If you own a MacBook Pro with a 2007 or 2008 model, you may be familiar with the issue of unrevised Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT chips failing. These chips have different variants and VRAM. However, there are a few steps you can take to temporarily prevent failure:
Firstly, it is recommended to install Macs Fan Control and maximize the fans constantly to lower the risk of failure. This will also help reduce the heat differences that the GPU experiences. Additionally, cleaning the computer and replacing its thermal paste is highly recommended.
Another preventive measure is to turn on “Automatically Restart After Power Failure” in the Energy Saver settings of System Preferences. This will help prevent the GPU from cooling down too much in case of accidental power failures.
To ensure the longevity of your MacBook Pro, you will need a functioning battery that can last about 30 minutes under load and a few hours in sleep mode or a charger. By putting the computer to sleep instead of completely shutting it down, you can avoid heavy heat cycles that can cause the paste under the GPU die to fail. Leaving the computer in sleep mode maintains a temperature of around 40°C, which is not cool enough for the GPU to fail again.
If the battery discharges or the computer is shut down, there is a chance that the GPU will fail. However, by utilizing the sleep mode method, you can likely extend the life of your MacBook Pro.
Alternatively, you can choose to never put the computer to sleep, which reduces the risk of heat cycling even further. However, putting the computer to sleep is considered a good enough compromise as it saves power while still preventing GPU failure.
These tips can help you avoid the notorious issue of Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT chip failure in MacBook Pro models from 2007 and 2008.
