2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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What you appear to be seeking is to have Mac Hardware Engineers (who work on supporting MacBook Pro) following along as you write. That is NOT happening here.

Those guys are far too busy helping Apple develop cutting edge products and keeping Macs working properly to follow threads like this one.

Just for the record...

I have the same issue. MacBook Pro early 2011 build, 17" antiglare screen, 2.3GHz i7 Quad Core, the works. Bought in the US brand new for about $3k. I have 95 days of the original warranty left, thankfully (I say that tough in cheek). Today I took it in, I had waited a month, prior to today, in hopes there would be some attention on this spectacle. Sadly I see very little. I am not an Apple fan boy, I buy Apple products because I depend on it for my job. I work mainly in the audio industry and yes... there is a reason we all buy expensive Apple products. Or should I say -did- at this point?

Let's do a quick run through of what led up to today.

Everything was perfect in my little island of the Apple world until early November of 2013. This also coincided with my "free" upgrade to Mavericks, like many others here.

I ran into all the aforementioned problems everyone else has.

1. When the failure begins to grab hold of your precious machine, it first exhibits a torn “dual screen” in your single screen laptop. It will freeze, you will reboot fine, and the problem worries you but, in the end; you don’t think too much about it.
2. Depending on how lucky you, are the problem recurs. In my case it was about a week and the “glitch” reemerged. Only this time “Alice” (the consumer), is dragged down an abysmal rabbit hole. In a matter of 2 days I went from the split torn screen, system lockup that was only solved with pram reset, the pram reset begins only working after many many retries, system then won’t even boot and gives off beep error code (associated to failed logic board), pram reset does work on RARE occasion but, OSX is so unstable at this point it locks up within a minute of use.
3. I then do a trusty google search for my problem and low and behold I found this thread in it’s infancy (15 - 20 pages). I decide to myself, I will wait a little while until more laptops start exhibiting the same behavior. Even then, everyone agreed it was a manufacturing problem. In my dream world, for some idiotic reason, I thought maybe I could hassle Apple or the Apple Store for a new machine out of the conundrum. Even if I were to get a new machine, I would never get that 17” Antiglare-screen back BUT, I would deal with it... and possibly shut up about the hole thing. <- Never do or think this... And side-point: the highest build of the current MBP only has .3GHz/300MHz over my current baby and costs exactly the same as I paid for my machine 2 years ago.
4. Life get’s busy, the holidays go by, and by anomaly I haven’t -had- to use my MBP for awhile. The nearest Apple store for myself is an hour and half drive to somewhere I’m rarely ever at. Things slow down and I realize my warranty is getting close to the end. I check back into this thread and am astonished by the massive amount of others having the same failure. Google it some more and find this widespread failure, for what I feel like is everything manufactured around this time, is still not getting any mainstream media attention or a response from Apple.
5. I make my appointment, well prepared, head in to talk to a “genius”.
6. Upon entering the cult-like store with innumerable mesmerizing blinky screens and oh so many people staring at them with twinkly eyes of glee only a small child exhibits on Christmas day, I am immediately greeted by one of the lower-level initiate neophytes. You know, the cattle herders in there? I pass with my reservation and credentials. A second level herder asks what my issues are with the laptop before I am granted a seat with the gods at the genius bar. I immediately open with, “I’m not sure if you’re aware but, I have an early 2011 MBP that many people are experiencing GPU failures with.” A look of fear instills on his face. He responds, “Yes, I know about it. No need to explain everything. I’ll have a seat ready for you in 5 minutes with someone” I then distract myself with the new Mac Pro that looks like a trash can. After a little digging on the strange tiny trash can (and not very impressed by it mind you. As most expansions for this computer requires feeding the machine even more money - this was the original purpose of the Mac Pro itself, was it not?), I am then granted a seat at the inner sanctum called the “Genius Bar”. My “Genius” is a very nice, early twenties, pretty girl. I feel very sorry for the wrath I am about to unleash on this poor girl but, I have no choice as I see it.
   
   Again, I open with the same line, “I’m not sure if you’re aware but, I have an early 2011 MBP that many people are experiencing GPU failures with.” I go into more depth as to how the problem evolved and is currently. I’m very nice and respectful at this point, as we have yet to reach a point that I have to be a bit unfriendly.
   
