P170SM-A from a (probably) dying GTX 880M to a 980M Upgrade

Reflow ovens often use a metal grate. That is bad since it will apply pressure and can crush the underside ram chip solder.

For 217C solder reflow, usually 225C to 230C is the common temp used. Initially soldering will use between 250 and 260C.

Don't use aluminum foil. There is nothing that is temperature sensitive.

8 to 10min is excessive. 2 min is fine.

Line the core with solder flux before heating. Clean the flux off with a toothbrush and rubbing alcohol before powering the card on. Let the card dry for a half hour or so after.

 

Thanks for the reply!

I was following Linus video regarding the aluminum foil. I was going to use a metal plate with Aluminum foil over it, and 4 "balls" of aluminum foil to maintaing the MXM Card suspended.

What do you mean by "Line the core with solder flux before heating."? Sorry, english is not my main Language. Are you referring to preheating the core before inserting it to the oven?

I assume that you refer to clean the core after the reflow process, correct?

Lastly, the Temperature setpoint should be 217C or 225-230?

Thanks again for answering.

Edit: I understand now that you meant applying solder flux over the core. Is that correct? ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flux_(metallurgy)) Should I spread it over the core as I was applying a thermal paste?

Edit 2: I understand what you meant. To form a perimeter around the core with solder flux to protect it from oxidation when the metal is in liquid form. Correct? (Source: )

 

Just summarizing:

1) Preheat the lab oven that I am going to use to 230C
2) Apply solder flux around the GPU core
3) Insert the GPU inside the oven and leave for 2 minutes
4) Remove the GPU and clean the flux off using a toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol
5) Leave It dry for about a half hour before powering the card on
6) Power the card on and see if It succeeded.

Note that I will be using a regular lab oven (Just a oven that has temperature Control).
Note also that I will be not using aluminum foil.

Thanks for your attention!

 

@Khenglish Sorry to bother you. If possible, could you confirm that this is a viable procedure?

Thanks a lot.

 

Have the card in the oven while heating the oven as long as it takes less than 10 minutes. If you can't do this, then leave the card in the oven for 5, instead of 2 minutes.

Have the GPU on a flat surface. If it must be on a grill, make sure the grill wires are not touching the backside RAM chips.

 

Thanks for answering! So the rest of the procedure seems ok to you?

 

Yes, just don't try to apply flux while the card's solder is molten. You can apply it while the card is cold, but it spreads better if it's warm, around 100C. Just put a line between the pcb and the core packaging on all 4 sides.

 

Sure, I will apply the flux while the card is cold and will insert it into the oven. As you suggested, I will let the card heat with the oven to 230°C and leave it for 2 minutes. The oven is capable of reaching 230° within 10 minutes, so I think that part should be fine.

 

Hello @Khenglish!

Unfortunately, It did not work. However, the card was dead anyway, I am not bothered then.

I plugged in my old dead GTX 880m in order to boot up the computer, as the P170SM-A does not boot without GPU. I just use it disabled and the computer runs fine.

However, I know that there is some modded BIOS that makes the P170SM-A boots without GPU from @Prema, but I cannot find it anywhere anymore. Do you know anything about this? I think I will contact Prema in order to know if he still has this BIOS.

Thanks a lot for the attention!

 

He'd need to provide it to you.

 

I'm coming late here, but it seems we both have the exact same computer !

I learned this lesson the hard way : never buy anything expensive from the Chinese ! (in fact I even went beyond that, trying to avoid everything chinese as much as possible, but that's another matter)

At least you were able to use your GPU longer than me.

While I still use my old computer somehow, I finally decided to buy a new laptop from MSI. I doubt it was such a good idea compared to buying a Clevo, considering the problems encountered, but that too is another matter...

 

It really depends on what you are buying and who from.