Fingers only or Fingers+board...

[luckypyrate]

I have a question that has kind of been nagging at me for awhile. Hopefully I didn't miss it somewhere in my research but I really haven't found it mentioned very clearly.

I have a lot of memory (read: ~30 lbs) and probably about the same amount of PCI cards (sound cards, video cards, network cards, etc). I am getting ready to process them using the AP method but I wanted to know whether or not I should simply drop the fingers or if it would be worth my while to clean the IC's off the memory boards and get the gold that seems to be there as well. There are little holes throughout the body of the memory module that seem to have gold along the edges, and other gold elsewhere on the other PCI boards. Just looking for some input/guidance and what others do in this situation. I also have a hefty amount of Processors to process and I would like to hear peoples preferred methods for processing processors (Mostly P4 and above).

 

[Claudie]

Steve has a video on his site that shows how to remove the solder mask from boards. Most of the cards you find will be copper under the mask. Most people just cut the fingers from them and sell what's left. On the RAM, I cut the fingers off and do them with other fingers. Then I soak the RAM sticks in HCL until all the chips fall loose. I sort and save everything.

 

[luckypyrate]

I saw in Steve's Poor Man's AR solution post a method of processing Ceramic Chips that I will be trying. I made the mistake of leaving my AP solution outside during the day and very bright sunlight which turned out to be a bad idea as direct constant sunlight kills the Hydrogen Peroxide, so I have to move my operation indoors (and well ventilated). Live and learn...Thank you for your feedback and I will be continuing to wrap my mind around the best methods to proceed before I do so...

 

[Goldwasser]

It is worth mentioning that (most) finger cards are worth the same per pound with or without the fingers still attached. So selling your cards after they have been trimmed may make good financial sense. The memory when trimmed is still worth a considerable amount as well, so if you are unable to completely process the sticks, you may want to consider selling the trimmed ram as well and only keep the fingers for your processing.

 

[wrecker45]

i put the trimmed fingers in hcl in a slow cooker on medium...Jim :mrgreen:

 

[Goldwasser]

I am replying to this thread with a correction. My boss has lowered the price of trimmed cards to $3.90 per lb.. Apparently I was mistaken about the fact we pay the same for cards with or without fingers. It was never supposed to be our policy, however for the last several months I have been buying it as if it were.

If you were fortunate enough to get full price for trimmed cards then my loss was your gain. The management caught on and, well, it is what it is. I still believe you will still come out ahead by trimming and selling.

Thank you,

Chris

 

[luckypyrate]

Well I appreciate your honest opinion! I would still very much like to effort processing everything I have myself, even though I have some fear over losing it to a botched chemical treatment, but I have been scrutinizing Steve's videos, Hoke's books, and other boards and know deep down inside my fears are probably unwarranted. Thank you all for your help. I will keep you all posted on how it all comes out!