In the early 2000s, laptop graphics took a massive leap forward. The days of simple 2D framebuffers were ending, and the era of DirectX 8.1 gaming on the go had begun.
The heart of this revolution was the ATI Mobility Radeon 9000, engineering code M9.
The specific part number 216T9NGBGA13FHG represents the pinnacle of that era: the M9-CSP64. Unlike standard GPUs that required external memory chips soldered to the motherboard, this engineering marvel packed 64MB of DDR VRAM directly onto the GPU package itself.
Today, this chip is a critical component for maintaining legacy industrial systems and restoring classic laptops like the Dell Latitude D600.
Table of Contents
- 1. Decoding the Part Number
- 2. Technical Specs: A Retro Powerhouse
- 3. The "CSP64" Advantage: Integrated Memory
- 4. Repair Guide: BGA Rework
- 5. Conclusion
1. Decoding the Part Number
ATI (now AMD) part numbers are distinctive. Here is what 216T9NGBGA13FHG tells us:
| Code Segment | Meaning | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 216 | Prefix | ATI Mobile Graphics. Standard prefix for laptop GPUs. |
| T9 | Core | M9 / RV250. Mobility Radeon 9000. |
| NGBGA | Package | BGA. Likely Non-Green (Leaded) or specific substrate type. |
| 13FHG | Variant | Indicates 64MB Integrated Memory (CSP64) and specific fab revision. |
2. Technical Specs: A Retro Powerhouse
For its time (2002), this was a beast.
- Core Architecture: RV250. It brought the efficiency of the desktop Radeon 9000 to laptops.
- API Support: Full hardware support for DirectX 8.1 and OpenGL 1.3. (Capable of playing games like Halo: CE or GTA: Vice City).
- Interface: AGP 4X. Note: It is not compatible with modern PCIe lanes.
- Power Management: Featured ATI's PowerPlay™ technology to dynamically adjust clock speeds and voltage to save battery.
3. The "CSP64" Advantage: Integrated Memory
The defining feature of the 216T9NGBGA13FHG is the Multi-Chip Package (MCP) design.
- Standard Design: GPU + 4 to 8 separate Memory Chips on the motherboard. Takes up space.
- M9-CSP64 Design: The GPU and the Memory dies are stacked or placed side-by-side on the same green BGA substrate.
- Benefit: Saves massive board space. Ideal for thin-and-light laptops of the era (like the ThinkPad T40 series).
- Repair Implication: If the VRAM fails, you cannot just replace a memory chip. You must replace the entire GPU unit, as the memory is built-in.
4. Repair Guide: BGA Rework
These chips are now 20+ years old. The most common failure is BGA Solder Joint Fracture due to thousands of thermal cycles (heating up and cooling down).
- Symptoms: Artifacts on screen, lines, or a blank screen with beep codes.
- The Fix:
- Reflow (Temporary): Heating the chip to melt the solder balls. Often fails again after a few months.
- Reballing (Better): Removing the chip, cleaning it, applying new leaded solder balls, and resoldering.
- Replacement (Best): Installing a New Old Stock (NOS) 216T9NGBGA13FHG.
Warning: Do not buy "M9" chips blindly. Ensure the replacement has the exact same part number. An M9 chip meant for external memory will not work on a motherboard designed for the CSP64 (Internal Memory) version.
5. Conclusion
The ATI 216T9NGBGA13FHG is a piece of computing history. It represents the transition point where laptops became true gaming and multimedia machines. For engineers maintaining 2000s-era industrial controllers or medical displays, sourcing this specific M9-CSP64 variant is the only way to keep those legacy systems alive.
Sourcing Legacy ATI Chips Finding obsolete components requires a trusted partner. Visit Aichiplink.com to search for verified stock of 216T9NGBGA13FHG and other legacy semiconductors.
Written by Jack Elliott from AIChipLink.
AIChipLink, one of the fastest-growing global independent electronic components distributors in the world, offers millions of products from thousands of manufacturers, and many of our in-stock parts is available to ship same day.
We mainly source and distribute integrated circuit (IC) products of brands such as Broadcom, Microchip, Texas Instruments, Infineon, NXP, Analog Devices, Qualcomm, Intel, etc., which are widely used in communication & network, telecom, industrial control, new energy and automotive electronics.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is 216T9NGBGA13FHG?
It is an ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 (M9) GPU with 64MB integrated DDR VRAM in a single BGA package.
Q2: What does CSP64 mean on the M9 GPU?
CSP64 indicates a chip-scale package with 64MB embedded video memory, eliminating the need for external VRAM chips.
Q3: Is 216T9NGBGA13FHG compatible with external video memory boards?
No. CSP64 GPUs are not compatible with motherboards designed for external VRAM configurations.
Q4: What is the most common failure of this GPU?
The most common issue is BGA solder joint failure caused by long-term thermal cycling.
Q5: Can this GPU be replaced with another M9 variant?
No. You must use the exact same part number, as other M9 variants differ in memory architecture.
