Forums | MacLife

Wow, combined with the whole HDCP debacle and the crappy quality LCD and the MacBooks aren't looking that great anymore.

Is this just the integrated chip in the MacBooks, or is the 9600M in the MacBook Pro affected as well?

knobtwirler wrote:

I'm thinking that to have that integrated video card work so hard it goes into overload, that's just stressing the machine beyond what it was meant to do.

No.

The GPU is only capable of consuming a finite amount of power, and generating a finite amount of heat - this is determined by the voltage, number of transistors, process size, and operating frequency (MHz) among other things. It will consume up to that amount under normal use if it has data to process, and very few games on the market wouldn't require the full computational capacity of the integrated GPU. The thermal specs of the chipset are, of course, provided to companies that buy them and make motherboards with them... like Apple. But the chip won't produce more heat than that known maximum amount unless one of the operating parameters are changed - like if you goose the voltage or overclock it.

Therefore, something about the case design is such that the GPU (well, really the chipset, since it's still an integrated GPU) isn't getting enough cooling (which also doesn't make a lot of sense, since the macbooks are made from a solid aluminum block, which should give Apple's designers incredible opportunities. The smurfer is one giant heat sink.)

I would almost be unsurprised if it turned out to be defective chips from nVidia, but my cynical half and previous experience are telling me that Apple could make a refrigerator that overheated under normal use.

dvpierce wrote:

I would almost be unsurprised if it turned out to be defective chips from nVidia, but my cynical half and previous experience are telling me that Apple could make a refrigerator that overheated under normal use.

I'm sure they'll get the kinks worked out and then they'll decide it time for a redesign.

Both of which have the same integrated 9400M chip but I think the real question is on the MBP is the problem limited to the integrated chip or does it affect the 9600M as well as the 9400M.

dvpierce wrote:

But the chip won't produce more heat than that known maximum amount unless one of the operating parameters are changed - like if you goose the voltage or overclock it.

Something NV's been noted for in the past, esp. if something doesn't come up to snuff as spec'ed &/or to better compete with AMD/ATi, who also have a fine core logic set with good integrated graphics (compared to Intel).

Therefore, something about the case design is such that the GPU (well, really the chipset, since it's still an integrated GPU) isn't getting enough cooling (which also doesn't make a lot of sense, since the macbooks are made from a solid aluminum block, which should give Apple's designers incredible opportunities. The smurfer is one giant heat sink.)

Yet it's fan-cooled, and heat in the customer's lap may've been a consideration. And the case isn't exactly finned, corrugated or otherwise made to increase surface area- it'd mar the appearance.

[Gizmodo] I've also read the posts suggesting this is a thermal issue but I got screen noise/distortion when just waking the machine from sleep and also monitored the fans while playing WoW and they were running at 6000+ rpm consistently.

That fan is at max rpm constantly during WoW, and even that may not be enough. Perhaps a beefier fan would make the diff.

I would almost be unsurprised if it turned out to be defective chips from nVidia, but my cynical half and previous experience are telling me that Apple could make a refrigerator that overheated under normal use.

Bears watching.

ScifiterX wrote:

Both of which have the same integrated 9400M chip but I think the real question is on the MBP is the problem limited to the integrated chip or does it affect the 9600M as well as the 9400M.

It does require a reboot (or suchlike interruption) to change chips- but WoW sessions are typically hours long. One would have to be ignorant of the 9600 to not switch to it during gaming, and the more powerful chip makes more heat.

macmenace wrote:

I had a big problem with my new Macbook Pro where it would do a complete lock up in Windows Vista, 32-Bit and 64-Bit every 2-3 hours. Hundreds of users on apple discussions also had this issue.

The fix is to download new beta drivers for the 9600. It works perfectly now.

I've also never had a lock up on the Mac side. So, I'm not sure about that issue.

Apparently many have, but this is all preliminary. Interesting anecdote tho... have you tried purposely stressing the video in OSX?

Why Apple keeps insisting on making their laptops a thin as possible is really starting to irritate me.  Is another 1/8" - 2/8" really that big of a deal if it means you can cool the stuff properly.

This would put the hurt on Captain "All-luminium" and his recent keynote touting the superior nature of the new design.

If these parts really get that hot, then how the hell does Dell get away with putting all that stuff in a modified tupperware container.

-mark

Bat wrote:

Apparently many have, but this is all preliminary. Interesting anecdote tho... have you tried purposely stressing the video in OSX?

My Macbook Pro does it when playing Left 4 Dead too. And it's the 8600M GT.

I used to want my 'Books ever smaller, now I'm lustin' after a 17" MBP. But I still want it thin and light. Just leaves more room for other stuff and means less schlepppin'.

.tsooJ

Well the problem is that they keep making them slightly thinner; when if they just kept them the same size, it would be easier to fit a adequate fan mechanism inside.  The pre glossy 15"/17" models were perfectly fine size wise.

I would easily give up another 1/8" if it meant the overall computer ran way cooler.

As it stands now; Apple may have to recall them if it turns out to be a hardware problem.

-mark

Yeah but I think we can conveniently ignore that fact if true since it make the complaints harder to defend.

I have no issue with thinner but I think thinner and more powerful are outpacing cooler and lower power requirements especially when it comes to GPU technology.

as far as i can find Vista has issues with Nvida as well. I have an expensive HP for work and it is incapable of running a video without the screen going crazy and locking up.

I was going to build a PC with a Nvida card maybe I will give ATI a try.