Video card repair: replacing a bulging capacitor on a video card

Here is a howto on replacing capacitors on a video card.

If you use graphics card for a long time (2-3 years), often appears a problem with physical condition of its elements. This article will show you how to repair a graphic card which has bulging capacitors.

This is a very frequent problem, but in most cases reparation is a good solution and we can get a working device.

Step 1. Is this board worth repairing?

Before the start we have to look at the card very attentively and know how many capacitors we have to change (if you can find and buy them somewhere).

Step 2. How to do it?

We need some tools:

soldering Iron

solderroll

flux

Step 3. Remove the capacitors which are not function

There were 4 pcs bulging capacitors on this board with nominal 1500mF 6,3V( I have previously removed them)

Step 4. Installation of new elements

It is very important that installed element has nominal like the old element has. All needed specifications you can read on the capacitor.

Check for the negative lead carefully before you begin

Look at the front of the board, you will see a white semi-circle or mark at one side of the circle. You must match up the white/silver/gold line that goes down one side of the capacitor with this white mark. This shows the negative lead. This is very important! The capacitor will blow up when you apply power to the board if it is installed improperly.

I placed the capacitor and began to solder it to the board.

It must be inserted completely. There should be no space between the board and capacitor. On the photo you can see the results of my work.

P.S.: This work can be done with higher quality, it depends on free time and experience.

About the installation of cooling systems you can read here.

Now the graphics card is ready. It will work for its owner for some more time.

Important! Do not repair and modify a device which has a valid warranty.