Bumpgate: Difference between revisions

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'''Bumpgate''', also known as '''Nvidiagate''', was a scandal where [[Nvidia]] and ATI Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) were prone to high failure rates due to a design flaw that led to cracked solder bumps under the die.<ref name=":0" /> Despite the "Nvidiagate" name, this defect not only affected many Nvidia GPUs made from approximately 2006 to 2010, but it also affected ATI GPUs from 2006 to 2008. Among retro console enthusiasts, the defect is best known to have ~~likely~~ been the culprit behind the high failure rate of Nvidia GPUs in [[Sony]]'s early PlayStation 3 models and ATI GPUs in [[Microsoft]]'s early Xbox 360 models.

[[File:Underfilled Die.png|alt=The image shows a diagram of a computer processor. On the bottom, there is a green rectangle labeled "substrate". On top of the substrate, there is a black rectangle labeled "chip", which refers to the die. Between the die and the substrate, there are small silver bumps equally spaced apart, encased within a white "filling". The bumps are the solder bumps connecting the die to the substrate, and the white filling is the underfill- meant to strengthen the solder bumps.|thumb|A diagram of a computer processor. When the underfill becomes too soft at any point in the processor's normal operating temperatures, the solder bumps under the die ("chip") can crack, disconnecting the die from the substrate. This leads to the processor failing, and in turn, leads to a critical system failure for the device it's in.]]

'''Bumpgate''', also known as '''Nvidiagate''', was a scandal where [[Nvidia]] and ATI Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) were prone to high failure rates due to a design flaw that led to cracked solder bumps under the die.<ref name=":0" /> Despite the "Nvidiagate" name, this defect not only affected many Nvidia GPUs made from approximately 2006 to 2010, but it also affected ATI GPUs from 2006 to 2008. Among retro console enthusiasts, the defect is best known to have been the likely culprit behind the high failure rate of Nvidia GPUs in [[Sony]]'s early PlayStation 3 models<ref name=":4" /> and ATI GPUs in [[Microsoft]]'s early Xbox 360 models.<ref name=":3" /> Individuals interested in other retro computers may know of the defect from certain models of Dell and HP laptops manufactured as early as 2005 and as late as 2010, as well as certain Apple Macbook Pros made from May 2007 to September 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Affected Models |url=http://www.nvidiasettlement.com/affectedmodels.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001080616/http://www.nvidiasettlement.com/affectedmodels.html |archive-date=1 Oct 2010 |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=The NVIDIA GPU Litigation}}</ref>

==Background==

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<blockquote>''"We think it is highly unfair to suggest that from an installed base of 2.5 million that the numbers you mention somehow are evidence of a 'manufacturing defect'..."''

- Ray Maguire, managing director and senior vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in 2009; in a letter responding to a BBC Watchdog segment covering the "Yellow Light of Death".<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref></blockquote>In November 2006, Sony released the PlayStation 3. Like the Xbox 360, the early models of PlayStation 3 had what consumers believe to be Bumpgate-related issues with their Nvidia RSX GPU. Many consumers who had bought launch models- what are now known as "PlayStation 2 backwards compatible" models- found that their systems were malfunctioning. PlayStation 3 systems that were exhibiting the issue may freeze suddenly during gameplay and shut off, but all users who dealt with the defect had a common experience: when turning their PlayStation 3 on, the LED power indicator would turn green for a moment, then the system would beep three times, very briefly flash to a yellow light, then it would blink red. This was coined by consumers as the "Yellow Light of Death".

- Ray Maguire, managing director and senior vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in 2009; in a letter responding to a BBC Watchdog segment covering the "Yellow Light of Death".<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref></blockquote>In November 2006, Sony released the PlayStation 3. Like the Xbox 360, the early models of PlayStation 3 had what consumers believe to be Bumpgate-related issues with their Nvidia RSX GPU. Many consumers who had bought launch models- what are now commonly known as "PlayStation 2 backwards compatible" models- found that their systems were malfunctioning. PlayStation 3 systems that were exhibiting the issue may freeze suddenly during gameplay and shut off, but all users who dealt with the defect had a common experience: when turning their PlayStation 3 on, the LED power indicator would turn green for a moment, then the system would beep three times, very briefly flash to a yellow light, then it would blink red. This was coined by consumers as the "Yellow Light of Death".

