Soldering on pieces to a motherboard? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

propaganda · 03-04-2004, 09:25 PM

I know I've seen this done before but it has only been on crazy things like tomshardware 5000+Mhz P4 so I don't know whether it would be the smartest thing to do.

I'm mainly just looking to solder 3 pin fan connectors to the motherboard since Dell is a major ass. I'm not looking for any kind of materials thats easy to find with a quick google search just wanted to know whether anyone would actually recommend this.

heyal256 · 03-04-2004, 09:40 PM

I would not recommend soldering anything to your motherboard. Other then the usual voiding of warranty and what not, you risk damaging/breaking the mobo if you don't do it right. Most circuit board have such small components that soldering accidents can cause major damage.
One more reason is that if the fan that you are using dies, you will need to resolder it. I would say to use a molex to 3 pin fan adapter (regular power lead that has a passthrough to power the fan) is much easier/safer to do then any soldering.

poof · 03-04-2004, 10:28 PM

The heat from even a low wattage iron will destroy components on your board. When soldering components that can't deal with much heat, you can use an alligater clip, or some other device as a heat sink, but, in the teeny tiny circuits on your mobo, this is just not practical or realistic. It doesn't take much to create high resistance with a poor connection or heat to trash the printed circuits, capacitors, integrated thingamabobs, or smoke containers.

HeAtHeN · 03-04-2004, 10:41 PM

I am a Dell service tech. I would not modify your board in any way and putting that much heat to it will destroy it for sure.

propaganda · 03-04-2004, 10:56 PM

Yep just what I was expecting. Thanks for the information guys I was only expecting the best of a 10% chance of someone saying its possible just not reasonable.

gigawatz · 03-05-2004, 05:39 AM

to add one more reason to the frey, motherboards are multi layered, so if you drill a hole, you very may well cut thru another copper lead on a different layer.

Definiantly not a good idea in my book.

Redjake · 03-05-2004, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by propaganda
I know I've seen this done before but it has only been on crazy things like tomshardware 5000+Mhz P4 so I don't know whether it would be the smartest thing to do.

I'm mainly just looking to solder 3 pin fan connectors to the motherboard since Dell is a major ass. I'm not looking for any kind of materials thats easy to find with a quick google search just wanted to know whether anyone would actually recommend this.

You will fuck your motherboard if you do this, to tell it straight. Not worth it. Why do you need the connectors on the motherboard anyway?

jujueye · 03-05-2004, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Redjake
Why do you need the connectors on the motherboard anyway?

Actually, the best reply I've seen! You should easily be able to get a molex splitter from a line from your power supply, and power up as many fans as you need. The only thing you might gain from connecting them to your motherboard is a reading on fan speed, which isnt really necessary. Getting fan power from your motherboard is a real suck on power.

propaganda · 03-05-2004, 11:25 AM

Well if I would have done this I would have have to get a new PSU. Its already under a lot of strain with a 9800 and 2 HDDs and its only 250w. But then again the chances of me doing this before asking here was pretty much non-exsistant anyway just want to see some percentage.

03-04-2004, 09:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
propaganda Psycho	Soldering on pieces to a motherboard? I know I've seen this done before but it has only been on crazy things like tomshardware 5000+Mhz P4 so I don't know whether it would be the smartest thing to do. I'm mainly just looking to solder 3 pin fan connectors to the motherboard since Dell is a major ass. I'm not looking for any kind of materials thats easy to find with a quick google search just wanted to know whether anyone would actually recommend this.

03-04-2004, 09:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
heyal256 Not so great lurker Location: NY	I would not recommend soldering anything to your motherboard. Other then the usual voiding of warranty and what not, you risk damaging/breaking the mobo if you don't do it right. Most circuit board have such small components that soldering accidents can cause major damage. One more reason is that if the fan that you are using dies, you will need to resolder it. I would say to use a molex to 3 pin fan adapter (regular power lead that has a passthrough to power the fan) is much easier/safer to do then any soldering.

03-04-2004, 10:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
poof Psycho	The heat from even a low wattage iron will destroy components on your board. When soldering components that can't deal with much heat, you can use an alligater clip, or some other device as a heat sink, but, in the teeny tiny circuits on your mobo, this is just not practical or realistic. It doesn't take much to create high resistance with a poor connection or heat to trash the printed circuits, capacitors, integrated thingamabobs, or smoke containers.

03-04-2004, 10:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
propaganda Psycho	Yep just what I was expecting. Thanks for the information guys I was only expecting the best of a 10% chance of someone saying its possible just not reasonable.

03-05-2004, 05:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
gigawatz Crazy Location: Pittsburgh	to add one more reason to the frey, motherboards are multi layered, so if you drill a hole, you very may well cut thru another copper lead on a different layer. Definiantly not a good idea in my book.

03-05-2004, 11:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
propaganda Psycho	Well if I would have done this I would have have to get a new PSU. Its already under a lot of strain with a 9800 and 2 HDDs and its only 250w. But then again the chances of me doing this before asking here was pretty much non-exsistant anyway just want to see some percentage.