My HTPC mainboard died from bad caps

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,087
12,593
136
bad_caps_K9N_Platinum.jpg


It started to become unstable about 2 months ago and it finally began randomly shutting down yesterday. I figured it might be bad caps so I looked and found 3 near the CPU.

I know its not the best pic.

I ordered a Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 AM2+ to replace it since the 5200+ and OCZ ram are fine.
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
Contact MSI. Some board makers will fix it if its bad caps even if its out of warranty.

But its not a real hard fix.
 

notposting

Diamond Member
Jul 22, 2005
3,496
33
91
Replace them! Fixed 2 different sets of caps on my HTPC motherboard now (by the main ATX power input originally when I got it off ebay, and then by the CPU last time). I replaced the cpu caps this time with solid ones for that matter. Done about 4 boards now, pretty simple and you feel like an electronics stud when done. :p

Pretty minimal cost even if you are starting from scratch regarding tools/supplies.
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,087
12,593
136
Contact MSI. Some board makers will fix it if its bad caps even if its out of warranty.

But its not a real hard fix.

I did that with my old Epox 8RDA+ 3 years ago. Considering the age of my K9N I am not sure if its worth the shipping costs.

Replace them! Fixed 2 different sets of caps on my HTPC motherboard now (by the main ATX power input originally when I got it off ebay, and then by the CPU last time). I replaced the cpu caps this time with solid ones for that matter. Done about 4 boards now, pretty simple and you feel like an electronics stud when done. :p

Pretty minimal cost even if you are starting from scratch regarding tools/supplies.

I have no soldering skills and no soldering station.