Gigabyte Motherboard/Graphics Card Factory Tour
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Secret Agent "Kobe"
This is THSA, or Tom's Hardware Secret Agent, codenamed Kobe. Thanks to her, we were able to get an inside look at what goes on at Gigabyte.
As many of you already know, Gigabyte is one of the leading manufacturers of computer components. Perhaps best known for its system boards and graphics cards, Gigabyte also manufactures servers, mobile phones, power supplies, coolers, and even networking products.
Today, however, we'll be taking a closer look at Gigabyte's motherboard and graphics card prodution facility. With Kobe being a component guru, she was the obvious choice at Tom's Hardware to do this undercover job.
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I heard if you are found sneaking around a Gigabyte plant they will cap your ass with 2 oz of copper.
TH's comeback to business! Well, maybe not the same 'type' of business *cough* but at least it's getting readers back!
Pretty Sweet. Looks like a typical PCB manufacturing floor..
And another baby motherboard is born Awwwwwwwwwwww....
It's so cute!
Awesome story. Thanks guys =D
Makes me feel even better about my Gigabyte boards.
I thought that board was an HD4850, but it doesn't have the white DVI connectors... maybe they put it on last?
Nevermind! I change my mind: it's a GTS250 for sure! Probably a 1gb OCed non-reference gts250
Correct me if I'm wrong but surface mount parts (SMT) come from tape and reel and are soldered in a reflow oven not a wave solder machine b/c they aren't through-hole parts. Also I believe flux is sprayed on the leads of the through-hole parts that need to be soldered in wave for a better solder joint, not the other way around.
Ok sorry for 3 (almost) consecutive posts, but for picture 20:
"With speed and skill, Sherri covertly moves in to bag a few motherboards and graphics cards."
Are you guys serious? T_T
The video card in picture #14 is the 9800GT 1GB edition.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125282
Tuan, prepare to hear from GIGABYTE laywers!
They'll probably brand your forehead with UD3 or UDV logos...
You sold out the identity of your THSA Kobe GOOD JOB!!
You have to wonder if they're going to rename the company when host memory is measured in TB rather than GB. Sort of like a company being called Kilobyte back in the 60s. Sounds to quaint now.
ooops sorry, didn't notice the next slide had heatsinks.
The video card in #14 and 15 is the GTS250, 1GB with the custom Zalman cooler.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125266
Ok sorry for 3 (almost) consecutive posts, but for picture 20:"With speed and skill, Sherri covertly moves in to bag a few motherboards and graphics cards."Are you guys serious? T_T
The video card in picture #14 is the 9800GT 1GB edition.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125282
Hehe, that was meant as a joke. We don't need to do that.
/ Tuan
Fascinating
I worked for quite a while as a Test Engineer and the two pics of their functional test fixture makes me weep. Most engineers would be fired if they tried to release that to MFG.
@argade - You are 100% correct.
Oh what fun!
Why are they one of the most popular choices? Both of my GA-EP45-UD3R's work very well. They have a lot of good features and are priced very nicely. That's why.
BTW, what is a "surgical precession"? Is that some kind of parade?
I worked for quite a while as a Test Engineer and the two pics of their functional test fixture makes me weep. Most engineers would be fired if they tried to release that to MFG.
I doubt that that was a production test fixture. Would take much too long and risk damage to the product.
Great article! I don't think Gigabyte will mind too much, their facilities come out of this very well indeed.
Hey Tuan, am I right about it being a non-reference gts250 in the picture?