When reballing isn’t enough, the only solution left is replacing the graphics chip itself. At Apenfix in Warsaw, we remove the damaged chip and solder on a new one — ordered from the factory or recovered from an off-lease laptop. We explain below where we source the parts and why sometimes you need to wait longer than usual.
In brief: Graphics chip replacement involves removing the damaged chip and soldering on a new one. We order new chips from the factory that manufactures them, or — if the client wants a lower cost — from off-lease laptops, where we recover working OEM chips. Because we sometimes wait for delivery from abroad, graphics card replacement can take a week or longer, unlike most repairs that take 1–3 working days.
Our experience
We carry out graphics chip replacements under a microscope, using soldering stations and bottom-heating tables, with programmers and measurements on a laboratory power supply to confirm the chip is working correctly after replacement. We record every such repair in our service schematic database.
Where we source the new graphics chip
We order new graphics chips primarily from the factory that manufactures them. If the client wants a cheaper solution, we use OEM chips recovered from off-lease laptop motherboards — the same chip can successfully replace a damaged one. In both cases, we sometimes wait for delivery from abroad, because prices in Poland can be so high that the repair would no longer be worthwhile. That’s why graphics card replacement can take a week or longer — longer than a typical reballing repair, described in more detail on the graphics card repair page.
When you’re looking for graphics card replacement
Clients come to us in Warsaw searching for phrases like: „laptop graphics card replacement price”, „laptop GPU chip replacement”, „new graphics card for laptop” or „laptop not detecting graphics card”. If that’s your situation, below you’ll find when replacement is actually needed.
When chip replacement is necessary
- Reballing hasn’t restored the graphics card to proper working order
- The chip damage is serious enough that reballing alone isn’t sufficient
- The laptop doesn’t detect the graphics card at all or the image is completely unreadable
We order new chips from the factory that manufactures them. If a cheaper option is needed, we order from off-lease laptops — OEM chips from motherboards — and solder them on. This way we can also replace just the graphics card.
Apenfix technician
When replacement isn’t worthwhile
- When the damaged chip is no longer available for sale or in off-lease laptops
- When the cost of sourcing the chip makes the repair uneconomical relative to the laptop’s value
How graphics card replacement works at our service centre
1. Free inspection and diagnostics
We confirm that reballing is not sufficient and the entire chip must be replaced.
2. Ordering the chip
We order a new chip from the factory or recover a working OEM chip from an off-lease laptop.
3. Chip replacement
We remove the damaged chip and solder the new one under a microscope, using a soldering station.
4. Three-stage quality control
We check the graphics card’s operation three times — by the Apenfix technician, by the person issuing the laptop, and by you upon collection.
Waiting time for a new chip depends on its availability and the supplier’s country. We provide an exact timeframe after confirming that replacement is necessary.
Laptop graphics card replacement — we serve all of Warsaw
We accept laptops requiring graphics card replacement from customers in every Warsaw district — Śródmieście, Wola, Mokotów, Ochota, Żoliborz, Bemowo, Bielany, Ursynów, Praga-Południe, Praga-Północ, Targówek, Białołęka, Wawer, Włochy, Ursus, Wilanów, Rembertów and Wesoła — as well as from the surrounding areas.
We have more than one location in convenient parts of Warsaw, so getting to us is quick and easy wherever you live or work. Our current service point addresses are listed further down this page.
Why Apenfix
Frequently asked questions
Where do you get the new graphics chip from?
We order it from the factory that produces these chips, or — for a more affordable solution — we recover working OEM chips from off-lease laptops.
Why does replacement take longer than reballing?
Because sometimes we wait for a new chip to arrive from abroad — prices in Poland can be too high to make the repair worthwhile.
How long does graphics card replacement take?
It can take a week or longer, depending on chip availability — unlike a typical repair that takes 1–3 working days.
Does the replaced chip come with a warranty?
Yes, just like any other repair carried out at our service centre.
What if the chip is no longer available?
We tell you that upfront during the free inspection, before you make a decision.
The cost of replacement depends on the chip model and where we source it from. Current rates can be found in the Apenfix price list.
Two service points in Warsaw
Visit whichever of our two locations is more convenient for you.
Location 1 — Wolska
Wolska 50A/Lokal 26
01-187 Warszawa
Location 2 — al. Szucha
al. Jana Chrystiana Szucha 1
00-580 Warszawa
See also
- Motherboard repair — when it’s worth it
- BGA reballing
- Lenovo cooling system cleaning
- Laptop overheating
