iMac 24" (early 2008) with Nvidia 8800GS - Repair hopeless ?

The graphics subsystem of an aluminum iMac is not a user-serviceable part. You can't just swap the graphics card out for a new one; it's soldered to the logic board.

If your iMac is out of warranty, you either need to pay for the repair or replace your computer.

I know that's not what you might want to hear, but that's the way it is...

I've seen offers on the web for services which will replace one graphics card for another in an iMac. You pay for the hardware and the service, and the service... ain't cheap... because it's not a trivial operation. I would never spend the money to have this done, because there will still be no certainty that things won't go kah-blooey later.

I sympathize. The iMac I'm currently using blew out its logic board two years into its three-year AppleCare warranty. It was replaced at no cost to me, of course, but as you pointed out in the case of your iMac, this was a well-known issue. And if it were to happen now, I'd be SOL because my iMac is now almost a full year out of its warranty.

On the other hand, I've held onto this iMac as my main desktop for a long time, much longer than I have for any computer in the past. 3-4 years is a good long time for a mostly-not-upgradeable all-in-one machine so I won't shed too many tears if that problem repeats (although of course I hope it doesn't). You've gotten three years plus out of your iMac, and while it might be tempting to pay for a repair, it might be better to just yank the resellable components (hard drive, RAM, etc.) and purchase a replacement Mac.

If you decide to go for the repair, you might find a sympathetic ear at your local Apple Store, if you come armed with some evidence that this component commonly fails and remain polite but firm. If you're lucky, they'll do the repair at no cost. Hope for the best, but expect nothing.

I would not consider using a refurbished card. Buy a new NVIDIA, a new ATI, or get rid of it. I chose option 2 for my iMac with the same problem. Since I didn't use it for games anyway it seemed like the best option because it was about $100 cheaper, and there are fewer complaints of the ATI card failing. In addition, I am now using SMC fan control to run the fans a little faster in an effort to keep it cooler and help prevent the same thing from happening again. As the NVIDIA card was failing, I was able to gradually increase the speed of the CPU fan to keep up with it's failing health and use the computer normally for another 3 months.

Sorry to bump this but just interested in what you ended up doing, I have the exact problem on my 3 yr old iMac 3.06.

Thanks

Thank you for your answer Maverick.

I agree 100% with your comments. This is a premium piece of kit with a life expectancy beyond 3 years, long beyond.

So I have the same dilemma as you - I will keep thinking, but, like you, I am not keen to spend a lot of money on the 3 year old computer.

I hope you are enjoying your new iMac.

Best wishes

Ian

This is terrible, same problem here. My iMac8,1 (3.06GHz, Nvidia GeForce 8800 512MB) is dead. Flickering screen and all little blocks, but most of the time black. But I don't understand why repair should be hopeless? If I ask the Apple store to replace the GPU, it will probably work for another 3 years, right? (I understand this will be very expensive).

Well, since writing before I did take my iMac in for repair.

I don't want to tempt fate, but I am writing this on it right now.

🙂

Good luck. Cost £260 at Apple store. Looked on as an investment!!

Ian

I am in the same boat. I've opened a thread here. Apple needs to seriously cop on here. Defective products, denying known issues. What sort of accellerated testing is carried out on these devices? The testing does not seem to be catching these issues. Apple, are you not making enough money? Look after your customers!

After having the iMac for 4 yeas, I am having the same issue. There were no warning signs, my screen just started flickering today and it seems to do so within 20 minutes of turning on. There's a lot of discussion on the bad nvidia card, but I am way out of warranty.

I'm thinking of taking it into the store and see if they will fix it for free :)

Sadly I'm having the same issue with my iMac 2008 with 8800gs after having replaced the card in 2010 :(

This is sooooo bad, i am in the same boat and i cannot tell you how sorry i am that i payed extra for that graphics card 😟

I am going to call Apple in the next couple of days and see that options i have.

Yes I have the same problem. It failed me once and yesterday failed again. I need a fix since this is not my fault. Had any luck with Apple support? I don't want to be replacing the card all the time, especcially paying for it.

I replaced it 11 months ago and yesterday it happened again. I now don't know what to do. It is still under the one year guarantee but I don't want the same card again. I don't mind downgrading...