   “Oh wow, awesome. You’ve done everything I would have done to find the issue with your computer. Let me just run a quick diagnostics test to be sure there are no other problems.”
   
   I explained I had already done this but, ok. It boots up with the blue lines of death. She reponds, “Yup, exactly as you said and I already know what the problem is.”
   
   I kind of play dumb and nice with the pretty girl to poke for any information I can get.
   
   Me, “So this is a common problem?”
   
   “Yes, I’ve seen plenty of these machines exhibit the same problem.”
   
   “So, what is the fix for this?”
   
   “Since you’re under warranty we’ll send it off for repair, more than likely they will replace the logic board. All this is covered under your warranty, you won’t have to pay anything.”
   
   “So, what if the problem recurs?”
   
   “Well, all repairs are covered for 90 days. You have 95 days left on your warranty. In your case, you’re covered for 95 days”
   
   “Once my warranty is out, how much would this normally cost?”
   
   “Logic board replacement is normally $500 with us when not under warranty.”
   
   “That’s a fair amount of money and not a very long warranty period.”
   
   “Well, maybe it’s time you get a NEW computer. This one is two years old, it’s getting to be that time isn’t it?”
   
   “No, not really. The specs on this machine are only 300MHz below your current top of the line MBP. Not to mention I can’t get this 17” screen anymore. I know, you don’t have to give me the line about the retina screen and it’s resolution. You see, I’ve grown up with a laptop in my hands since a kid. See these eyes? *points to eyes” They have poor vision because of this fact. I actually appreciate and in a way use the 17” screen for a purpose.”
   
   Her face and demeanor immediately change to a face of shame.
   
   “Well, you are right. I would suggest, if you’re really worried about the laptop continuing to fail... when you get it back, sell it on ebay and you will probably have enough money from the sale to get a comparable new MBP.”
   
   “Ebay is great for that stuff isn’t it?”
   
   She smiles with a sigh of relief, hoping I am content with the answer and responds with a “Yes.”
   
   “Yeah, where I can then be the evil person instead of Apple and unload my dysfunctional product on an unsuspecting consumer to make a quick buck, Cover my a** and move on like nothing is wrong. See, I actually disagree with all of this logic and do not take this personally; I understand you’re just an employee here. By our conversation and your responses , I can most assuredly postulate you are 100% aware that this problem is widespread and even unfixable in the end. You barely even checked the machine for problems after I explained everything. You, yourself even suggested I sell the machine after it is “fixed”. This confirms that you think this product is faulty. The employee I spoke to before you even confirmed with me that this is a problem -many- users are experiencing. See, I actually use this product for work, there are no games on this machine, I don’t own it just because it’s f*****g cool, or makes me better than someone else. I paid $3k for this machine a couple years ago because I need a computer with higher processing power for the programs I use that will last longer than a year or two; a computer that doesn’t crash often and is stable. See, crashes equal loss of time, which equals loss of time on the job, which equals loss of money and any free time I would have had on my part in this case. I told you earlier, I’ve had a computer in my hands since I was 4. As a teenager I self employed myself by working on others computers, even putting together custom builds for them and myself. I know, for the most part, the ins and outs of all this. I still have the very first computer I ever built as a kid for nostalgia purposes. I built that machine when I was 13. Guess what? I’m 28 now and it still boots and runs like the very first day I turned it on. That’s 15 years on that computer, at the time it was top of the line for a PC and cost me about $1k and that’s pushing it. This top of the line machine that I am forced to buy to a degree, because of my work... only lasted 2 years and cost 3 times as much. I’m not even taking inflation into consideration. So, about 1/7th the lifespan and 3 times or more the price. Apple has it’s position and following because of people like myself giving you credit for the high-end line of products you furnish us. The party will end when you do this to these customers. Again, I apologize if I come of as an a** and I am not directing this straight at you. I’m just explaining my frustration of the situation. There are few companies period these days that make quality products and I am very sad to see Apple start to go down this path. Unlike companies today, I have to live with my failures and own up to them as a responsible person in this society.”
   
   Very wide eyed and seemingly, genuinely concerned about the problem, she responded. “Well, there is really nothing I can say to make you happy at this point. I do agree with about everything you said and you’re right. That doesn’t really change anything. If the problem persists while you’re under warranty we -might- be able to do something for you. I am really really sorry.”
   
