The danger of liquid metal on GPU

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[@drewnewby]

We interrupt this GPU repair to bring you Preheater Station repair. Now back to your regularly scheduled reball.

[@TheMechanator]

And he wasn't cussing when the tools give a little fight against him. Or maybe he was swearing and did the audio dub dialog over it anyway. :} BTDT.. Had to fix a mig welder in the middle of a ATV fabrication/repair once. Or the CRT on the bench back in the day decided to quit. So I fixed that too along the way.

[@SteelTumbleweed]

I fix shit like you on the way to real repairs.

[@fredygump5578]

Lets take a moment to appreciate how much self control he had here. He could have trolled the crap out of Northridge on this one, but he didn't. I feel a little choked up!

[@andreasotto1977]

I know I'm very, VERY late to the party, but some day I will have to ask, sooo … where does that northridge banter stem from?

[@Soddus.]

whats his problem with northridge?

[@northwestrepair]

@@Soddus. No problem. This and many other gpus I got came from him with no fix but they were repairable. I am just raising the awareness that he can't fix anything that requires spending more than 10 minutes of work.

[@antagonist99]

@@andreasotto1977 NRF play up their abilities to the point of comedy ("BETTER THAN FACTORY!") when they either don't want the hassle of or simply are unable to do reballs. I mean, this was a straightforward, if probably somewhat time intensive fix for NWR with next to no guessing involved at all, but if your repair attempt is basically just looking at the 12VHPWR plug to see if it has melted, then sending it back as a no fix when it hasn't, that's a red flag to me. On that note​ @northwestrepair, excluding repairing your heater, how long did it take you to fix this card?

[@andreasotto1977]

@@northwestrepair aaah, _NOW_ I get it. I always thought it was just some tongue-in-cheek bashing against them, but now I learned you got actual GPUs he would not fix it all makes sense.

[@blueyez1980]

Splitting balls sounds painful.

[@BenjaminEricksen]

🤣

[@michaelcarson8375]

The troubling part is he sounds satisfied with himself. 🤣

[@GameBacardi]

Uuuh, what about blowjob with actually blow ?

[@lucakrokrowinkel9576]

Maybe it’ll work like kidney and now you have three balls when they regrow.

[@MrJugNut]

LOL True. Come to think of it I would not be feeling very hot either after finding bits of metal had been shoved in and around my boy's. Yikes!!

[@sai_tastic6550]

Watched this at an airport and 4 other guys started watching this video with me.

[@Shimo_28]

valid

[@zakurn1086]

I would watch with you in the airport

[@BeastmanYT]

Best repair channel on youtube. As a DIY enthusiast I can't get enough.

[@TBRANN]

Agree 💯%

[@Acceleronics]

Reballing looks like magic when they all melt into the grid. I used to feel like hot tuna when I could replace 0805s. I can't imagine being steady enough for that super tiny stuff.

[@chronickat5453]

give the customer a nrf no fix discount lmao. actually wait, don't. that's too many cards you'd end up discounting

[@ChrisFaulkner]

I was noticing the core temps were a bit high and then you finished it off with the cherry on top.. sweet!

[@phynyxstryker]

Great catch on the GPU heat, not many technicians go the extra mile! I just about stopped watching Northridge fix because he doesn't take troubleshooting and repair far enough.. You are one of the few that actually "WORK" on repairing cards. I am a big supporter of repair and don't like e-waste out there. Great job on this one and all the others. I really enjoy your videos.

[@TheHunnerbass]

I finally subbed today after realizing how often I seek out your videos. Literally none of the other board repair channels do it for me man, your style of presenting and just talking about the work MAKES it interesting. Keep up the killer job man!🤘

[@Will_Played]

Excellent video. Your attention to detail is outstanding.

[@michaelcarson8375]

I'd sure like to know the best way to clean up liquid metal.

[@Will_Played]

@@michaelcarson8375 Do you mean clean it from off of a component you applied it to, or clean it if wanders elsewhere? I use dry cotton swabs first, then cotton swabs with isopropyl alcohol to get it off of where it was supposed to be. Sometimes the stuff will kind of harden up on the chip or heatsink and I will use more liquid metal to dissolve it back into solution, then the cotton swabs again. You can scrape at it with a razor blade, like an xacto with a square tip, but one slip and you can do some major damage to yourself or nearby components. If it has gotten somewhere it shouldn't be, compressed air can possibly launch it off of the pcb or wherever. Haven't had to do that, but you'd want to do it immediately cause that stuff will start dissolving solder and wick under smds and such. I'm not sure if compressed air would be effective though, the surface tension might make it just spread around. I would use swabs unless it has already capillary-actioned itself under a component.

[@michaelcarson8375]

@@Will_Played Both. An answer to both would be good just to know HOW to deal it.

