The ignorance of the colorful flows and stripes that appear on the monitor screen unnaturally tearing the integrity of the displayed image, as well as “cubic” blotches - all this and much more, falling under the definition of “visual artifacts”, can say one thing: the computer's graphic substation is malfunctioning. Naturally, in such situations, you need to repair the video card. Doing it yourself is sometimes quite difficult, but it is possible and, as practice shows, sometimes even useful. Since in the process of repairing your computing device, much of the previously unknown to the user becomes clear. If you want to understand all the intricacies of recovering a video card, read this article.
Instead of introducing
Before embarking on a project: Do-it-yourself video card repair, you need to understand the cause of the breakdown. Probably for you, dear reader, the fact that any computer malfunction relates to either the hardware or the software part of the computing device will not be news. In our case, the first type of breakdown will be considered. That is, as they say in the circles of "advanced" users, we will "dig for hardware." Well, let's get started.
Start: From Simple to Complex
In some cases, the user's worries about a radically changed image on the monitor screen are absolutely in vain. Surprised? Nevertheless, repairing a video card (with your own hands, of course) can consist in fairly simple manipulations. Be extremely careful, and you will succeed!
- If a discrete type graphics adapter is installed on your PC, then it is likely that the “iron problem” appeared as a result of dust pollution.
- Turn off your computing device and remove the video card from the motherboard slot.
- Clean the contact area of the graphics module with a regular eraser or alcohol solution.
Agree, it’s really easy! If the BIOS does not see the installed video adapter, first of all it is necessary to carry out such kind of maintenance and only in the absence of a positive result proceed with further actions.
Gaming surprises: repair Asus video cards and more
It would probably be right to start with the fact that often malfunctions in the operation of graphic substations are associated with a malfunctioning cooling system. Due to the latter, the GPU microprocessor, as well as some components of the video adapter, are exposed to critical temperatures. Naturally, this is precisely why the once rapidly developing game scenario with the onset of the hot time “Ch” turns into a “nervous simulator”. This type of difficulty can be fixed as follows:
- Remove the video adapter from the PC case.
- Clean dust cooler and associated radiator grill.
- In some cases, it makes sense to lubricate the rotation axis with special silicone or ordinary engine oil.
If the above does not produce the desired effect, you will need to replace the cooling element, in particular, the cooler.
Hot solutions for the integrated video card
Prices, as you know, for graphic substations of a discrete type can sometimes repel an ordinary user with their frightening high cost. This is especially true when it comes to gaming video adapters. As a rule, when acquiring a computing device, a novice user relies on the "built-in graphics capabilities" of his PC.
However, in such cases, some “hot” troubles may arise in the operation of the integrated GPU microchip. It is worth noting that the above procedure for restoring the "cold mind" of a discrete graphics card can only be applied partially to the integrated graphics chips. Since the cooling system of the latter does not have a mechanical element - a cooler for heat dissipation. Therefore, the algorithm for restoring the functionality of the integrated video card is somewhat different, however, it can be used for "independent" graphics modules.
A small digression: about warranty inconvenience ...
If you nevertheless decided to carry out an independent repair of the nVidia video card (applies to ATI products), then it’s time to think about how appropriate this event is? In the event that the manufacturer's warranty does not lose its relevance (in terms of time frame), it is wiser to use the services of one of the service centers to service the purchased device. If you are confident in your abilities and do not have another opportunity to return the functionality to your GPU processor, then put the following recommendations into practice.
Thermal Paste Replacement
We are talking about a special substance that is applied to the GPU microchip to increase the level of heat transfer between the interacting elements of the cooling system (microcircuit - radiator). Carrying out a comprehensive repair of Asus video cards or graphic substations from any other manufacturer, a specialist will definitely replace thermal grease. However, the process of applying the aforementioned substance is quite simple, see for yourself:
- Carefully remove the cooling elements from the video card.
- Use a clean cloth to wipe off any hardened material from the surface of the GPU chip and the adjacent side of the heatsink.
- Apply a thin and even layer of thermal paste on both planes.
- Reinstall the graphics module.
A few words about the restoration of portable GPU modules
Repairing a laptop video card is absolutely identical. As in the case with stationary computer technology, the laptop’s graphics adapter is restored to its working state using the same algorithm. However, due to some design features of laptops, access to the graphics card of certain models can be very difficult. Well, if you consider that in "cramped circumstances" you need to perform maintenance on two graphics cards, then for a beginner it would be wiser to turn to specialized professionals for help, that is, to a service center. Another thing is when, having unscrewed two or three screws from the back, the user can get full access to the cooling system and the video card. Only in this case there is every chance to safely make an independent repair.
We fix the hottest problem: GPU overheating
Do-it-yourself video card repair after exposure to critical temperatures is, in principle, possible. However, you should not trust the advice of “motley” experimenters, who unanimously - and with fanatical persuasiveness - assure Internet users that the iron and oven can be used as some kind of technical device for restoring “floated” BGA balls.
We assure you: if one of the soldering points of the GPU processor, as they say, has departed, then it is painless to restore contact only with the help of special equipment - a soldering station. However, sometimes a regular heat gun (industrial hair dryer) can become a saving alternative . But in this case, you need to know about some microelectronic nuances ...
So, how to carry out such a video card repair at home?
- The thermogun must be equipped with a (really truthful!) Indicator of the injected temperature, and it must be adjustable.
- Remove all plastic parts from the video adapter board (cooler, latches and other fixing elements).
- Prepare one small piece of foil in advance, in which cut a window corresponding to the size of the GPU chip. The rest of the area of the graphics adapter (at a certain point in time) must be covered by the mentioned thermal protection material.
- Mount the video card on a flat and not afraid of high temperatures surface.
- Set on a thermogun 150 ° and in a circular motion for 3-5 minutes warm up the entire plane of the graphics module.
- Then move the hair dryer regulator to the 300 ° C position.
- Using a protective foil template (cover all parts of the video adapter, except for the GPU chip), warm up the graphic chip in circular motions for one, maximum two minutes.
Wait until it cools completely and only then check the functionality of the visual effects module. In most cases, video cards after repair (heat treatment) last a long time. By the way, do not forget to inspect the graphics card for swollen or punctured capacitors - definitely, these must be replaced ...
To summarize
So, today you learned how to restore video cards. Repair prices, in the case of a successful maintenance, can now not scare you. Although, to be honest, we’ll tell you that in most cases it’s more reasonable to fix an expensive graphics adapter (for example, costing several tens of thousands of rubles) in a specialized workshop. Since in inept hands, and even with the use of a thermogun, the outcome is rather predictable, certainly not in the direction of the favorableness of the attempted recovery. Well, if you decide to repair your video card yourself - good luck!