Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Done!

For those who have received logic board replacements, how are you protecting yourself now?

And, does using the MBP in clamshell mode with an external monitor avoid these problems?  Or will the GPU still die?

What I've done:

-- Installed SMCFanControl.  If the temperature rises above 50º C, I crank up the fans to 5800+rpm.  But I don't what the temperature danger zones are. Does anyone here know?

-- Installed GFXCard Status so I can see what card is being used.

-- In System Pref > Energy Save, disabled the automatic graphics switching.

But, the thing is I need the higher end graphics card to do video editing and Adobe Photoshop.  If using an external monitor will help, I will get one.

Meanwhile, Intel's processor speed and development is stagnating as they focus more on mobile products. It's not worth buying Apple's new laptops since they're not a significant leap in speed (and they don't have 17" screens).

Here's what I'm doing to protect myself:

1) I'm running a fan speed controller to increase the fan speed proportionally to the temperature of the graphics card and processor (i.e, when they're cold, I don't care. When they get a LITTLE hot, it jumps up to 2k RPMs. When it gets a little warmer than that, it goes full blast)

2) I'm replacing the thermal paste tonight with Antec Formula 7. Tests show it transfers heat better than Arctic Silver even though every bone in my body says that AS5 is the best of the best of the best. Alas, statistics and chemistry don't lie.

3) I'm NOT using gfxCardStatus. The reason is because I want it to switch as much as possible in this 90 day period. Overnight I'm going to have it run a hard graphics benchmark and turn off about two hours before I wake up. This way it transitions overnight every night. I want the sucker to break. I want to get to the third time and say, "Look... this isn't working, obviously...", and hope like many others they throw me a 2013 model.

As far as running it with the screen closed, that won't make a difference other than lowering the power draw on the battery. If anything it'll force the GPU to run fulltime because it switches to the dGPU any time there's an external display connected. If you're looking for long life, that isn't the advised way to go.

After months of working around the problem...I finally buckled in and took it to apple and got a new logic board. I've only had it for an hour so far...but things seem to be back to normal...only problem so far is that now when I try to hook it up to an external monitor my macbook doesn't recongize that it's connected to anything

I would take it back...do not settle for anything but perfect when you fork over the money for apple to replace something. I am still waiting/deciding what I am going to do with my macbook. I bit the bullet and bought a retina. I am half tempted to take my problem 2011 macbook in to apple and do the $310 repair. I would then proceed to run it into the ground as far as graphics intense operations. I would run apple tv mirroring (which currently doesnt work and triggers the GPU freeze) Run a few adobe suite apps, autocad, and movies over external display. If it passes those tests for a few weeks... I sell it on craigslist.

Yeah I think i will do just that..in fact im sure. Will be headed back up the in the morning!

Did you force your computer to run under the intergrated graphic card?

I have found that when I force my mac to run under the integrated card with the gfxcardstatus program, it runs much more stable. However randomly, when I open my mac up and try to wake it, (not all the time) it doesnt wake up. The sleep light comes on when I close it and goes off when I open it but that is it, black screen otherwise. In some instances I have let it sit at the black screen. After about 10 minutes +, I will hear the reboot chime and the computer reboots. Every time this happens, it boots into the purple horizontal lined apple boot logo that we are all dealing with, and then hangs at grey screen. Such an unstable piece of crap. Always seems to happen when I am in the middle of a project or when I really need to finish something. Apple can't keep avoiding this. Everyone please keep voicing your frustrations!

Does anybody based  in London know a good place to get the GPU replaced or reballed and a rough cost?

Thanks!!

Not in London, but in the UK.

Clinton

EDIT: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Macbook-Pro-A1297-820-2914-A-17-2011-Logic-Board-R epair-New-GPU-Reball-/291051512404?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&ha sh=item43c405a254

Message was edited by: clintonfrombirmingham

<E-mail Edited by Host>

Update to my case:

Took my MBP to the Apple Store in Glasgow (UK) yesterday and had a chat with one of the techs. After running some diagntostic tools he confirmed it was a GPU issue and booked it in for a repair (total cost £416.40). Thermal issues were also mentioned as a likely cause. I mentioned EU warranties (in Scotland consumers are protected by a 5 year warranty on electricals) and he agreed it would most likely be repaired under this, with new parts guaranteed for 3 months. The logic was in stock and is ready for collection today (less than 24hrs, excellent job Apple Store Glasgow!). Also looks like it has been a free repair.

As with other responses above I'll be stress-testing the new graphics card with my external monitor in the first few weeks!

No..i'm allowing it to run normally..I have GFXCard running just for observation purposes. Should I do that? Would it help with my External monitor problem?

I used a place in london, they have reflowed the GPU for £160 (quoted initially 180) 90day warranty & said if that fails they will change the GPU for an extra £90, it is behaving well & running much cooler than before. Very good service. Done in 1 day!

Laptech London,144 Tanner Street (opposite 1 Jamaica rd), Tower Bridge, London SE1 2HG, 0207 2523553

I have been running my mbp 17 in windows & mac using various programs that stress the machine. It has been 1 month so far & so good.I do use macs fan control to monitor the temp in both mac & windows. Bootcamp runs hotter without it but all running cooler than before.

I give up hope of Apple sorting this for us, they no longer care about their old customers, rather prefer to chase new customers in new markets like China for easy money. You only need to see the larger discussion "Macbook Pro Retina display burn-in" which has 9373 replies & no response from Apple.

Pity , my old MBP 17" 2009 model is still great......but that was when other people who cared about the company ran it!

Oh, MPB needs the ATI graphic card to drive the external monitor. So, if you forced your computer to run under the intergrated graphic card, the external mointor will not work.

woodyphoto wrote:

 

New tactic in addition to signing the petition/emailing tim cook and getting the phone call from apple and registering the issue as well as visiting the "genius" bars...

 

Tweet tim cook! tweets dont have to be rude, just mention early 2011 MBP and discrete GPU.

We have to force Apple to respond as they don't seem to be acting like the Apple of old.

 

https://twitter.com/tim_cook

 

add the hashtag

#whatwouldstevejobsdo

 

Don't spectate from the sidelines and expect anything to happen. We paid alot for these machines,  we expect high end customer service or at least a sorry and an effort to make amends. As the consumers who bhelped build this empire we deserve a satisfactory resolution and respectful engagement from Apple, not radio silence.

This is a great idea. I have tweeted @tim_cook with the hashtag #whatwouldstevejobsdo, and noticed a few others have now too. This is unacceptable.