Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Hi again,

Plea to all techies out there.

I have a partitioned disk running OS X 10.9.1 and 10.6.7 (see my earlier post, I describe everything I have tried). Both systems say they are running SMC Version 1.70f6. Yesterday I installed Maxon’s CINEBENCH R15 (free precision performance testing of processors and graphics cards) and ran OpenGL tests on both. My intention was to see how long before the machine crashed, which it did after a while in Mavericks. The readings I got back on both were (several runs):

• OS X 10.9.1

• OS X 10.6.7 gives constant readings in the 28fps range

Does this imply that more recent OS X versions place more strain on the dGPU?

Would reinstalling OS X 10.6.8 help (older SMC version)?

Also could some of the early posts let us know how they got on, do they now have a fully functioning MBP?

I would be very grateful for any constructive advice.

Many thanks!

Yesterday I picked up my MBP from the Apple Store in Amsterdam.

The logic  board had been replaced for free, outside of Apple Care (after emailing to tcook[at]apple[dot]com).
I started it up and the screen now showed strange red graphical artifacts, pixels glowing red within brown and purple parts of photos for example. Immediately handed it back in again, now awaiting the second replacement.

I’m not sure why text keeps disappearing from my posts but I’ll try again:

Plea to all techies out there.

I have a partitioned disk running OS X 10.9.1 and 10.6.7 (see my earlier post, I describe everything I have tried). Both systems say they are running SMC Version 1.70f6. Yesterday I installed Maxon’s CINEBENCH R15 (free precision performance testing of processors and graphics cards) and ran OpenGL tests on both. My intention was to see how long before the machine crashed, which it did after a while in Mavericks. The readings I got back on both were (several runs):

• OS X 10.9.1 gives constant readings in the 35fps range

• OS X 10.6.7 gives constant readings in the 28fps range

Does this imply that more recent OS X versions place more strain on the dGPU?

Would reinstalling OS X 10.6.8 help (older SMC version)?

Also could some of the early posts let us know how they got on, do they now have a fully functioning MBP?

I would be very grateful for any constructive advice.

Many thanks!

I wrote a letter to Tim Cooks e-mail, describing this problem and gave a link to this thread. Of course, my letter was redirected to Apple care (in Irelend).

Yesterday I received a call that Apple thouroghly investigated this problem and decided, that it is NOT Apples fault. So, they gently asked to pay for logic board replacement.

No more hope!

Farewell Apple! No more products from you.

Apple is dead for me

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2011/03/22/is-the-2011-macbook-pro-overheating

http://mbp-freeze.wikispaces.com/

It seems, to me, that Mavericks speeds up the degradation of the soldering or the degradation of the dGPU. Why? Probably because there is a problem with either the soldering or the GPU and, since the OS uses a lot more the GPU it makes those problems appear.

The fact that there were multiple similar problems prior to Mavericks says that it's not dependent of the OS. The fact that there was a major bulk of problems appearing AFTER users update to Mavericks, also says that the OS speeds up the problem

But in the end, the problem is/was still there before the OS upgrade.

As for fixing everything with a downgrade of OS. Well, if there is already a damaged GPU, i'm afraid that it wont solve anything. It might make it last more time, but it will, eventually show up. If the GPU isn't damaged yet, i guess it's a matter of luck. If your laptop is one of the unlucky ones, the problem will show up eventually.

But in the end, those are only assumptions. Only Apple and AMD will know for sure.

Richard III wrote:

 

Hi again,

Plea to all techies out there.

I have a partitioned disk running OS X 10.9.1 and 10.6.7 (see my earlier post, I describe everything I have tried). Both systems say they are running SMC Version 1.70f6. Yesterday I installed Maxon’s CINEBENCH R15 (free precision performance testing of processors and graphics cards) and ran OpenGL tests on both. My intention was to see how long before the machine crashed, which it did after a while in Mavericks. The readings I got back on both were (several runs):

• OS X 10.9.1

• OS X 10.6.7 gives constant readings in the 28fps range

Does this imply that more recent OS X versions place more strain on the dGPU?

Would reinstalling OS X 10.6.8 help (older SMC version)?

Also could some of the early posts let us know how they got on, do they now have a fully functioning MBP?

I would be very grateful for any constructive advice.

Many thanks!

I never upgraded from 10.6.8, and still have the problem.  On a side note my MBP should be back from the depot today or tomorrow.  Will let everyone know the results.

Itzatez wrote:

 

If the GPU isn't damaged yet, i guess it's a matter of luck. If your laptop is one of the unlucky ones, the problem will show up eventually.

 

But in the end, those are only assumptions. Only Apple and AMD will know for sure.

Itzates, the GPU isn't damaged or the problem itself imo.

As I wrote here allready:

https://discussions.apple.com/message/24161788#24161788

"It's not about the solder getting 150c to melt.

If it's not an intern GPU fault, it's prbabably bad soldering of the BGA.

Not all balls got fully liquidus or long enough TAL, not giving a 100% soldered connection.

It makes contact but is not really soldered, doesn't havea  real intermetallic bond.

More "glued" instead of soldered.

It's the mechanical stress caused by heating/cooling cycles, making it expand and contract.

Breaking the "glued"  connection, like the head-in-pillow photo posted."

Still stick with that (I do BGa repairs)

You can have a point that Mavericks uses the GPU more = more heat resulting in faster failing.

But if it is bound to fail, it will even without upgrading to Mavericks.

Late 2011 17' model... Screen jittering up whenever graphics heavy applications are launched. Currently using gfxcardstatus, cannot use external display.

Apple needs to fix this, or at least come up with temporary remedy that disables the faulty graphic card and allow external video output from integrated graphics

There have been reports of people getting brand new MacBooks after enough logic board replacements, right?

I already purchased a touchscreen HP Envy that is more powerful and half the price of my MPB. Current plan is to pay the flat fee repair over and over until they give me a new MPB and then sell it. I'm done with Apple.

When the last Apple drops, I've already found my 'dream machine;' -> http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_info&model_name=NP9390-S.

Clinton

I received a call from Apple in response to the email I sent to Tim Cook. I had a good talk with the rep there about the most productive way for all of us to make Apple aware of our problems.

1. Call Applecare, use their new Live Chat, see a Genius at a retail store, or visit an authorized service provider.

2. Describe the problems you're having and provide your serial number. You should not need to pay for support to simply report the issue, even if you're out of warranty.

They use a very data-driven system to make decisions about out-of-warranty repair programs. If they don't have the data, they certainly won't do anything for us. Please follow the steps above to ensure that we get as much data into their system as possible!

Same Problem here in Vienna.

MBP aerly 2011 - add me to the list.

Deactivated the AMD kext - now it is posible to start

but not convenient to work.

Came anybody explain this:

why can the 13" MBP 2011  drive an external Monitor just with the intergrated intel HD3000.

the same should be possible for the 15" MBP 2011 with deactivated AMD grafics.

any ideas????

Does anyone have an idea why a replacement logic board dies after just two days? I mean, shouldn't it last at least a few months after the first GPU survived 2 1/2 years SL, Lion, ML and Mavericks?