Can you replace either the NorthBridge or SouthBridge Chipse

Question

Resolved Question

Can you replace either the NorthBridge or SouthBridge Chipse

by Victor6799 Sep 12, 2011 12:52AM PDT

Greeting all.

I am starting to learn how to troubleshoot basic motherboard parts
should they become faulty however these two chipsets I cannot see any
obvious and visual way that these two chips can be replaced. I have
tried searching the web for any help but so far I could not find any
help.

So my question comes to simply can a single person (me) with the right tools (i.e. Hot Air Gun, Soldering IRON,
ePoxy) simply remove either of these chips and replace them with
another ? Of course I understand the chip that will replace the existing
must match exactly the older one for the same board.

So is it possible and has it ever been done by an amature but with the right tools and experience ?

Thanks in advance

Victor

Discussion is locked

Victor6799 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

8 Posts

- Collapse + Expand Details

Best Answer

- Collapse -

Can you replace either the NorthBridge or SouthBridge Chipse

by Victor6799 Sep 12, 2011 1:50AM PDT

Thank you both TWB404 and ahtoi for the helpful replies. Yes I agree with ahtoi that I am not ready to do something like that but I would like the practice. However the main idea of asking this question is to find out how easy or difficult is it to have either one of these chips replaced. Apparently it can be done and the question is next what sort of equipment would be needed and lastly from where would I find such a replacement chip for an older motherboard.

Thanks

Victor

- Collapse -

My preferences

by TWB404 Sep 12, 2011 2:04AM PDT

I will include 2 links for you to look at. For soldering I am a Weller Tech. For my desoldering I am a Hakko tech. lol Weird I know.

http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/weller/

http://www.hakkousa.com/default.asp

Hakko makes a portable desoldering tool that just can not be beat for field work and I even prefer it for most bench work. They also make great SMD desoldering tools. Take a look see at the sites. You will find as you progress thru your career that your preferences for which tools you use change by the experience you gain.

- Collapse -

Hi Victor.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 12, 2011 2:10AM PDT

Look at http://www.howardelectronics.com/xytronic/IR860.html

The tool for SMT rework is many thousand dollars. You seem to be new to this but there is a reason so few boards are fixed. It's the cost of the gear to do such work.

The occasional capacitor or connector is what your tech does but SMT chips like you listed mean it's cheaper to change the board.
Bob

- Collapse -

If I had

by TWB404 Sep 12, 2011 2:26AM PDT

If I had a nickel for every bad cap I have replaced I could pay off the national debt. The hardest thing to teach a new service tech is that most problem are not the big items but the simple things that are easy to over look.

- Collapse -

And this one.

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 12, 2011 3:37AM PDT

LAPTOP POWER JACKS

- Collapse -

Can you replace either the NorthBridge or SouthBridge Chipse

by Victor6799 Sep 12, 2011 7:10AM PDT

Thanks R. Proffitt for the reply. I will definitely take a look at those links you have provided. I did find some links with the help of someone else on how it can be done on a BGA chip. Not the same as the Southbridge but the design of the chips in the method the chips sit on the PCB bear a remarkable similarity. Hopefully someone else wondering the same thing might find your videos and the ones I have posted here.

Thanks alot again

Victor

http://www.youtube.com/user/reply4reply#p/u/4/BnkGXjcNzag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7O7cRowbLI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=vOr6Gse6BOw

- Collapse -

Answer

"hot air gun"?

by ahtoi Sep 12, 2011 1:26AM PDT

You are not ready yet but practice makes perfect. So get a old motherboard from somewhere/somebody and start practicing. My question is; do you think it's economical to do such repair? Just something to think about. Good luck.

Back to Computer Help forum

TWB404 · Accepted Answer · Sep 12, 2011 1:16AM PDT

- Collapse -

NO

by TWB404 Sep 12, 2011 1:16AM PDT

They probably can be changed but the equipment required and the time required would make it prohibited. The cost of a new mobo, a new copy of Windows, and labor would bring this repair in under what it is going to cost to get the new chip and remove the old one without damaging the old mobo.

Can you replace either the NorthBridge or SouthBridge Chipse

Best Answer

CNET Forums

Other Forums

Forum Info