Changing dgpu MacBook Pro 15” 2012

[chris_oldman]

I have mid 2012 15” MacBook Pro with broken nvidia gt650m and will try my first attempt to solder a new one but that gave me some thoughts. Is it possible to solder Other gpu cause i found that gtx860m is working on the same kepler architecture with gddr5 memory and PCI express 3.0x16 just like gt650m also size (28nm) is the same.

 

[jav6454]

I would not recommend. Pins may be different.

 

[cryptocat]

Putting in a different Chip won't work, even if it were electrically compatible with the board, the EFI would not support it.

I've repaired one of those infamous 650M GT logic boards myself before.

Most of the time it's not the actual GPU, but a buck converter (U8900, google "macbook pro U8900" to get schematics) that's gone bad. Or, more precisely, the soldering joints that connect that chip to the board.

I reflowed just this chip and it continued working just fine. Look into that before you ruin an otherwise functioning logic board.

Replacing BGA chips with hundreds of contacts is a delicate process that requires experience and expensive equipment.

Reflowing or re-soldering the U8900 Chip requires nothing more than a cheap hot air station. I've done it and can recommend trying that.

You do need a little experience taking apart computers and likely risk damaging something if you don't have that. Other than that, it can be done, with a little patience and the right tools.

 

[chris_oldman]

Putting in a different Chip won't work, even if it were electrically compatible with the board, the EFI would not support it.

I've repaired one of those infamous 650M GT logic boards myself before.

Most of the time it's not the actual GPU, but a buck converter (U8900, google "macbook pro U8900" to get schematics) that's gone bad. Or, more precisely, the soldering joints that connect that chip to the board.

I reflowed just this chip and it continued working just fine. Look into that before you ruin an otherwise functioning logic board.

Replacing BGA chips with hundreds of contacts is a delicate process that requires experience and expensive equipment.

Reflowing or re-soldering the U8900 Chip requires nothing more than a cheap hot air station. I've done it and can recommend trying that.

You do need a little experience taking apart computers and likely risk damaging something if you don't have that. Other than that, it can be done, with a little patience and the right tools.

So the gpu Socket and all the interface is much more integrated to the logicboard more than cpu that could be replaced like in the 13” model (quad Core over dual Core i5/i7)? And if I buy a simple hot air bga station what temp should I use on preheater?

 

[cryptocat]

Yes. Everything‘s soldered!

But!

Most of the time it’s not the actual graphics chip, but the converter chip that’s gone bad, so try that before you try anything else.