Geforce 3 / 4 PCB modding - its possible to add + enable unoccupied PCB DVI connector? \ VOGONS

Geforce 3 / 4 PCB modding - its possible to add + enable unoccupied PCB DVI connector?

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First post, by ruthan

Posted on 2025-10-23, 11:32

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Hello,
i wonder tried someone to solder DVI port to unoccupied holes on PCB? DVI cards are quite rare in this era.

I never fully understand why its normal to make PCB with unoccupied places, if it make sense, if it really save some money.. and if its cheaper than create more variants of PCB.

I checked my cards there seems that there are not unoccupied PCB places for components near DVI holes.. so it seems that only DVI port coudl be missing, not some RAMDAC, or other components.

I tried to solder DVI port to one of cards, Geforce 3 TI 2000, but its not working.

Im not sure if some special bios is needed, or really other unccopied component on more distant places from dvi port holes are needed.

Im old goal oriented goatman, i care about facts and freedom, not about egos+prejudices. Hoarding=sickness. If you want respect, gain it by your behavior. I hate stupid SW limits, SW=virtual world, everything should be possible if you have enough raw HW.

Reply 1 of 5, by The Serpent Rider

Posted on 2025-10-23, 11:41

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GeForce 3 is analog only. You need additional logic to output digital.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 2 of 5, by shevalier

Posted on 2025-10-23, 11:47

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https://www.vgamuseum.info/index.php/cpu/item … geforce3-ti-200
compare the presence of parts on the bottom of the PСB
https://www.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/vi … SII164CT64.html

And something very unpleasant.
There's a strap resistor "enable DVI" on the board , and it could be located anywhere.
Without a schematic, this exercise is pretty pointless.

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Reply 3 of 5, by mockingbird

Posted on 2025-10-23, 12:48

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shevalier wrote on 2025-10-23, 11:47:

There's a strap resistor "enable DVI" on the board , and it could be located anywhere.
Without a schematic, this exercise is pretty pointless.

...or take two cards, one with DVI and one without and compare them.

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Reply 4 of 5, by The Serpent Rider

Posted on 2025-10-23, 13:05

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Looking at the back of the reference GeForce 3 Ti 200 PCB, there's a placement for Silicon Image Sil164CT64 chip. Digital won't work without it.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 5 of 5, by shevalier

Posted on 2025-10-23, 13:30

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mockingbird wrote on 2025-10-23, 12:48:

shevalier wrote on 2025-10-23, 11:47:

There's a strap resistor "enable DVI" on the board , and it could be located anywhere.
Without a schematic, this exercise is pretty pointless.

...or take two full identical cards, one with DVI and one without and compare them.

And even there, there are usually about ten strap-resistors (for example, whether to transmit sound via DVI or not), and even with a schematic, it's not always clear which one does what.
But, of course, it's a matter of persistence.

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