The Official Gamecube Trimming Guide + Usefull Info

[Tchay]

NO LONGER OFFICIAL GAMECUBE TRIMMING GUIDE

^ Ashen's Definitive guide is WAY better. But if you want to be educated about how it all works, then this guide is still good for you. Remember, the more educated you are, the more freedom you will have as a modder. I went from being a noob, to being a pioneer in the GC scene leading to some great discoveries. Knowledge is power

UPDATED - JAN 27, 2011

I noticed how I had made several separate topics about trimming the motherboard and other components. To make things easier, all slimming methods for the Gamecube will be posted here. All are welcome to contribute knowledge.

Useful links:
Old cutting guide
Hidden Sound Trace
Old GCP Guide
Lil DD info
Mobo Layer Info
VGA for Gamecube!!!
Random Cap info
***Motherboard Scans***
Latest Mobo Cutting Info
Shockslayerisamazingetc


Here is an example of how to slim your mobo even more
***CAUTION*** ONLY REV A with "C/DOL - CPU - 20" motherboards will work with the removal of those 2 black/silver cap filters. It will have this label below the Gecko Chip
<--- this board works except for mem card A

HIGH RESOLUTION: http://i.imgur.com/99tTP.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

More explanation: To avoid confusion. You CAN remove the black/silver capacitors that all lead to vias (seen directly above green wire solder point in picture). The above picture is missing those black/silver caps without problems. HOWEVER, the above picture also shows 2 empty spots (technically three, but ignore the one covered by hot glue) where silver capacitors (with 5 pins) would be. Removing these has caused me sound and memory card issues on boards that ARE NOT labeled "C/DOL - CPU - 20" below Gecko Chip.

This problem baffles me and it would be awesome if anyone could offer an explanation.

Also, all other caps and obstructions that would be in the way of cutting along a straight line this deep (no further than where the 2 missing silver caps would be) in the board DON'T MATTER. JUST RIP EM OFF.

Voltage Relocation
That being said, you need to make sure your controller and memory card get their proper voltages (3.43 and 5v need to be given to the mem card and controller). Also feed this voltage into the inner layer of the board in the proper area. Voltage details can be found in the "Mobo layer info" link.

Like I said, feel free to contribute knowledge.

[0uttake]

Very sexy post Tchay, amazing stuff.

[Tchay]

Okay, so the board I'm using that works even after ripping off the silver cap filters, is a DOL - CPU - 20. It has a crystal (instead of the 4 pinned SN54 on some boards). It is also a REV A board.

I will remove the silver caps on another CPU 20 board as soon as I get one. Then (with luck) we will know which boards are safe to slim down all the way.

[Tchay]

I have a glorious exposition comrades!

I got a new motherboard from Jidan. Because he's cool like that.

Being the only working GC motherboard I have and being that its the very one I need for the Ccube, I decided to use it for some testing that would probably destroy it :dahroll:

So. As I have said, the CPU - 20 board "appeared" to work without the said capacitors. I took a screwdriver and ripped one off while on the memory card screen.....The files are still there. Meaning. The memory card still registers. Meaning. I WAS RIGHT.

tl:dr - (not even that long, gosh) - We are safe to trim and remove said caps with CPU - 20 motherboards (REV A). It will say "CPU - 20" right below the Gecko chip.