[@Intel-6969K]

GOAT repair I’ve seen on this channel. So good. Thanks for sharing it.

[@Terry-cw9ty]

I watch your channel a lot, you have a great attitude & attention to detail in your work, it is art! Great music picks for this video with synthwave & having to repair your own repair equipment this time round was awesome. Keep up the great work!

[@valacdemon2841]

I have had the pleasure of watching many of your videos and I must say, I thoroughly enjoy them. Your expertise in electronics is truly commendable.

[@chadwolf3840]

I’m always in awe of your skills no matter how many times i see you do this.

[@nonamington]

Noticed the high temps. Great job as always!

[@outseeker]

such excellent work! i never tire of seeing you fix things :)

[@simonstergaard]

F'ing love your channel and your editing... its like "How Its Made", but with usefull info

[@Dragunov1111]

Hey mate great video love the editing keep going this way.

[@andrewmcallister7781]

Great content, your repairs are awesome!

[@wonderfaller]

GENIUS!!! Amazing work. YOU'RE THE MAN!!!

[@Miniputt_999]

Its always so therapeutic to watch the fixes. It was very odd to see the card run so hot, and the problem was just pads being slightly to thicc. Looking forward to the next video :D

[@bobt-kn2fs]

after watching a few of your videos i had to sub. thank you for such interesting, intelligent, and fun videos.

[@romipaster]

Man you not only earn a comment and a subscription but since i discovered your channel you earned my respect. Is not much but to me you are the NO. 1 GPU technician.

[@kiaash]

You truly are great! really enjoy watching your content.

[@Mr.Achoub]

not a huge fan of watching repairing videos. but you, you are making it fun and educative and also informative . love your works

[@commanderkniggens8666]

good to see you giving your best on otherwise lost cards - thank you

[@tonycrabtree3416]

Your videos have become legendary with the add-ins. 😂😂 The travolta oulp fiction made me chuckle pretty good.

[@valaryc]

I live for your core-reballing montages. Always a vibe. 🤘

[@ziaddassoum]

Outstanding Skills and knowledge . The best GPU repair on the Globe ! Keep On Tony :)

[@JohnChenTech]

You did such amazing work repairing that RTX 4090! You got my subscription and engagement. Keep up the great work!

[@BlackCat-cf5vx]

Thank you for the most entertaining repair videos on youtube and for having awesome taste in music...❤

[@AuronH]

These videos are great for relieving stress as they're just so satisfying.

[@TT4998]

Im impressed by your passion for electronics!I admire people like you!

[@Suresh_Pillai]

Excellent repair work Tony.. its nice to see physically a "no rich fix" card.. thanks for giving the opportunity to witness one. 😂👍

[@dearestdennis]

3:58 Man! This was friggin sick! Cool synth “Hackerman” vibes showing how godlike you are with how much bullcrap has to be done to fix HuMON error, more of scenes and music like this!! Props to the deep pockets of 4090 owners to spend 4090 money to deliver us this content!

[@lawshadow2011]

You deserve a new SUB and a like! Very indepth checking and fixing!

[@MrHyde-wv8wi]

My comment to show support and Appreciation for your Video is as follows. -Big Thumbs Up

[@GodDemis]

Quality content as always!

[@prataraul9442]

Beautiful job man !!!!

[@matusekpetr7806]

I love your sense of humor. In the other way, finally someone, who checks phases with scope and do the repair, not going for easy job and ripping money for no fix as that "other" guy. SUBSCRIBED 🙂

[@BenjaminEricksen]

My guy, you do miracles! Love your vids!

[@Wyndstrom]

This was super awesome!

[@wizzitech7504]

Love your work 🎉

[@Shelldamage]

Brilliant job!

[@northwestrepair]

I tried, thanks.

[@nizemee729]

An amazing video. Somehow so relaxing to watch this

[@danielharrison1917]

Nice! You're an angel of value! I find your videos so relaxing, as you make an impossible task to me look easy! I have a mind that continuously is searching for automation and improvements. The value you provide to the device consumers, the manufacturers (saving their brand in my view), the reduced e-waste, is so underrated. If I had the wealth I'd love to work in partnership with you to iteratively develop a fully automated system to problem solve and fix GPUs or perhaps a wide range of boards. Start with fundamental processes for solder de-solder of components as well as re-balling and cleaning pads, then the more challenging (almost artistic) work you do to repair pads and board cracks. Work on automating fault finding, etc., etc... It would be a real useful thing to process many more cards, indeed the concept could be staged for all sorts of repairs in the long term, such as data recovery or upgrades to boards, etc.. slowly expanding the business and capabilities for fixing and repairing things. Its work of the angels!

