think don't go beyond 90 degree but that's just me. Any OC gurus out there can advise? What is the recommended OC temp to stay within??

[Abhorred]

I don't know why people who own these are getting their panties in a bunch. If there's a major issue, Apple/NVIDIA will fix it for free. Just like they did with the battery replacement program, the iBook G3 logicboard replacement program, etc.

The problem here isn't so much what happens under warranty, but what happens if and when these units fail outside of it.

Right now, it appears that Apple is denying the problem and, thus, absolving themselves of any responsibility for fixing it outside of warranty. The problem is that other manufacturers who used the same parts are saying "yup, these here chips are bunk, all right," so that casts serious doubt on the validity of Apple's position. Until Apple changes their position, be it from overwhelming consumer pressure or a class action lawsuit, the defective components are your own problem to bear.

I'm of the mind that the sheer volume of affected units is what's preventing Apple from saying anything about it, lest they unleash a massive flood of RMAs and people trying to have currently working machines replaced. It's not like with Dell or HP, where only one or two lines of products were affected and the PR effect minimized - Apple doesn't have many notebook models to begin with, so admitting defeat in this would require them to say the ever-dreaded "All MacBook Pro models from XXYY date..."

And, as I've said before, it's so, so, SO frustrating to be in a position where I might have no choice but to put down $3000 to get one, anyway. Aaaaarrrgghhh.....

[gwerhart0800]

If you look at the way that the battery issues were handled in the industry. There is a period where no one admits that that problem exists. Then eventually, one computer manufacturer issues a recall after negotiating with the original manufacturer of the failing part. After this, most of the other companies that used the failed component eventually do a recall. Currently, some motherboard makers have pulled/stopped production of boards that include the affected GPUs. I have yet to see anyone offer a recall/replacement. In general, they will avoid this as long as possible because of the costs involved. This will take time to play out. At this point, it sounds like AppleCare coverage is a must. Recall repairs are done regardless of warranty status, but until then, Apple will probably make you pay $$$ unless you have coverage.

It is also possible that the true failure rate on this is low enough that they will not put it in the recall category unless someone makes a legal (class action) stink about it with some likelihood of winning. The battery issue jumped to recall quickly because they actually had laptops catching fire. That provided some seriously bad press! Now, if the GT8600 would cause the laptop to burn up, I bet it would be recalled and replaced pronto.

I also expect that Apple and others are working on driver changes that will lessen the heat stress on the GPU ... with likely decreases in performance. If they can "solve" the problem with software, they will do it.

[merl1n]

Starting yesterday, it seems that my GPU is dying. Every now and then my screen will either freeze or have particles all over. I just tried booting up to WoW and it froze with particles. I bought the MBP in June 07 when the new revisions came out (2.4 8600GT).

I can't believe this is happening to me the day before my trip to Europe. I'm really disappointed that I've only had this laptop for a little over a year putting extremely limited stress to it. I have not purchased AppleCare for it either.

What's should I do? I would really appreciate any help with this.

It's crazy that I've been reading these stories about GPUs dying in Macbook Pros last week and BAM! mine has to bite the dust as well... is Apple doing anything about this?

Thanks.

Try doing the following:
1. SMC reset
2. PRAM reset

[Tallest Skil]

is Apple doing anything about this?

I sent Steve Jobs a letter that talked about nVidia's defective chips and how one of the potential candidates was currently in the MacBook Pro (I also asked about updates, but that was a long shot by any standard). I asked him what Apple's position was and if they were going to do anything about it soon (update hint again).

Steve says that the chips in the MacBook Pro are fine.

[mklos]

Until Apple has a solution, they will never admit there's an issue. Obviously the solution isn't as easy as just replace the board. If it is, its a matter of many other things, such as how this will be handled, what serial numbers are effected, getting enough GOOD boards in stock for replacement programs, etc. This is standard procedure for Apple. Trust me, if there's a major issue, they will not get away with not replacing whatever needs to be replaced whether or not a MBP with this issue is in or out of warranty.

As far as shear volumes of repairs go. The iBook G3 logicboard replacement program was absolutely HUGE! So huge that they kept running out of logicboards. I believe it lasted well over a year. If thats not big, then I don't know what is.