   We continued to talk some more but, that is the jest you should know.

So, my MBP is in transit to wherever it goes and will be back in a week.

Now, I have a few questions, concerns, and statements.

1. It seems to me everyone’s MBP died around the time Mavericks rolled out, correct? This is one of two things: 1. just timing of the parts to fail or 2. If I were an evil genius, lost faith in humankind as a whole, and was only concerned about the bottom line for my company and myself... I would design it to fail so people would be forced to buy more of my product and it turn make myself filthy rich. Point 2 is really just me playing devil’s advocate but, this is a standard business practice these days. It’s even taught at college in these strange times. Food for thought nonetheless.
2. What did she mean, “...we -might- be able to do something for you”? She did say there was no way she would forget who I was and if I did come back with the same problem to ask for her. Has anyone out there been lucky enough to get a new machine out of this debacle? That’s what should happen in a perfect world. Although, an even better world wouldn’t have had this problem in the first place.
3. This question relates to the second. If some people are lucky enough to get a new machine, should I stress test the machine until she breaks? If no one is getting a new machine, the answer is undoubtedly, no... The best thing you can wish for is -maybe- a year more of life if you’re lucky and careful.
4. Mainly from my experience today, what have I learned? Apple and all their employees know about this problem. What they or we will do about it, time will tell.

Sorry this is long but, I just had to voice my frustration. If we all do, someone has to pay attention. If they don’t, then voicing an opinion must be done with your dollars. That’s all anyone pays attention to these days, sad but true. In the long run if Apple were to initiate a replacement program on these machines or even replace the machines themselves: this is good PR and marketing and worth the expense in a long term cost analysis. I will keep you all posted as to how things go in my situation, until then another picture to verify and add to the heaping pile of crap.

Hi Everyone,

I have macbook pro late 2011 15 inch with 6770m GPU and shared similar problem since last april 2014..

I have replace factory thermal pase to silver one.

now my mbp seem back into business as usual after this:

1. I check to http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1237, it seems that the correct smc is 1.5. but my mbp Installed smc 1.7, I don't know how can my mbp update to SMC 1.7 but I manage to downgrade the smc to 1.5 again with refit (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4855319?tstart=0). with smc 1.5 my mbp more stable as long as I don't let 6770m GPU work hard and get it's temp pass to 75C.
2. I happened to find out that AppleGraphicsPowerManagement.kext(AGPM) not correctly loaded in my machine, I do reinstall os, from lion, mountain lion, and mavericks still not loading AGPM properly. I dont know what cause this default behaviour.. so I edit AGPM.kext info.plist to add my GPU into the list to make it load properly.. and..

Notice that AGPM unknownPlatform then, add GPU device id it load my GPU..

this is what I change AGPM info.list, it says "Vendor1002Device6741" before which mean AMD 6770, but my GPU shows "Vendor1002Device6740" no wonder it does not load..

I'm guesing that hwPstate is the max(0) and min(3) parameter to run the GPU

my GPU vendor and device id

Running cinebench after AGPM load twice, no problem under battery

I tested this on MacBook Pro late 2011 15, I don't know if it work out for early 2011 mbp as well...

PS: I just want to share my experience with my mbp maybe it help yours too, if anyone Intrested to try "Do it at your own risk".. I know what it feel to lose precious notebook that we used for living, hope apple will give the best solution for this problem..

sorry for my bad english

Cheers..

Just thought I'd add the fact that I had same issue with my Early 2011 15" MacBook Pro. A couple of years ago I got a weird pixelated image and thought it was just a video driver issue. A few updates later I didn't see it again. About 2 weeks ago I got what you see below. A few days later (when I took it to the Apple store) it just completely stopped booting (didn't go past the white screen with the spinner).

Video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/sb8lu5vqvizy04q/2014-07-28%2021.23.00.mov

Since it is my work computer, I took it to the Apple store. They told me that the wifi card was bad (I already knew about the wifi card. It had been out for awhile). They checked it in "to run additional tests on it" within 48 hours they called me and told me the logic board was bad, that it would be $310 + tax flat rate to have that replaced. I told them to go for it. I figured it it costs me less than $500 it would be worth it, since again, it is a business computer.

