VOSTRO 1400 nvidia GPU issue (pic)

The new replacement Geforce GPU's are not faulty.
They probably didn't put new thermal pads/paste correctly, or did not even bother to change it... overtime it can cause heat issue to a point of even braking the processors (GPU in your case). This occurs by having air somewhere between the heatsink and processor (for instance some corner of the processor is not covered), and a heat bubble forms damaging that side of the processor, or can also pop (air pressure release), which breaks out completely the bond between the heatsink and thermal paste.

You might now ask.. "if it was a heat bubble of sorts as you say" how come the sensor didn't pick it up?". Let me explain the best I can. The temperature that forms in that bubble might not be enough to actually push the GPU to such high temperature where the sensor detects it and execute it's shutdown or down-clock procedure to prevent GPU damage. But it is enough that during expenditure of the silicon due to temperature change, creates micro cracks in the silicon which breaks a part of the GPU, as the GPU doesn't have a uniform temperature. It's kinda like when you have a hot drinking glass and you put it under very cold water from the tap. The glass will crack where the cold water hits. Silicon is obviously more resistant to this, but over a long period of time.. it can crack.

Of course, I can only guess here. I don't have an X-Ray machine let a lone your GPU to examine my claim.

I always carry a tube of thermal paste, which I use anytime the heatsink is remove from a processor. In the case of my laptop, I had my base replaced, which mean the heatsink was removed and put back (I have next business day onsite service, and the tech didn't have a new heatsink or thermal pads/paste with him). As soon as he was done, I gave a call to Dell to replace the thermal pads/paste due to overheating. And sure enough, the laptop was 15C higher when idle.. where the fan was running at full blast even on battery (my laptop NEVER had the fan kick in on battery when idle). Dell sent me a technician the next day with a new heatsink which had thermal pads on them already. Since the replacement, my laptop temperature was like when my laptop was new (normal).

Of course, when you apply thermal paste or use a new pad, make sure to clean the processor form the old stuff first with rubbing alcohol 70% of more using a something that doesn't leave any particles on it's way, like a good quality cotton swab. Never touch the processor with your hands, as you'll leave oil and other unwanted particles on it.

 

WoW great explanation.. rep added!

 

you can use i8kfanGUI to manually control the fan speed Great tool!

 

Read through the thread and seems that I'm having the same problem with my laptop. The screen is the same. Sometimes it's like normal and sometimes it's not. I re-installed and uninstalled the graphics driver and it seemed to fix the problem temporarily. The laptop even gave me a BSOD after installing a new driver and trying to log into Windows. The temps were hovering around 55 ~ 60 at idle. The most I use the laptop is for watching movies or surfing the net. I wonder if Dell would still fix this laptop and if it would cost me anything since it's a known problematic gpu that we're dealing with.

 

Yes! they ll fix it even if u are not in the warrenty period.. this is a known GPU issue. and many faced the same thing.
They fixed mine and many others..
This problem even occured to HP models with the same GPU.

 

I just called Dell to ask them about this and they said that since I'm out of the warranty period and also the extended warranty period for this particular model, I'd still need to renew my warranty to get it fixed. Is this really the case?

 

http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/...nvidia-gpu-update-for-dell-laptop-owners.aspx
try to read that.
Most reps doesnt no abt this issue. Dell agreed to fix this for free even if u ran out of warranty period.


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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FPI9akHkOs
check tht vid and links on the sidebar... I added info over there long ago.. shud be useful
http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/...ment-to-all-affected-customers-worldwide.aspx

 

Not if you have an Nvidia. 8400 or an 8600. Warranty should've been extended to another 3 years just for the graphics card

 

I know about fixing the laptop while it's out of warranty but I called and the CS told me that I was out of ORIGINAL warranty and EXTENDED warranty.

Seriously? When I talked to them earlier, all they were concerned about was renewing the warranty. Sheesh.

 

It's ok, you have some poeple that are more concern in their sales number than client satisfaction. These are the new employees, also they don't have a well knowledge of the system, and what can be done or not. I say try again during business hours, and see from there.