R61i (8932-CTO) CPU upgrade

[scranch287]

Im looking to upgrade my T5450 or T5500 (depends where u look)to something higher up on the totem pole... ive gotten to the point where i need to change my cpu fan in this lappy but while i have it down that far i thought i would upgrade the processor. I was wondering if anyone had any luck with upgrading the R61i up from a T5450. I ran cpu-id and it showed it as a socket P but as a merom and it shows both t5450 and t5500. i havent been working on computers for 2 years now so any help would be awesome.

Thanks,
Steve

[underclocker]

Good idea. I upgraded my Celeron CPU R61e with a T5750, which is a Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz (667MHz bus). It works perfectly.

Here's more info on the CPU --> http://processorfinder.intel.com/detail ... Spec=SLA4D

You can also go up to 800MHz on the bus.

I'm not sure the BIOS supports every socket P (up to 800MHz bus) or not. For the processors that are definitely supported, refer to the R61 hardware maintenance manual.

Here's a helpful table that includes the socket type --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_In ... C_65_nm.29

I'd go with a T5800 (2GHz & 800MHz bus) or above, if you could find one for a good price.

eBay searching tip, look for the CPU by either the T-name or the processor ID, like T5800 or SLB6E.

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.
Have a look at the "competition": http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=231001
They put a T7300 in an R61i there.

[scranch287]

I went through and viewed the PDF and the T7300 was on my list to put in... Ive got the T5450 in it now and with vista it was bogging down like an old semi trying to pull a steep pass. Im running win 7 (as of 3 days ago) and so far love its low resource requirement. but if it comes down to it and my encoding slows everything down again and my HD vids slow it down, im prolly gonna have to hop the juice up on this ol gal. I just heard it has to be socket P with merom technology. i see newegg has the T7500 socket P with merom... Is that a possibility?

[ZaZ]

I'd buy used from eBay so long as you've got some kind of DOA warranty. If it works out of the box, CPUs very rarely fail. The T7300 probably offers much better value and it has the increase L2 cache. A new CPU from NewEgg is generally pretty expensive.

[scranch287]

ya the new egg 7500 was close to 350 whereas a ebay used 7300 was around 100 at the most... lol there is a little difference. Ive gotta order a thermal unit first and get that coming from IBM since for the price being new its the cheapest. Which while i got my lappy down this far i was tempted to clean my keyboard since i had spilled some pop on the pgup pgdn keys and surrounding area. The key stick once in a while. but thanks for the help... seeing that 7300 put in makes getting one maybe worth it in the long run... i have yet to put Win7 to the ultimate test.

[Merc]

I put a T7300 into my R61E (there is an illustrated guide on this site somewhere) and it worked great, albeit a bit warm. Matched it with a 7200RPM Hard Drive and it was like a new machine. Very fast.

[NerdPope]

Current T5450 @ 1.66GHz is not cutting it as well as I would like. I will be upgrading my R61i (8932-A37) to a T7800 @ 2.6GHz (SLAF6). Processor is on its way. I want this laptop to be comfortably useful for the next 3 years. Will be happy to post before and after results and common observations (eg: fan, heat, buzzing sounds).

If any of you are interested in any other observations please let me know, I will attempt to gather before and after data for them.

Current specs are factory except for Windows 7 Ultimate (32) and a 320GB HDD.

Oh, in before 'OVERKILL!'

[madkat]

Not sure if the fan and heatsink would be enough. Keep us posted.

[RealBlackStuff]

Not quite the same, but I have a T2700 (CoreDuo @ 2.33GHz) in my T60 (2008-VKL), which runs great with the fan hardly ever on.

[NerdPope]

I'm willing to take the risk of a warmer system. I doubt it will be too hot. It's not a Prescott.. lol


Testing will encompass temps at idle and at load, PCMARK Vantage, battery run time estimates, and the Windows 7 Experience Index.

[NerdPope]

The T7800 upgrade in R61i runs great! Used to be a T5450.

Data is available here in txt format:
http://nerdpope.net/t5450vst7800.txt

System is running Windows 7 32-Bit. CPU changed to T7800, HDD Changed to WD Caviar 320 Blue SATA II, all else is a stock ThinkPad R61i Type: 8932-A37.

