Thinkpads Forum

My T61 is a August 2008 Unit.
After doing some researche I found out, that this unit has a more reliable nVidia Chip in it....
Well after taking it appart to change the thermal compoung I looked at the chip and it says 0826A2.
That would be July 1st - 2008.
Is my chip one of the reliable ones or not?

Im just so concerned about this problem...

EDIT: Here are my average GPU temps:

IDLE: 50*C
NORMAL: 62*C
HEAVY USE (3D Mark, CoD4): 78*C

dont let it go past 80 deg C and it would be fine most likely. Use the 64 setting on TPFanControl if you have to.

miro_gt wrote:dont let it go past 80 deg C and it would be fine most likely. Use the 64 setting on TPFanControl if you have to.

64 setting?
I always run TPfan on the highest setting!

The most consistent data is that the actual chip date is inconclusive. If the chip date could tell if it was new or old design, Lenovo wouldn't have had to dispose of thousands of boards in July 2008. The new boards used since that date were put into laptops like yours built in 08/08 and later, but the boards themselves were made earlier. My own investigation shows chip dates vary widely, I've seen 08/09 units with chips dated 0824, and 08/08 units with chips dated 0829, but about 90% of 08/08 units have chips dated 0825.

Bottom line is, you're fine.

This doesn't mean the chip is super human, it just means it will have average lifespan, instead of a risk of premature failure like the previous nVidia chips.

Besides keeping it cool, you should also reduce the number of heat/cool cycles, so don't turn the thing on/off more then is necessary. This is true with all electronics. If you're not going to use it for an hour, leave it run, but power off the screen either by setting a timer or by closing the lid.

Standby or hibernate is much harder on it then leaving it run.

TuuS wrote:The most consistent data is that the actual chip date is inconclusive. If the chip date could tell if it was new or old design, Lenovo wouldn't have had to dispose of thousands of boards in July 2008. The new boards used since that date were put into laptops like yours built in 08/08 and later, but the boards themselves were made earlier. My own investigation shows chip dates vary widely, I've seen 08/09 units with chips dated 0824, and 08/08 units with chips dated 0829, but about 90% of 08/08 units have chips dated 0825.

Bottom line is, you're fine.

This doesn't mean the chip is super human, it just means it will have average lifespan, instead of a risk of premature failure like the previous nVidia chips.

Besides keeping it cool, you should also reduce the number of heat/cool cycles, so don't turn the thing on/off more then is necessary. This is true with all electronics. If you're not going to use it for an hour, leave it run, but power off the screen either by setting a timer or by closing the lid.

Standby or hibernate is much harder on it then leaving it run.

you made my day!!!
Thank you for the info!!!!