Thinkpads Forum

I have on order a t60 with a x1400 gpu and I was wondering if down the line I can buy the v5200 and upgrade when the funds are available. I read in numerous posts that the chassis are the same, so I'm just wondering if the form factor is the same and if there would be some kind of compatibility issues.

spiike wrote:I have on order a t60 with a x1400 gpu and I was wondering if down the line I can buy the v5200 and upgrade when the funds are available. I read in numerous posts that the chassis are the same, so I'm just wondering if the form factor is the same and if there would be some kind of compatibility issues.

In laptops graphics cards are almost always built into the board. Although nVidia tried to create a plug n play standard for laptop graphics, it hasnt been widely used. Understand that graphics cards are different in that they arent primarily built by the graphics companies, the designs are licensed out to other companies, like the laptop manufacturers, who build the cards (or in desktops buy them from companies like eVGA), and put them into the computers. I am fairly sure the cards arent upgradable. That said, I actually get pretty good performance from my x1400. It plays most of the newer games fine at moderate graphics settings.

The form factor jjesusfreak01 talks about is called MXM and it is more of an industry standard. However, I don't think they use it in the thinkpad series.

If the chasis is the same as the other t60 models, then you can replace the whole motherboard with the v5200. You wont be able to replace the graphics card itself since it is built onto the motherboard. Like the T4X series, as long as the chasis is the same (which it probably is) then you can just replace the board if you were to find one. They are hard to come by since they are pretty new. Ebay doesnt even have any listings for T60P motherboards. Good luck

Liam_ wrote:The form factor jjesusfreak01 talks about is called MXM and it is more of an industry standard. However, I don't think they use it in the thinkpad series.

Asus is the only mainstream vendor using it. It really is industry standard though since its the only standard that exists. Unfortunately, although its in use, im not sure replacement/upgrade cards for MXM laptops are even available.