Apple never really has recalls. They don't use the word recall. What they'll do is announce a replacement program. This is much better than saying were going to recall 800,000 MacBook Pros with NVIDIA graphics cards. This is much better from a PR standpoint.

[PDE]

If you bought it with a credit card in the U.S., there is a good chance that the credit card company will cover the repair for free. Call them to check if your card doubles the original warranty.

As for Jobs saying that the GPus in the MBPs are fine...obviously they are not! I mean, there are way too many GPU issues already AND we know that the chipset is problematic. So if that's apple's stance - and we don't know if it is yet - then we're screwed.

[Peace]

This story should be page one not MacBytes. Is MacRumors helping by not making it page One?

Come on arn this is Apple news. That can/will affect the company.

[noodle654]

I sent Steve Jobs a letter that talked about nVidia's defective chips and how one of the potential candidates was currently in the MacBook Pro (I also asked about updates, but that was a long shot by any standard). I asked him what Apple's position was and if they were going to do anything about it soon (update hint again).

Steve says that the chips in the MacBook Pro are fine.

If the GPU in the MacBook Pros were fine...then we wouldnt see threads about this all the time. Steve needs to wake up and look at the failure rates.

[Tallest Skil]

This story should be Page One not MacBytes. Is MacRumors helping by not making it Page One?

Come on arn this is Apple news. That can/will affect the company.

We even have an "un"official reply from Steve on the matter. Use my screenshot if you wish.

[Tallest Skil]

If the GPU in the MacBook Pros were fine...then we wouldnt see threads about this all the time. Steve needs to wake up and look at the failure rates.

Hey, I'm just repeating what he told me.

[turtlelee]

it's human nature, when news like this comes out. Everybody start thinking my MBP also will have the same issues. i must say, i also think the same way initially. But so far i have been OC this 8600 GT to it's max for a year now and yet , it has been SOLID as a ROCK. "NO PROBLEM at all". i think it's all in the mind like a self-fulling prophecy. THe greatest fear is FEAR itself.

[noodle654]

Hey, I'm just repeating what he told me.

That is the weakest reply I have ever heard.......ever.

[awulf]

My 2.2GHz 15" MacBook Pro has no problems with its graphics chip. I can run the GPU and CPU at 100% and it doesn't lock up or anything. Its out of warranty now, so i just have to hope it'll remain all right.

Chipset Model: GeForce 8600M GT
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 128 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0407
Revision ID: 0x00a1
ROM Revision: 3175

[Tallest Skil]

That is the weakest reply I have ever heard.......ever.

Hey, the stockholders are happy, though, right? :rolleyes:

[noodle654]

Hey, the stockholders are happy, though, right? :rolleyes:

Yes we are...I dont see if Apple were to create a recall program, how would they repair it?? Just replace it with another nVidia 8600...or put in a new LB with an ATI card? It just seems like software wont do anything and giving everybody(with the issue) new MBP would cost Apple a TON of cash...and nVidia.

[James17]

I've emailed the person who's dealt with a complaint of mine in the past, they're from Executive Relations-PR. Probably get a response tomorrow.

[alphaod]

That is the weakest reply I have ever heard.......ever.

But at least he replies!

I recall my friend emailed him about a delayed Leopard release and he replied with a "Chill out" :p

[alphaod]

I see a lot of people freaking out about the 8600 card issue, but I have a question. I have Apple Care and have had my MBP for about 6 months. If my card dies it will be covered under Apple Care right? If they didn't cover it, I'd be out 2500 bucks, that doesn't seem right...

If they didn't cover it, you'd be out around $800 bucks, but it's covered under warranty.

[Firefly2002]

Hey, I'm just repeating what he told me.

Lol, when's the last time Jobs actually told the truth when it didn't suit him? ;)

[lucky3killer]

If it does happens to MBP, such as graphic card issue, I hope that Apple will extends the warranty for MBP users with GeForce 8600m GT, just covers the repair for graphic card issue.

[Tallest Skil]

If it does happens to MBP, such as graphic card issue, I hope that Apple will extends the warranty for MBP users with GeForce 8600m GT, just covers the repair for graphic card issue.

It wouldn't be an extension, it'd be a recall. I can also see them imposing a date limit between xx/xx/xx and xx/xx/xx to bring it in for replacement.

