Thinkpads Forum

So I've ordered a T61P, with its NVidia Quadro FX 570M graphics card, as well as an advanced docking station. I'd like to have the option of using three monitors (the laptop, plus two others), and one is an Apple 30" monitor, which requires a dual-link DVI port.

I'm trying to figure out which NVidia card I could get for the advanced dock that would a) work at all, and b) allow simultaneous support of all three. I've read here that the external card must use the same drivers as the internal card for this to work, but just can't figure out what the right choice is. Does anyone have a suggestion? Thanks -- Ken

You're plowing new ground for us. Although I don't have a T61p, I'm very curious about this as well.

I suggest you buy a Quadro FX 560 card from Amazon - link is here: http://tinyurl.com/2l8o3w

If it doesn't work, you can return it without the stocking fee of NewEgg.

The 560 uses just 30 watts, so it should play nicely in the Advanced Dock. It has two Dual-link DVI ports. It's also the closest match to the T61p's FX570 chip. The biggest difference I see is that the 560 uses Shader Model 3.0 while the 570 uses model 4.0. I don't know if this will make a difference in Vista or not.

The big question here is whether this 560 card will run with the same driver as the 570. If the Thinkpad version of the 570 driver doesn't work with both the 560 and 570, don't give up. You may be able to get a ForceWare driver to work.

If you try this, please report back and let us know if it worked!

Thanks! After seeing your long research on this elsewhere, I had hoped you'd get involved!

I will try that card, and see how it goes. Not really understanding the whole graphics hardware thing (I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out which card on NVidia's site was closest to the one in the T61p, which isn't quite here yet), so didn't know where to start.

I'll report in, hopefully late next week! -- Ken

Argh. Checked all the documentation, and the advanced dock only takes cards up to 6.6 inches long. This one is 6.8 inches long. Is there any wiggle room in there? Or should I start over?

Any other thoughts <g> ? -- Ken

Yes. I am also in the same situation.

I am dying to find out.. If I buy the T61p it is ONLY for the ability to connect at the very least, two more external monitors and still work with the machine's own display though i am more leaning into 3 screens plus the machine's own. So I need to know what graphics card. Please keep us updated.