[@WhereNerdyisCool]

So Northridge wouldn't fix this? Amazing. I'm so glad I found and subbed to your channel

[@Pevi70]

Each time I'm surprised by the massive effect of the thickness of the pads on thermals

[@SireDragonChester]

Wow, awesome job. If that was my 4090, and you’d fixed for me. I’d say you are a Hero. I would given you big hug. Cus you deserve it. Not that I can afford 4090 here in Canada. But good job :)

[@thescouselander5531]

Great work as usual.

[@wartlme]

I want to be like you when it comes to repairing things. I have learned a lot from watching you. Thank you for posting.

[@TheRussRyde]

Tony, when I need surgery I will turn to you first instead of wasting time with other medical professionals. Based on this video, and many others, you are clearly a genius. I don't think there is anything you can't do exceedingly well. I trust you with my life. Russ

[@ayuchanayuko]

GG feel the heat of reballing your balls

[@G4M3RGU1D3]

Wow! You are a real artist! Subbed and liked cause hey, maybe one day my 4090 will need your skilled hands

[@bryanoldaker3730]

it always amazes me watching such Knowledge ...it really is Art!!

[@MercuryGremlin]

I’m a big fan of your work. I don’t own a fancy graphics card. Yet alone one that needs fixing. But your impressive skill set, logical fault finding and methodical practices? They are so calming to watch. To see faults being fixed is always enjoyable. The special videos are those where you also undo the harm inflicted by others. Your customers have their cards fixed and returned. I get to watch videos that help me unwind after a bad day. Yep, for me, seeing this healthy 4090 is good for my state of mind and my blood pressure 😂. With thanks and best wishes. And please keep the videos coming…😊

[@zakurn1086]

This guy is so good at fixing, that he fixed his preheater while fixing a card!

[@sonicalstudios]

Amazing work as usual, you should be teaching these companies how to fix thier own GPUs

[@zachansen8293]

What I've learned from this channel is that if I don't do dumb shit to my card it will probably be fine. So many idiots out there trying to get 2% improvement pay for it and get 0%

[@villho]

...and by 0 % you mean -100 %.

[@LegionGamingTV]

The problem is people thinking they are Derbauer and Jayztwocents, not realizing people practice on $50 GPU to get good enough to mod $2000 GPUs. It takes experience and expertise to mod GPUs and CPUs.

[@NotEvenDeathCanSaveU]

Yeah its people doing it incorrectly and hastily what is the issue. For every f-ed up GPU you hear about there's at least 5 that have no problems because the person doing it did a good job. It's the people who think they can just slap liquid metal on thete without any thinking or prep. Sanding, saturating, insulating and so on. If you do the crucial steps correctly you often get way more than 2% improvement, altho I am not sure what improvement you talk about, usually you just get like 15-20C less temp on 100% fan during benchmarks and stress tests.

[@badass6300]

@@LegionGamingTV I've been doing modifications since a kid and I've only failed once and it was on my own GPU so no fouls. The only thing I haven't done is taking the core off, I don't have equipment and modifying the VRMs, only fixing them. It's not my job anyway.

[@zorbakaput8537]

@@NotEvenDeathCanSaveU Spot on - I believe the title of this vid is wrong because all mods applied badly are dangerous to your components. Liquid metal is innocent if done correctly. PS as for those who in a blanket way suggest modding is a waste of time they have little to no idea what they are talking about.

[@darrellpatenaude3825]

Always enjoy your videos

[@antonyjkeenan]

Blown away by the job you do sir amazing

[@PrinzessinMaki]

when you have to fix the fixxing tools, great video

[@Rustygiz]

Great work best repair guy

[@h3nnessyy]

good job on repairing that 4090. sir, you just gained +1 subscriber!

[@jeremydavis4689]

You sir, are the GPU GOD! Always amazing work that you do.

[@Chris-lw5po]

Great work!

[@perspicacity89]

Great video, thank you friend!

[@fleurdewin7958]

6:04 Looking at the 16-pin voltage at 11.4V , 12V rail is very close to going below ATX specs, that it has to be between 11.4v and 12.6v . The power supply or the 12VHPWR cable is at its very limit.

[@TheGwarGaru]

Miracle worker, as always.

[@tech8438]

It is utterly criminal how few subscribers you have

[@Greggg57]

You have a great skill.

[@ExcelInstructor]

Mate - superb work! What Nvidia Can't you will do!

[@Loki6451z]

you make reballing a GPU processor like its nothing. amazing work

[@ismakami]

After those balls splitting I'll never see re-balling the same way.

[@lizerdlips2]

oh man, I love the vids, Gives me hope that when my EVGA 3090 mem finally fails ( gets checker boarded for a frame every now and again) I'll see my card fixed.

