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    Planning to get last gen macbook pro

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by ThatOnePerson, Feb 27, 2010.

  1. ThatOnePerson

    ThatOnePerson Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm planning to get an older macbook pro (w/silver keys) on craigslist. However I'm worried that the gpu will fail and there is no more apple care on most of them
    Is the gpu failure problem a big issue with macbook pros? The dell xps forum seems to show alot of people with failed gpus. If I buy a macbook pro will it just be a ticking time bomb? thank in advance
     
    ThatOnePerson, Feb 27, 2010
    #1
  2. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    That depends on when it is manufactured (supposedly). Then again no body except for Nvidia knows the true extend of the issue. If you buy anything with a 8600mGT you take the risk. Do you do anything in particular that will stress the GPU?
     
    Johnny T, Feb 27, 2010
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  3. ThatOnePerson

    ThatOnePerson Notebook Enthusiast

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    I was planning to install w7 and do some light gaming. So it's going to fail one day or another?
     
    ThatOnePerson, Feb 27, 2010
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  4. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Those failures are mostly triggered by constant GPU thermal cycles. Meaning constant heating and cooling (with a big margin between max and normal temp). Some people's have yet to fail after 3 years, some failed in 6 months. It's hard to say, there is no definitive answer unfortunately.
     
    Johnny T, Feb 27, 2010
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  5. ThatOnePerson

    ThatOnePerson Notebook Enthusiast

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    I was looking through these forums and I saw people replacing the thermal grease with Arctic Silver. Would that resolve the problem?
     
    ThatOnePerson, Feb 27, 2010
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  6. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The problem is with the actual chip, not a cooling system issue. It might help reduce the temperature, but again, it's the fluctuation in temp thats the problem.
     
    Johnny T, Feb 27, 2010
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  7. the caveman

    the caveman Notebook Consultant

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    Arctic Silver will help GPU run little cooler. But it will still fail, because the issue is with bonding material that nvidia used on g84-g86 cores. I have Santa Rosa 2.4 ghz model that i bought in 2007, it was running lik a champ until month ago. Apple replaced Logic board free of charge. i hope this time around GPU will last little longer.
     
    the caveman, Feb 27, 2010
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  8. ThatOnePerson

    ThatOnePerson Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok thanks everyone
     
    ThatOnePerson, Feb 27, 2010
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  9. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    my opinion- those thing are ticking time bombs.
     
    masterchef341, Mar 1, 2010
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  10. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    What you could do it get one with the ati x1600. I would also advise you not to get the one with the nvidia 8 series chip.
     
    Luke1708, Mar 2, 2010
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  11. lokster

    lokster Notebook Deity

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    thats tough, i was about to buy that one, with the 8600gt, meh, im happy i can play homeworld 2 on mine.

    Dont go for the old macbook pro with the silver keys, i went to the apple store the other day and the guy turned his in with the battery all puffed up. its not just the video card but the batteries too
     
    lokster, Mar 2, 2010
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  12. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    your much better off buying an older 9400M+9600GT combo... especially if your going to use Windows, that 8600 just wont last.
     
    doh123, Mar 2, 2010
    #12