Thinkpads Forum

First off, I would like to say hi to everybody and thank you guys for posting so many great threads, it really helped me out. I've been reading the forum for a couple weeks now and decided on the T60p (2623-DDU). The goal was to migrate and consolidate all my data and switch from a desktop to a laptop. I had to make sure that I would still be able to run my Triple 19" Sony LCDs. After reading the site (many times) I purchased the XFX 7600GS as recommended by RobS. After getting the Advance Dock and the card I tried to install it.

I guess I was one of the unlucky ones that had all the errors associated with the 7600GS I decided to go to Fry's and purchase as many PCIe cards as I could afford to see which one would work. Fortunately the first one I installed was a Diamond Viper with 512MB of RAM. This one FIT PERFECTLY, does not have a fan and has DUAL OUTPUTS, and best of all it has 512MB or RAM! To get to the point everything works perfectly! I was able to put the cover on and everything! The only problem is that now I am running 2x DVI and 1x VGA, you can notice that the image on the VGA is not as cripse as the ones on DVI (but you have to look really close). So if the 7600GS doesn't work for you, get the Diamond Viper Radeon X1300 512MB.

WHAT I NEED NOW and was hoping you guys could help me, is an SATA option. I have a SATA/USB 2.0 (SATA 300) 500GB external hard drive. I am currently using it as USB but am a way to attach it to the Advance Dock. I know that I can use the ExpressCard on the T60p but I'd really prefer to just be able to dock the laptop and have the HD connected to the Advance Dock. Is there any kind of converter for the UltraBay Slim to ExpressCard? I know that there is a second SATA HD adapter for the UltraBay Slim but 2.5" HD just don't have enough capacity. If I can get SATA connection for the 500GB HD that would be awesome! If you guys have any ideas I'd love to hear it!

I think your options include:

1. Plug the drive into one of the USB connectors on the dock
2. Get an external enclosure that supports firewire (here's one list: http://tinyurl.com/ndd5f ) and then run it from a PCMCIA Firewire adapter. If you get FW800 (1394b) you will see amazing performance. But, this won't be through the dock (the pcmciA card is on the Thinkpad)
3. You can be a 160GB 2.5 drive and put it in the slim bay. But as you said, this may not be enough capacity.
4. Get a SATA adapter for the ExpressCard slot. One is http://www.firmtek.com/seritek/seritek-2sm2-e/ and another is this http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/17 ... presscard/ Search "ExpressCard" at NewEgg and you'll see more.


Note that there seems to be a 40 MB/sec bandwidth limitation for anything connected to the dock. The fastest way to connect a drive to the Thinkpad is to use a FW800 PCMCIA card to a very fast external drive. I use a Lacie Drive and get a constant, sustaned 65MB/sec rate. If you can find a FW800 express card, that would probably be even faster.

Just so you are aware, your 512 mb video card attached to the advanced dock will be limited to x1 PCI-E speeds... So more than likely you will not be experiencing the full potential of your graphics card. If there is a less expensive card that will fit your needs I would recommend using that, as a high-end video card will provide no greater benefit than a low cost card due to the x1 limitation...

Yeah, I realize that it is a x1 slot in the Advance Dock, but the 512MB Video card was $130 compared to other cards (the 7600GS was $150). I just need the extra ram for Photoshop. I don't play games so it works out well.

As for SATA, I didn't know that there was a limit to the Advance Dock. I guess I will have to use a SATA ExpressCard. I was hoping not to have to plug anything into the laptop itself and only the dock. SATA would be the best option because it would yield the greatest performance (3000 bps vs 800 of FireWire). Thanks guys for the input. I'm probably going to run out and get the SATA ExpressCard.

Anyword on the 2GB sticks of RAM yet?

I don't have an answer for you, but I just had to chime in and say that your setup sounds quite impressive. Once you get it up and running the way that you'd like, please take some pics and post them in the Pics section...I'd love to see it.

Glad to hear you've had success. What drivers are you using? The radeon drivers seem to conflict with the FireGL drivers on my machine...

Also, do you get triples on boot, or only after hot-docking?

atb,

T

Thank you for the kind comments. I've been waiting for a desktop replacement for a while but couldn't stand the integrated video cards. The T60p is the best solution.

I might not go with SATA just becaue I don't really need it. Most of my applications run off the internal HD and the 500GB SATA is just for data files and backup. I would hate having to undock and also having to pull out an ExpressCard also.

Do you guys know if there is a SATA ExpressCard out there that plugs in flushed to the T60s? Meaning doesn't protrude from the side?

To Thesp:
The Radeon drivers seem to work fine with the FireGL drivers for me. I do not get triples on boot. It seems that it only activates the second card on the Dock after Windows Loads. You might have something else on your machine that is causing the conflict. Maybe you should try the same exact card that I am using, it was only $140 so it might be worth a try.

As for my setup (if anyone is interested in doing the same) is pretty cost effective and powerful.

I have 3x Sony SDM-X93B (which you can find pretty good deals on these days):
http://images.fastpc.ru:8080/products/2 ... /11914.jpg

A Triple Monitor Humanscale M7:
http://www.safety.duke.edu/Ergonomics/i ... %20Arm.gif

Logitech DiNovo Laser (Best mouse/keyboard I've ever had):
http://www.surcouf.com/images/editorial ... 843big.jpg

500GB Maxtor SATA HD in an Adaptec SATA/USB2.0 external enclosure

and of course the ThinkPad T60p and Advance Dock with the Viper Video Card.

