Replace soldered RAM? You need a hot air station, flux, and serious skill.
Yes. But it’s not a weekend project for the casual tinkerer.
You need a decent hot air rework station (not a heat gun, not a hair dryer), good flux, and a steady hand. The RAM chip is tiny, the solder balls under it are microscopic, and one slip or overheating moment can kill the motherboard. You also need a stencil if you’re reballing, plus some low-temperature solder paste if you’re trying not to cook the chip.
If you’ve never done BGA soldering before, plan to destroy a few practice boards first. If you’re doing this on a laptop you actually need, think hard about whether the repair cost (tool investment + learning curve) beats just buying a new board or paying a pro.
It’s doable. But it’s not a beginner thing.
Future you will thank you for being honest about your soldering ability.
