'Reflowing' a graphics processing unit (GPU).

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theoldtrout
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#31

Post by theoldtrout »

About 4 months ago I reluctantly re-flowed two graphics processors in a £2000 Dell laptop for a company I usually do all the juke-box work for. A new graphics card for this laptop was about £400! I cut out a mask from tinfoil to closely fit the board and gently heated the processors one at a time using a cheap hot air re-flow gun in a circular motion. I placed a pyrometer near the chips to get an idea of temperature. Put the thing back together and much to my amazement it worked and is still working - well pleased because I said no fix no fee! Usually I don't bother repairing much SMD stuff because of lead free solder and most SMD equipment isn't designed to be repaired. Don't try to re-flow using a domestic oven because the temperature gauges and air flow is inconsistent, use a proper oven designed for the purpose.
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