Thinkpads Forum

Does anyone know if system boards can be swapped between these models?


I'm looking for some low-cost ways to fix T61/T61p systems with failed nVidia, and the T60 widescreen system looks very similar to the T61, naturally it would be a big step backwards in technology, but they are pretty cheap so some people might want that if the only other option is a very expensive remanufactured system board.

I'm planning on grabbing a cheap one to experiment with, but if anyone has tried it already, please let me know your findings.

TuuS wrote:I'm looking for some low-cost ways to fix T61/T61p systems with failed nVidia, and the T60 widescreen system looks very similar to the T61, naturally it would be a big step backwards in technology, but they are pretty cheap so some people might want that if the only other option is a very expensive remanufactured system board.

Since you can't reuse the CPU and the PC card slot assembly from a T61 on any T60 mainboard, this would turn out to become a rather expensive replacement strategy. Better try to get hold of a cool running used T61 mainboard with Intel graphics instead. That would be FRU 42W7651 for Merom CPU's or FRU 42W7875 for both Penryn and MeromCPU's for a T61 with 15.4 widescreen. They appear once in a while on eBay.

I do grab the T61 intel boards when I find a good deal, but if the T60 will fit, I can get them with pc card assembly and cpu for a lot less then a T61 board, so it's just another alternative. Definitely not the best option, but thank you for answering that question.

Can I assume that no cutting needs to be done to make the swap them?

TuuS wrote:
Can I assume that no cutting needs to be done to make the swap them?

I remember that I found ones a post which dealt with a mobo replacement. but unfortunatly I cant rember where I found it ... more than a year before ...

however, if I remember well, it was reported that except the one or other minor edge has to be changed a little (the poster mentioned something like he had to cut some minor plastic construction in order to fit the mobo into the frame).

at least the front part of the palm rest are different as the T61 models have the firewire, headphone & audio plug in front.

Thanks, i just got a T60 15.4" and I have a T61p that I'm pulling the system board on, so I'm going to make a frankenpad and see how it works out.

So far I've been fortunate to have a supply of 2nd generation nVidia boards to fix dead nVidia GPUs, but a new cost effective solution will soon be needed, and although a T60 board is far from the ideal solution, it could be an option to someone who doesn't want to spend nearly $600 for a Lenovo rechipped board, and if there are no reliable T61/T61p nVidia, or intel boards available, then this may be a viable option.


The T60 board would be limited to 3GB ram and the CPU limited to 2.33ghz max, but otherwise would be a reliable board.

I may post the resulting unit in the marketplace after it's built, as I have no need for it.