[@germulhall8668]

I would give you my Granny to be able to do what you do You are truly gifted Man.

[@PepsFTW]

I loved everything about this video.

[@keNy590]

very beautiful job you done there.

[@lawbass]

I know the cirurgic precision, effort and tools it takes to reball these cores. But I can't help to cheer for a reball every video. My mind goes: "Reball! Reball! Reball!"

[@SaarN1337]

Insanely satisfying!

[@LaLaLand.Germany]

Not only are You good at fixing shit but the editing is nice, too! I had some chuckles and it was pleasing to watch. I might surf for no fix/damaged card and send it to You. How much was the fix, if I may ask?

[@vladislavkaras491]

Darn! I did not know liquid metal could leak this way! Also, did not know either that 0.2mm on thermal pad could affect temperature that much! oO Thanks for the video!

[@madaknevarski6478]

'no fix' because fix requires effort. NorthWestRepair is not afraid of effort, in fact I believe he thrives on it. GO NWR!!! You never cease to impress sir, which is why I would come to you first if I ever needed a repair, you are No. 1 in my book.

[@teddp]

Your attention to detail Tony never ceases to surprise me. I know it goes without saying but that could happen not just with liquid metal but with any conductive thermal paste. So if I get things right the customer tried to fix high core temperatures using liquid metal which he spilled on the board while the problem was from the beginning the thick pads. Did it come with thicker than it should pads from the factory?

[@kpatrick4049]

This is amazing

[@rodzandz]

I love how this guys makes fixing a GPU down to the very core as simple as fixing a toaster. 👍

[@Alba901]

I love that mid repair the pre-heater breaks and dude just repairs it too x)

[@happymann1000]

Yeah the loose wire that broke free while it was sitting on his desk. Definitely for sure a spontaneous and unexpected turn mid "repair".

[@Cara.314]

@@happymann1000 right, cause he doesnt move it around or anything and it was only sitting still on his desk...

[@rHinosYth]

I was going to say that 4090 is running way too hot! I dont have a founders, but I have a PNY XLR8 4090 and it runs around 10c lower than the one you have in the video. I assume it runs cooler due to the THREE fans. By the way every time you post a 4090 video I get a lump in my throat. I hope mine doesnt give out! GREAT video as usual!

[@dillon4813]

I love the music drop timing.

[@Azureskies01]

"like new, if not better" when he could have trolled and said better than factory. The amount of restraint he had for that one is astounding.

[@TheRealEtaoinShrdlu]

Uhm, that is exactly what the "...if not better" part means.

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

Excellent work! You have to handle liquid metal with extreme care. I’ve applied it quite a few times now and learned how to handle it. But along the way had exactly this happen: a tiny speck of the stuff getting under one of the memory chips. Since then, I take more care to mask the surrounding area and apply as little as possible, adding more only if necessary. I wouldn’t recommend people using it, only if they’re enthusiasts and prepared for the consequences of a mistake.

[@Limitbreakur]

Liquid metal is very high risk but very low rewards compared to high quality thermal paste, i personally avoid it. Specially for videocards, unless you bios hack, you're already maxed out the overclocking headroom no matter what cooling solution you use. I water blocked my 4090 only to get lower temps while more quiet, i actually underclock my card in the summer to reduce heat in the room. It isn't fun gaming next to a 700w space heater in mid summer.

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

@@Limitbreakur indeed, for most there will be little gain and the risk cannot be understated. I personally have a passively cooled system where it is important to get the heat away from the source as quickly as possible and prevent heat soak. Here the LM really helps. But I’ve got a regular air-cooled build where there was only a slight edge taken off the temperature curve - not worth the hassle.

[@Limitbreakur]

@@kasimirdenhertog3516 I get the eppeal of that. I've somewhat passive cooled mine via radiator. The radiator hum is very quiet, the fans are set up to only turn on eventually. Still, i personally avoid LM but if you know what you're doing and confident then that's the best you can ask for.

[@ryzvoker]

Best of the best! 🔥

[@OfficialJamesNewberry]

Nice Work Friend!

[@m-elokkichawki9694]

great video thx for sharing

[@Simpleman1995]

5 am here and i enjoyed the video.thanks

[@michaelcarson8375]

I always like how thorough you are. What's the best way to clean up liquid metal? The usual alcohol?

[@user-dw6fj1py1o]

Great video!

[@AMALJITH.A]

i felt like i am watching a movie, sir you are a awesome technician , you are doing gods work giving someones forever lost hard earned money back, loved the music choice you added to the video, Thank you😇

[@delightedbylight9893]

Gratz !!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@justinwilliams4380]

You mentioned these boards didnt have a safety fuse in its design. is there anything that can be done to mod one on to prevent issues in the future?