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    Will this MXM card function?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by niffcreature, Feb 1, 2011.

  1. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    First arrow points to 2 missing resistors. Second very small arrow points to 1 missing capacitor.
    I believe they were broken off the board. They are all close to the HE tab which is normally only 2 pins instead of the several on this card.
    Do you think the card will function at all?
    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

  2. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Can't see a picture...
     
  3. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    fixed.

    2nd arrow is way too tiny (on my screen) I was doing it zoomed in.
     
  4. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    Hard to tell ... sometimes there seem to be parts missing on the PCB, but in fact it's only an empty solder joint which may be used only for a similar version of the product... I hope you know what I mean.

    But in this case I'd say chances are the parts got ripped of by force. Looking at the connector it doesn't seem as the card has been handled carefully at all.
     
  5. Judicator

    Judicator Judged and found wanting.

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    Try changing the color or filling in the second (smaller) arrow, too, it's very difficult to find unless you already have an idea of where it is. As for the actual question... I have no idea.
     
  6. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I bought a 9500m gs on ebay, it didn't work. It looked like one resistor was ripped off the back. I soldered a random resistor in its place, card worked for a day or 2, then died.
     
  7. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    I'm sure they were broken off. I have another identical card to compare it to.

    I guess my question would be, do you think these components lead to single pins on the HE tab, and thus, are not necessary on a system that uses the HE tab all at once as 2 pins?
    Anyway this is a somewhat useless thread as I can test it soon. I guess I'm hoping to learn something worthwhile about MXM structure if it is say partially working...
     
  8. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    What card is it?
     
  9. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    Its one of those 8800m GTS for the hdx dragon, with the red stuff

    Thats interesting about the 9500m gs.
    I wonder what the results would be with a higher powered card.

    I'll see what it does like this and then try a few things. Maybe I'll just solder over some of the gaps. lol
     
  10. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    If you have an identical card, get a multimeter and figure out what they are and replace them.
     
  11. Gracy123

    Gracy123 Agrees to disagree

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    +1 Vote :)
     
  12. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    Funny, me and moral were just discussing how these cards look like they've been repaired and here I am thinking about repairing one.

    Maybe I will be able to overclock more if I just bridge the resistors instead of replacing it. :D Anyone have any input as to whether that part of the board is actually leading to the HE tab? Or do you think its to one of the vRAM chips? that should have been my poll question lol.

    I think my multimeter is broken :rolleyes: isn't there a way to identify these kind of tiny components by color, at least to some extent?

    Thanks all for the suggestions. Still, I have yet to test it, don't really have time until tonight.
     
  13. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    The difference between having a resistor or no resistor at all can be dramatic.

    Like going from 1.0v core voltage right up to the 12v rail.

    Or its an important conection and wont work at all.
     
  14. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    Yea, I realize that. I am going to try some sane options first.
     
  15. Trottel

    Trottel Notebook Virtuoso

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    Sane options? The only sane option is to replace the missing resistors with ones of equal value. Anything else is foolhardy and sure to leave you with a worthless lump.

    Don't forget to measure the resistance of the two empty pads to make sure if you have to calculate the appropriate resistance.
     
  16. funky monk

    funky monk Notebook Deity

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    The resistors are probably quite important but for the most part caps are only really used in noise filtration. You could probably live without the cap. Also, you wanted to know about identifying the parts, they're surface mount which means they have no colour code but if you look closely at them with a magnifying glass then they should have some info on them.
     
  17. Trottel

    Trottel Notebook Virtuoso

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    If there is anything printed on them, I doubt it is useful information. Also I forgot about them possibly being capacitors. If they are capacitors, they are just as required as resistors are. I've ruined handful of video cards by knocking tiny resistors or capacitors off.
     
  18. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    I think monk was saying I could probably bridge the gap where the capacitor is missing?

    Oh thats right, SMT is the term. I know they aren't color 'coded', but are caps and resistors generally certain colors by any chance? I really need a multimeter...
     
  19. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    If you short a decoupling capacitor you will short circuit the card and bad things will happen.
     
  20. Trottel

    Trottel Notebook Virtuoso

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    No. Whether it is a resistor or capacitor, just bridging the gap is asking for a dead card.

    There are codes for larger components, but not for those small surface mount parts.
     
  21. Ayle

    Ayle Trailblazer

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    Beside that what happened to that HE tab?
     
  22. niffcreature

    niffcreature ex computer dyke

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    HAha yes the sandy bridge chipset recall is also because of smt resistors breaking off :p

    I don't really know what happen to this card, I got it from cyberinfity and they had obviously only tested the other one I got.
    I'll probably return it.