Replacing Voltage Regulator IC

RiceDonor · February 25, 2019

Hello! I'm not sure if this is remotely the right website (let along forum) to kick off a conversation about soldering GPU PCBs but I wasn't really sure where to start. It'd be awesome if someone could point me in the right direction if this isn't the right direction.

I recently picked up a fried GTX 1070 thinking the issue was a "user error" issue based on the diagnosis listed but it didn't quite match what was happening when it arrived into my own hands. Upon opening the card, it looks like one of the voltage regulators exploded "a bit", there doesn't appear to be any other visible issues except some oxidisation in some places (see screw hole in PCB on "Bad.jpg"). I'm fairly certain I've found the right chip by navigating Russian/Chinese forums to replace it (NB671LBGQ).

Given that there's some pins under the IC, I'd be taking it straight to a professional to replace. Is there anything I should be wary of replacing this? Is there anything else I should be considering or is it very likely that the silicon is dead?

Cheers!

Bad:

Good:

W-L · February 25, 2019

11 minutes ago, RiceDonor said:

-SNIP-

That doesn't look like a bad voltage regulator to me but someone has spilled a drink or gotten the card wet from all the corrosion I see on the solder connections.

SydneySideSteveSomewheres · February 25, 2019

1 hour ago, W-L said:

That doesn't look like a bad voltage regulator to me but someone has spilled a drink or gotten the card wet from all the corrosion I see on the solder connections.

I agree with @W-L looks to be water stains at the bottom, also on the copper contact, there is green corrosion indicative of some type of moisture. Find someone who has an ultrasonic cleaner and can give it a bath, might fix it or the problem chip will be more exposed.

Link:

http://www.cleanosonic.com/crest-p500-ultrasonic-cleaner-1-1-2-gallon/

RiceDonor · February 26, 2019

Thanks @W-L and @SydneySideSteveSomewheres, I hadn't thought of the possibility of water damage on a desktop Graphics Card.

On closer inspection on the card you guys are absolutely right, there's some other interesting spots of corrosion on the card, notably on the heatsink fins. I'll consider taking it to my local shop who have an ultrasonic cleaner. You're right on the chip too, just having a prod at it with a toothpick it's just some crystal buildup.. I'm going to say this thing might be dead but who knows.