T41 - Graphics Chip Compatability

[le_porquer]

Hi,

Recently managed to get a free T41, upgrading the CPU to the Pentium 2.1 Ghz M 765 SL7V3 Dothian as we speak. Unfortunately its still got the same Radeon M7 GPU that my T30 had.

Im thinking of unsoldering this from the motherboard and replacing it with the Radeon M9, as it is apparently compatable with my model. Im experienced in laptop and pc building and repair I just want to know;

Can this theoretically be done?

Cheers,

Steve.

[Harryc]

It's never been done, at least that has been mentioned on this forum in the last 4 years. Technically possible? I suppose if the GPU chips are pin compatible and the BIOS supports it.

[underclocker]

I believe so. I had several T4x mobos with loose GPU issues repaired about a year ago. The vendor was able to replace 32MB ATI 7500 GPUs, that had been toasted during botched hot air reflow attempts, with 32MB ATI 9000 GPUs. The GPUs were completely reballed. The machines worked fine.

Perhaps other forum members have gone to top of the line (128MB GPUs) this way?

[le_porquer]

I believe the top graphics card supported by the T41 to be the M9?

The T41p supports the ATI Mobility FireGL T2... will the T41 have the same motherboard? Theoretically perhaps my T41 could support this?

Would anyone know where I could find out the pin compatability of all M7, M9 and Fire GL T2 chips?

Lots of questions - thanks for any support

[ajkula66]

While I'm usually supportive of experiments, my common sense says that this one may not be prudent from the sheer financial standpoint...

Apart from finding someone who performs re-balling (not re-flowing) you're looking at

A) removing your chip from the planar

B) removing the other chip from its original board

C) installing the second chip on the first board

Even if everything was to go without a glitch, the cost of labour itself will more than likely be far higher than it would be for a simple higher-end T4x or T4xp board swap.

My $0.02 only...

[le_porquer]

The T41 I received was free, a redundant model from work, I can get a T41p board from Ebay for about $20 including delivery, and I will be performing the reballing and insertion myself.

From my standpoint, its well worth a go for $20.

Although, you make a valid point with regard to the straight swap since ill be getting a complete T41p board from Ebay anyway.

Will a T41p motherboard swap straight out into my T41?

Thanks,

Steve.

[Harryc]

Yes

[le_porquer]

Fantastic, thanks for all your info - great help as usual.

Steve.

[underclocker]

Putting aside the time and cost, I think it should work. Visually, the boards have similar GPU's attached. However, for a definitive answer, feel free to email the vendor that did the work for me (and other forum members), he will know for sure.

Dale, from Superior Reball & Rework --> http://www.superiorreball.com/