Fried graphics card chipset - old card

[KanyeJ19]

G'day all

About 2 and a half years ago my old Sapphire HD 7850 chip-set fried itself and died on me. Just stumbled upon it again today and am wondering if there's anything I can do to fix it, do something else with it or bin it. Any ideas are helpful


Image: https://imgur.com/a/0ZIJaLt

 

[Eximo]

What would you do with it if it was fixed?

Looks pretty dirty, so step one would be to remove the cooler, clean it, and see if there are any physical signs of damage on the circuit board.

If nothing looks out of place, try reassembly with new thermal compound and see if it works.

After that you can try heating it up in an oven (Make sure to research this thoroughly) The idea is that one of the surface mount components has lifted off the board and that heating it up will either reflow the solder or cause a connection to make contact again through thermal expansion.

The theory behind it is that the rapid heating and cooling cycles that GPUs tend to go through can cause mechanical failure over time.

A more thorough testing would require equipment like an oscilloscope and general knowledge of the circuitry and components on the GPU. Sometimes it is possible to identify a faulty component and replace it. Like bad capacitors, or perhaps a VRM. Though part availability can be difficult after so many years.

 

[4745454b]

Depends on what fried. If you are asking, I'm guessing you lack the skills needed to do multi layer board soldering, or lack the diagnostic skills needed to figure out what's wrong. Unless it's something simple like the fans just stopped working and the card won't run to prevent damaging itself I'm assuming all you can do is toss it.

 

[ss202sl]

Bake it.
I kept a 7850 alive for years by repeatedly baking it. It worked about 6 or 7 times(about 6 months apart) until it finally died for good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xLrhotPH2I

 

[RememberThe5th]

Simply saying baking without knowing whats wrong is foolish....

 

[KanyeJ19]

What would you do with it if it was fixed?

Looks pretty dirty, so step one would be to remove the cooler, clean it, and see if there are any physical signs of damage on the circuit board.

If nothing looks out of place, try reassembly with new thermal compound and see if it works.

After that you can try heating it up in an oven (Make sure to research this thoroughly) The idea is that one of the surface mount components has lifted off the board and that heating it up will either reflow the solder or cause a connection to make contact again through thermal expansion.

The theory behind it is that the rapid heating and cooling cycles that GPUs tend to go through can cause mechanical failure over time.

A more thorough testing would require equipment like an oscilloscope and general knowledge of the circuitry and components on the GPU. Sometimes it is possible to identify a faulty component and replace it. Like bad capacitors, or perhaps a VRM. Though part availability can be difficult after so many years.

For starters, I planned to maybe use it for a family members desktop since they want one for home.

I've seen and heard of the bake idea but never gave it any thought. First saw it on a Linus Tech Tips video, and Linus seems to have this effect that puts you off trying certain fixes due to him butchering it half the time.

I'll have it research it more though.

 

[ss202sl]

If the card is dead already, you can't kill it or make it deader. After this long on the shelf I'm sure he knows exactly what's wrong with it.

 

[KanyeJ19]

Depends on what fried. If you are asking, I'm guessing you lack the skills needed to do multi layer board soldering, or lack the diagnostic skills needed to figure out what's wrong. Unless it's something simple like the fans just stopped working and the card won't run to prevent damaging itself I'm assuming all you can do is toss it.

I was able to check the card thoroughly and at the time I thought it was dead, also had input from friends who knew more. I planned to toss it at the time since the warranty was out and replacing it was cheaper than a repair. Might have to finally chuck it it seems

 

[RememberThe5th]

Heat gun is better alternative, cheaper than stowe, ive fixed asus maximus hero vii by reballing socket with flux and ofc heat gun

 

[tejayd]

Blown capacitors on electronics are usually a semi easy fix (especially after you do a few). Except there usually is something causing them to blow, and a good chance they will again. But definitely worth a shot if you find one. Even if it's just for fun.

 

[Eximo]

Heat gun is better alternative, cheaper than stowe, ive fixed asus maximus hero vii by reballing socket with flux and ofc heat gun

Only if you already have one, same with soldering tools. (Though I often recommend people go to second hand stores and look for toaster ovens rather than using a household oven)

With older cards, you likely end up spending more money on it then it is worth. You can go out and buy new GT1030 and R5-230 or spend the same amount on working used cards with much higher performance.

 

[RememberThe5th]

Well I've spent on Asus Maximus VII 30$-40$, putted whole lot flux into socket (cause there were bent pins and guy who sold me started it up once and didnt respond at all, soo I did that and Works fine) heated until i saw pins moving (Whole socket not part of it), watching that the plastic doesnt melt and that I dont move tiny capacitors and resistors at all by force of heatgun and magically by drying it and washing in Jar for 3-4 times in row, Works like a magic.