I would recommend anyone looking for a desktop replacement to try out this setup. It's mobile it's powerful and once you go TRIPLE you'll never go back.

Ohh and here is a picture of the whole thing (camera phone):
http://www.tranpublishing.com//images/img028.jpg

Last plug: Motorla Q = Amazing Phone

Please see the "Pictures of My Thinpad and Desk Setup" for posting pics.

Hmm. Sapphire x1300 gives me double screens on boot, but crashes before Windows loads. I seem to be the only person who can't get triple screens on the t60p...

Did you have the x1300 set as primary or secondary?

atb,

T

what an awesome setup! I have a single 1440x900 19" LCD on the way to compliment my 21" CRT-- but you still have me beat...

I feel that ThinkPads are very are very particular with which cards will work with the ThinkPads and Advance Dock. I have it set as Secondary (that's probably why only get one display on boot). If you have a Frys Electronics nearby or a retail store nearby, you should go pick up the Viper to see if it works.

If you compare how much LCDs costs these days triple displays are very affordable. You can get a 19" LCD for around $180. When I purchased my 19s it was close to $600. Like I say, once you go triple YOU CAN NEVER GO BACK!

Do you guys know what the max resolution the FireGL 256MB will support for external displays? For DVI and for VGA? I'd like to see if it is possible for power 3x 30" Apple Cinema Displays. Thanks.

xaveon wrote:Do you guys know what the max resolution the FireGL 256MB will support for external displays? For DVI and for VGA? I'd like to see if it is possible for power 3x 30" Apple Cinema Displays. Thanks.

In a word, No. The Dell 30" display requires Dual-link DVI and only a handful of video cards support that.

I've built several systems that have four 30" monitors, but I've never done it on a Thinkpad. If I were to do it today, I can think of two strategies:

1. NVidia Quadro FX 4500 X2. This video card has four dual-link DVI ports, each of which can drive a 30" Dell monitor in full digital resolution. I'm not sure if this card has started shipping yet. You would have to use an extender cable and run this card physically outside the dock. I discuss doing this with another Quadro card in ths thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=22358

2. Use MaxiVista to extend your Thinkpad's desktop to another computer which physically drives the Dell 30" monitors.

I've done a lot of multi-monitor work, with all displays drive with full digital at native resolutions. Systems with

twelve 20" screens (six wide, two tall)
Eight 24" screens (four wide, two tall)
Six 24" screens (three wide, two tall)
Four 30" screens plus four 24" displays (eight total)
Triple-wide 24" displays
Triple-wide 30" displays
etc...

My favorite display is the Dell 24" 2405FPW. They take LOTS of inputs (Hi-Def, DVI, composite, VGA), have great brightness and color, support picture-in-picture, and have no "screen door" effect. The 30" screen are too big for every work, in my opinion, and they don't seem as bright. Also, the Dell 30" display only has DVI input and only supports two resolutions.

For most work, I think two or three screens wide is Best. Two wide, which I usually use, mean you don't have to turn your head too much from side to side. Three wide gives you lots of desktop space with a "center" display which works well as a primary.

With monitors, bigger is not always better. I think the 24" display marks the "sweet spot" in monitors available today. I have several of them connected to my Thinkpad right now (7600GS card in the Advanced Dock).

Hey Ron,

I agree with what you're saying regarding size. 30" might be too big, but if you're doing graphic design I can see how that screen real estate can be very useful. I was very interested in the Samsung 243T (which I think might be the same as the Dell you are talking about). I know that Samsung makes rebranded screens for Dell. I was considering something like this:

img]http://www.digitaltigers.com/images/zv- ... 00x403.jpg[/img]

It is very similar to how I work now. Outlook on one screen, stocks on another and browser on the third. I would be really great if I can have 3 dedicated monitors for stocks (so I can see full updates real time). And of course, there is the cool factor!

STOCKS!!! STOCKS??? How about MS Flight Simulator on 6 screens!!!

Hi

Great thread. I've was considering buying an advanced dock and 2 Dell 24" screens before I even found this forum, now it's a certainty after reading this

One simple question, what is your *exact* set-up?

Do I run both screens off the 7600? or one off the card and one off the DVI port on the dock?

or

Do I plug both into the new card and I still have a third spare that I can plug anything into?

With either of the above set-ups what's happening to the built in screen? Can this be used for a third/fourth?

Thanks

As previous experience goes
(
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=22358
)

guaranteed simultanous internal and PCI-e bay card functionality is not possible. Reports are conflicting on how to get more than two screens connected to the dock, especially using both dock and pci-e card connectors.

On the other hand, whenever it HAS worked, it's worked reasonably well for those concerned, so if youve already got the hardware, or don't mind gambling the price of a new video card, feel free to experiment.

Hi I've got the XFX 7600 in my advanced dock and a Z60m that has an onboard Radeon x600.

I can get both of my Dell 24" LCDs working fine from the dock PCIe card so I'm already pretty happy however I think I'm experiencing the same issues that others are with the onboard card, namely that the drivers conflict and I get zero output from either the laptop LCD or the onboard DVI slot. Under Device Manger apparently the x600 "can't start"

It's quite frustrating to say the least. Does anyone have a working GeForce 7600/Radeon X600 Tri DVI combo? I have or course tried installing the latest drivers.

Regards

Just a quick confirmation to say that I got it all working in the end:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=30810

just for my clarification, i take it that you used 2 dvi outs from the secondary card, and the vga from the internal? Is this true?

-mEvil