Mac Mini graphics crash?

[chubble10]

Hi,
My new late 2012 Mac Mini occasionally crashes while in a game (and sometimes but more rarely when not in a game), resulting in this. It seems to happen randomly in pretty much all games, no matter of how intensive they are (in the image, it crashed in Thomas was Alone), and the console doesn't reveal anything obvious as to the cause.

However, it only seems to have started crashing after I have added a new monitor (the 1080p one on the left) for a dual-monitor setup.
If it helps, it's the 2.3 i7 late 2012 model with 8GB RAM and 1TB HDD. The left hand monitor is the LG 22EA53 (1920x1080), connected via DVI using Apple's HDMI to DVI adaptor. The right hand monitor is the LG E1940S (1360x768) connected via VGA using Apple's Mini DisplayPort to VGA adaptor.

I have tried it with just one monitor, and the problem still occurs. I have also run the Apple Hardware Test, which has found no problems.

Thanks for any help - I'm pretty stumped by this one!

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Do you have the EFI firmware update installed?

 

[andyroberts]

hmmm that doesnt look good, I had exactly the same kind of corruption, at first it was only happening once a week but gradually got worse and worse, i booked an appt with the apple store who informed me the motherboard was dying, they replaced the board for free as it was still under warranty, and Its been fine since. Might be and idea to book an appt asap.

Andy

 

[MJL]

Have some Dell monitors here and had a similar fault happening when running Windows and opening up Internet Explorer. It turned out to be a conflict between the Dell monitor management software and the HD3000 GPU. (Did never have this problem on the 2010 model). So it might not be the logic board. Since it started to happen after you added the second monitor I would first remove the second monitor and see if it still happens.

Games can heat up the CPU/GPU considerably and then may with increased temperatures cause faults as well. A second monitor increases the loads so check the temperature.

 

[Lord Xeb]

Looking at that screen you have their, you possibly have a failing logic board in the unit. Still, check to see if there is a panic of any kind. If not, it is time to take it an AASP or Apple.

 

[chubble10]

In the Apple Support forums, I've been told it might be a RAM issue since I did a recent upgrade. Sent the kit back to Crucial for a replacement, and if that doesn't fix it, then it will definitely be time for a visit to the Apple store!

Everything is pointing to the RAM however, as it doesn't occur with the original Apple RAM. It is odd however that it only occurs when both of the new sticks are installed - individually they are fine and AHT reports no RAM errors.
Have to wait and see!

Thanks!

 

[Lord Xeb]

In the Apple Support forums, I've been told it might be a RAM issue since I did a recent upgrade. Sent the kit back to Crucial for a replacement, and if that doesn't fix it, then it will definitely be time for a visit to the Apple store!

Everything is pointing to the RAM however, as it doesn't occur with the original Apple RAM. It is odd however that it only occurs when both of the new sticks are installed - individually they are fine and AHT reports no RAM errors.
Have to wait and see!

Thanks!

:/ I don't see how I missed that. That is what I get for being here at 3 in the morning.

 

[chibichazoo]

I'm having a similar issue with crashes in OSX. I also have a Mac Mini Late 2012, and a Dell branded monitor. I feel as though it's safe to rule out a problem with my RAM or logic board since I dual boot this machine to Windows and have never experienced any crashes on the Windows side, only in OSX (Yosemite).

Crashes tend to happen as I am scrolling in Firefox or Logic and the monitor is redrawing the screen.