Macbook Pro Retina (2012) defective graphics chip (GPU panic) - discussing options

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Macbook Pro Retina (2012) defective graphics chip (GPU panic) - discussing options

Hello community,

My mid-2012 15" Macbook Pro Retina with full specs (i7 4x2.6Ghz, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD) has a defective GPU as ascertained in an Apple Store today. Difficulties waking up from sleep plus sudden crashes to a black screen while just browsing in Safari, both occurrences necessitating a hard reboot, marked the last days and my vain attempts to salvage the machine and eliminate all alternative causes. I don't know if this is a coincidence, but the trouble began with the installation of the latest High Sierra 10.13.4 update.

Apple have quoted me the equivalent of USD 795 including taxes for the replacement of the logic board. At least where I live, it was interesting to discover that Authorised Apple Partners charged about USD 150 more for the same service, plus charge you for the diagnosis if you don't go through with the repair, which Apple doesn't.

A non-Apple partner third-party repair shop quoted me USD 430 for the replacement of the GPU alone, leaving the rest of the logic board as is.

A used machine of my vintage costs >USD 1000 where I live, and it could very well have the same weakness.

I am now weighing my options and welcome any thoughts you may have.

On the one hand, I could use the ~USD 800 towards a brand new machine, which, however, with similar specs would cost >USD 3000; and continuing to invest in an almost 6 years old machine puts me at risk of other components failing, notably the LCD, although mine looks fine so far, just exhibiting the odd dead pixel.

On the other hand, I am still satisfied with my Mac's performance - it still feels quite fluid to work with it. From the outside, my machine is in mint condition. The battery including the upper part of the aluminium body have just been replaced by Apple last year.

Comparing the Apple and third-party repair options above, I don't know what you think, but I'd rather go with the Apple option as I would get a brand new logic board, eliminating the risk of further possible failures.

Running Cinebench on the machine, I was alarmed to see that temps of the CPU and GPU easily exceeded 100°C (212°F) before it crashed. Is this normal for this model? Perhaps the thermal paste is not good anymore, which would speak in a favor of a full replacement of the logic board.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS High Sierra (10.13.4), Mid-2012, 2.6Ghz, 16GB, 512GB SSD

Posted on Apr 13, 2018 5:22 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

140,261 points

Apr 13, 2018 11:45 AM in response to Xerberus

That issue has been far less of a problem with 2012 models, but was a possible issue in the 2011 models, and the 2010 models had a vexing graphics issue with a different cause. This is a possible work-around:

Install gfxCardStatus (https://gfx.io) and set it to "i" (integrated graphics only). It will allow your MBP to run on integrated graphics only, bypassing the discrete GPU which has the issues. This may allow your MBP to run normally, although it will have reduced graphics performance when permforming demanding graphics tasks. The alternative is replacing the logic board, which is not cost effective on a machine that old, unless gfx does not resolve the issue and you really want to keep this MBP.

There is an acknowledged bug in the current version of Cody Kreiger's Open-Source gfxcardstatus, and the developer has confessed he does not have time to fix it right now.

There is a fork off the main build by steveschow available that seems to fix that problem for current versions of MacOS such as ElCapitan and Sierra. He provides a finished .app for direct download -- you do not have to compile anything.

https://github.com/steveschow/gfxCardStatus/releases

Also note that if your Mac does not run long enough to allow gfxcardstatus to be added, this is not really practical.

In addition, Steve Schow writes that he has abandoned further development -- because there are better solutions available [for both the 2010 model and 2011 models]. In particular, the use of ArchLinux bootable CD to gain access to and re-write the EFI on the drive, and permanently disable the discrete graphics chip. This page and scroll down past the list to the blog:

https://github.com/steveschow/gfxCardStatus

there are two similar procedure listed. I used the second from MacRumors as it seemed easier. I have made the Arch Linux bootable CD on another Mac, and tried this approach. I now have a perfectly-functioning MacBook Pro late 2011 15-in model with Discrete Graphics disabled. Runs just fine.

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Answer 2

Xerberus Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 13, 2018 11:45 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Unfortunately, quite often, the Mac does not reach the desktop and the screen goes black before login.

And is it known if that solution would work with a 2012 Retina?

The Arch Linux route is not known to work either on my model.

The bottom line is I am not sure that it's not cost effective to have the chip or logic board replaced and will give it more thought.

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Macbook Pro Retina (2012) defective graphics chip (GPU panic) - discussing options

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