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GTX280 - oven mod?

tommytinkle

tommytinkle

tommytinkle

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Hi

Has anyone else had a gtx 280 fail and managed to fix it via oven or other heating up method? I have a failed one here and fancied giving it a go but am just wondering whether its a complete waste of time or something thats actually worth trying?

Do problems with these things come around because of the lack of lead in solder nowadays? I notice ps3's etc seem to fail a quite a rate (well the older 60 giggers?)

Thanks
 
I believe it is because of the lead free solder. There are good alternatives but they're more expensive, so most stuff gets the cheap alternative that's prone to cracking over heat cycles.

If you search the forum you'll find a handful of people who've done this with nvidia cards, not sure about the 280, but if you're careful and follow the same precautions, you may be ok.
 
There have been loads of people reporting it working on here after oven modding their 8800GTXs. IIRC only 1 normal fail, and 1 epic who did it wrong. Seems like a very high success rate. I think 1 or 2 have said it might fail after 3 months, but ovening a 2nd time can work again.

Not heard of anyone trying other cards.
 
Yes Ive seen loads of success stories about the oven trick. I remember the guy that left it in too long though and he posted a picture of something that looked like it came from Chernobyl :D
 
Lol,

Guys - would a heatgun work? I fixed a ps3 with a heatgun which has been working flawlessly for around three months now. I'm not sure of the area that is affected on these things? Is it the GPU itself or the memory?

Pictures coming if I do it :D
 
JTrickle said:
There have been loads of people reporting it working on here after oven modding their 8800GTXs. IIRC only 1 normal fail, and 1 epic who did it wrong. Seems like a very high success rate. I think 1 or 2 have said it might fail after 3 months, but ovening a 2nd time can work again.

Not heard of anyone trying other cards.
Click to expand...

Any link to the epic fail? :D
 
Did this myself to my BFG GTX 280, stupid bloomin' companies going out of business.

It definitely does work now, but the temperatures will just ramp up to 100 degrees within a few minutes of playing a game, while at the same settings my 8800GT will hit 60ish.

I'm pretty sure this is down to my dubious application of thermal goo, I just haven't had a chance to prise it apart again and reapply it.

It was already a warranty replacement for my previous card, and with them out of business my hopes of getting a roughly equivalent 470 are gone.
I'm waiting to see what reviews the new ATI/AMD cards get, and see if they push down prices at all.
Fortunately my 8800GT is performing admirably, so I'm not jonesing for a card right now so can afford to wait.


In summary, if it's under warranty and not a BFG card, RMA it. If it's not, get your oven fired up already.
(If you live with your parents who might be upset with your unorthodox cookery, I have heard you can do it with a powerful hairdryer, I'm dubious)
 
Last edited:
lurkio said:
You could try it
BUT
You might be leaving toxic chemicals inside your oven .........
Click to expand...

If your that worried just put some grease proof paper underneath your card and when your done through it away into a plastic bag (one you got from the supermarket) and stick it in the bin outside. Simples!
 
Freddie1980 said:
If your that worried just put some grease proof paper underneath your card and when your done through it away into a plastic bag (one you got from the supermarket) and stick it in the bin outside. Simples!
Click to expand...

I think it's less about stuff melting off of your card than the gas released (mine didn't smell great when I took it out) and caking itself to the inside of your oven.
 
Which area is it that the joints fail on? GPU presumably? I'm going to try wallpaper stripper gun, but want to know where to be aiming the heat at!
 
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