VOGONS


First post, by Wilius

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Hi there, I hope I posted this in the right discussion board.
I'd like to modify a Nvidia TNT2 Vanta from Gainward, by adding a DVI port.
Alongside to some SMDs, which i'm going to deal with later, I neet to get a specific IC (labeled U1 on the PCB).
The problem is, that I don't know the part number.
I think, it's some kind of transmitter chip, that is necessary in order for the modification to work, if it's even a DVI port in first place.
I've been looking online for other cards, that are using a similar pcb design/layout, and i've indeed came across a few results.
Almost all of the cards, I've looked at were missing the connector CN4, plus the IC that i'm looking for.
However, this is one of the few examples, that has CN4 populated: https://fccid.io/ICUVGA-GW909A/Internal-Photo … UT-Photos-54973
Unfortunately, it has a slightly different PCB layout and the contacts underneath connector CN4 do not match with mine.
Besides that, the pictures are very blurry and I can't read what's written on the IC.
Perhaps you guys can tell me the part number of the IC, that i'm looking for.
It would be great, if you could provide me the datasheet as well.
In case, nobody knows it, I believe there's a workaround/alternative, but I might be wrong.
It seems, that between the contacts for the unpopulated IC are spots for 2 resistor arrays, labeled RP2 & RP3.
I believe, they're serving as bridges. Maybe you can tell me the resistance of those resistor arrays.
Could CN4 be a real DVI port, or is it intended for a completely different purpose and i'm simply stupid?
I havn't soldered it on yet. Perhaps my project is impossible anyway.

Here's the FCC ID: ICUVGA-GW909A

Thanks in advance for your help
Sorry for this long and silly thread.

Reply 1 of 2, by Tiido

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It should be SIL164CTG64, or at least that is what is normally used as the DVI transmitter on old cards, but you can see there's also direct connectivity option which should be explored first. I don't know what it would take to actually enable the DVI port, I'm sure it will not just magically start working once parts are added. Some configuration or BIOS change is probably necessary too.

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Reply 2 of 2, by Wilius

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Thanks for the quick reply Tildo. I appreciate it.
You're right. I'm aware, that it isn't going to work right away, but I think it's worth a try.
Therefore, i'm going to have to deal with the SMD components first.
I mean, it wouldn't be a big loss, if something goes wrong. Vantas are not very rare in particular.
I'm just wondering, whether someone owns this card, with the DVI port populated.
I just can't find a picture of one.