[WTB] Broken Graphics cards... or working

[kwoody]

I have a Powercolor 6770 that semi-works. Tends to cause machine to reboot itself after about 30 seconds of use. I'll get rid of it for 2.5BTC+shipping, have box. PM if interested, normally over 200mh/s out of this card.

[AndrewBUD]

^ I have a 5830 sitting around that does something similar... But it'll mine for a few then reboot... I have a feeling it's something to do with the DVI port.. If it's plugged in it dies right away.. If it's used as a secondary card it seems fine for a few.... then dies

[AndrewK]

Maybe a problem with the vrms... or some part of the power circuit feeding into the dvi. Try undervolting and lowering memory and core clocks and see if it stays stable for longer.

Unfortunately I have so many cards on my hands right now I'm mostly looking for the high mh/s cards. PM me if you'd like help trouble shooting though!

[HDSolar]

What would you pay for 6990 with an artic cool fan setup?  Also if only one of the chips are acting up is there any way to fix it that you know of?

[AndrewK]

Pmed ya^

[Hippie Tech]

itty bump. 

Is transplanting a pair of pcie smt resistors as easy as it seems ?

I'm tempted to buy a cheap gun so I can replace the missing gtx 460se resistors with the ones off a dud HD 4850.

[AndrewK]

Its not too bad. I use a mini handheld torch with a "heat" attachment to flow the solder on the pcb. Wipe that off.... Then use a little solder paste you can buy online(it has silver, flux, and some other crap and basically comes out of a tube like goo). place the replacement smd caps on the paste... Use the torch to flow the solder paste...

All that said, I've found that replacing caps is pretty iffy. If the caps burnt out there was usually another reason that they did...

If you just knocked the caps off then replacing them has a better chance of working.

Let me know if you need any other advice.

[AndrewBUD]

What do you think about cards that function as secondary but won't post as a main card.?

[AndrewK]

Depends... Most cards that I have messed with that have that problem are not repairable with a reflow but sometimes its worth a try. Usually what happens is I'll reflow them, they'll start posting but will still artifact... Still aren't worth gaming on so I usually just leave them alone mining untill I need them for video output...

When this happens the cards probably need to be reballed... I however don't have the setup, and wouldn't feel comfortable doing that.

[AndrewBUD]

Even tried sticking a card in the oven?

[Hippie Tech]

Its not too bad. I use a mini handheld torch with a "heat" attachment to flow the solder on the pcb. Wipe that off.... Then use a little solder paste you can buy online(it has silver, flux, and some other crap and basically comes out of a tube like goo). place the replacement smd caps on the paste... Use the torch to flow the solder paste...

All that said, I've found that replacing caps is pretty iffy. If the caps burnt out there was usually another reason that they did...

If you just knocked the caps off then replacing them has a better chance of working.

Let me know if you need any other advice.

The capacitors and everthing else are fine. Thx for the tips.

Ahh.. grade 9 tech class... its all coming back to me ! ;p

pEACe

[AndrewK]

^np

^^I have tried reflowing in an oven but I mostly reflow using a heat gun on the core only now. I don't know that there is much difference in outcomes to be honest, but it seems safer to me to just use a heatgun on the core. Thinking about trying an oven on a 5970 I have that will not post though.

[AndrewBUD]

Let me know how that goes... I might do the same on a card I have.



You have to remove the DVI/HDMI ports correct?

[AndrewK]

Not sure what you mean by remove the ports? Short answer is no. You need to remove the heatsink/fan and any thermal paste or pads on the pcb... Had an HDMI port fall off one time when I was replacing a surface mount resistor near it.... Looked like a bitch to get back on so I said screw it ... RMAd the card

[AndrewBUD]

lol..

okay so the DVI and HDMI adaptors wont melt?

[AndrewK]

No but like all other surface mounted parts... They will fall off if you bake/heat for too long

Seriously: I've heard of people removing electolitic caps and other components before reflow.... But it is a big hassle... honestly, you are taking a risk just by reflowing but if its not under warranty and isn't working then you are not taking too big a risk.

Unless of course you want to sell it to me ... I don't buy cards other people have tried a reflow on... Seen too many people over do it, can cause cards that are unsafe to put into any computer(shorts all over the card and in the power circuit).

Good luck though, I probably won't get to my reflows untill after thanks giving.

[AndrewBUD]

I just wanted to try.. It's only a 5830 that's been acting wonky.

[AndrewK]

Haha, not hating on you. Never learn untill you try something.

I'll buy anything for the right price anyways...

[AndrewBUD]

I'll keep it.. It's going in the oven in about 5 minutes.. Got it all taken apart.. I'll laugh if it works properly afterwards

[AndrewK]

Just baked two 5970s in the oven... One now posts where it didn't before... Havn't gotten drivers on it yet so it may still be worthless. Gonna play with it more after thanksgiving.

The other: fan used to spin. Now it doesn't... card won't post. Gonna play with it after thanksgiving as well... Probably killed it though.

Also baked a 7950... no luck there either.