HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

[HyperFirez]

I can't believe of all things, I would do something like this.
Anyway, the top of the cap says "M63x 470 6.3v".
I assume this is 470uf, but I don't know. Also I have no idea where to look to buy a replacement. Thanks.

Motherboard is: MSI Z170A Gaming M7

[stj]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

got a picture?

[HyperFirez]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

Yeah here it is: https://imgur.com/HDROftc

[stj]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

solid polymer electrolytic.
with a terrible custom paint job!

[HyperFirez]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

So the type of the cap is a "solid polymer electrolytic". Was I right about it being 470uf?

[Per Hansson]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

Yea 470uF 6.3v

[HyperFirez]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

Is there anything other spec that I should know regarding it or will any cap that is 470uf and 6.3v work?

[stj]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

watch the lead pitch and can diameter if you want the new one to fit on the board!

[HyperFirez]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

So I actually picked up one from my neighbor across the street. He works on car motherboards. Only problem is I tired to desolder the broken legs on the board today and my iron is trash so I couldn't do it. I got in contact with MSI, so I am hoping to get them to repair it. Not sure if they will though as it is a discontinued item, but the S/N seems to be in their database still so that is a good sign I guess. Thanks for the help anyways. At least I got to learn about capacitors :p

[clearchris]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

You would be better off just bringing it to a local electronics repair shop. Maybe even one of those mobile phone repair shops, especially if you bring the replacement cap with you.

[tester272001]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

So I actually picked up one from my neighbor across the street. He works on car motherboards. Only problem is I tired to desolder the broken legs on the board today and my iron is trash so I couldn't do it. I got in contact with MSI, so I am hoping to get them to repair it. Not sure if they will though as it is a discontinued item, but the S/N seems to be in their database still so that is a good sign I guess. Thanks for the help anyways. At least I got to learn about capacitors :p

the easy dirty solution here is to solder a LEADED cap on there - kind of on the surface and make sure its on there pretty solid. its not pretty but it will work and provide years of service. likely will last as long as you use that mobo. use 60/40 lead solder too that will make life easy. the mobo likely uses lead free which is harder to work with. flow a little lead solder and your life will be happy. Of course if your neighbor FIXES mobo it will be a easy fix for him!

[tester272001]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

oh and by the way. loosing ONE cap off the mobo will prob not make any difference. there is a HIGH probability that it will boot fine without it.

[ChaosLegionnaire]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

not true. it depends on where the cap is and what its function does. if its the sole filter cap in a buck regulator, powering it up without the cap will fry the buck regulator because there isnt anywhere for the excess energy to go. this will either make a crater on the board and render the board useless or if u're lucky just a popped mosfet or regulator.

[tester272001]

Re: HELP: I accidentally broke a capacitor off of my motherboard...

not true. it depends on where the cap is and what its function does. if its the sole filter cap in a buck regulator, powering it up without the cap will fry the buck regulator because there isnt anywhere for the excess energy to go. this will either make a crater on the board and render the board useless or if u're lucky just a popped mosfet or regulator.

I stand corrected. Valid point there Chaos!