Got a call 3 days later (total of 6 days) saying it was ready for pickup. Honestly I was surprised at how quickly they fixed it.

They ended up replacing:

• The Logic Board
• Wifi Card & Ribbon cable
• Clamshell lid (had a dent in it)
• Replaced the rubber feet on the bottom that had worn down.

So for $335 (with TX sales tax) I'm pretty satisfied. Of course with a 90-day warranty, we will see how it goes within/after 90 days...

Well my MBP 2011 late 15inch had the same issue but my screen went to black.

Thank's that i had Apple care and 90 days remaining on it i was able to get it fixed they replaced the Logic board.

The tech spec's for the video card before fixing of the Logic board.

Graphics and video support

• AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR5 memory on 2.2GHz configuration; or AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics processor with 1GB of GDDR5 memory on 2.4GHz configuration
• Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory5
• Automatic graphics switching
• Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors

My Mac Model

My Video spec'sof the Intel 3000 pro video card after Logic board replaced.

NOTICE!! The 512mb.

This means Apple must be aware of the issue they revamped the logic board with a newer video card with more ram.

Everyboard need to make Apple aware about this issue!!! We all need to to sign this petition to make apple know they need to fix this for free.

FYI I am Mac tech i work in Publishing industry and admin 200 Mac's.

Thanks Joey Jacobson

<Edited by Host>

Great! in that case, here is a general quote of consumer law. It applies in New Zealand, so may differ in your country.

"Relevant to product safety are the guarantees contained within the Act that goods sold are of ‘acceptable quality’. This means that the goods have to be free from major or minor defects, safe, and durable. It also means they have to be ‘fit for the purpose for which they were supplied’ and acceptable in appearance and finish.

Goods that are unsafe are said to be of ‘substantial failure’ and the consumer has the right to reject the goods. To remedy the situation the consumer may choose a repair, replacement, or a full refund."

Here is a screenshot of a defective computer that Apple provided that is not 'fit for purpose', i.e. that is supposed to run software and display the information on a screen. (For a reasonable time = durability)

From Apple's own website:

For goods, there is a serious failure to comply with a consumer guarantee when:

• You would not have purchased the product if you had known about the problem. (A 3 year life span ONLY? - my note)
• The product is significantly different from the description, sample or demonstration model you were shown.
• The product is substantially unfit for its normal purpose and cannot easily be made fit within a reasonable time. (Obvious from this thread - my note)
• The product is substantially unfit for a purpose that you told the supplier about, and cannot easily be made fit within a reasonable time.
• The product is unsafe.

I have also since replaced my charger unit on this machine because it frayed (as per other threads) and was unsafe.

Apple's own standards condemn their current behaviour to charge users to fix their own machines, and then offer a solution which works only for a limited time.

Many thanks, your friendly 'internet noise', and fellow Apple user.

Following up on my post from above.

Update

• Still currently running "discrete" only via gfxCardStatus
• Monitoring temp using smcFanControl set to default speeds for now, temp usually about ~140 F while web browsing
• Using a "standing desk" rack shelving configuration... I stand while working (health benefits) and it gives it more airflow (see pic below)

So far, I've only experienced one subsequent graphics card crash.

Rebooted and has been working for weeks OK.

It might be only a matter of time until it crashes again, but sharing above in case helps others temporarily.

jamesfromnorthampton if you choose to have your logic board replaced, in case Apple launches a replacement program in the future they would give your money back (I was told this by the guy at Apple who phoned me yesterday). In your case I believe the best thing is:

1. Make sure someone "important" at Apple is informed about your issue. When you go back to the store you could ask to talk to the manager or make sure they communicate this to someone in Apple Headquarters: this is a common problem and we want Apple to know it. The previous answer by Hal Feldman has very good advice.
2. Keep your receipt for the repair and stay informed about Apple replacement programs (http://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/). In case Apple launches one you would need to contact them to have your money back (so the receipt would be required, I guess).

Hi MBP users,

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

cheers

Hi MBP users,

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

cheers

More and more I am convinced, that this issue with GPU on 2011 MBPs is not just in bad solder under GPU.

What about solder under CPU, what about SMC chip and Vcore chip?

