I have a 2011 MBP-15 with the defective GPU design that now is failing (and the program has ended.) I want to have the GPU reballed, as it seems the only option that might work for a reasonable price with a semi-reasonable outcome.
I considered:
However, before giving up on this [expensive] computer, the last thing I would like to try is a GPU reball using balls containing lead, as it appears to cost between $100-250 to do (many with a new GPU), and many companies only charge if they successfully repair the problem. I know there are some risks, and in many cases such attempts fail or provide only limited duration of benefit. Even if it gives me only a year or two, that's about what I would get from another logic board, so for $100-250 I'll call that a bargain.
So, now I need to figure out who I am going with to do the reball. Obviously not all companies will be the same, so any recommendations on reputable companies (preferably ones that have had success fixing the 2011 GPU fail) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I considered:
- Purchasing a used 2011 logic board for $350-450, but my concern here is that I'm essentially buying a part that is defective by design, and spending money on something with a massive probability of relatively fast failure (especially if it's already used and already seen lots of heat.) If I want to buy to fail, I'll go for a cheap Windows PC...
- Purchasing a mid-2012 logic board (as it has the Nvidia GPU instead of the AMD), but even used 2012 logic boards started at around $550, and new was much more, so this was a pretty substantial investment.
- Booting into single user mode and deleting the AMD GPU driver (to force the system to run integrated graphics all of the time), but given I would no longer be able to use an external monitor, this wasn't the best solution either.
- Purchasing a new MBP, but it would cost a minimum of $2,000 for new, a little less for refurbished, and somewhere between $1,000-1,300 for a used mid-2012 15-inch. At the present time, a used mid-2012 15-in Unibody seems to most feasible.
However, before giving up on this [expensive] computer, the last thing I would like to try is a GPU reball using balls containing lead, as it appears to cost between $100-250 to do (many with a new GPU), and many companies only charge if they successfully repair the problem. I know there are some risks, and in many cases such attempts fail or provide only limited duration of benefit. Even if it gives me only a year or two, that's about what I would get from another logic board, so for $100-250 I'll call that a bargain.
So, now I need to figure out who I am going with to do the reball. Obviously not all companies will be the same, so any recommendations on reputable companies (preferably ones that have had success fixing the 2011 GPU fail) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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