GPU failure on 15" T42/T43 - how frequent?

[dr_st]

From some reason the various data points assembled here lead be to believe that for some unknown reason, the GPU failure is less frequent on the 15" T42/T43 than on their 14" counterparts (at least for the T42, since for the T43 the issue is noticeably less common to begin with).

Can anyone contribute here. Has anyone seen a 15" T42/T42p/T43/T43p fail with the ATI GPU issue? For those who have had experience with many Thinkpads - do you feel it happens more/less/same than on a 14" system?

[lophiomys]

I own 3x T42p UXGA, one of which failed with the GPU loosing its soldering connections.
It was showing up instantly during hard typing, otherwise erraticly.
This very machhine was out of warranty, so I baked it in the oven, and it's fine now.
(The other two machines of these three machines where having degrading UXGA
LCD Panels, which were replaced under warranty only with subsantial troubles.)
I do not have any experiences with 14" models to compare with, as they do not offer Flexview screens.
HTH
/L

[sjthinkpader]

The GPU detaching issue is generally attributed to MB flex and thermal cycling.

The 15 inch chassis is built with an one piece keyboard bezel thus a little stronger as well as more owners were using them as desktop replacement instead of carrying it around. So 15 inch models should have less chance of flex damage.

The possibility of damage from thermal cycles should be about the same between 15 and 14 inch chassis. But highend models have more powerful GPU and owners may have ran more graphics intensive application. So they may sustained more severe thermal cycles. For instance, my T42p (FireGL T2, UXGA) is mostly running around 45 deg C and up to 60 deg C once in a while. It should last longer than one that ran 45 deg C to 70 deg C several cycles daily.

Lastly, a new MB is always preferred as they have sustained zero thermal cycles. In the same vein, an almost new KB in a used computer may indicate little use thus smaller numbers of thermal cycles. My work T41 failed due to GPU detachment and I estimated it sustained about 1500 thermal cycles. It was a Radeon 9000 SXGA+ 14 inch model.

[ajkula66]

dr_st wrote:

Has anyone seen a 15" T42/T42p/T43/T43p fail with the ATI GPU issue? For those who have had experience with many Thinkpads - do you feel it happens more/less/same than on a 14" system?

Yes, I've seen a few of these, more on T42/p than on T43/p and they're definitely less common on 15" units...

I'm not sure that I can fully explain why, but some of my guesses would include:

- Better ventilation on 15" units (more physical space for heat to dissipate)
- More likely to be used as desktop replacement (and hence moved/abused less) than their 14" counterparts.

Having said that, the only T4x series that I've never personally witnessed a GPU failure on, would be a 15" T43p. And I've owned all of them in quantities...

[underclocker]

I've seen it on all models, but less so on 15" models and even less with T43's. On the other hand, I've owned far more 14" models than 15" models and I'd guess the rate they were manufactured was at least 15 to 1 (14" to 15"). So more 14" failures make sense for many reasons (quantity made, thinner, GPU in exactly the worst position, more easily toted, etc.)

All that being said, being able to identify which exact unit will fail and which won't is still quite elusive. I advised a friend on the purchase of a T40 when they first came out in 2003. The machine my friend purchased was made (incredibly) in June 2003. She still uses it nearly every day. I've added memory and upgraded the CPU for her. She has replaced the battery once.

That machine still works perfectly and shows no signs at all of the GPU failure. And, it has not been particulary well handled over the years - no special, loving care the way a forum member would treat one . The other day when I was visiting I noticed on the underside of the machine that it was made in Mexico! I'm not sure if that meant that the mobo was made there, but maybe they used different solder in 2003 in Mexico?

Anyway, I think the best advice is still to try and find a "low mileage" unit and treat it with care. It should last a while.

[sjthinkpader]

... The other day when I was visiting I noticed on the underside of the machine that it was made in Mexico! I'm not sure if that meant that the mobo was made there, but maybe they used different solder in 2003 in Mexico?....

These used lead contained solder. Lead contained solder is more eutectic, or more easily deformed. The melting temperature is lower also. When lead was removed from solder shortly after 2003, the replacement RoHS (removal of hazardous substance) compliant leadfree solder were less eutectic and require higher reflow temperature.

This affected performance of bending fracture and temperature cycling.

Gradually the industry found solution either in the form of product design or process improvements.