Replace caps or not on GA-K8N Ultra-SLI

johnvosh

Member
So I have an old s939 Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-SLI motherboard. I had to pull it out of one of my systems because it was having issues shutting down, and stability issues. When I pulled it out, I noticed the caps were done. Now I know this is an old board, but I really liked it. Has 8 SATA ports, supports SLI, etc....

What I want to know is, would it be worth it to replace the caps. Never had a problem with it and would like to get it running again. I was going to buy another one off eBay, but the Ultra-SLI version is hard to find...

Thanks for your recommendations guys!
 

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
If your good with a soldering iron and solder, you can replace them. But hard telling if thats the only thing wrong with the board.
 

Shane

Super Moderator
Staff member
If you can get the caps cheap enough,and you already have a Soldering Iron & Solder at hand then why not. :)
 

johnvosh

Member
I probably could replace them myself. Never really done the soldering thing so would probably end up screwing something up. I just figured it was cheap and easy then I could keep it running, but I guess I'll let the board stay up on the wall. Thanks for the help guys!
 

tremmor

Well-Known Member
I probably could replace them myself. Never really done the soldering thing so would probably end up screwing something up. I just figured it was cheap and easy then I could keep it running, but I guess I'll let the board stay up on the wall. Thanks for the help guys!

Risky business. My solder iron cost about $200.00. It does take some skill.
Your talking SMT surface mount technology. I have the skill and likely you do not have the equipment. Let alone the right size solder. just my thought.
If you did you would likely solder across many traces. You would have a wreck. Sorry, not easy to do. Even i try to stay away from it.
 

Okedokey

Well-Known Member
Piece of piss. Get a $30 soldering iron and a solder sucker. I doubt its SMT for electro caps.

gigabytega8irxpto2.jpg


Heat the tip super hot, melt the solder apply as little heat to sufficiently suck it off. Ahem

Remove cap, noting the polarity.

Replace with new caps, heat the surface to be soldered carefully (don't over do it) and apply the smallest amount of solder to create a shiny symetrical pyramid.

Trim off excess legs.

Done.
 
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OvenMaster

VIP Member
I replaced the electrolytic caps on my old FX 5200 AGP card last summer. $6 for caps from Digi-Key, my 30 year old soldering pencil from RatShack, and some Soder-Wick and I was done in 20 minutes. No reason you can't do it on a motherboard to get some more life out of it.
 

johnvosh

Member
Well I think I'm going to let this board RIP... I've got the chance to get a Sabertooth Z77 for $140 tomorrow, so am going to start collecting parts over the next few months.

Thanks guys for all the advice!
 
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