MP 6,1 Mac Pro 6,1 - 12core /D700 flicker issue

[MisterAndrew]

The flickers issue still exists in macOS Big Sur

I think GoodGuy12345 is right. This isn’t an issue with the cards or the software, but rather damage to the GPUs caused by overheating. So unfortunately you will need to replace the GPUs to fix the issue. Of course schedule an appointment with the Genius Bar at the Apple store so they can make the evaluation. Make sure you don’t overheat the new ones. Keep them cool by using one of the 3rd party apps to control the fan.

 

[chkwong]

I think GoodGuy12345 is right. This isn’t an issue with the cards or the software, but rather damage to the GPUs caused by overheating. So unfortunately you will need to replace the GPUs to fix the issue. Of course schedule an appointment with the Genius Bar at the Apple store so they can make the evaluation. Make sure you don’t overheat the new ones. Keep them cool by using one of the 3rd party apps to control the fan.

But when I downgrade to High Sierra, there is no flickers issue.

And when second display plugs into HDMI, there is no flickers too.

so I think it is still a driver problem?

 

[CC88]

The flickers issue still exists in macOS Big Sur

So I can continue to use my current configuration with both hdmi and dp attached.

 

[chkwong]

So I can continue to use my current configuration with both hdmi and dp attached.

Yes
This solution still works.

 

[CC88]

I think GoodGuy12345 is right. This isn’t an issue with the cards or the software, but rather damage to the GPUs caused by overheating. So unfortunately you will need to replace the GPUs to fix the issue. Of course schedule an appointment with the Genius Bar at the Apple store so they can make the evaluation. Make sure you don’t overheat the new ones. Keep them cool by using one of the 3rd party apps to control the fan.

if it's an hardware fault maybe it has to show also in 10.15.0 and 10.14.0... but it started from .1 of both. No problem at all in High Sierra.

 

[MisterAndrew]

I haven’t experienced the issue on either of my new D500 or D700 machines in Mojave or Catalina. If it was a software problem it would be happening with all of them.

 

[chkwong]

I haven’t experienced the issue on either of my new D500 or D700 machines in Mojave or Catalina. If it was a software problem it would be happening with all of them.

What is the manufacturing date of your D500 or D700 machines?

 

[rkuo]

I think plugging in the hdmi port probably triggers DisplayPort to boost the Signal voltage (pre-emphasis). I have the FirePro cards and the more ports you use the less stable it gets.

 

[chkwong]

I think plugging in the hdmi port probably triggers DisplayPort to boost the Signal voltage (pre-emphasis). I have the FirePro cards and the more ports you use the less stable it gets.

Interesting to know that
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I think plugging in the hdmi port probably triggers DisplayPort to boost the Signal voltage (pre-emphasis). I have the FirePro cards and the more ports you use the less stable it gets.

I think you are right
when I stress the Card B using geekbench5, the flicker issue is gone during the stress test too

 

[photomek]

I am a bit confused right now. So for the users, that are experiencing the issues, with the latest Mojave-Updates there are no problems, right? Or do I have to go back to High Sierra?

 

[chkwong]

I am a bit confused right now. So for the users, that are experiencing the issues, with the latest Mojave-Updates there are no problems, right? Or do I have to go back to High Sierra?

Have to go back to High Sierra

Mojave, Catalina, big sur have flicker issue

 

[MisterAndrew]

What is the manufacturing date of your D500 or D700 machines?

2014 (D500; It remained unsold at the local university until I bought it this year) and 2017 (D700).
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I'm thinking you could solve the issue by replacing only GPU 2 (graphics board B) since that's the one that drives the display. Of course the Apple store Genius Bar advisor would need to make the determination.

 

[chkwong]

2014 (D500; It remained unsold at the local university until I bought it this year) and 2017 (D700).
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I'm thinking you could solve the issue by replacing only GPU 2 (graphics board B) since that's the one that drives the display. Of course the Apple store Genius Bar advisor would need to make the determination.

thanks for info

my machine D700 manufacturing date is 2013


replacement is super expensive and the flicker is not fatal problem, may keep it

 

[MisterAndrew]

thanks for info

my machine D700 manufacturing date is 2013


replacement is super expensive and the flicker is not fatal problem, may keep it

Have you gotten a quote from the Apple store? I know replacements are expensive via 3rd party vendors, but I don’t think Apple charges that much for a repair.

