Anybody having problems with 8400 or 8600 NVIDIA chips?

Hi, I am looking into getting a dell XPS m1530 with the 8400 nvidia card. But I have been reading a lot about the fauty GPUs in the 8400/8600 series.
I don't play games, not sure how that would affect me. I definetly would like to have a quieter and coller notebook. My inspiron 6000 gets too hot as it is.

So, did you have problems? Should I worry?

Thanks a lot

 

there are posts in the dell xps forum about problems people have been experiencing.
I myself do not have experience withthat specific dell model

 

My Inspiron 1420's 8400m died after around 6 months of heavy use and gaming.

 

Thats scary as I have pretty much the same comp as yours.

To the original post, I hate to say it, but I would stay FAR FAR away for now. This is definitely still in the shakeout phase at the moment so I would either set your sights on something with an integrated chip set, or something that comes with an ATI card. Until the news is released that everything is going to be fine, I wouldn't put out that kind of cash for anything. At this time, it is now seeming as though ANY nvidia card can be effected by this manufacturers defect. Now forget your dream and RUN.

 

Well said. If you are set on the Dell brand and you don't play games, go for something with an integrated intel chip or an ati card. I would stay away from nvidia for a while, at least until there's a concrete answer from nvidia.
Just to answer your question, I have a Vostro 1500 with the 8400 card in it and haven't had any problems yet... luckily....

 

With my new replacement system with the A09 bios, the load temp after playing TF2 for the GPU according to HW Monitor is 93C...

 

Wow, that's hot!

kkl1014, when did you get your replacement?
so it's getting just as hot as before right? Except that the new bios all it does it make the fan kick in more often.

 

I got my replacement a couple of weeks ago after waiting close to 2 months and it does get as hot as it did before.

 

Wow! I had 2 dells and never had issues with warranty. Can't believe they took 2 months to send it.

And it still gets hot. I guess it's BS people say the new ones are not defective!

 

I've just been on the phone to Dell tech support over the temps the GPU gets to in my Vostro 1310 - up to 102 degrees after running a game or benchmark software and thats with the latest A10 BIOS installed, and they're sending out an engineer to replace the graphics card, heatsink and fan assembly.

 

I've read that the nVidia problem is now affecting other GPUs. Apparently the die is outsourced and had poor quality control. My m1530 is still working but then I don't play games with it.

 

Maybe I shoudl be but I'm not that concerned about this. You need a long warranty on a notebook anyway.

That said, if you're only looking at the ultra-low-end 8400 anyway, you might also consider a Studio 15 with a similar 3450.

Also, guys this has NOTHING to do with the GPU getting hotter than normal. The GPU gets DAMAGED from hot/cold cycles abnormally fast, it never runs hotter than normal.

 

My Vostro 1400 hit 103c... I just had it sent back to dell to have it repaired...

 

I am looking at getting the M1530. Even tough I never play games I do use some video editing software. I don't know, I am worried about this.

 

You dont have to be worried. M1530 is a great machine to have.. and there is a probability that they are not still shipping out laptop' with defective units. As I said, its a probably scenario. Anyways you would probably get it with at least 1 year premium warranty.. so there. Go for it.

Or if you are still worried, go for an inspiron or other with integrated cards or ATI

Cheers.

 

The 8400 is hardly ultra-low-end. You're right about the heat cycles though, everyone obsesses over the top temps when it's the cycles that are causing failure.

 

It's ultra low end by GPU standards (*fears another "but notebooks are magicaliciously different* argument* )

 

There are plenty of things lower than the 8400GS, its just that improvements have come by so often that in current present day standards, the 8400GS is not that great. All I care about is that in present day standards, my 8600GT can handle everything except for Crysis at high-max settings, and thats impressive compared to me.

I never liked how people looked down on laptops saying they are horrible for gaming, having good specs doesnt matter as it wears down your laptop and performance will never be as good as a desktop... times have changed. Notebooks are magicaliciously great!

 

How did you get a T9300 on your XPS1530? I don't see that option.

Thanks

 

Its one of the customization options. You can customize up to a T9500.

 

more news:

http://gizmodo.com/5037070/proof-nvidia-desktop-g86-graphics-cards-affected-by-materials-defects

 

Well, we already know its a hardware issue from weak die packaging. Now that we know what the material is... its still doesn't change anything for us consumers. So... why don't we just get Dell to complain to Nvidia to complain to Namics? I'm fine with Namics going out of business for having to pay up everyones defective cards.

 

if you are set on dell go with the studio series. they have ati cards
toshiba and gateway also have ati cards in their systems. i am considering one of those brands instead of the sager np2092 with the 9600m gt

 

You shouldn't have any problems with a Vostro 1500 or Vostro 1700. The graphics cards used in both those laptops use a non-soldered discreet card. That's why both those models are not on Dell's list for problems with overheating or card failures.

As has been mentioned before on various related threads on this subject. The cards in question with failure problems are those soldered to the motherboard.

 

True, true. Not that I disagree with you in the least bit, but I am still just a little suspicious why Dell or Nvidia will not come right out and specifically say that the discrete cards aren't affected.
I am sure glad I went for the 1500 and not the 1400. I almost opted for the smaller one, but since it has a soldered chip, I am happy with my selection now.

 

Because until they have proof based on facts both sides are going to be as quiet as possible on the matter. It's going to cost a lot of money to resolve ths mess. ;}

It's safe to say the 1500/1700 have been very reliable.