Contents
HP Compaq dx5150
The original capacitors
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This board is in a rather sad and sorry state, with capacitors leaking all over it. It still POSTs, but is unstable. The problem capacitors here are a mix of Teapo and Chemi-con KZG. While the latter is known for making reliable capacitors, few people realise that they have two problem series, namely KZG and KZJ, both of which are used on this motherboard. There are also some Panasonic/Matsushita and Rubycon capacitors used, which are not bulging and are probably fine, but I will replace them anyway. After all, this is supposed to be a FULL poly-mod.
The replacement capacitors
Sourcing suitable replacment capacitors was more difficult for this motherboard, since only Nichicon FPCAP series offers 470µF 16v and 1000µF 6.3v capacitors in 8mm diameter, and no suppliers in Australia sell them at the time of writing. For this experiment, I had to order them from a Hong Kong based seller called PC Motherboard Capacitor Store, who only has them in stock from time to time.
| Role | Qty. | Original Value | Replacement |
| CPU VRM in | 4 | 1000µF 16V Panasonic FL |
470µF 16V Nichicon FPCAP NE |
| CPU VRM out | 5/1 | 3300µF/1500µF 6.3V Chemi-Con KZG |
1500µF 6.3V Chemi-Con PSC |
| Other | 2 | 1500µF 6.3V Panasonic FJ |
1000µF 6.3V Nichicon FPCAP L8 |
| Other |
2 | 1000µF 16V Chemi-Con KZJ |
470µF 16V Nichicon FPCAP NE |
| Other | 5 | 470µF 16V Chemi-Con KZG |
470µF 16V Nichicon FPCAP NE |
| Other | 3 | 1000µF 6.3V Panasonic FJ |
1000µF 6.3V Nichicon FPCAP L8 |
| Other | 1 | 470µF 6.3V Rubycon ZL |
470µF 6.3V Sanyo SEP |
| Other | 1 | 470µF 6.3V G-Luxon SM |
470µF 6.3V Sanyo SEPC |
| Other | 12 | 1000µF 6.3V Teapo SM |
1000µF 6.3V Nichicon FPCAP L8 |
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The Stress-Testing
| Test | Result |
| Prime95 In-Place FFTs | Pass |
| Prime95 Small FFTs | Pass |
| Prime95 Blend | Pass |
| Memtest86+ | Pass |
| Folding@home | Pass |
The dx5150 passed all of our tests without incident, and I’m even typing this paragraph from it. Another successful full poly-mod. Let’s see if our third and final motherboard likes polymer capacitors.
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