Please read post from jensgoehler here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=1815&tstart=0

He had problems also with those chips. I got reballed GPU once and next time under warranty (6 months) replaced GPU with new one and both fixes lasted for a bit more than a month. Second time I didn't get warranty due to some problems with logic board.

Servis center: MJ-Ccmputer, Wuppertal, Germany

Starting in Verbose mode, I get very similar to this:

SMC::smcInitHelper ERROR: MMIO regMap == NULL - fall back to old SMC mode

SMC::smcInitHelper ERROR: MMIO regMap == NULL - fall back to old SMC mode

SMC::smcReadKeyAction ERROR: smcReadData8 failed for key B0OS (kSMCKeyNotFound)

I think, these 2011 MBPs are total junk for more than 2000$, BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW UNLESS BUY AND TRY.

AMD started to produce new series of faulty chips, wonder why. And when asking seller what about this new chips: "they do not overheat as much as old ones..."

I am tired of reading this discussion, I am just getting angrier every time.

And to share with you my observation about switching to discrete.

Snow Leopard switches to discrete when:

• open Chrome
• open InDesign (CS6)
• open Illustrator (CS6)
• open Photoshop (CS6)
• in Safari when streaming videos
• sometimes just randomly

Mavericks:

• open Photoshop
• open InDesign
• Logic Pro X

Yosemite (PB):

• I get graphic glitches only to switch from one state to another (gfxCardStatus)
• didn't try to install any programs yet

And I use gfx v2.2.1 - it allows to have always on integrated (on battery or Plugged in)

Hi 15-inch MBP late 2011 owners,

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

cheers

Hi 15-inch MBP late 2011 owners,

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

cheers

Hello everybody. Even though it is nice to have some people to share our frustration (and advice) with, I believe that in this moment what we need is to report to Apple every affected 2011 MBP, and this can only be done through an Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Center. Posting on this forums is not a reliable reporting method (Apple won't give credit to it and, even though it is clear there is a big problem, it is also clear that this is not a reliable method of knowing how many people are affected by the issue).

I am going to paste an old post I wrote in this thread 4 months ago with some suggestions:

• Make sure someone "important" at Apple is informed about your issue. When you go back to the store you could ask to talk to the manager or make sure they communicate this to someone in Apple Headquarters: this is a common problem and we want Apple to know it. A previous answer by Hal Feldman has very good advice (pasted below too).
• Keep your receipt for the repair and stay informed about Apple replacement programs (http://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/). In case Apple launches one you would need to contact them to have your money back (so the receipt would be required, I guess).

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This is a very helpful summary by Hal Feldman (posted 4 months ago), kudos to him:

Issue Facts

1) This is NOT software related.

2) This is an issue created with many heating/cooling cycles of your MacBook Pro that results in deterioration of the solder holding the discreet GPU to the logic board.

3) This is a design flaw since the machine produces more heat than it can reasonably dissipate.

4) Users who tax their machine on a regular basis are more likely to expose this design fault than those whoa re casual users.

There is a piece of software call (gfxCardStatus) that IF YOU CAN BOOT your MBP can be used to try to force the integrated graphics and avoid the issue from occurring. HOWEVER, if you use an external display with your MBP, you are ALWAYS using the discreet GPU and therefore can't use this software. Also, the integrated graphics card much slower and some software won't operate (correctly) when forced to used the integrated GPU.

Apple's only official repair is a replacement of the logic board. This will give you a "fresher" set of solder points, although some suggest these boards are refurbished.

Third-parties will offer reballing (REPLACEMENT of the solder points) or reflowing (re-melting of the solder points). Both are likely better "repairs" than the logic board swap (because so many users have mutilple swaps and failures), HOWEVER, Apple will likely not support machines that have been altered by others.

While this thread is an excellent exchange of information, it is MORE IMPORTANT to create a case with Apple and get a case # with your machine's serial number attached. Apple is "investigating" and can only use officially registered cases to decide on a more global course of action. P.S.- The Apple Store Geniuses are the first line of defense and are at a pay-grade below where this issue is being investigated. If you go to the Apple Store, BE SURE TO CALL OR EMAIL INTO APPLE CORPORATE, so that the case is escalated and tracked.

Hi MBP users,

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

cheers