BBC Watchdog aired a segment in 2009 covering the "Yellow Light of Death".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> The hosts stated that when viewers called Sony because their console was malfunctioning, Sony told them that it could have been for a variety of reasons, and they couldn't determine exactly what the problem was without disassembling the console having the issue. While all of this is true- the LED indicators do simply indicate a general hardware failure that requires detailed troubleshooting- it is worth noting that by August 2008, Sony was building consoles with the 65nm RSX<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=R. |date=26 Jun 2008 |title=PS3 graphics chip going 65nm this Fall |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924101930/https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |archive-date=24 Sep 2021 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=Engadget}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NVIDIA Playstation 3 GPU 65nm Specs |url=https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/playstation-3-gpu-65nm.c1682 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=TechPowerUp GPU Database}}</ref>, which has been confirmed by enthusiasts to not suffer from the likely Bumpgate-related fault.<ref name=":2" />

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As of 2025, Sony has still never made a statement confirming that "Yellow Light of Death", their likely Bumpgate-related issue, was a widespread problem in early PlayStation 3 models. The only reason that consumers know that the RSX was likely afflicted by Bumpgate is thanks to console repair and modding enthusiasts- who had to do extensive research to find out the true cause of the problem.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |first= |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> It was clear from the timeline- what systems have been observed to be reliable or unreliable revisions- as well as tests performed by console repair and modding enthusiasts (such as "poking" the underfill on suspected bad GPUs with a soldering iron<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref>) that it was a Bumpgate-related defect.

==== Dell's Response - Driver Update ====

In an attempt to mitigate the problem without having to replace the GPU, Dell sent out a driver update for their laptops with Nvidia GPUs.

==== Apple's Response - Macbook Pro, May 2007 - September 2008 ====

In May 2007, Apple released a version of the aluminum Macbook Pro that used the Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT GPU, and manufactured the computers with this GPU until September 2008. It just so happened that this was one of the GPUs affected by Bumpgate. Unlike the issues with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 where the system wouldn't even boot, consumers ran into distorted video or no video output on their devices. According to Gizmodo, Nvidia had told Apple that the graphics processors were not defective, so Apple initially ignored reports expressing that possibility.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Matt |date=10 Oct 2008 |title=Apple Confirms Failing Nvidia Graphics Cards in MacBook Pros, Offers Free Repairs and Refunds |url=https://gizmodo.com/apple-confirms-failing-nvidia-graphics-cards-in-macbook-5061605 |url-status=live |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref> However, after doing their own investigation, Apple had found that the processors were indeed defective. Because of this, Apple offered extended repair coverage adding up to four years from the date of original purchase, and refunded customers who already paid to repair their systems affected by this defect.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Apple Support |date=18 Nov 2014 |title=MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues |url=http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203254 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202230527/http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203254 |archive-date=2 Dec 2014 |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

====Nvidia's Response====

[[File:Nvidia G80, G84 and G86 size comparison.jpg|alt=Three GPU dies are lined up in a row, from largest to smallest, left to right: the Nvidia G80, then the G84, then the G86. The internals of the dies are visible.|thumb|Image of the Nvidia G80, G84, and G86's dies (left-to-right). The G84 and the G86 GPUs are known to have been impacted by the Bumpgate defect.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Demerjian |first=Charlie |date=9 Jul 2008 |title=All Nvidia G84 and G86s are bad |url=http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/nvidia-g84-g86-bad |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710121746/http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/nvidia-g84-g86-bad |archive-date=10 Jul 2008 |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=The Inquirer}}</ref>]]

''See also: Lawsuit(s)''

Nvidia processors were not the only ones affected by the defect (i.e., the Xbox 360's ATI Xenos GPU), but they seem to be the most heavily impacted. There were a wide variety of Nvidia graphics processors across multiple architectures impacted by this defect, but the earliest confirmed system with the defect appears to have been manufactured in December 2005, and the latest systems were manufactured in late February 2010. However, the defects were being noticed broadly amongst consumers around July 2008, particularly when Gizmodo and The Inquirer reported on the problems.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Matt |date=3 Jul 2008 |title=Lots of Nvidia Laptop Graphics Cards Are Overheating, Dying |url=https://gizmodo.com/lots-of-nvidia-laptop-graphics-cards-are-overheating-d-5021713 |url-status=live |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref><ref name=":5" />

[Discuss initial response. Briefly touch on the lawsuit; there's a dedicated section below]

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===Nvidia Consumer Response===

Based on the fact that this problem affected the Xbox 360's ATI graphics processor, Nvidia was likely not fully responsible for the defect. However, their poor response to the defect ultimately left consumers very angry with the company- enough to prompt a class-action lawsuit.