[lucky3killer]

It wouldn't be an extension, it'd be a recall. I can also see them imposing a date limit between xx/xx/xx and xx/xx/xx to bring it in for replacement.

Ok, just whenever if Apple would work out.

[chapel321]

So far I've never had a problem with mine, which I've owned since the beginning of March!! (fingers crossed)

[PDE]

It wouldn't be an extension, it'd be a recall. I can also see them imposing a date limit between xx/xx/xx and xx/xx/xx to bring it in for replacement.

I remember that with the Powerbook 190/5300 they extended the coverage of the logic board and all sorts of things by 7 years. At one point they even offered significant rebates on new machines if you handed in your old 190/5300. I found one on ebay for a few hundred bucks and got hundreds off still. I guess it was getting too expensive to repair and they were running out of parts or something. In other words: not the first time for Apple.

I think a minimum of of 5 years is reasonable given the average life expectancy of these things. I think HP extended by 2-3 years, but that really is not enough since the defect might not show itself for a long time if somebody doesn't use the machine in a way that causes stress.

[DiamondMac]

So far I've never had a problem with mine, which I've owned since the beginning of March!! (fingers crossed)

No problem for mine after 2 years :D :apple::apple::apple::apple:

[Fabrice]

@OrleansMac : 2 years old MBP doesn't have 8600GT.
@turtlelee : Thanks for the "human nature" and the "self-fullingly prophecy" things; I'll talk the repairman about it next time I'll see him.
Bought MBP fall sept 07, gone for motherboard replacement due to dead GPU TWO WEEKS ago. Today MBP's GPU is dead again. HD cloning once again, one week wasted once again. Nice. Did I really bought a 2400$ computer ?

[BenRoethig]

I sent Steve Jobs a letter that talked about nVidia's defective chips and how one of the potential candidates was currently in the MacBook Pro (I also asked about updates, but that was a long shot by any standard). I asked him what Apple's position was and if they were going to do anything about it soon (update hint again).

Steve says that the chips in the MacBook Pro are fine.

They said the same thing about the G3 icebooks too until they started failing en masse.

[Tallest Skil]

@OrleansMac : 2 years old MBP doesn't have 8600GT.
@turtlelee : Thanks for the "human nature" and the "self-fullingly prophecy" things; I'll talk the repairman about it next time I'll see him.
Bought MBP fall sept 07, gone for motherboard replacement due to dead GPU TWO WEEKS ago. Today MBP's GPU is dead again. HD cloning once again, one week wasted once again. Nice. Did I really bought a 2400$ computer ?

Quoting really helps. It's a lot easier to find the post (or portion thereof) in question.

I'm also thinking along those lines; that since people know about the problem, they'll start seeing symptoms... when there really aren't any.

[turtlelee]

Strange i see all these talk & fear. But i had my MBP 8600 GT for a year now, never give any graphic problem. And yes, i do push this 8600 GT to the max, i am using laptopvideo2go drivers & OC this chip close to a 8700 GT spec. it improve my gaming fps and i noted that i during fierce fighting scene, temp goes up to 89 but never beyond 90 degree. But till now even pushing this chip to it max, i still have no graphic display problem whatsoever. i game on XP bootcamp SP2. Maybe i just happen to have the lucky chip. If only those who no problem with this chip may reveal themselve, then i think will have a fairer idea. So far i have been pushing this chip & enjoying every moment.

[winninganthem]

This seems like the perfect time for this.

I sent this yesterday to sjobs@apple.com. His reply is as follows.

Thanks very much for writing that to him.

I really hope that they decide on at least telling their customers what's been going on. This whole secrecy thing with unveiling new products is ok, but about product issues? That's something else. Hell, even Dell fessed up to it and gave a BIOS upgrade. (http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4527).

It's still better than the secrecy Apple loves. Apple makes good products but yeah, like everyone else here I just want some kind of official response to something as big as mass GPU failures.

[pinktank]

I don't have any problems as of yet, apart from 2 times where the whole screen turned to snow

[niceguyeddie]

nvidia have now fixed the problem though yeah? so if i bought a macbook pro today, it should ship with a non affected gpu?

[Tallest Skil]

nvidia have now fixed the problem though yeah? so if i bought a macbook pro today, it should ship with a non affected gpu?

