Can Graphics Cards Be Repaired

Introduction

Graphics cards "fire out" and are non usable afterward 5-10 years of operation. As these "burn down outs" occur, some graphics cards can be recovered temporarily using these steps.

While post-obit this guide, be extremely careful- this procedure can potentially harm your GPU across repair. Applying heat to a video carte for a continuous amount of time will melt the solder connections and potentially repair any damaged solder points.

Alert: Be cautious of toxic gas that is created when heating upward plastic, solder, and electrical components. Always wear protective clothing and gloves when handling heated materials. Ensure you properly ventilate the area you are working in and do not exhale in toxic fumes.

Send the card back to the manufacturer for repairs if the warranty is valid. This procedure will void your warranty.

Send the card back to the manufacturer for repairs if the warranty is valid. This procedure will void your warranty.
Check to encounter if your warranty is valid. This can exist done by looking upwards the series number of your graphics bill of fare for retail cards in nigh situations. For OEM video cards, the warranty is tied to the organisation and may expire sooner then a retail carte du jour.

If the graphics card is still installed into the system, begin by removing the card.

If the graphics carte du jour is still installed into the system, begin past removing the bill of fare.
Unplug all applicative cables from the graphics carte du jour as highlighted in blue, your menu may have more or less cables

To remove your card you'll demand to remove the screw(s) from the dorsum of the carte du jour
After doing and then ensure that in that location is no other things blocking the card from being removed from the motherboard
Remove the card from the PC

Precision screwdriver(south): usually Phillips #0 and/or #1.
Aluminum foil to encompass oestrus sensitive components while propping the card up onto the tray.
Thermal paste to supervene upon the paste afterwards.
Paper towels to rub any backlog of old heatsink compound from the components. (Booze wipes work equally-well)
An oven.
A baking tray.

Preheat the oven to 385F (195C).
Experiment with lower heats first, and increase temperature as necessary.
If you've already finished this guide once and are blistering once again, increase the temperature slightly - 395F (200C) or 400F (205C).
Most of these temporary repairs only consist of the expanding/shrinking of bumps under the surface mountain of the graphics chip. Therefore, a lower estrus may work equally well.

While the oven is pre-heating:
Locate specific guides for disassembling your GPU if these steps are inapplicable to your GPU.
Remove the screws or clips holding your fan and any duct-work to the video card.
Gently accept the fan/duct-work off.
Remove any quondam heatsink compound from the fries (using a newspaper towel).
Identify the screws in a safe place.
Remove plastic components. Plastic will melt in the oven, and produce toxic fumes.
Elevate GPU around the edges, never let the components affect whatever surface.

Use any provided times equally an gauge - unlike materials cook at different temperatures.
Heat the GPU slowly.
GPU completion times: PS: iii-six minutes, Xbox: 4-6 minutes, desktop boards: 12 minutes, laptop boards: eight - 12 minutes, GFX: 8 - 15 minutes.
Exist patient. If your oven has a window, bank check if the solder has melted visibly.
Ready the timer on your oven for five -10 minutes.

Prevent the GPU components from touching any surface by elevating the edges of the carte du jour with foil.
Do non get out the oven unattended.
Place the GPU on a baking canvass with the side with nearly of the chips facing up.
Place the blistering sheet or dish in the middle of the oven.

Vent the oven five - x times by opening the door. This will regulate temperature.
Movements can cause liquid solder to solidify incorrectly and ruin the card.
You will notice a olfactory property from the molten solder/flux.
Do non use fans for cooling.

You have 2 options:
i. Test the card quickly without reinstalling the fan/heatsink.
Practise not operate the GPU with heatsink/fan removed for more than 30 seconds.
2. Reinstall the fan/heatsink, then examination the carte.
Repeat steps 2-9 if GPU fails examination.
Proceed to stride 10 if GPU passes test.
Most people volition want to test the card to run across if it powers on and passes the POST.

Apply thermal paste onto the main scrap or on the connection side of the fan.
Place the estrus-sink over the GPU carefully, lining upward whatsoever screws or clips.
Employ heatsink on thermal pads as applicable.
Use only a small corporeality of heatsink and spread evenly using a card, or apply pressure evenly when connecting components.
If at that place is thermal tape or pads that were removed for the reflow, place these back in their original position.

Insert and tighten all the screws carefully. They are quite small, and the PCB may be damaged if the screws are over tightened.
Tighten the screws in an alternate design. E.G. Height left, Bottom correct, Top right, Lesser left. With more than 4 screws, use a "Star" pattern when tightening the screws ensuring all screws are evenly tightened.
Clean off any noticeable dust on the GPU.

Reinsert GPU into GPU slot on motherboard.
Monitor GPU temperatures while PC is at idle, opening programs, while performing intensive tasks.
GPUs overheat at around 90C

Verify that the fan was reconnected (if there is one).
Verify that the fan spins when the PC is powered up.
Verify the GPU works and is detectable by the arrangement.
A good program to get is GPU-Z. information technology can display the GPU temperature on supported cards.

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