===Misdiagnosis/Poor Repair of Faults===

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Bumpgate''', also known as '''Nvidiagate''', was a scandal where [[Nvidia]] and ATI Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) were prone to high failure rates due to a design flaw that led to cracked solder bumps under the die.<ref name=":0" /> Despite the "Nvidiagate" name, this defect not only affected many Nvidia GPUs made from approximately 2006 to 2010, but it also affected ATI GPUs from 2006 to 2008. Among retro console enthusiasts, the defect is best known to have likely been the culprit behind the high failure rate of Nvidia GPUs in [[Sony]]'s early PlayStation 3 models and ATI GPUs in [[Microsoft]]'s early Xbox 360 models.
+[[File:Underfilled Die.png|alt=The image shows a diagram of a computer processor. On the bottom, there is a green rectangle labeled "substrate". On top of the substrate, there is a black rectangle labeled "chip", which refers to the die. Between the die and the substrate, there are small silver bumps equally spaced apart, encased within a white "filling". The bumps are the solder bumps connecting the die to the substrate, and the white filling is the underfill- meant to strengthen the solder bumps.|thumb|A diagram of a computer processor. When the underfill becomes too soft at any point in the processor's normal operating temperatures, the solder bumps under the die ("chip") can crack, disconnecting the die from the substrate. This leads to the processor failing, and in turn, leads to a critical system failure for the device it's in.]]
+'''Bumpgate''', also known as '''Nvidiagate''', was a scandal where [[Nvidia]] and ATI Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) were prone to high failure rates due to a design flaw that led to cracked solder bumps under the die.<ref name=":0" /> Despite the "Nvidiagate" name, this defect not only affected many Nvidia GPUs made from approximately 2006 to 2010, but it also affected ATI GPUs from 2006 to 2008. Among retro console enthusiasts, the defect is best known to have been the likely culprit behind the high failure rate of Nvidia GPUs in [[Sony]]'s early PlayStation 3 models<ref name=":4" /> and ATI GPUs in [[Microsoft]]'s early Xbox 360 models.<ref name=":3" /> Individuals interested in other retro computers may know of the defect from certain models of Dell and HP laptops manufactured as early as 2005 and as late as 2010, as well as certain Apple Macbook Pros made from May 2007 to September 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Affected Models |url=http://www.nvidiasettlement.com/affectedmodels.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001080616/http://www.nvidiasettlement.com/affectedmodels.html |archive-date=1 Oct 2010 |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=The NVIDIA GPU Litigation}}</ref>
 ==Background==
@@ Line 32: / Line 33: @@
 <blockquote>''"We think it is highly unfair to suggest that from an installed base of 2.5 million that the numbers you mention somehow are evidence of a 'manufacturing defect'..."''
-- Ray Maguire, managing director and senior vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in 2009; in a letter responding to a BBC Watchdog segment covering the "Yellow Light of Death".<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref></blockquote>In November 2006, Sony released the PlayStation 3. Like the Xbox 360, the early models of PlayStation 3 had what consumers believe to be Bumpgate-related issues with their Nvidia RSX GPU. Many consumers who had bought launch models- what are now known as "PlayStation 2 backwards compatible" models- found that their systems were malfunctioning. PlayStation 3 systems that were exhibiting the issue may freeze suddenly during gameplay and shut off, but all users who dealt with the defect had a common experience: when turning their PlayStation 3 on, the LED power indicator would turn green for a moment, then the system would beep three times, very briefly flash to a yellow light, then it would blink red. This was coined by consumers as the "Yellow Light of Death".
+- Ray Maguire, managing director and senior vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in 2009; in a letter responding to a BBC Watchdog segment covering the "Yellow Light of Death".<ref>{{Cite web |last=BBC |date=18 Sep 2009 |title=Sony rebuts BBC PlayStation claim |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219154020/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8263063.stm |archive-date=19 Feb 2025 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=BBC NEWS}}</ref></blockquote>In November 2006, Sony released the PlayStation 3. Like the Xbox 360, the early models of PlayStation 3 had what consumers believe to be Bumpgate-related issues with their Nvidia RSX GPU. Many consumers who had bought launch models- what are now commonly known as "PlayStation 2 backwards compatible" models- found that their systems were malfunctioning. PlayStation 3 systems that were exhibiting the issue may freeze suddenly during gameplay and shut off, but all users who dealt with the defect had a common experience: when turning their PlayStation 3 on, the LED power indicator would turn green for a moment, then the system would beep three times, very briefly flash to a yellow light, then it would blink red. This was coined by consumers as the "Yellow Light of Death".
 BBC Watchdog aired a segment in 2009 covering the "Yellow Light of Death".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=HelpForPS3 (Reuploader) |last2=BBC |date=17 Dec 2009 |title=Sony PS3 Yellow Light of Death - BBC |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ef8bDQktI |url-status=live |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> The hosts stated that when viewers called Sony because their console was malfunctioning, Sony told them that it could have been for a variety of reasons, and they couldn't determine exactly what the problem was without disassembling the console having the issue. While all of this is true- the LED indicators do simply indicate a general hardware failure that requires detailed troubleshooting- it is worth noting that by August 2008, Sony was building consoles with the 65nm RSX<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=R. |date=26 Jun 2008 |title=PS3 graphics chip going 65nm this Fall |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924101930/https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-26-ps3-graphics-chip-going-65nm-this-fall.html |archive-date=24 Sep 2021 |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=Engadget}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NVIDIA Playstation 3 GPU 65nm Specs |url=https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/playstation-3-gpu-65nm.c1682 |url-status=live |access-date=3 Jun 2025 |website=TechPowerUp GPU Database}}</ref>, which has been confirmed by enthusiasts to not suffer from the likely Bumpgate-related fault.<ref name=":2" />