Did you READ this thread? They haven't even ADMITTED to the problem. EVERYTHING is affected.

[niceguyeddie]

Did you READ this thread? They haven't even ADMITTED to the problem. EVERYTHING is affected.

i READ the article that is linked in the first post and read the response from nvidia:


3) We continue to work closely with our partners and have taken the necessary steps to ensure that all NVIDIA chips currently in production do not exhibit the problem.

[Tallest Skil]

i READ the article that is linked in the first post and read the response from nvidia:

Apple has MacBook Pros backed up. Still, I don't believe they've fixed it.

[niceguyeddie]

Apple has MacBook Pros backed up. Still, I don't believe they've fixed it.

I doubt they would announce the problem without first putting a fix in place. Also, i doubt apple have macbook pros backed up....surely they build to order.

[xlii]

HP & Dell break out the Nvidia GPUs that are bad. Good story to get you caught up to speed on this. Forward to Steve if you like... he might not know this.

http://www.dailytech.com/Dell+HP+Lists+Reveal+Defective+NVIDIA+Mobile+GPUs/article12553.htm

[gkarris]

HP & Dell break out the Nvidia GPUs that are bad. Good story to get you caught up to speed on this. Forward to Steve if you like... he might not know this.

http://www.dailytech.com/Dell+HP+Lists+Reveal+Defective+NVIDIA+Mobile+GPUs/article12553.htm

It turns out virtually all the NVIDIA mobile chips are defective. NVIDIA tried to brush off the issue stating that the issue was a "previous-generation" problem. However, it turns out that virtually all 8400M and 8600M chips are defective. These chips make up the bulk of NVIDIA's higher end graphics offerings. While NVIDIA started to roll out the first of its 9 series mobile chips, the 8 series represents the flagship line of its mobile offerings.


WOW, my previous Manager got a MBP for her retirement.... when I was upgrading the system and transferring contacts, it was locking up. She was complaining about a lot of lockups...

I thought she was going to get a MacBook (what I and her daughter have).

[AppleNewton]

Hmmm ill have to keep a closer eye on my MBP i purchased in late-August 2007

MBP 2.2Ghz
2GB Memory
8600M GT PCIe 256MB memory


the only issue i had recently was waking it from sleep it just froze still had to do a manual restart first time ever in the 1year i ve had it. no biggy but definitely will keep a close eye on it.

and usually this system runs all the time either on or in sleep mode doing alot of graphic intensive applications and video work


geesh i hope those experiencing these issues get it resolved. what a mess.

seems like a hard road for nvidia right now......ugh.

[Slow Andrew]

Quoting really helps. It's a lot easier to find the post (or portion thereof) in question.

I'm also thinking along those lines; that since people know about the problem, they'll start seeing symptoms... when there really aren't any.

I think that Fabrice was perfectly clear in reponse to the earlier posts, and I agree with those responses. Please note forum users: It really doesn't help those who are experiencing problems to just send a message saying "Wheee! :D I don't have any!" (and especially, please don't grin when you say it OrleansMac)

Ian - in your response to Fabrice you sound like you doubt that the problem exists, but in your email to SJ and in other posts you acknowledge that this issue is genuine - I don't get where you stand...

Message to all MBP users: Don't grin too soon.

My MBP in the known effected range, has had the logic board replaced twice in the last month with no admission of a graphics chip problem from Apple. They asked if I had some sort of strange feedback from an external DVI display. :confused:

I'm kind of relieved to hear about the Nvidia issue as I thought I was going mad.

No video signal on either the built-in display or the external AGAIN today, and the case is incredibly hot. So it's back to the shop and I've already had nearly a months worth of downtime (and lost income) while the staff at my nearest Gormless Bar have faffed about trying to cover iPhone enquiries.

I may be a MacRumors newbie, but I've been using Macs since the Mac2 and have been an evangelist for most of the time since then. This is the first time in my life that I'm tempted to tell new adopters "don't do it because the support staff aren't aware of the issues and won't admit that there's a problem".

I rely on graphics software that requires online activation (QXP and CS3) so I can't even work properly until this blown MBP is brought back to life by another dodgy repair so I can deactivate the installs and start over, preferably on a Mac without the Nvidia chip.

