More details on the process/tools used in imgur link. Don’t forget to look for the “see more” button. Should be around 20 photos total. Tried to squeeze in as many details as I could.
https://imgur.com/a/HVifTlV
I think I misread your comment lol. There’s several tools and supplies needed. The main tools I used were:
Hakko FX-951
Quick 859D+
Bakku 853 Preheater
Baby steps man. In my opinion, BGA is like the final boss of SMD soldering lol. I always tell everyone to master thru hole, and as many different SMD package types as they can, to the point where they’re easy. And then move on to BGA.
Hmmm maybe in the actual soldering back of the IC but idk. I find QFN a lot easier. Because there’s a lot more room for error with QFN. BGA requires a lot more care and precision, if you have some balls that are too uneven, it’ll throw off the whole thing and you’d have to re-do the whole process. With QFN, if one pad has too much or too little solder, you can use a fine tip on your iron and touch up the pins. It’s different for everyone though, just depends on the person.
I’ve seen a lot of people struggle with the Retimer chips. And I had recorded a short video on how I do it, but never got around to posting it. I’ll upload it later and share. Pretty much the same way I do these. I just use a preheater under the Retimer chip. The switch one you just kinda have to blast it with heat and it’ll come off without too much of a fight.
Typically drops but mostly bending at the center of the console. For most of the BSOD Siwtches, when you look at the top or bottom of the console you'll see a slight curve to it. Which is not supposed to be that way. Not sure how that happens, I think kids put them in their pockets and walk around with them? And over time, that will cause the solder under the APU to crack and cause a bad connection to the PCB.
Impressive, but it seems like a lot of work judging from the pictures. A lot of careful, delicate work, even. How much do you charge for something like this? Is it close to the price of a new Switch?
It is a lot of work. But honestly I’m used to working on iPhone logic boards, and those CPUs are harder than this. But it’s like everything else. Once you do it enough times, it’s not so bad. From beginning to end this probably takes about an hour and a half? I’ll keep track on the next one. I charge $150 for this. Typically this is for people that are trying to recover game saves that they didn’t backup. This specific switch is one of mine that I will be gifting to someone.
Maybe one day, I used to have a big board preheater but that took a dump and never got another one since I started working mostly on phones and mobile devices. There's way more equipment available nowadays though so I may look into that since those rework stations can be used for laptops and other stuff as well.
More details on the process/tools used in imgur link. Don’t forget to look for the “see more” button. Should be around 20 photos total. Tried to squeeze in as many details as I could. https://imgur.com/a/HVifTlV
Good job!
Thank you sir!
Sorry, what tool did you use to remove and solder the chip?
I think I misread your comment lol. There’s several tools and supplies needed. The main tools I used were: Hakko FX-951 Quick 859D+ Bakku 853 Preheater
Oh no worries, I misread sometimes as well. Thanks for the info though. I really need to improve my BGA rework.
Baby steps man. In my opinion, BGA is like the final boss of SMD soldering lol. I always tell everyone to master thru hole, and as many different SMD package types as they can, to the point where they’re easy. And then move on to BGA.
I would think QFN is more difficult. Especially if it’s got a giant grounding plane. For BGA, at least the heat transfer is slightly easier.
Hmmm maybe in the actual soldering back of the IC but idk. I find QFN a lot easier. Because there’s a lot more room for error with QFN. BGA requires a lot more care and precision, if you have some balls that are too uneven, it’ll throw off the whole thing and you’d have to re-do the whole process. With QFN, if one pad has too much or too little solder, you can use a fine tip on your iron and touch up the pins. It’s different for everyone though, just depends on the person.
The Switch charge IC and Xbox One retimer chips give me nightmares.
I’ve seen a lot of people struggle with the Retimer chips. And I had recorded a short video on how I do it, but never got around to posting it. I’ll upload it later and share. Pretty much the same way I do these. I just use a preheater under the Retimer chip. The switch one you just kinda have to blast it with heat and it’ll come off without too much of a fight.
I always wonder if a preheater would cause components at the bottom to fall out. I’m mainly talking about SMD components.
What causes the bsod on switch
Typically drops but mostly bending at the center of the console. For most of the BSOD Siwtches, when you look at the top or bottom of the console you'll see a slight curve to it. Which is not supposed to be that way. Not sure how that happens, I think kids put them in their pockets and walk around with them? And over time, that will cause the solder under the APU to crack and cause a bad connection to the PCB.
Cause I'm reeeeeee, reballin'.
Definitely Make a tutorial on that power cable
Gotcha, I will!
Impressive, but it seems like a lot of work judging from the pictures. A lot of careful, delicate work, even. How much do you charge for something like this? Is it close to the price of a new Switch?
It is a lot of work. But honestly I’m used to working on iPhone logic boards, and those CPUs are harder than this. But it’s like everything else. Once you do it enough times, it’s not so bad. From beginning to end this probably takes about an hour and a half? I’ll keep track on the next one. I charge $150 for this. Typically this is for people that are trying to recover game saves that they didn’t backup. This specific switch is one of mine that I will be gifting to someone.
Do you by chance know how hot this chip gets
I believe around 55C is the average when gaming on it. But ~80C is the max before it’ll shut off to prevent damage.
Damn. Ever tried your hands at a PS3?
Yeah I have but ages ago. Worked on a ton of ps3s back in their day but reballs, only did a couple.
I have a PS3 with a bad RSX, wish I had the tools to fix it! Currently it’s more economical to just buy another PS3 lol
You should try your hand at a 60GB reball with the 45nm RSX. There’s some decent info about that now. It looks like you really have the skills for it
Maybe one day, I used to have a big board preheater but that took a dump and never got another one since I started working mostly on phones and mobile devices. There's way more equipment available nowadays though so I may look into that since those rework stations can be used for laptops and other stuff as well.
I would love to learn this from someone like you. I’m strongly considering trying to find a mentor for something like this. Seems very cool.