So, it sounds like anyone with a MBP containing an NVIDIA G8600 (G86) generation GPU is pretty much SOL...eventually, the chip will fail. I suppose the same could be said of a number of things, however (no one gets out alive). The question is (give it to me straight, doc): how long do we have until the chip bursts into flames, or whatever it does? It probably depends upon how hot we get the GPU, right? Perhaps running in Mac OS (if you do) most of the time gives the MBP an advantage over pure Vista/NT6 machines. The temp sensor for the GPU in my machine (Penryn-series 512MB G86) seems consistently lower in Leopard than in Windows 2008, suggesting the Mac OS NVIDIA driver has more aggressive (automatic) power management. So we might not see as many failures with the MBP...or am I talking out of my ass?
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The NVIDIA G8600 Timebomb
- Thread starter Riemann Zeta
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This is why I sold my mbp lost $200 on it now and dodged a huge bullet!! Great to be back stationary on a nice powerfull desktop! 
I heard one of the things that causes the cards to die faster is the heating and cooling cycle when you turn your computer on and off, which makes the substrate expand and contract more than it should leading to failure. So making the card not get at hot should help and using the computer as a desktop replacement that's on more constantly should help as well. Turning it on and off a lot outside in an Alaskan winter will probably kill it fast.
Its not just one of the things, THAT IS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM "HEAT CYCLING" which causes the failures due to the bad silicon or the ASIC board to begin with.
We still do not know if ther is a problem or not. My GPU has been fine for over a year of everyday use. I would not worry based on a few reports that we don't even know if it is true or not. Here is another point of view http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080716-nvidia-denies-rumors-of-mass-gpu-failures.html
BTW I owned a Ford Pinto and live less that a mile from the San Andres fault.
BTW I owned a Ford Pinto and live less that a mile from the San Andres fault.
Hey maybe you don't want to share who your source is, I can respect that. But can you also get an inside tip on the release date? I can use some hope right now lol.
Wow, I'm sorry. If you also had an AMC Gremlin you could almost start a museum. Like most people here, it's not like I'm gripped with panic trying to offload my laptop--I sticking with it, despite the flaw. Glad I opted for the AppleCare this time, though.
I'd bet that they all have a higher than chance probability of failure, but it is not something I'd lose sleep over.
I won't give out names of course, but by "inside" I do mean "employee".
Believe me, I've tried to get a release date from him, but he's keeping tight lipped about that.
For what it's worth, I can't believe you, and no one else should be able to, either.
You understand, of course.
I hope Apple has a plan for those out of warranty that have a failure based on this public knowledge.I cannot get my wi-fi or keyboard to function properly and accept that Apple doesn't care to fix anytime soon.
BUT, if my video card goes out,I will not pay for it-Nvidia/Apple will.
BUT, if my video card goes out,I will not pay for it-Nvidia/Apple will.
They will, but until people start having mass failures then there's really no point...they'll just replace logic boards as they come.
Same with Powermac G5 water cooled systems. Even out of warranty computers get new parts: logic board, processor/heatsink, power supply, power supply cover, absorbent pad. Its not uncommon for Apple to give PowerMac owners a new Mac Pro.
have you even gone to the apple store to get your wifi and your keyboard looked at? Who's fault is that?
Whoa! Guys I just gave Apple almost 2000$ of my summer earnings for a laptop that I need for the next 4 years.
Are you telling me that my Nvidia GeForce 8600m GT will fail on me relatively soon???
I can't afford to keep buying a new laptop every year! Should I be worried??
Are you telling me that my Nvidia GeForce 8600m GT will fail on me relatively soon???
I can't afford to keep buying a new laptop every year! Should I be worried??
I don't have an Apple store nearby, but my local reseller deems the "issues" to random to do anything.Apple wont talk to me because my warranty is out.So, no its not my fault.