Nice that Steve or his PA responded to your enquiry, but the response is completely inadequate.

[Loge]

nvidia have now fixed the problem though yeah? so if i bought a macbook pro today, it should ship with a non affected gpu?


Well that is nvidia's public statement

All newly manufactured products and all products currently shipping in volume have a different and more robust material set.

Presumably companies don't usually mislead the SEC? I notice that is not quite the same as saying "fixed".

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045810/000119312508145974/d8k.htm

[gkarris]

^^^

My former manager bought hers a couple of weeks ago - lockups...

Apple's not the only one trying to cope with this. Apple has a bigger reputation to save.

Also, new notebooks are due next month, so between the iPhone 3G launch, and new notebooks next month, Apple's got an over-flowing plate...

This nVidia disaster they don't need now.

I say recent purchasers may get the new notebook next month as a "free" upgrade!

[odinsride]

I have a Penryn 2.4ghz MBP (Feb. 08) with no problems whatsoever - I play WoW (in OS X), CoD 4 (XP), and a few other games without any troubles. Sure, the laptop gets a little warm but that's to be expected when gaming. No lockups or artifacting or anything like that though, even on 3-4 hour WoW sessions.

[DiamondMac]

Please note forum users: It really doesn't help those who are experiencing problems to just send a message saying "Wheee! :D I don't have any!" (and especially, please don't grin when you say it OrleansMac)

So should this thread be limited to just those having problems? I don't see anything wrong with people posting they have not had problems yet with their MBP's with this articles (and follow ups claiming the computers may soon fail)

[alphaod]

I don't know why I'm getting worried that my computer will secretly die one day.

[DiamondMac]

I don't know why I'm getting worried that my computer will secretly die one day.

Having dealt with Windows Machines for years, I am used to that feeling

I am just hoping my MBP can make it to late September (for whatever reason that it may fail)

[Tallest Skil]

Ian - in your response to Fabrice you sound like you doubt that the problem exists, but in your email to SJ and in other posts you acknowledge that this issue is genuine - I don't get where you stand...

I believe that the problem exists, but something within me tells me that 100% of the chips can't possibly be faulty.

Although... the Apple III is said to have had a 100% defect rate.

[duklaprague]

Our new one seems to be affected - assuming it is down to the nVideo chip.

Bought in April, but was the previous gen - so had a Leopard DVD to install, rather than preinstalled, so presumably from Q4 07.

Anyway, it's basically suffering from the garbled text, and white flashes as described here :

http://www.velumens.com/words/2008/07/17/ugly-display-glitch-with-macbook-pro/

My current plan is to sit it out until the next revision comes out, presumably without these nVidia chips, and see what Apple have said by then.

I'm kinda hoping by then Apple's position will be untenable, and they'll simply swap it for a box, by which time they'll have sorted out the behind the scenes financial stuff and nVidia will pick up the tab.

[rbc2008]

On my macbook pro, the screen retains a blueish color after I stop the password protected RSS visualizer screen saver. I am not sure if this has anything to do with the graphics card problem.
After I go to system preferences > display, the the screen gets the default color.
I am seeing this problem since 10.5.1.

[Fabrice]

My MBP in the known effected range, has had the logic board replaced twice in the last month with no admission of a graphics chip problem from Apple. They asked if I had some sort of strange feedback from an external DVI display.

I was wondering if using the VGA input instead of DVI on external display could make any difference (?).
Since it would use the DVI to VGA adaptor anyway, I assume it wouldn't.

[GM Dragon]

I just purchased a new MBP 17" 4 days ago and immediately I had problems with strange pink pixels and complete system freezes. I couldn't even use photobooth without a crash! I couldn't reboot from a CD without green checkerboards showing up on the screen. After 3 hours talking with apple they agreed with me that it is a bad Video card...Yup it is the Nvidia Ge force 8600 M GT. Good news they are sending a new CPU bad news it will still have the same video card

[gkarris]

I just purchased a new MBP 17" 4 days ago and immediately I had problems with strange pink pixels and complete system freezes. I couldn't even use photobooth without a crash! I couldn't reboot from a CD without green checkerboards showing up on the screen. After 3 hours talking with apple they agreed with me that it is a bad Video card...Yup it is the Nvidia Ge force 8600 M GT. Good news they are sending a new CPU bad news it will still have the same video card

I would just get your money back and see if you can hold out for the refresh in September...

