rjn wrote:
"Mr.E Solved!" wrote:

Mobile units are under frequent hot-cold cycles and generally have
poorer cooling solutions so they run hotter so the change in temps is
greater during their cycle.

Fudzilla has now piled on, with the same perspective:
"Nvidia having issues with desktop GPUs, as well"
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?
option=com_content&task=view&id=8730
"What it boils down to is the solder material between the chip
and the packaging being sub-standard. Issues only occur if the
GPU is heated up and cooled down repeatedly, much as it
would be in a laptop ..."

Let me guess that this is not lead (Pb)-based solder.

Assuming the purported failure reports, and presumed
root cause, are true, is this one of the unintended
(but entirely predicted) side effect of RoHS ?

--
Regards, Bob Niland
http://www.access-one.com/rjn email4rjn AT yahoo DOT com
NOT speaking for any employer, client or Internet Service Provider.


So far, every RoHS disadvantage has been demonstrated: cracks,
brittleness, susceptibility to thermal cycling. All we need is some Tin
Whiskers and the worst case scenario has come to pass.

Don't blame RoHS however, as other industries besides the Computer
Manufacturing Industry has used RoHS to advantage, such as the
automotive industry.

I'm guessing TMSC or whatever foundry made these chips simply had bad
materials and/or technique from lack of experience, assuming no malice
was involved, who can say at this point.