Can you replace either the NorthBridge or SouthBridge Chipset

[Victor43]

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

 

[Lean L]

no

 

[Jeff7]

no

That's the short (and still quite accurate) version.

Chipsets and a lot of new/advanced chips use BGA soldering tech. Reworking is difficult and requires specialized equipment.

The difficulties of BGA are tolerated by industry because it allows for higher chip densities on circuitboards, as there are no wire leads around the perimeter. It also helps with things like stray inductance and capacitance - a real-world wire lead acts as both an inductor and a capacitor, as opposed to the ideal wire lead, which is a perfect conductor, and adds no stray anythings. These stray attributes can interfere with signal integrity, and so efforts are made to minimize them when possible. BGA helps out by using a nice little ball of solder instead of a wire lead.


The other issue is that you won't be able to acquire individual replacement chips anyway. Now, maybe if you'd put in an order for a few thousand of them, you'd get some response.


If somethings wrong with a motherboard, short of something affecting large components like bad capacitors, your only real option is to replace the motherboard.

 

[Mr.Wolfclaw]

Yes but as Jeff7 says you need to be a specialist, many OEM companies like HP, Fujitsu and the like take dead boards from big customers, replace fault components and then stick them in their internal field spare supply loops.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

It isn't worth it. It is technically possible but you need specialized tools to do it well and it is cheaper just to get another board than paying someone to fix it.

 

[Victor43]

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies. Jeff7 you are right as well. I did find some helpful videos on YouTube.com with the help of someone on the internet that replace BGA chips. Since the BGA format is identical to the Southbridge Chipset the procedure for removal and resoldering should be the same. Thanks to everyone here is the links to the YouTube.com site.

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

Hope the above is helpful to anyone else interested in this area. Its more a hobby for me. I already have a motherboard that does not work so I thought since I've I've already written it off why not to learn something new.

Anyway its not a big deal if the motherboard does not work anymore I won't be any further ahead.

Best Regards

Victor