Quick Motherboard Repair Question

[MDE]

I've got a bulging capacitor on my DFI Blood Iron P35 board that I didn't notice until after I voided the warranty, so I'll replace it myself. It's a 6.3V 1000µF cap. I remember that I could go overboard on one of those numbers, but not the other, but can't remember which. I'm just hoping that I can pick up something workable at RadioShack or (if I really have to) Fry's. Thanks!

 

[PottedMeat]

It's safe to go overboard on the working voltage rating, you can use a 16V rated capacitor instead of a 6.3V rated one. However at the same values the higher voltage rated one will be larger, and on a motherboard you need to get the lead spacing and diameter right. Also check the temperature rating on the bad capacitor - usually they're rated 105C.

I've used these before in a ECS motherboard with bad caps: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=493-1467-ND

If you're in the US they've got cheap first class mail shipping.

 

[Blain]

Make sure you don't have cold joints when finishing the job.

 

[MDE]

Thanks for the help. Buying locally and from Digikey actually work out to about the same factoring shipping ($2.50 to put a capacitor in an envelope?!). Is there any benefit from a higher voltage or should I just get whatever works?

 

[RebateMonger]

When capacitors on Abit boards were failing right and left, I repaired several. Discussions about motherboard capacitors, at least the power capacitors that were always the ones failing, revealed that special high-efficiency capacitors are required. Using standard capacitors will likely cause overheating which will destroy the caps.

Radio Shack doesn't sell these. One or two American industrial electronics suppliers do, including Digikey. In the past, Digikey had fairly high minimum shipping costs ($10+). If they are now offering lower cost shipping, that's great.

 

[MDE]

This one's down in the lower right corner of the board, near the South Bridge, so I doubt it's related to the power delivery on the board.

 

[notposting]

http://thecapking.com/631000kzg.html

Gotten caps from him before, and he has *free* first class usps shipping.

edit: 30 cents and the cap is yours

 

[RebateMonger]

Yeah, it wouldn't hurt to read some posts at http://badcaps.net, either, if you haven't already.

 

[Modelworks]

Larger voltage can be used always, larger farad rating can be used 95% of the time too.
Make sure you use a low wattage soldering iron 20Watts or less. Too hot and the traces will peel from the board.

Make sure you get the polarity of the caps correct. If you don't the caps WILL explode with a loud pop on power up.

 

[MDE]

Would this be better than something I'd pick up at RadioShack?

 

[PottedMeat]

Would this be better than something I'd pick up at RadioShack?

I can't find a datasheet on that, though I don't believe NTE makes capacitors ( they just rebrand them ). You should take the old one with you to make sure it's the right size / and if it says 'low ESR'.

 

[RebateMonger]

Would this be better than something I'd pick up at RadioShack?

If they have the cap you need at thecapking, that's where I'd get it.

 

[MDE]

I ended up getting the cap from Fry's and eventually got it replaced and the PC is running well so far. We'll see how long it lasts.