[lpspinner]

I didn't even know about a T7800 option. I thought T7700 was it for the Memron CPU's. I have two 15.4" R61i's (7650 & 8932) both get the dreaded Thermal Sensing Error with a T8300. The 7650 can ESC past it, but the 8932 won't.

Is the T7800 common? How's it running?

[NerdPope]

Hi, came back to update the status of my Thinkpad R61i with the T7800 Upgrade. And guess what, still running strong and I even bought a dock for it and gave my g/f my desktop. Have not looked back. Been running without problems since the upgrade, thermals still close to my initial testing and battery life about the same. So, greenlight to anyone thinking of upgrading a Thinkpad R61i to the T7800. No hiccups here.

I didn't even know about a T7800 option. I thought T7700 was it for the Memron CPU's. I have two 15.4" R61i's (7650 & 8932) both get the dreaded Thermal Sensing Error with a T8300. The 7650 can ESC past it, but the 8932 won't.

Is the T7800 common? How's it running?

[Merc]

Hi, came back to update the status of my Thinkpad R61i with the T7800 Upgrade. And guess what, still running strong and I even bought a dock for it and gave my g/f my desktop. Have not looked back. Been running without problems since the upgrade, thermals still close to my initial testing and battery life about the same. So, greenlight to anyone thinking of upgrading a Thinkpad R61i to the T7800. No hiccups here.

Where'd you find the T7800 and what was the cost?

[NerdPope]

I purchased it on eBay in March 2010 for $189.50 + $4.95 Shipping = $194.45 TOTAL. Not an Engineering Sample. It is running fine, fan has been on more lately, I have to attribute this to dust buildup (I hope). ALSO, I lubricated the fan bearing with Singer sewing machine oil. Been lubing all fan bearings with that stuff since. Makes everything run quieter.

Now the one thing I would like to see is someone use the Penryn Core 2 Duo. The smaller process (45nm) produces less heat and uses less power. Cost is a little more, but the availability is just the same.

The highest it think the R61i can go Is the T7800 or the T9500. Both are 2.6GHz, 800MHz FSB, 35W, and come in Socket P.

For Core 2 Duo Merom (65nm) TXXXX Chart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_In ... C_65_nm.29

For Core 2 Duo Penryn (45nm) TXXXX Chart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_In ... C_45_nm.29

I didn't even know about a T7800 option. I thought T7700 was it for the Memron CPU's. I have two 15.4" R61i's (7650 & 8932) both get the dreaded Thermal Sensing Error with a T8300. The 7650 can ESC past it, but the 8932 won't.

Is the T7800 common? How's it running?

[Merc]

I purchased it on eBay in March 2010 for $189.50 + $4.95 Shipping = $194.45 TOTAL. Not an Engineering Sample. It is running fine, fan has been on more lately, I have to attribute this to dust buildup (I hope). ALSO, I lubricated the fan bearing with Singer sewing machine oil. Been lubing all fan bearings with that stuff since. Makes everything run quieter.

Now the one thing I would like to see is someone use the Penryn Core 2 Duo. The smaller process (45nm) produces less heat and uses less power. Cost is a little more, but the availability is just the same.

The highest it think the R61i can go Is the T7800 or the T9500. Both are 2.6GHz, 800MHz FSB, 35W, and come in Socket P.

For Core 2 Duo Merom (65nm) TXXXX Chart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_In ... C_65_nm.29

For Core 2 Duo Penryn (45nm) TXXXX Chart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_In ... C_45_nm.29

Thanks much for the info. I may look around for a bit faster CPU.

[scranch287]

Just ordered a T7700 and a FRU heatsink/fan. I did the 7700 just because the 7800 was still 300 bucks. I just did the whole heatsink fan deal since the old fan is dieing and i didnt feel like pulling it apart to just find out what fan i needed to get the job done. Will post sometime in the next month to update on how the cpu change over went. Kinda in fear because the last personal computer i built was 5 years ago and the last computer i even did an internals swap on was 3 years ago. Just been playing with bigger computers like N14 cummins.

