Thinkpads Forum

Hi there.

I have a t61p that I purchased almost 5 years ago brand new (model 6460DBG).
It was the top of the line when I got it (T9300, 1920x1200 display, etc...)
(Long read, if you don't care about the background please jump to the 3rd paragraph for the actual quesion )

Last week I installed middleton's patched BIOS and upgraded to a Samsung 840 pro SSD.
The speed boost was incredible, my bootup time got from 30 seconds to about 5 and my login time got down from 18 seconds to 2! (I run Linux), everything else runs much much much faster now.
This gave me an idea, probably to only 2 things that bother me with this computer are the lousy display and the 4gigs of RAM.
I saw that 8GB is supported unofficially and I plan on buying a pair of Crucial CT51264AC800 (thinkwiki lists them as supported, if someone knows otherwise please let me know).
This leaves me with the display:

Currently my display has a dead ant inside it so I have to open it up anyway and open the LCD panel itself as well. Since I absolutely love the resolution but hate the rest in this LCD I thought about just replacing the panel and get it over with - is it possible to find a non original, preferably LED LCD that will fit into this laptop? I don't mind doing some soldering if the mod is known to work, I don't wish to experment with my laptop though as this is my workhorse.
I am looking for a same resolution panel (1920x1200) but I am willing to live with a 1680x1050 one if there is a realy good one that will fit it)

Another question - should I be afraid from the dreaded nvidia bug? I heard that specific T61 models were prone to premature death of the nvidia GPU, I purchased mine at march 2008.

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum.
For T61 LCDs check with forum member TuuS, he usually has some good ones.
I'm not aware of a LED-version of these screens, but maybe someone else?
You do have a machine with 128MB nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M graphics, a potentially dangerous machine.
The ones with a corrected GPU all were produced in 2008/08 and 08/09, but some were put in a bit earlier.
You won't know till you open it up and check the GPU. If you do, makes sure to clean the old gunk off, and apply fresh thermal paste (like Arctic Silver 5).
However, if you never had problems so far, chances are you will be good, if you continue to treat the machine well.
Best would be to let her run 24/7, as it is the cooling down/warming up cycles that eventually may kill these machines.

Thank you