Switching out a 90nm GPU for a 65nm?

[PlanetIndigo]

So it seems that the early models of the PS3 used a 90nm GPU, which was then shrunk to 65nm for the latter fat PS3, then also used on the first models of the slim PS3, and then later shrunk once more for the latest models of the slim PS3 that now use a 40nm GPU.

I take it that using a slim GPU in a fat is likely impossible, but since the fat models used 2 differently sized GPU, I was wondering if it was possible to switch the GPU of an early 60gigs unit from a 90nm to a 65nm from a more recent (but still fat) PS3.
Is this possible at all? Has anyone tried it? I'd like to know an answer with certainty rather than a mere guess, so if anyone has tried it already, I'd definitely like to hear from them. Thanks.

[JDMAlex]

Don't take this the wrong way but why do you want to do this?... what will it achieve?

[PlanetIndigo]

Reduce power consumption, heat dissipated, and therefore reduce the chance of YLOD happening (again...)

[ps3haze]

maybe it is possible, maybe it is not. Some how I doubt the supporting components on the board are exactly the same.

But where do you think you'll find this GPU?

If you have some serious BGA tools maybe you could pull it off but you'll need a lot more than a hot air gun to do it. You're gonna need a proper hot air station, hot plate/reflow oven, reball setup, and some serious BGA skills to get it done.

I think you're time and money is better spent on a new/used PS3 slim and PS2 and just sell off the old one before it dies.

If you seriously want to try it for fun then research the leaked schematics and see if the boards are compatible. But I seriously doubt this is a viable project.

[PiKeYtRoG]

Are they even pin/electrically compatible? -

Thought they used different voltages as well as the BGA being different to reduce power usage.

[PlanetIndigo]

I know someone local to me who has a lot of equipment and reballs PS3 and 360 gpus for a living (and no he doesn't just reflow them, he reballs them, I've seen him do it in person). I could get him to do that for me but he has never experimented on a switch from different GPU types. I'd need to know with some degree of certainty whether this would work before I ask him to attempt it.

[jonwall]

I know someone local to me who has a lot of equipment and reballs PS3 and 360 gpus for a living (and no he doesn't just reflow them, he reballs them, I've seen him do it in person). I could get him to do that for me but he has never experimented on a switch from different GPU types. I'd need to know with some degree of certainty whether this would work before I ask him to attempt it.

theyre going to be physically different sizes, its impossible and a complete waste of time to even think about doing it. If you dont want it to overheat just make sure its well ventilated or go and buy a new slim ps3 or try and find a used fat with the 65nm gpu for cheaper.

Chances are you would just destroy the ps3 and have to buy a new one anyways, even if it were remotely possible, which it isnt.

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/PlayS...eardown/1260/5 - launch ps3 teardown with detailed pics of the layout and chips

they dont have a newer fat model teardown but there is a ps3 slim teardown as well - http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/PlayS...eardown/1121/3

[Mistawes]

If you know someone that does reballing get him to replace your lead-free solder for leaded. Or save up and buy a slim, that's the only sure fire way!

I'm bulling, I recently missed a slim with a dead laser for €60 locally! Just hadn't got the money, then next week I do!

I've a picture of 2 Xbox Falcon GPU's that were shipped abroad to be reballed onto a Jtaggable console. They were going onto the exact same model as they came from though, I think there would be too many things to change to suit it just wouldn't be feasable to swap GPU's.

[PlanetIndigo]

Jonwall, have you physically compared the two processors and the BGAs in the past though or is that just an educated guess?
I'm really looking for an absolute certainty answer here from someone who knows FOR SURE. I'm willing to accept a "no it's impossible", but only if there's really physical evidence that would make it 100% impossible.
I'm confident in the guy's skills as he has done hundreds of reballs, and I'd be willing to take a chance if it could work (also the later PS3 fat models that do use a 65nm basically lost all the advantages that I'm trying to retain, like BC, 4 usb ports, card reader, etc...)

[jonwall]

Jonwall, have you physically compared the two processors and the BGAs in the past though or is that just an educated guess?
I'm really looking for an absolute certainty answer here from someone who knows FOR SURE. I'm willing to accept a "no it's impossible", but only if there's really physical evidence that would make it 100% impossible.
I'm confident in the guy's skills as he has done hundreds of reballs, and I'd be willing to take a chance if it could work (also the later PS3 fat models that do use a 65nm basically lost all the advantages that I'm trying to retain, like BC, 4 usb ports, card reader, etc...)

a die shrink results in a smaller chip, every time. Have i personally ripped apart 2 ps3s to compare them? no, but i have dealt with MANY gpus on pc's, and the rsx is based on the nvidia 7800 gpu, and every time they die shrink a gpu, the die size is smaller, its just common sense. Instead of having connections which are 90nm wide they are now 65nm wide, which means it is SMALLER. It is not possible, both for the die size change as well as the connections themselves will be different. If you really want to put that much effort in to it go and mod your ps3 with a bigger heatsink for better heat dissipation.

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