PS3/Xbox "Reballing" - Leaded Solder vs. Lead Free Solder

[Whatever]

Reball- The Graphics processor is removed from the motherboard. The solder is cleaned off.
Then with templates you line up about 1,300 micro (.6mm) solder balls on the processor. These are welded to the GPU and soldered back onto the motherboard.
---Should last years if done right.

Yes, this is exactly what I'm interested in. As I alluded to in my first post, I'm curious what the ramifications of using leaded solder to reball will have considering it has a significantly lower melting point than lead free solder. The PS3 developed the YLOD due to the heating up and cooling of the existing (lead free) solder. Doesn't that imply that the higher melting point solder is actually melting and thus subject to the expansion and contraction of the solder and causing the YLOD? In that case, wouldn't using solder with a lower melting point make the issue worse?

There are no ramifications for using leaded solder. It is flat out superior. The only reason the unleaded solder is used, is because it is illegal to manufacture "toys" with lead.
The unleaded solder is brittle and fractures when it gets really hot then cools.
Your console will not get anywhere near running at 187 degrees.

Gonna be interesting to see what all these engineers do for the next gen consoles.

[Hobie-wan]

There are no ramifications for using leaded solder. It is flat out superior. The only reason the unleaded solder is used, is because it is illegal to manufacture "toys" with lead.

It isn't about them being 'toys', it is about RoHS and all electronics are affected by it. The easiest place to notice RoHS compliance labels is probably PC parts boxes.

[SnowKitty]

There are no ramifications for using leaded solder. It is flat out superior. The only reason the unleaded solder is used, is because it is illegal to manufacture "toys" with lead.

It isn't about them being 'toys', it is about RoHS and all electronics are affected by it. The easiest place to notice RoHS compliance labels is probably PC parts boxes.

correct. it's just a bunch of bullshit made up by those treehugging hippies. lead-free solder is for plumbing, not electronics god dammit.

[enderfall]

Well, the repair is done and UPS is scheduled to return my PS3 tomorrow afternoon! I can't wait...after thoroughly testing it, I'll let you all know my first impressions.

[gtmtnbiker]

correct. it's just a bunch of bullshit made up by those treehugging hippies. lead-free solder is for plumbing, not electronics god dammit.

The issue is when the electronics end up in the landfill or incinerator thereby polluting the air/ground water.

[alexis524]

enderfall, do let us know how you make out. I'm wondering at what point my 360 and 80GB fat PS3 will go. I keep them clean, well ventilated, and honestly only play about 1-2 hours a week on average between the two. I just have a feeling that my luck is about to run out...

[enderfall]

Well, the Playstation 3 arrived in one piece, which was good. There was sufficient packaging, though the box was a little beat up (could be a UPS issue, not the reball service). The PS3 game that was stuck inside the system was returned to me, and the serial numbers matched up. The repair company placed their own sticker over the PS3 warranty sticker, which is fine since they offer a 1yr guarantee for their work.

As for the performance, the PS3 still ruins hot, lol! Anyway, I was able to download the latest system update, sync my trophies and back up the HD as soon as I got it going. The process was at least 2.5 hours, so things look good there.

I let the system cool down and later started it back up to redeem a code I had been given a couple days back. The system was on for about another hour downloading the game.

I haven't tested the system with a game yet, let alone a long session, but so far so good. This weekend I should be able to test it out in full.

[Hobie-wan]

As for the performance, the PS3 still ruins hot, lol!

The processor isn't going to suddenly run any cooler. The reballing just resolders the relevant chips back onto the board so they're connected again. The system creates a lot of heat, so as long as most of the heat is being blown out by the fans, that's what you want. Hopefully everything is a-ok after some proper gaming this weekend.

[enderfall]

Well, so far so good. I'm not at the point to say definitively that my PS3 is fixed and the reballing will avoiid problems in the future, but I am close to that assumption. This weekend I was able to play two 2-hour sessions over a 6-hour period and no issues...including the game that that was in the system at the time of the YLOD.

As for the service provider, they seem to have done a good job. Their repair estimate of 5-10 days was closer to 10 days than 5, but Memorial Day was in the middle. I did have to call them several times to get a status update, and only after trying again on the second day did I get a response indicating that they had "put it on the bench". Who knows how long it would have waited had I not inquired. Nonetheless, their repair seems to have worked, so I can recommend them.

[enderfall]

Well, my PS3 died again. This time it was mere minutes after I turned it on, but I was playing the same game that I was playing the last time it YLOD. Coincidence, perhaps. I'm sending my PS3 back to the servicer to honor their warranty, but once it's returned to me, I'm going to get a new Slim PS3 and transfer all my files and sell on Craigslist or something.