 

[chkwong]

Have you gotten a quote from the Apple store? I know replacements are expensive via 3rd party vendors, but I don’t think Apple charges that much for a repair.

replace both D700 cards in official Apple , Quote around HKD $4500

 

[MisterAndrew]

replace both D700 cards in official Apple , Quote around HKD $4500

It looks like that is about $580 USD. That is a very good price. The parts alone from a 3rd party supplier are about $2000 USD, or HKD $15500. I believe Apple would include new GPUs, new thermal pads, and thermal grease. And of course warrantied installation utilizing their special tools.

 

[Koenson]

As I'm experiencing this flickering also (although very lightly) I was reading through this mail thread and saw the remark about switching from DP to HDMI. I just did that and it seems that the flickering is gone. I experienced slight flickering of the right side of my screen (Lenovo ThinkVision Pro2840). I'm using a second hand 6-core 2013 trashcan system with d500 cards. Must say that quite recently I started to experience some sort of screen refreshes where the entire screen briefly turned pitch black. These refreshes were getting more frequent and the duration of the black-out went from 0,5 second to 2 - 3 seconds.
I will do some more testing if just switching to HDMI has completely resolved the issue. Will come back with an update in 1 or 2 weeks.

 

[edanuff]

This won't always fix the issue, but if you're using Chrome on a Mac Pro 6,1, you should go into Chrome Settings > Advanced Settings and turn "Use Hardware Acceleration When Available" to OFF.

 

[photomek]

I just stumpled on this:

Graphical Glitches Plaguing Some 2020 iMac Owners With Radeon Pro 5700 XT GPU

Apple in August refreshed the 2020 iMac lineup with a new 27-inch model that's equipped with 10th-generation Intel processors, more RAM, more SSD settings, and faster AMD GPUs. Unfortunately, some new Mac owners have been running into problems with their machines and have been reporting...

forums.macrumors.com

So I am convinced even more now that this is a driver issue only.

 

[chkwong]

I just stumpled on this:

Graphical Glitches Plaguing Some 2020 iMac Owners With Radeon Pro 5700 XT GPU

Apple in August refreshed the 2020 iMac lineup with a new 27-inch model that's equipped with 10th-generation Intel processors, more RAM, more SSD settings, and faster AMD GPUs. Unfortunately, some new Mac owners have been running into problems with their machines and have been reporting...

forums.macrumors.com

So I am convinced even more now that this is a driver issue only.

Yes
Definitely driver issue

there is no problem in high sierra

 

[gnomeisland]

Had the flicker. Just got the other GPU replaced (have now replaced both since getting the machine three years ago) and most of the cabling/daughter cards. No flicker.

Drivers may be part of the problem, or all the problem for some people, but there is (or will be) hardware damage related to this issue.

 

[chkwong]

Had the flicker. Just got the other GPU replaced (have now replaced both since getting the machine three years ago) and most of the cabling/daughter cards. No flicker.

Drivers may be part of the problem, or all the problem for some people, but there is (or will be) hardware damage related to this issue.

what GPU are you using? D500 or D700?
No flicker after replacement? maybe both firmware and hardware problem, seems no other solution beside replacement

 

[gnomeisland]

what GPU are you using? D500 or D700?
No flicker after replacement? maybe both firmware and hardware problem, seems no other solution beside replacement

D700. Flickr free (although I've only been using it a few weeks since the replacement).

 

[mrkapqa]

someone posted this on another forum

2013 Mac Pro – GPU Failure – Known Apple Issues

 

[Xde]

...
The temporary solution which worked immediately: Run the display at 50 instead of 60Hz. There is a Utility for Mac to override the fact, that you cannot choose 50Hz.
No idea, whether this is of any help for your machine, but I got rid of all problems at 50Hz.

I never used a 4k display. But...
What Utility did you use?
Thank you