[Merc]

Just ordered a T7700 and a FRU heatsink/fan. I did the 7700 just because the 7800 was still 300 bucks. I just did the whole heatsink fan deal since the old fan is dieing and i didnt feel like pulling it apart to just find out what fan i needed to get the job done. Will post sometime in the next month to update on how the cpu change over went. Kinda in fear because the last personal computer i built was 5 years ago and the last computer i even did an internals swap on was 3 years ago. Just been playing with bigger computers like N14 cummins.

Good luck and look forward to your report. Just change my fan out a couple of months ago.

[scranch287]

If anyone has where i should get my bios update utility from that would be great.

[scranch287]

Well did no bios update, did a windows index before i did everything and had a 4.7 for cpu. I did the T7700 upgrade (much sweat, mtn dew, and time) and booted up awesome! my windows index is now 5.9! you can notice the difference. Had a little trouble with the keyboard garnish but got it off and everything went as planned. The new thermal device is much quieter granted i can here it still but now its not a bearing rattle. I also speedfanned my temps and im holding the same so i cant complain. Really glad i did the upgrade, now i can hold on to this laptop till windows 7 disappears. If you have any questions on what i did dont be afraid to PM or reply to this post. I cant guarantee the same results or take responsibility for the ideas you get from this but i will help you through it.

[Merc]

Well did no bios update, did a windows index before i did everything and had a 4.7 for cpu. I did the T7700 upgrade (much sweat, mtn dew, and time) and booted up awesome! my windows index is now 5.9! you can notice the difference. Had a little trouble with the keyboard garnish but got it off and everything went as planned. The new thermal device is much quieter granted i can here it still but now its not a bearing rattle. I also speedfanned my temps and im holding the same so i cant complain. Really glad i did the upgrade, now i can hold on to this laptop till windows 7 disappears. If you have any questions on what i did dont be afraid to PM or reply to this post. I cant guarantee the same results or take responsibility for the ideas you get from this but i will help you through it.

Thanks for the update and great news the chip worked. Thanks for the scout work and isn'yt awesome to get a whole new laptop for under $200? LOL. Plus all your data is there, it is just faster.

BTW, modders, I recommend you replace the cooling unit when you do the CPU swap as the fan only lasts about 3-4 years.

[scranch287]

Thanks for the update and great news the chip worked. Thanks for the scout work and isn'yt awesome to get a whole new laptop for under $200? LOL. Plus all your data is there, it is just faster.

BTW, modders, I recommend you replace the cooling unit when you do the CPU swap as the fan only lasts about 3-4 years.

I backup the cooling unit statement. Mine was gonna fail soon but caught it in time. My old unit i ended up returning it to Laptop Parts for Less for a $10 credit. They even sent a prepaid envelope.

[scranch287]

Well battery usage appears to be the same. Not been clocking it but seems the same. Also the new fan is still quieter, but a nuisance since now i cant hear if my laptop is on also i got my sticky keys cleaned. not 100% but lots better. any questions just ask.

[NerdPope]

Hate to revive an old thread but I feel an update is important enough of a reason.

1.) I still have the same R61i.
2.) Fan is still quiet, even at full speed.
3.) Been using TPFC (ThinkPad Fan Control) to handle fan speeds.
4.) Have not opened the case since the upgrade in March 2010.
5.) (Nov 10') Upgraded to a 9-cell 7800mAh battery, original battery was going anyways.

I installed TPFC because I got tired of hearing 'too much' fan when opening some apps and pegging out the processor for only a few secs. Since lubricating the fan bearing with Singer sewing machine oil the fan has been quiet and smooth. Still my primary rig, using it every day for at least 10hrs a day. Take it with me on trips out of town. It's been in a vehicle during a car accident (side impact where the laptop bag was in the foot-well that got hit).

She has been a stable beauty for a 2nd owner. I bought this in 2009 at a flea market! The owner of an 'everything's under $5' stall was selling it because it was 'getting old'. Bought it for $300, NOT A SCRATCH ON IT!!! Original accessories and paperwork included.

BEST. INVESTMENT. EVER.