Replace all caps or just the main power source for CPU?

[eclypse]

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I have about 8-9 older MBs that prob need caps replaced.. I've done this plenty of times in the past as not a big deal but the big deal with doing this many boards is the cost..

Do I just replace the clear bad looking caps or is it common to just replace all of them?

I would of course replace all of the group of caps if one or 2 is bad from the same group (same type and make).

Usually I would just replace the main large caps that are near the CPU but wondering if all of them would need to be replaced or maybe its uncommon for samller caps to be fine after 10-15 years?

One board I was using recently for an old school gaming rig was doing the usuall signs of bad caps with not wanting to post.. most of the time I would hit the power button and it would power up for 5 secs and then shut off.. I would have to hit the power button quiet a few times before it would finally stay on and post.. sometimes it would hang on post.

Figured that one has bad caps but when looking at the caps over and over theres no clear bulging caps to be found.. but after reading about a strong ammonia smell is a sign then its gota be what it is.

[mockingbird]

Re: Replace all caps or just the main power source for CPU?

Depends...

If you see Nichicon VR or VZ series small caps, they should be replaced, because they tend not to last. As for which caps are essential, I would say VRM low, VRM high, caps near the memory slots, northbridge, and caps near the 24-pin and 12v 4-pin connectors. You might be able to get away with leaving I/O caps, but the USB ports and such might behave unpredictably. Same goes for PCI/PCIe slot caps.