are 2011 MBP's with replaced motherboards still affected by the gpu problem?

[firelighter487]

i bought a late 2011 15" MBP, and the previous owner told me that in late 2017 the motherboard was replaced because of the video card problem.

now my question is was the defect fixed with the motherboard replacement, or can it fail again?

 

[maflynn]

The repair program is long gone.

You can try a workaround detailed here: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ntel-integrated-gpu-efi-variable-fix.2037591/

 

[firelighter487]

The repair program is long gone.

You can try a workaround detailed here: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ntel-integrated-gpu-efi-variable-fix.2037591/

the problem isn't that it's broken, it works completely fine. i want to know if the chance of failure is still high on systems that were already fixed under the repair program.

 

[maflynn]

the problem isn't that it's broken, it works completely fine. i want to know if the chance of failure is still high on systems that were already fixed under the repair program.

The repair program ended though
Apple Says 2011 MacBook Pro No Longer Eligible For 'Video Issues' Repair Program

 

[Sterkenburg]

That problem was never actually fixed, since it was due to an inherent flaw that affected all the AMD GPUs in the 2011 model (i.e. all of them were basically prone to failure). Defective units were repaired using the same parts, which unfortunately means that the chance of a failure is still the same as it was back then.

 

[firelighter487]

The repair program ended though
Apple Says 2011 MacBook Pro No Longer Eligible For 'Video Issues' Repair Program

the previous owner experienced a gpu failure and had it fixed.

That problem was never actually fixed, since it was due to an inherent flaw that affected all the AMD GPUs in the 2011 model (i.e. all of them were basically prone to failure). Defective units were repaired using the same parts, which unfortunately means that the chance of a failure is still the same as it was back then.

ah that's annoying. i have installed fan control and temperature monitoring software to keep a close eye on it, and i have installed an app that shows me what gpu it's using. i'm trying to use the amd card as little as i can because i want this system to last me at least a year..

 

[maflynn]

the previous owner experienced a gpu failure and had it fixed.

As mentioned, its not fixed, just replaced and it was replaced with the same defective GPU so its only a matter of time before that fails.

 

[firelighter487]

As mentioned, its not fixed, just replaced and it was replaced with the same defective GPU so its only a matter of time before that fails.

i always use the intel gpu and have installed fan control software so it doesn't get too hot. will that prolong the lifespan?

 

[maflynn]

i always use the intel gpu and have installed fan control software so it doesn't get too hot. will that prolong the lifespan?

Tbh, I don't know. I've heard people swear by that, and other people over the years have to deal with failures even though they stayed on the iGPU.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"now my question is was the defect fixed with the motherboard replacement, or can it fail again?"

There's no "difference" between the old (failed) motherboard and the new (working) one, except that the new one hasn't failed yet.

It's susceptible to the same problems as the old one.

However, once it fails, there's no Apple replacement program any longer and they won't even fix them any more.

If yours is working, just keep using it until it fails.
Then, your choices are probably:
1. Use the "software fix" to permanently disable the GPU (not easy)
2. Start shopping for a replacement (MUCH easier!)

 

[firelighter487]

OP wrote:
"now my question is was the defect fixed with the motherboard replacement, or can it fail again?"

There's no "difference" between the old (failed) motherboard and the new (working) one, except that the new one hasn't failed yet.

It's susceptible to the same problems as the old one.

However, once it fails, there's no Apple replacement program any longer and they won't even fix them any more.

If yours is working, just keep using it until it fails.
Then, your choices are probably:
1. Use the "software fix" to permanently disable the GPU (not easy)
2. Start shopping for a replacement (MUCH easier!)

yeah i know. my plan for this one is to be careful with it (not using the amd card & keep it cool with fan control software) and replace it when it goes wrong...

i'm fairly familiar with terminal stuff so i'll try the software fix when it dies, but i'll replace it when i can't fix it.

i bought this one without doing a lot of research first and that was dumb, but yeah..

 

[ron1004]

Mine was repaired late 2014 and in March 2015 I received a refund of the repair bill - its still going strong, and I always switch it to "integrated only" each time I boot.

 

[Macbookprodude]

Hi, I also have a 2011, but it never gave me problems and I ran Cinebench many times on it and the AMD GPU hasn't failed yet. Can someone recommend good video bench software to really TEST this thing ?

 

[firelighter487]

Mine was repaired late 2014 and in March 2015 I received a refund of the repair bill - its still going strong, and I always switch it to "integrated only" each time I boot.

for some reason that doesn't work on mine.