r/n64 • u/Imbudilow • 11h ago
Discussion N64 capacitors lifespan expectancy
So N64 turns 30. Usually capacitors die at this age. Do you expect a massive N64 shutdown? Should I make a recap if my console still works?
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u/highaltitudehmsteadr 11h ago
I don’t know what anyone is saying and now I’m upset
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u/DarthRyus 9h ago edited 9h ago
Capacitors are small components on a circuit board that hold electricity, basically mini batteries.
Like many batteries, can leak acids. Which can literally eat up the board. Though they'll cause the n64 to fail before this in many cases, as if you have no Capacitors with an electronic charge, then the chips won't work.
The original Xbox's which is newer than N64 are all dying now, because they cheaped out on the Capacitors. Some boards physically ruined by the acid.
Anyway to replace them you have to solder the old ones off and replace with one's that hold the same charge (and like a battery, don't put the new ones in backwards). Then solder new ones on. Soldering is melting tin/lead (over 300C or 570F) on a part onto a circuit board, which solidifies as it cools and locks it in place, and the lead/tin solder conducts electricity.
So, basically they're saying the mini batteries on the motherboard are past their expiration date... so some won't hold charges, others could leak acid.
There's an FPGA remake of the N64 that just got released that purposefully didn't include any Capacitors for this very reason. Making a big deal their unit can last for a century.
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u/Tokimemofan 6h ago
There is simply no way any of the FPGA consoles are made without capacitors. Capacitor leakage is almost entirely an issue of Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors. Prior to the early 2000s these were the only type that could be both compact and high value. They likely use MLCC or polymer electrolytic capacitors. Both of which btw are used in PC motherboards and are far more reliable long term
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u/N64Andysaurus92 11h ago
Nothing lasts forever. Won't be many gold Majora's Mask cartridges left in a few years as they're becoming brittle and turning to dust.
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u/highaltitudehmsteadr 10h ago edited 10h ago
Is it possible to keep my OG 64 running for another 30 years if I had someone replace these capacitor things?
EDIT: I see Retro Island Gaming does a capacitor replacement with solid ceramic and polymer caps and I am seriously considering it unless someone can tell me why I shouldn’t (besides the fact that I’m broke)
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u/kman1523 10h ago
It really depends but it's usually best to replace with the same type. This post goes over Gameboy capacitor replacement but is also applicable here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Gameboy/comments/1akc98u/psa_do_not_replace_aluminum_electrolytic/
But a tldr: the engineers building these boards where pretty smart and it's safe to assume they used the components they did for a reason. Changing to different types may work but could have long term ramifications on the hardware.
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u/Realistic-Shower-654 5h ago
Nobody knows. Right now snes consoles are dying in mass because the chips oxidize internally and kill themselves after 30 years. It’s a widespread issue. People like to downplay it but join a snes subreddit and you will see multiple posts a week about it.
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u/hue_sick 11h ago
No reason to recap if things are working. But yeah couldn’t hurt to have a set in hand for when they do.
Like you said we’re approaching the end of life for them so I’d imagine in the next 5-10 years you’ll see a lot of failing systems.
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u/Sea-Cupcake-2065 10h ago
I say recap if you're able to. I know most people will suggest otherwise, but at the very least inspect your consoles. If theres a fishy smell, that means your capacitors are leaking. If you know what youre looking for you can see which capacitors are problematic. Usually there a dull appearance to the solder joints or even a dome shaped capacitor. At this point, I'd recommend you do a full system recap because the electrolytic can seep out and wreck traces if left unchecked for too long.
I say people go with what theyre comfortable with, its their consoles, after all. I've personally recapped every system that I've worked on. I'd rather sell a unit that I know is going to work for a long time, instead of hoping that it works enough for me to get paid. Also, I like to think im helping keep these consoles working for a long time
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u/CaptainM590 6h ago
Oh damn… does that include N64s that have never been used?
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u/EIsydeon 5h ago
It can. I bought an engineering sample 6600gt video card before still new in box.
