Dell struggles with defective GPUs

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 28 Jul 2008 at 12:04

Dell has reported that ten of its laptop models have been hit by the GPU problems affecting Nvidia chipsets.

The issue concerns "weak die/packaging material set, which may fail with GPU temperature fluctuations", and Dell recommends a patch which will speed up system fans, reducing thermal stress on the affected parts at the price of increased noise and decreased battery life.

Nvidia announced the problems back in July when it announced it was taking "a one-time charge from $150 million to $200 million ... to cover anticipated warranty, repair, return, replacement and other costs and expenses, arising from a weak die/packaging material set in certain versions of its previous generation GPU and MCP products used in notebook systems."

However, the company refused to confirm which parts were affected and how widespread the problem was, though a report in the Inquirer suggests the problem affects all G84 and G86 chips, meaning that Asus and Apple users could also have cause for concern.

According to the same report, Nvidia had initially claimed the problem was limited to HP laptops, but that assertion has been challenged by Dell's announcement.

Nvidia refused to comment beyond the statement issued in July.