First post, by bloodem
- Rank
- Oldbie
So... this is the first time I'm seeing something like this.
I have a Palit GeForce 3 Ti 200 which is extremely overclockable (it has been running 100% stable at Ti 500 clocks: 240 MHz core / 250 MHz memory).
So I've long since wanted to give it a special treatment:
- replace the GPU cooler
- replace all caps (even though the original 20 year old caps were not showing any signs of weakness, and the card was working fine).
- add VRAM heatsinks.
A few months ago I started with the GPU cooler, replaced that one with a new DeepCool heatsink + fan that I can still purchase new from multiple local vendors.
Today I had some spare time and decided to replace the capacitors with some new Panasonic FR caps that I had purchased 2 months ago (from what is otherwise a very reliable seller). I usually go with Nichicon or Panasonic FM / FC series caps, but the seller did not have any of those with a diameter of 8mm. So I did some reading and decided to purchase the FR series, which - based on the spec sheet - looked even better in some respects.
These are 1000 uF / 6.3V / low ESR caps, the same rating as the original factory caps that were on the video card.
So I went ahead and replaced them, powered on the card, ran a bunch of benchmarks, all went smoothly. In fact, with the new caps I was able to increase the memory clock beyond Ti 500 speeds, to 260/520 MHz (which was not possible before).
I removed the card, and just as I was about to put it in the antistatic bag, I realized that one of the caps had bulged. I have replaced thousands of caps and I never once experienced something like this...
The way I see it, there are two possibilities: either these FR "Panasonic" caps are fake, or one of the caps was actually a dud (nothing is perfect, I'm sure there are DOA caps too, though I never saw any).
Either way, I now lost any faith and will have to do another full recap, once I find Nichicon or Panasonic FM 8mm stock...
Here are some pics, any thoughts, has this ever happened to you?
1 x PLCC-68 / 2 x PGA132 / 5 x Skt 3 / 9 x Skt 7 / 12 x SS7 / 1 x Skt 8 / 14 x Slot 1 / 5 x Slot A
5 x Skt 370 / 8 x Skt A / 2 x Skt 478 / 2 x Skt 754 / 3 x Skt 939 / 7 x LGA775 / 1 x LGA1155
Current PC: Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Backup PC: Core i7 7700k