Upgrading a mysterious T61.

[RoafBeast]

I just bought a refurbished T61 for school. Before that I didn't even know thinkpads have such a large community. I'll be using it for coding , basic computing and a bit of photoshopping. It is a German model as far as I can tell (if it matters).

It still runs 2gb ram and a T8100 cpu. I've turned off unneeded services and it runs decently for now. On my list of upgrades I have a better cpu , 4 (or 8 ) gb ram , a higher resolution screen and an SSD. But here come the problems. At first it was running really hot. Turned out the thermal paste was not paste but dust. After reapplying it runs very cool.

Is bios modding to add a QX9300 on it worth it? Up to this point I've never had a dual core PC and the thought of it kind of scares me (started with a Q6600 on my desktop then went straight on a 4690K). After that I only considered the X9000 as a possible choice. I read about heat issues with quad core chips. Are there any heatsink mods that help with that?

The screen is a 15.6(?) inch running at 1280x800. On the wiki it says it's supposed to have a 15.4 inch. Is this right? If it's wrong (which it probably is) how well can the on-board graphics chip run the 1920x1200 screen. I couldn't find an answer somewhere.

http://i.imgur.com/mnUnSWh.jpg

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

The machine is a 15.4" unit. What's the full 7-character model number located on the same sticker that holds the serial number and the production date on the bottom of the laptop?

Regardless of the graphics card you can upgrade this machine to a 1920x1200 LCD.

It takes more than just a BIOS mod for QX9300 to run on this system. I'd stick with T9300/9500 or if you've got money to burn, X9000.

Happy ThinkPadding.

[RoafBeast]

Sorry I didn't know how much to leave off. It's a 6463Y5W (I'm really new to this) Is it the hassle it takes to mod it that's not worth it or the performance the quad core chip provides?

[ajkula66]

Sorry I didn't know how much to leave off.

Nothing for you to be sorry for.

It's a 6463Y5W.

This is your T61's factory configuration:

Code: Select all

T8100(2.1GHz) 2GB RAM 160GB 5400rpm HD 15.4in 1280x800 LCD Intel X3100 CDRW/DVDRW Intel 802.11abg wireless Modem 1Gb Ethernet UltraNav Secure chip 6c Li-Ion WinVista Business 64 

Is it the hassle it takes to mod it that's not worth it or the performance the quad core chip provides?

Well, consider the fact that by upgrading the CPU you'll be left with a machine which still needs an upgrade in several different areas. Not really worth it IMO.

My take:

1) Install Middleton's BIOS

2) Upgrade the RAM to 4GB

3) Install SSD

4) Enjoy.

[Hans Gruber]

Sorry I didn't know how much to leave off. It's a 6463-CTO (I'm really new to this) Is it the hassle it takes to mod it that's not worth it or the performance the quad core chip provides?

George gives good advice. Go to Ebay and look up either the T8300 or T9300. I have both of those CPU's in different T61 models. You need the Middleton bios to take advantage of the SATA II feature (SSD drive) and it opens up the wlan card to 2.4ghz/5ghz such as the intel 4965AGN.

You can either do 1680x1050 or the 1920x1080. i don't know if they have 1920x1200 panels because it's a 16:10 ratio screen.

http://t61.wikispaces.com/

[ajkula66]

You can either do 1680x1050 or the 1920x1080. i don't know if they have 1920x1200 panels because it's a 16:10 ratio screen.

Actually, 1920x1200 is the proper LCD for a 15.4" system since it's 16:10

It takes a 16:9 machine for a 1920x1080 screen.