21.5", 4670 GPU Overheating, Crashed

[groovyguy]

I'll just get right to it here, everyone. I'm looking for discussion on this issue, specifically related to the ATI 4670 in the 21.5" iMac.



- I am presently running a dual-boot with Windows 7 being my other OS.

- I have had the computer for 2 days

- GPU crash followed by general crash after playing 15 Mins of Team Fortress 2 in Boot Camp

- Verticle grey/black lines in motion, then freezing on the screen.



The computer started right back up, and I haven't had the problem again, but I decided to test the GPU/CPU temperatures in both Windows 7 and OS X.

Everything is fully updated. Win 7 running TF2, OS X running Bioshock Demo.


----------------------------------
Temps (degrees celcius):

Win 7 - GPU: 80 CPU: 76

OS X - GPU: 76 CPU: 68

Idle - GPU: 56 CPU: 40

----------------------------------

To me, this is too hot. Even the idle GPU temperature is warm, in my opinion. I'm not going to be using this as strictly a gaming machine. It's main use will be photo editing, but I wanted to put the computer through it's paces.



I can't help but wonder if Apple's standards are starting to be lacking. You can only cut so many costs down before it starts to do something to the end product. I am wondering what I should do here?



This computer is supposed to last for a long time for me, that's why I purchased a mac, after a family member's macbook proved it's worth over the last 3 years.



I can only wonder what will start happening to the Quad Core computers, specifically those with the 4850. They smartly decided to not have the 4850 in the 21.5". Is this computer just a bit too small for what it's running?

 

[Sun Baked]

So it is crashing under Windows 7 because it is getting too hot.

 

[TMRaven]

What speeds are the fans running.

 

[DannySmurf]

The idle CPU temp is not terrible. Not great, but not terrible. The idle GPU temp is a bit alarming. As are the Windows 7 numbers. They're not near their theoretical maximums, but I would consider those unacceptably high, were I looking at a diagnostic on my PC.

 

[groovyguy]

Yes Windows 7, BUT

You can see from the numbers that both 7 and 10.6.2 are the basically the same.

This difference would more have to do with the game, not necessarily the operating system.

Also, I will redo the windows side fans peed tomorrow. I suspect they would be similar on both OS', just like GPU temp etc etc...

 

[DoFoT9]

idle temperatures are fine for a mobility GPU. CPU temperatures are pretty high in win7, but that is because there are problems with macs and running windows and cooling.

try to install a program that lets you change the fan speed manually.

 

[DannySmurf]

You can see from the numbers that both 7 and 10.6.2 are the basically the same.

No, they're not basically the same. The CPU is about 12% higher in Windows. If you spend a significant amount of time playing games in Windows, that 12% difference can have a significant impact on the lifespan of that part.

And no, it's most likely not the game that's responsible. There have been heat problems running Windows on Macs since the first MBPs came out. That's a fairly well-known issue.

 

[DoFoT9]

No, they're not basically the same. The CPU is about 12% higher in Windows. If you spend a significant amount of time playing games in Windows, that 12% difference can have a significant impact on the lifespan of that part.

And no, it's most likely not the game that's responsible. There have been heat problems running Windows on Macs since the first MBPs came out. That's a fairly well-known issue.

its a very well known issue to me and 12% sounds about the correct differences in heat between OSX and windows. i believe it has something to do with heat management differences between both systems, either that or the emulated BIOS stuffs something up royally.

 

[groovyguy]

Interesting responses, thanks everyone.

SHouldn't this computer work well, as advertised? If they advertise this as a Mac/Windows computer, I should be able to run it with Boot Camp as normal. In fact, my warranty would cover running in Windows, would it not?


As an example, I manage a dock building business. We happen to make the highest quality docks in the area. With this quality comes an increase in price that is very comparable to Apple's "Apple Tax". Really it's just paying for better design,(hopefully) better craftsmanship and materials.


If we build a dock and tell people, "You can safely moor your 25' boat to this dock, regardless of the weather. We have designed it in such a way to make sure that it works in your location, and here is a guarantee on our work for good measure".

It may seem an odd comparison, but the stresses the docks are under are enormous. If improperly designed, they will be destroyed within a few years. If we can't make something work, realistically, we won't build it just because it looks nice.


So if the $2000-20000+ docks that we build are subject to our own rules and warranties, why is Apple given a pass? Why should I be looking for fan speed controlling software on my three day-old computer?

 

[Sun Baked]

Interesting responses, thanks everyone.

SHouldn't this computer work well, as advertised? If they advertise this as a Mac/Windows computer, I should be able to run it with Boot Camp as normal. In fact, my warranty would cover running in Windows, would it not?

Your warranty covers running Boot Camp Assistant, Apple offer doesn't support in any way for anything you do beyond that.

 

[ctsoundguy]

When I went to the Apple store to check out the new 21.5 imacs, I put my hand on the upper back of the case and could not believe how hot it was. The aluminum may be acting as a heat sink to help cool the machine, but I don't see how a computer consistently running this hot could possibly last very long before failure. After seeing how hot these machines are running, I'm seriously reconsidering purchasing a new one.

 

[luckystar101]

When I went to the Apple store to check out the new 21.5 imacs, I put my hand on the upper back of the case and could not believe how hot it was. The aluminum may be acting as a heat sink to help cool the machine, but I don't see how a computer consistently running this hot could possibly last very long before failure. After seeing how hot these machines are running, I'm seriously reconsidering purchasing a new one.

I'm from Italy, I'm sad to hear that, I have just order yersterday my first ever mac!...iMac 21,5 with 4670...I'm really worried about this and flickering problem of new LED screen ! Have Apple test this iMac before release it ?

 

[groovyguy]

Well, my screen doesn't flicker, so there's some positive news there for you.

I am considering a return to wait maybe a couple months to see if anything changes in terms of manufacturing. Mine is a week 41 build.

 

[hotwire]

Did you return your computer? What resolution and frame rates were you able to play TF2 at? I've been trying to find game benchmarks for the 21.5" iMac with the ATI 4670.

 

[andrew19960719]

Experiences

The temperature is definitely too hot
I think you should check your fan
if it is working properly
i have the exactly same machine
but my gpu is 61˚C
my cpu is 58˚C

 

[Vylen]

The temperature is definitely too hot
I think you should check your fan
if it is working properly
i have the exactly same machine
but my gpu is 61˚C
my cpu is 58˚C

And thus, the ranks of the zombie-thread horde are joined by one more of its new brethren.

Although, I am curious as to what the outcome of the OPs problems led to. Maybe the iMac set his house on fire.