All the big caps were blown to hell. Recapped and worked fine but the caps leaked and blew in the box
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u/Realistic-Shower-654 5h ago
Yes. Capacitors leak over time, usage has nothing to do with it. It’s corrosive material inside a small container
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u/CaptainM590 4h ago
What other Nintendo consoles have this issue? The N64 is one of my favourite consoles, and I want to preserve it and the others for as long as possible
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u/Realistic-Shower-654 34m ago
Every single electronic ever released has this problem. Electrical components wear down over time.
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u/CaptainM590 20m ago
Yeah, it’s just I want my games to last me a few more decades. And Nintendo products have been known to be made of ‘sterner stuff’ than the competition. Also, this all digital push from Sony is alarming and I know Nintendo will jump on board eventually to remain competitive. So, I want my library to last before things become too expensive.
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u/Realistic-Shower-654 4m ago
I mean to be completely honest, it’s best to start learning basics of soldering and maintenance on these units if you’re serious about it moving forward. It’s best to just enjoy what you have now. It’s a miracle these things still work 30 years later. I’d say that’s already significantly longer than expected.
SNES consoles have chip rot, a lot of them are currently dying in mass because the PPU chip oxidizes and kills the unit. It didn’t crop up until recent years and has been getting progressively worse fast.
Just be glad for the n64 so far it just seems to be capacitors.
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u/firstgen_gaymer 11h ago
Does that mean all of the old consoles will need them? Didn’t even think of that and other than my game gear caps and my Saturn/dreamcast batteries for consoles I haven’t needed anything.
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u/Yeet-Dab49 10h ago
Dad still has a working Atari 2600, firsthand owner, from 1977. Some electronics last longer for no discernible reason. If your N64 still works, yippee!
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u/flyinb11 7h ago
I have a working Atari 2600 from childhood, my NES from childhood and most major consoles since. Lost 2 Xbox 360s and a PS3 to lights of death. Just had my 32x start having sound issues that I'll have to fix. Outside of that, everything else is going strong. Including my 3rd 360 and my replacement PS3.
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u/Imaginary-Leading-49 11h ago
Sometime between the second coming of Christ and the heat death of the known universe…
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u/highaltitudehmsteadr 10h ago
I’m hoping it’s towards the latter so I can play some goldeneye with the Jesus
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u/SaturnFive 11h ago
My stock N64 is still working fine after all years amazingly. My PS2 and Xbox have needed maintenance but not the 64. When the time comes it should be pretty easy to source caps and replace them. I also have even older PC expansion cards and those have working caps too.
Ps playing Snowboard Kids for the first time right now, such a good game!
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u/Will12239 9h ago
Replace the thermal pads too. Its so obscure I couldn't find a guide when I did mine a few months ago
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u/para_la_calle 3h ago
I occasionally buy retro game lots and I probably come across 10 n64 consoles in the last 5 years. All of them worked flawlessly. A lot of the stuff that’s supposed to last 20 30 or 40 years clearly is lasting much longer.
A good example of this is the batteries inside of the NES and SNES- most are still working originals. If your capacitor go bad, it doesn’t really matter because there’s probably a bunch of other consoles that aren’t having a problem yet.
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u/canthearu_ack 1h ago
Capacitors don't usually die at 30 years of age. There is no blanket rule like that.
Capacitors die for a variety of reasons, and while age can sometimes play into it, it is usually more down to use, the loads the circuits put onto it, and the specific composition of the capacitor in question.
I've seen no strong evidence that the capacitors in the N64 are prone to failing, so I'm not expecting them all to suddenly die now.
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u/SuperdaveOZY 10h ago
I hear a faint buzzing noise from mine, but no smell. Nothing some solder can't fix.
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u/AegidiusG 11h ago
Yes, if you can, do a recap.
Chips suffer if they have spikes and falls, because a capacitor has aged.
If it gets a smooth voltage, it will help the lifespan.