Going to start vmodding - what do I need? - Overclock.net

d3v0 · 01-25-09

Hello there, I am interested in vmodding with soldering and resistors and all that jazz. I would like a bit of advice as to where to start.

1.) What soldering gun/iron is best for the graphics/motherboard vmods? I assume it will need to be quite fine tipped since these are very precise jobs.

2.) How do I know if/when I need to add solder rather than just melting wires together? I think ill need solder most of the time, so what type is best to use, and how much usually? Can I buy this solder locally or should I order it online?

3.) When it comes time to add a VR to a ground or something like that, I will need wires of course. How do I know what wires are appropriate and where should I get them? Same goes for the VRs, radio shack had none last time I was there.

4). What's a good way to start practicing? I have a half-broken 3850 (todays card haha) that currently has a broken resistor scotch taped on. I could start with that because its all but worthless. I could also find a junky old circuit board or something too. Any pointers?

All help will be very much appreciated and +repped accordingly of course.

Error 404 · 01-25-09

Ooo..Vmods! Sexy

Maybe that's just me. Anyway - linky time:
Tutorials (free, online): Here
Thru-hole soldering kit: Here - I started with this one...Aww...I still have it

SMD soldering kit: Here

Edit: Going to eat now, but I bet you can find the Elenco kit for less somewhere else, and I know Sparkfun is an awesome site...I just don't have the time for robotics anymore...Love to get back into it...Oh well. I'll post more later...Maybe excerpts from some books...Dunno. Radioshack has a great all-around one.."Getting started in electronics." It costs around $20, and covers much more than soldering

d3v0 · 01-25-09

What's the difference between "thru hole" and "smd" soldering kits? Is one better for the types of soldering ill be doing? Ill definitely check out that book error. Thanks so much!

Error 404 · 01-25-09

Thru-hole - The pin on the device goes through the PCB (printed circuit board) and is soldered on the back or, occasionally, both sides.
SMD - Surface mount device. These don't have pins that go through the PCB, and are soldered to the "top" of the PCB. I have little soldering experience with these, but you wont really need to worry about that much (actually, I guess there are probably vmods that involve soldering on additional components).
For an example of thru-hole, look at any USB/VGA/DVI/Firewire connector on a mobo/expansion card. For an SMD example, look at all the little integrated circuits and resistors on the back of a graphics card.
For vmodding, you'll be likely doing a version of surface-mount soldering - just soldering wires to pads. It's pretty simple

~Error

d3v0 · 01-25-09

I see. I've read the guides but I'm on my blackberry so I can't see the videos yet. I am only wondering how to actually apply the solder haha. Like clip a tiny piece off the solder wire and place it between the heated iron, pcb, and connection wire with tweezers maybe?

Error 404 · 01-25-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by d3v0

I see. I've read the guides but I'm on my blackberry so I can't see the videos yet. I am only wondering how to actually apply the solder haha. Like clip a tiny piece off the solder wire and place it between the heated iron, pcb, and connection wire with tweezers maybe?

Not really, to be honest.

(Click them all, I find "really" to be almost exactly what you need, and "to be" should help me...My soldering iron is pretty dirty atm.

)

Edit: "honest" has a really helpful video.

d3v0 · 01-26-09

Excellent videos, thankyou so much. Where are some good e-tailers for the soldering iron (with a fine enough tip for small circuit board modding) and some solder? (maybe 3-10ft? 0.02" diameter)

As well as where would I find the wires and variable resistors?

Error 404 · 01-26-09

This is the stuff (solder) that I use...I just prefer silver to lead, for multiple reasons. A well known brand for soldering irons/stations is Weller, I had one of their older ones a few years back until I upgraded..Pretty nice iron. If you want to really get into this I reccomend a soldering station - those cost anywhere from $50 to over two hundred, but a simple iron is plenty for most projects. Digikey, Jameco, and other stores - The Robot Store (owned by Jameco), Solarbotics, and other robotics/hobby stores have them. Stay away from the soldering guns and acid-core solder - these are for heavier wiring and plumbing work, respectively.

Wires. You can rip open just about any VCR - like thing and find plenty (I do that

). If you want to buy them retail look here. I linked to Radioshack a ton, simply because they are *everwhere* and have decent prices for some things...others...not so much.

For the VRs/pots/variable resistors, you want linear tapering pots - audio tapering pots are designed as volume controls and don't have an even taper.

VR links:
Radioshack - You'll probably want their "trimmer" variety, these can be found easily in-store.
All Electronics (surplus, good store) - Just make sure it's what you need, and order away!

Just found Radioshack's section of soldering stuff....Here.

~Error

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Going to start vmodding - what do I need?

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