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Discrete GPU failure rate in Retina-generation

Ovedius

Ovedius

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 2, 2012
438
402
Norway
Hold on to your potatoes, if you don't like stream of consciousness/brain fart posts, I suggest you move on (I've underlined the actual questions, for you convenience) :p


The recent troubles with the fresh 2016 15" Pro's dGPU has peaked my interest in failure rates in the Retina Pro generation.

Specifically in the chances that your 2012, -13, -14 or -15 Pro with a dGPU is going to bite the dust.

I've read the odd comment here on the forums about dGPUs failing after some years.
Something about faulty connectors and shoddy soldering.

But do we have any specific numbers?

Anecdotal evidence. Have many of you fine gents and ladies encountered dGPU failures?

What are the most common causes for dGPU failures?

Presuming that you want a computer that will last you at least 5 years (like my dearly beloved's 13" 2009 Pro, going on year 7 now), is it much of a gamble getting a Pro with a dGPU?
-Is it considerably safer getting an iGPU than a dGPU?

Also, and I know we can't really tell at this point since the switch back to AMD is quite recent, how do you think the AMD GPUs stack up against Nvidia GPUs?
-is it safer getting a 2014 15" Pro with a GT 750M than a 2015 with the R9 M370X?
 
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Interestingly there are reports of graphical glitches on the 13in 2016s meaning that it is not a problem with the dGPU in the 15in
 
I have never heard of a 2015 with a M370 outright failing. But, I have heard about minor glitches, heat generation, and fan noise.

I have one, and there are times when working with 4K that the fan does spin up and get pretty loud.
 
In terms of your 'specific numbers' question - the repair programme covering MacBook Pros sold between 2011 and 2013 (thus covering four generations of product!) cited "a small percentage of MacBook Pro systems".

Considering that Apple tends to play down these things, "a small percentage" to me sounds like a huge number.
 
Clint_Barton said:
Interestingly there are reports of graphical glitches on the 13in 2016s meaning that it is not a problem with the dGPU in the 15in
Click to expand...

Oh, I was unaware of that. Thought only dGPU 2016 models were affected (that's what you get for only reading headlines, I guess).
Interesting, and disappointing.

jerryk said:
I have never heard of a 2015 with a M370 outright failing. But, I have heard about minor glitches, heat generation, and fan noise.

I have one, and there are times when working with 4K that the fan does spin up and get pretty loud.
Click to expand...
I had one of those.
It does have a pretty well documented problem with seemingly excessive throttling.
But that mostly only becomes noticeable while playing games, so if you only use it for work you probably won't ever notice.

Brookzy said:
In terms of your 'specific numbers' question - the repair programme covering MacBook Pros sold between 2011 and 2013 (thus covering four generations of product!) cited "a small percentage of MacBook Pro systems".

Considering that Apple tends to play down these things, "a small percentage" to me sounds like a huge number.
Click to expand...

I wonder how large a percentage is acceptable before you have a "widespread" issue?
 
Ovedius said:
I wonder how large a percentage is acceptable before you have a "widespread" issue?
Click to expand...
Precisely: if it really was what you or I would consider a "small percentage" - i.e. 1 or 2%, there wouldn't have even been a repair programme.
 
Is anyone on this forum that has one of this models ( early 2011 from early 2013) and never had a dgpu failure ?
 
Ovedius said:
Oh, I was unaware of that. Thought only dGPU 2016 models were affected (that's what you get for only reading headlines, I guess).
Interesting, and disappointing.
Click to expand...
No actually, its very good news, as it means that it is just a software problem rather than a hardware problem.
 
andreyush said:
Is anyone on this forum that has one of this models ( early 2011 from early 2013) and never had a dgpu failure ?
Click to expand...

We have an early 2011 that is still going strong as a work laptop for a colleague (replaced the HDD with an SSD), as well as an early 2013 (my own work laptop). Both never had a dGPU failure.

The only dGPU failure in my history as an Apple owner was the 2011 iMac.
 
For the 15" 2016 its the intel 530 i have problems with not the amd card..

Also some strange cpu behaviour..
 
ManuCH said:
We have an early 2011 that is still going strong as a work laptop for a colleague (replaced the HDD with an SSD), as well as an early 2013 (my own work laptop). Both never had a dGPU failure.

The only dGPU failure in my history as an Apple owner was the 2011 iMac.
Click to expand...

Did you game on them? Now I know that the secret is too keep the dgpu cool all the time to reduce the *failing* chance
 
andreyush said:
Did you game on them? Now I know that the secret is too keep the dgpu cool all the time to reduce the *failing* chance
Click to expand...

No, I never game in general. It was only office work and some occasional video editing, so I didn't tax the dGPUs at all. Maybe that's the difference...
 
The retina machines seem to be no worse than any other computer for dGPU failure, unlike previous versions which had a lot of failures. DGPU's in laptops always have a high failure rate nature of the beast.
 
I've read that most if not all 2011 MBPs will fail at one point, due to manufacturing decisions. While the repair program extended to the 2012 rMBP, I've not heard of many of them failing. I own one and I've been keenly aware of the failures but my MBP is going on 6 years and is doing great.
 
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No, we don't have any data on the actual GPU failure rates. We also don't know whether GPUs fail more often than anything else. And finally, the GPU controversies existed well before the retina models and are certainly not limited to AMD (e.g. the 2008 model).
 
The GPU in my late 2013 has just failed again for the third time, now 30 days out of AppleCare. Its looking like Apple will cover the parts and I'll just pay labour.
 
maflynn said:
I've read that most if not all 2011 MBPs will fail at one point, due to manufacturing decisions. While the repair program extended to the 2012 rMBP, I've not heard of many of them failing. I own one and I've been keenly aware of the failures but my MBP is going on 6 years and is doing great.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear it ! Maybe because the late 2011 models use amd gpus. :/

Doug Hope said:
The GPU in my late 2013 has just failed again for the third time, now 30 days out of AppleCare. Its looking like Apple will cover the parts and I'll just pay labour.
Click to expand...


Now it's ironic. This is the proof that not just these models ( 2011, 2012 and early 2013) have major problems. Your dgpu has failed for the third time :( ..
 
One can only hope the new 15" Pros will prove to be reliable, since the 2016 15" don't come without dGPUs.
Bit of a shame, was really hoping for a iGPU option.
 
Ovedius said:
One can only hope the new 15" Pros will prove to be reliable, since the 2016 15" don't come without dGPUs.
Bit of a shame, was really hoping for a iGPU option.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was hoping for a base model without dgpu cause I don't really need it.
 
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