I doubt Apple will be using the same video cards in the new notebooks...

[BlackMax]

So this issue only impacts notbook GPUs with the NVIDIA Geforce 8400M or 8600M GPU. What about iMacs with the NVIDIA Geforce 8800GS? Does anyone know if this GPU is at risk as well?

[waffle911]

The 8800GS, a very popular desktop card, is unrelated to the 8400M/8600M failures. It's almost a completely different card, and I'm pretty sure they share no common parts, least of all the GPU itself.

[gkarris]

So this issue only impacts notbook GPUs with the NVIDIA Geforce 8400M or 8600M GPU. What about iMacs with the NVIDIA Geforce 8800GS? Does anyone know if this GPU is at risk as well?

No...


It turns out virtually all the NVIDIA mobile chips are defective. NVIDIA tried to brush off the issue stating that the issue was a "previous-generation" problem. However, it turns out that virtually all 8400M and 8600M chips are defective. These chips make up the bulk of NVIDIA's higher end graphics offerings. While NVIDIA started to roll out the first of its 9 series mobile chips, the 8 series represents the flagship line of its mobile offerings.

The low to middle end chips are also virtually all defective. Among the defective lines are the GeForce Go 7000 and 6000 lines, as well as the Quadro NVS 135M and the Quadro FX 360M.

[BenRoethig]

The 8800GS, a very popular desktop card, is unrelated to the 8400M/8600M failures. It's almost a completely different card, and I'm pretty sure they share no common parts, least of all the GPU itself.

Its no the desktop 8800gs that Apple uses, but the mobile 8800M GTS. Still there should be no problems.

[balofagus]

I emailed Steve as well. What I got out of it:


He responds very quickly
He checks his email on his iPhone


:p

Oh, and they used "different" chips...

[waffle911]

Its not the desktop 8800gs that Apple uses, but the mobile 8800M GTS. Still there should be no problems.

I didn't see any references to there being an 8800M GS on nVidia's website, specifically for apple or otherwise, and the Apple site lists the iMac's specs as having an 8800 GS, but it does denote the 8600M GT in the MBP. They only make an 8800M GTS and GTX.

What did I miss?

[BenRoethig]

I didn't see any references to there being an 8800M GS on nVidia's website, specifically for apple or otherwise, and the Apple site lists the iMac's specs as having an 8800 GS, but it does denote the 8600M GT in the MBP. They only make an 8800M GTS and GTX.

What did I miss?

With the iMac Apple masks that it uses mobile parts by using desktop names. First off, its impossible to have a 512mb of memory with a 192-bit card. The 8800M GTS is a 256-bit card. Second, in windows, it flat out identifies itself as a 8800M GTS.

[Metuas]

Okay, I just got a refurb MBP, 2.2 GHz, nVidia 8600M 128MB, blah blah blah, from the Apple Refurbished Store.

My question is, assuming I have a ticking time bomb, will the card last longer if I use it regularly, or if I keep a light load on the GPU (Note that I got it for the screen size, not the power, as I have poor vision, so if I could maximize lifespan by using no graphics-intensive programs at all, I can do graphics work on my PMG5 happily)? It would seem obvious, but then again, the battery gains power from regular "exercise". I don't know that much about internals, so be gentle.

[nick9191]

I emailed Steve as well. What I got out of it:


He responds very quickly
He checks his email on his iPhone


:p

Oh, and they used "different" chips...

Oh god please tell me that was 'shopped.

[Insulin Junkie]

It was the NVIDIA graphics glitch that caused me to exchange the MBP I had for this computer. I'm suspicious of NVIDIA from now on for a little while.

[applecultvictim]

It seems apple has aknowledged this as an issue and is providing out of warranty service.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

[Mackilroy]

Holy gravedig Batman!

It might be a little extra work, but next time you could just create a new topic detailing it with a link to this one. :)

[uaecasher]

lol, I though this was for the unibody MBP :D

[pdxflint]

... ancient history...!

[ikz01]

im planning on buying a MSI cr400 laptop with a nvidia geforce 8200m gt dis december and I afraid that it is defected