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Broadcom Crystal HD on the T60; worth it?

T60/T61 Series
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Lox
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Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2016 8:26 am
Location: Malaysia

Broadcom Crystal HD on the T60; worth it?

#1 Post by Lox » Tue Jun 08, 2021 2:17 pm

Hi all, recently i just restored a 2008-66M T60 and i'm planning it to use for some flash games, basic programming and maybe watching youtube.
I was thinking if the Broadcom Crystal HD is a worthwhile purchase for the T60? especially nowadays? most posts I find are during 2011-2015ish or am I better off
just buying T7200 without the broadcom chip?

Many thanks in advance!

Shredder11
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Re: Broadcom Crystal HD on the T60; worth it?

#2 Post by Shredder11 » Sat Jun 12, 2021 2:16 pm

This YouTube video might answer your question. The specifications of the computers are included in the video description for reference.

Broadcom BCM970015 vs No GPU Assistance On Two Identical Thinkpad Z61p Laptops

https://youtu.be/Fr8SfUB2UaA
Z61p x3 (C2D T7600, 3GB, 500GB SSD, BCM70015, Advanced Dock x1, Mini Dock x2)
W520 (C2Q i7-2720QM, 8GB, 60GB SSD)
X61 (C2D T7500, 3GB, 250GB SSD, BCM70015)
X61s (2GB, 120GB SSD)
T43p (P M 760, 2GB, IBM Port Replicator II, 128GB SSD)
G41 (P4 3.46GHz, 2GB, 128GB SSD)

axur-delmeria
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Re: Broadcom Crystal HD on the T60; worth it?

#3 Post by axur-delmeria » Sun Jun 13, 2021 8:02 am

My friend has a Broadcom Crystal HD on his X61. From what I remember, it doesn't work on Windows 10.
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

rumbero
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Re: Broadcom Crystal HD on the T60; worth it?

#4 Post by rumbero » Sun Jun 13, 2021 2:55 pm

In case you plan to use the crystalhd card in a recent Linux, here are up to date sources for the required kernel module:

github.com/dbason/crystalhd

I was just able to successfully compile and install the module with the current 5.10.0-7-amd64 kernel in Debian/unstable.
A few 14.1" and 15" T61+ Frankenpads and one T480

dr_st
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Re: Broadcom Crystal HD on the T60; worth it?

#5 Post by dr_st » Sun Jun 13, 2021 3:09 pm

Also, remember that on T/R/X60 and Z61 series, you have to use the Broadcom Crystal HD in the WLAN slot (and use a USB WLAN in the WWAN slot or an external WLAN). That is because the WWAN slot lacks PCIe lanes.
Thinkpad 25 (20K7), T490 (20N3), Yoga 14 (20FY), T430s (IPS FHD + Classic Keyboard), X220 4291-4BG
X61 7673-V2V, T60 2007-QPG, T42 2373-F7G, X32 (IPS Screen), A31p w/ Ultrabay Numpad

axur-delmeria
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Re: Broadcom Crystal HD on the T60; worth it?

#6 Post by axur-delmeria » Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:18 am

rumbero wrote:
Sun Jun 13, 2021 2:55 pm
In case you plan to use the crystalhd card in a recent Linux, here are up to date sources for the required kernel module:

github.com/dbason/crystalhd

I was just able to successfully compile and install the module with the current 5.10.0-7-amd64 kernel in Debian/unstable.
Nice find! I remember this module got removed from the mainline kernel due to a lack of people wanting to maintain it.
I wonder if Broadcom would consider making a new version of this chip, but with H.265 / HEVC support. :D
Planned Purchase: T480s i5-8350 FHD Touch
Impulse Buy: Thinkpad not named for safety reasons :lol:
RIP: X220 4291-C91 X61 7676-A24 760XD-U9E :cry:

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