@@ Line 41: / Line 42: @@
 As of 2025, Sony has still never made a statement confirming that "Yellow Light of Death", their likely Bumpgate-related issue, was a widespread problem in early PlayStation 3 models. The only reason that consumers know that the RSX was likely afflicted by Bumpgate is thanks to console repair and modding enthusiasts- who had to do extensive research to find out the true cause of the problem.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |first= |date=23 Dec 2022 |title=A PS3 Story: The Yellow Light of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za7WTNwAX0c |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref> It was clear from the timeline- what systems have been observed to be reliable or unreliable revisions- as well as tests performed by console repair and modding enthusiasts (such as "poking" the underfill on suspected bad GPUs with a soldering iron<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=RIP Felix |date=15 Jan 2024 |title=A 360 Story - The RED Ring of Death & the 7th Generation Console War |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qKtS_uxdcU |url-status=live |access-date=2 Jun 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref>) that it was a Bumpgate-related defect.
+==== Dell's Response - Driver Update ====
+In an attempt to mitigate the problem without having to replace the GPU, Dell sent out a driver update for their laptops with Nvidia GPUs.
+==== Apple's Response - Macbook Pro, May 2007 - September 2008 ====
+In May 2007, Apple released a version of the aluminum Macbook Pro that used the Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT GPU, and manufactured the computers with this GPU until September 2008. It just so happened that this was one of the GPUs affected by Bumpgate. Unlike the issues with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 where the system wouldn't even boot, consumers ran into distorted video or no video output on their devices. According to Gizmodo, Nvidia had told Apple that the graphics processors were not defective, so Apple initially ignored reports expressing that possibility.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Matt |date=10 Oct 2008 |title=Apple Confirms Failing Nvidia Graphics Cards in MacBook Pros, Offers Free Repairs and Refunds |url=https://gizmodo.com/apple-confirms-failing-nvidia-graphics-cards-in-macbook-5061605 |url-status=live |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref> However, after doing their own investigation, Apple had found that the processors were indeed defective. Because of this, Apple offered extended repair coverage adding up to four years from the date of original purchase, and refunded customers who already paid to repair their systems affected by this defect.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Apple Support |date=18 Nov 2014 |title=MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues |url=http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203254 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202230527/http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203254 |archive-date=2 Dec 2014 |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>
 ====Nvidia's Response====
+[[File:Nvidia G80, G84 and G86 size comparison.jpg|alt=Three GPU dies are lined up in a row, from largest to smallest, left to right: the Nvidia G80, then the G84, then the G86. The internals of the dies are visible.|thumb|Image of the Nvidia G80, G84, and G86's dies (left-to-right). The G84 and the G86 GPUs are known to have been impacted by the Bumpgate defect.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Demerjian |first=Charlie |date=9 Jul 2008 |title=All Nvidia G84 and G86s are bad |url=http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/nvidia-g84-g86-bad |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710121746/http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/nvidia-g84-g86-bad |archive-date=10 Jul 2008 |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=The Inquirer}}</ref>]]
+''See also: Lawsuit(s)''
+Nvidia processors were not the only ones affected by the defect (i.e., the Xbox 360's ATI Xenos GPU), but they seem to be the most heavily impacted. There were a wide variety of Nvidia graphics processors across multiple architectures impacted by this defect, but the earliest confirmed system with the defect appears to have been manufactured in December 2005, and the latest systems were manufactured in late February 2010. However, the defects were being noticed broadly amongst consumers around July 2008, particularly when Gizmodo and The Inquirer reported on the problems.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Matt |date=3 Jul 2008 |title=Lots of Nvidia Laptop Graphics Cards Are Overheating, Dying |url=https://gizmodo.com/lots-of-nvidia-laptop-graphics-cards-are-overheating-d-5021713 |url-status=live |access-date=7 Jun 2025 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref><ref name=":5" />
 [Discuss initial response. Briefly touch on the lawsuit; there's a dedicated section below]
@@ Line 68: / Line 80: @@
 ===Nvidia Consumer Response===
+Based on the fact that this problem affected the Xbox 360's ATI graphics processor, Nvidia was likely not fully responsible for the defect. However, their poor response to the defect ultimately left consumers very angry with the company- enough to prompt a class-action lawsuit.
 ===Misdiagnosis/Poor Repair of Faults===