Graphics performance worse after recapping?

[krokett]

Hi,

I had been doing some research into recapping my old epox 8rda+.
It did show the obvious symptoms of bad GSC capacitors.
So, I did order enough to replace all GSC caps, leaving the good ones (Sanyo an d others) on the board.

It wasn't too easy to perform the repair, it sure did take me some time. Eventually, I got there.

Mounted the motherboard, and restarted the machine. The machine booted fine and works fine. Although, when I decided to play COD there seemed to be an issue; gameplay was slightly jerky. Movement of characters wasn't as smooth as it was before the repair. It's playable, but I can tell something is wrong.

I did notice during the procedure that I removed a cap (TEAPO 1500 6.3v) between the AGP and 1st PCI slot, which I shouldn't have removed. I soldered it back.

Well, even though I am glad the result was way better than for some other people who had bad luck of completely toasting their mo/bo, it still bothers me. You know, that little thing that keeps nagging at you constantly.

So, do you guys think a badly soldered cap or one damaged in the process could be the source of my problems?

Thanks for the input.

[davmax]

Re: Graphics performance worse after recapping?

Suggest you replace that Teapo. It may have been toasted by the heat of removing and replacing. Take care the motherboard vias may not suffer too removals.

[willawake]

Re: Graphics performance worse after recapping?

you did not mention what new caps you used. replace the teapo definitely. what else is in the region of AGP? (davmax was faster than me hehehe)

[krokett]

Re: Graphics performance worse after recapping?

The caps were replaced with Nichicon PW series caps.
5 x 6.3V 1500uF
8 x 6.3V 1000uF
4 x 10V 2200uF

So, I take it from your info that caps and soldering heat don't do too well?

Geez, when I was soldering some new ones the top of some of them felt lukewarm to the touch, not that I did it on purpose, but some were touch to hold in place, since small size caps are hard to come by.
Are those toast too?

[linuxguru]

Re: Graphics performance worse after recapping?

They can withstand normal soldering temperatures for a short while - say a minute - without problems. Only if you heat and reheat them repeatedly, for instance in a botched soldering job, will you get a cap with a greatly reduced lifespan. The smaller the cap, the more vulnerable it is to excess heat.

[davmax]

Re: Graphics performance worse after recapping?

The Teapo may be in doubt in any case. What caps are you using as replacements?

[davmax]

Re: Graphics performance worse after recapping?

Bit worried about the one minute to soler time. That seems too long. Have tried to pickup a figure but all reference are to surface mount caps where it is only 10seconds at 260C. Somebody may post a reference.

[willawake]

Re: Graphics performance worse after recapping?

well, Chemicon say 10 seconds at 260 or 3 at 350. This is one of the reasons why it is not good to remove caps and then use them again. The removal time is much longer than the soldering time. soldering should only take a few seconds just to close the hole so the new caps get subjected to minimal heat. the real problem is during removal where it is possible to heat the area around the via for too long periods thereby damaging either a trace or the via itself. In hot and fast is the preferred method.

anyway, the OP got a post and so his soldering cant be that bad so before we jump to conclusions best to replace the teapo and see how that goes.

[Rainbow]

Re: Graphics performance worse after recapping?

I think that it's software problem.

[kc8adu]

Re: Graphics performance worse after recapping?

clear the cmos first.
just handeling the board outside the case can corrupt it.and change all crap brands.a teapo is a possible crapcap but not as common as a gsc or ost.

[krokett]

Re: Graphics performance worse after recapping?

The Teapo may be in doubt in any case. What caps are you using as replacements?

The caps were replaced with Nichicon PW series caps.
5 x 6.3V 1500uF
8 x 6.3V 1000uF
4 x 10V 2200uF

By the looks of it, I will probably order me some new caps, and redo the procedure. Wanna bet I will toast it this time?
But first I will follow the suggestions of some people about the CMOS and software.
I wished I could just buy one, but most businesses charge you a flat fee for small shipments, so I might as well get the whole thing.

The funny thing is that 2 months ago, after having my PC dismantled for 5 months or so decided to put it back together and my Barton 2500+ couldn't run at the previous o/clocked speed of 2200 MHz. Had to throttle it back to 2100 NHz. Now, after the recap procedure I can run it at the previous o/clocked speed. At least that worked.

I am still looking for which brand to get now, and am considering 3 sources to get them from; badcaps.net, digikey.com, and mouser.com. Although mouser.com is last on my list since I specifically asked them to wait until all backordered items were delivered to ship my order, but they didn't.

I am sending a request for badcaps.net first.