YouTuber Upgrades Lowest-Feature Raspberry Pi 4 to 8GB RAM
It is nonetheless exhausting to discover a Raspberry Pi 4 in inventory, however issues are beginning to enhance. However what for those who want a Raspberry Pi 4 8GB now? Can you exchange a 1GB mannequin to 8GB? that is what YouTuber MadEDoctor did a spare RAM chip and many soldering.
Earlier than we get to the center of the story, let’s give a warning. You have in all probability already guessed that this can void your guarantee. You’ll need expertise and the perfect soldering stations to even strive. That is an excessive strategy to pay money for the 8GB Raspberry Pi 4, however we nonetheless must strive.
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| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Chip Code | Various Chip Code | Value |
| 1GB | SEC928 | Row 1 – Cell 2 | Row 1 – Cell 3 |
| 2GB | Micron D9WHZ | SEC940 | 23 {dollars} |
| 4GB | Micron D9WHV | Row 3 – Cell 2 | 41 {dollars} |
| 8GB | Micron D9ZCL | Line 4 – Cell 2 | 21 {dollars} |
MadEDoctor begins with a Raspberry Pi 4 1GB that has been proven to work to specs. Then the enjoyable begins. Desoldering the RAM chip requires a scorching air rework station and loads of flux. Utilizing loads of Kapton tape to guard the encompassing chips and plastic parts, the 1GB RAM chip is first heated to 250 levels Celsius utilizing a scorching air rework station. The air velocity was set to 60% to permit the warmth to penetrate the underlying plate. Because the board heats up, the warmth rises to 400°C, the temperature required to desolder the lead-free solder utilized in trendy board manufacturing. The RAM chip is held in place utilizing a BGA (Ball Grid Array) and due to this fact warmth must loosen every ball of solder for the chip to break down. This may occasionally take a while, and MadEDoctor is consistently tapping the chip to examine for looseness.
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With the RAM chip eliminated, MadEDoctor fills the uncovered pads with extra flux after which makes use of some lead-based solder to tin the pads. Utilizing lead solder will make cleansing a bit simpler because it normally has a decrease melting level. The soldering iron comes out and a few stripping wick (copper braid) is used to softly clear the pads. Don’t press exhausting sufficient to wreck the wooden. Relaxation assured you will not need to injury a pad at this magnification stage. A fast wipe with some isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip reveals the shiny pad array ready for the brand new chip.
Making use of the brand new 8GB RAM chip to the board is an analogous course of to eradicating the 1GB chip. The 8GB RAM chip already has solder balls for BGA. Flux is utilized to the uncovered pads on the Pi and the RAM chip is positioned on high of the pads in accordance with its authentic orientation. MadEDoctor selected to switch the lead-free solder balls with lead for its chips, thus returning the recent air to 350°C at 40% velocity. For unleaded we have to attain 400°C and 60% air velocity. MadEDoctor explains inform if the chip is correctly seated. Normal steering is to take your time and maintain checking the chip by tapping to see the way it strikes.
After soldering is full, MadEDoctor lets the plate cool with a delicate stream of air from the fume extractor. The Pi wants to chill slowly to make sure that each connection within the BGA is made accurately. A nasty solder joint in the midst of the chip could be a nightmare to diagnose.
As soon as the operation is profitable, MedEDoctor runs a number of rounds of memtesters to ensure the 8GB chip is working to spec. Positive, it is an excessive venture, however the expertise to do it aren’t past many electronics fanatics.
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