can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

[tikuna]

hi,

i have a 7950GT graphic card and one of the electrolytic caps broken.



C122 position - 100uf/6,3v SMD cap ... can i use a 100uf/6,3v through-hole? or i should order a SMD one? im asking cause i have some through-hole caps here, so i wouldnt have to wait to fix the card.

thanks in advance

[Per Hansson]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

Yes you can, wont hurt to check continuity to the SMD pads first of course, but I'm 99% certain it will be ok...

[ratdude747]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

use a multimeter to see if the holes line up to the pads

also, do you have the old cap? you might be able to resolder it back on.

[tikuna]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

thanks for reply ratdude747 and Per Hansson... the problem is that i dont have a multimeter... so, can i solder the through-hole "legs" to smd pads and re-solder the smd cap after it arrives?

thanks.

[ratdude747]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

wrong

you might short something.

get a multimeter or make a DIY contuinty tester using an LED, some wire, a 3-5V source, and a bit of solder...

but you really need to get a multimeter... for stuff like this it is in the "gotta have it" category.

[tikuna]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

wrong

you might short something.

get a multimeter or make a DIY contuinty tester using an LED, some wire, a 3-5V source, and a bit of solder...

but you really need to get a multimeter... for stuff like this it is in the "gotta have it" category.

hmm, thanks for the info.

but...just checking cause maybe i wasnt clear enought since english isnt my first language.

i cant do the following? respecting correct polarity and specs(uf/v), of course.


yep,its kinda sux, but i couldnt find smd caps in my town, so i´ll need to order online.

[370forlife]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

Yes, you could do that. Cut the leads down to just long enough that you can bend them to fit to the length of the smd pads.

Though i'm fairly sure that through hole spot matches up with the SMD ones. Do you know anyone who you can borrow a multimeter from? Even if they don't line up, that is obviously a silkscreening for a cap. Capacitors are passive devices, they don't conduct electricity between two points, so you can't short anything out with it.

[ratdude747]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

no, you would be shorting the pad to the hole, and who knows where they go... they could be different voltages... bending the leads sounds like a much better idea...

[370forlife]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

no, you would be shorting the pad to the hole, and who knows where they go... they could be different voltages... bending the leads sounds like a much better idea...

Thats what he was saying. He wanted to know if he could just solder a through hole cap onto the smd pads.

[ratdude747]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

i thought he meant put it in the holes and solder bridge it...

[370forlife]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

i thought he meant put it in the holes and solder bridge it...

ahh, yeah that might not be good.

[Uranium-235]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

why not just make the holes with a drill?

hehe

don't do that

[ratdude747]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

why not just make the holes with a drill?

hehe

don't do that

you would be surprised how many n00bs around here have tried that sort of thing... the closest i ever did was drill a hole in a blank pcb to accommodate a larger lead... and that was done very carefully.

also do not drill out solder filled holes... bad idea...

[Toasty]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

Board is set up to take either type of cap. Just use the 2 holes to the left of where the SMD was. Clean any excess solder off the SMD pads first.

Note that C138 on the far right is the same way. SMD but marked for both.

Toast

[ratdude747]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

i would verify with a meter just to be safe... you never know...

[Scenic]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

i can confirm its the same.
i've got a MSI GF 7900GT here. Layout in that area looks exactly the same. the pads for the surface mount cap are the same as the through holes ... i just tested it with my DMM.. (surface mount pads to the corresponding holes on the back side)



edit: just noticed.. even the cap position is the same.. C122 for the surface mount one

[ratdude747]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

then mount it in those holes and post the results

[Toasty]

Re: can i use through-hole Cap instead of SMD one?

No.... Really???

DUH!