GT 1030 Gigabyte (Card B)

February 13, 2022
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Seller Note “Dead”

Gigabyte GT1030 2Gb – Front
Gigabyte GT 1030 2Gb – Back

Summary

  • Resistances:
    • Vcore 4.6 Ohms
    • Vmem 207 Ohms
    • PEX 1.4 K Ohms
    • 1.8v 5 K Ohms
  • Voltages
    • vcore 0.81v
    • vmem 1.5v
    • pex 1.0v
    • 1.8v present
  • OK, so given that all voltages and resistances appear in order, I went looking for reasons why the GPU might not wake up (assuming it is healthy). It seems this card also has PCB damage like my other one but in different places. Basically, the PEX reset signal AND gate and associated capacitor are missing (see pictures). I actually should have some spares I ordered for another card that has similar damage. Unfortunately, it also looks like they ripped a pad.
Gigabyte GT1030 Card B Reset Logic Damage – Missing Logic Chip and Capacitor
Gigabyte GT1030 Card A Reset Logic

The missing chip will be something like 74LVC1G08 https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1645571.pdf

The pins will be like

PinNameExpected Voltage (taken from card A)
1B (the damaged pad)1.8v
2A (the reset signal)3.3v
3GND0v
4Y (output to enable GPU to leave reset)1.8v
5VCC1.8v

On this card (card B):

  • pin 5 has 1.8v, but no smoothing capacitor
  • pin 1 is dead, as expected due to a missing pad.
  • pin 2 has 3.3v as it should.
  • pin3 is fine

Problem 1 – Repair To PEX Reset Logic Chip

First I cleaned up the area and scratched away the solder mask on the source of the 1.8v using a craft knife.

GT1030 Cleaned up the area for the new pad and connection to 1.8v

First I tried using the pad type shown below, but it was a bit small and I couldn’t seem to solder it to the exposed 1.8v source.

GT1030 – Repair logic chip pad attempt 1 – failed to bond

Next, I tried a longer pad with a trace attached to give me more to connect to the 1.8v source. I managed to get a good solder connection despite the poor alignment and slight solder bridge to the other 1.8v pad. I chose to leave the solder bridge, as the pads are actually connected by the 1.8v circuit (obviously sloppy looking, but seems quite strong).

GT1030 – Repair logic chip pad attempt 2 – worked

Finally, I managed to solder a new logic gate chip on. Again, I really need to work on my soldering! I will clean this up when I replace that missing capacitor.

GT1030 – logic chip replaced – card working

However rough my work has been, the great news is that the board now works!

Problem 2 – Damaged Capacitor

I need to test this capacitor.

GT1030 Damaged Capacitor