Yes, it is sometimes feasible to recover burnt PCI contact pins.
Yes, it is sometimes feasible to recover burnt PCI contact pins.
In 2017 a rat got into my gaming PC and it damaged the graphics card. When I powered it back on, the ASUS Strix GTX 970 GPU failed. Now I’m checking it and found burnt PCI-E contact pins. No major harm to VRAM, capacitors or the chip itself, but the pins are scorched and likely corroded. My questions: Q.1 Can I fix my graphics card? Q.2 Should I clean it with isopropyl alcohol and try turning it on again? Q.3 Will this affect my PC? Edited March 21, 2023 by keshavcolonel
fiber glass pen removes any leftover marks from contacts. Without one, a firmer eraser might work—solvents like isopropyl alcohol or acetone can loosen residue for easier cleaning. "Something likely broke down" could mean a shorted MOSFET or similar part that handles heat without showing damage. However, if it shorted, nearby parts such as filtering inductors or fuses may have melted due to excessive current. Sharing clear photos would aid in diagnosing the issue.
EDIT: This appears to be copper corrosion from moisture or humidity, not burning. Overcurrent effects can clean the entire video card using isopropyl alcohol, or selectively with acetone—acetone is more aggressive and may remove printed circuit components like capacitors. If traces are damaged by corrosion, a sharp tool or fiber glass pen can gently scrape off silkscreen and insulation, allowing you to recreate connections by soldering small bridges or wires.
Probably, yet it might just be a waste of time and cash. But how do you confirm every part is still working? A flaw in semiconductors can be completely hidden from view. And definitely, you can try it yourself at your own cost. Whether it harms the motherboard or not relies entirely on the card's condition. Edited March 21, 2023 by thekingofmonks
Oof. I work with vintage computer parts and repair gear that's been through tough weather, so I've dealt with a lot of board corrosion. It could still be fixed, but you'll need to clean it really well. Here’s what I did before getting an ultrasonic cleaner: Gather a container big enough for the board, an old toothbrush, a disposable bristle brush, distilled water, detergent, and isopropyl alcohol. A "magic eraser" sponge or fiberglass scratch brush will also come in handy. Start by taking off all the stubborn grime and old thermal paste. Dry the board thoroughly and wipe away most of the paste with alcohol. Also take out the foam pad around the GPU die. Pour a couple inches of distilled water into the container, add detergent, and scrub the board with the brushes until it looks clean. Drain the dirty water, rinse the container and brushes, refill with more distilled water, and scrub again. Use the sponge or scratch brush to clean the contacts—gold plated ones should work well but don’t overdo it just in case the bond to the board is fragile. Drain the water, then rinse the board by pouring more distilled water onto it outside or under running water. Let most of the water run off, but don’t worry about being perfectly dry yet. Wipe out the container, fill it with alcohol up to about an inch, and place the board inside so it soaks up the liquid. Let it sit for a while. After it’s dry, reassemble the GPU and test it in a PC you don’t mind messing with.
Check the PCI-E connector layout and verify there are no unintended connections between 12V pins and ground, as well as between 3.3V and ground. Use the multimeter in resistance or diode mode for this inspection. A low resistance reading indicates a faulty component that might cause damage or trigger safety mechanisms if you attempt to power the PC with the card installed.
I completely refreshed the GPU and removed any visible signs of corrosion from the board. I plan to place it on an old computer that still functions. My test machine boots Windows smoothly and runs well. It’s an Intel i5 4440 with a single 8GB DDR3 RAM module and a 550W power supply. Hopefully my setup will start Windows successfully with the GPU preserved.
If someone has access to Asus Strix GTX 970 pinout diagram then pls share it with me. I might be able to fix the issue.