Resolved - T60p High GPU/CPU Temperature

[think96]

NOTE: This modification will void your ThinkPad warranty. Perform any modifications at your own risk.

This post provides the source of confirmed working solution for resolving the high temperature issue of GPU/CPU on T60p 14,1” models.
The original solution is described here (in German) http://www.thinkpad-forum.de/thinkpad-h ... ext-level/ Thanks a lot to the author!
The below is slightly modified/improved implementation based on the above source.
The problem:
ThinkPad 2623 14.1” with CPU T7600 and GPU ATI V5200 has idle GPU temp ~70C (max performance setting is on) and CPU ~54C (undervolted). On stress load of CPU and GPU both reach the 100C within less than 2 minutes of load.
The applied solution:
Additional materials:
• FRU 42W2820 - HEAT SINKS
• FRU 42W3649 - MECHANICAL ASSEMBLIES AND SUB-ASSEMBLIES; FRU SYSTEM MISC PARTS 14
• Epoxy (I used the COMPOUND ARCTIC SILVER b/c it’s left over from other project and it has fast cure time)
• Screw M2 x 4mm
• Thermal grease
Reference schema http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-68208
Steps:
1. Remove the original fun assembly and the fun bracket.
2. Use CPU support bracket from 42W3649 kit (e on the referenced schema). Cut the L-shape flat piece (the bracket has two flat and two with ribs ends) that holds screw nut length ~1.5cm. The piece is going to be glued under the structure frame (7) where should be the missing nut for the bracket (b) for its right side. Therefore the form and length should be long enough to have a maximum surface to apply the glue.
3. Cover the mother board under the frame (use a flat hard thin transparent plastic sheet so you can easy slide the L-shaped piece under the frame) and glue the L-shape screw nut holder under the frame (to the bottom surface of the frame that resides over the mother board). Use the original M2 long screws, one to hold the gluing piece with bracket (b) while gluing and other to fix the bracket (b) in its place so the exact correct position of the gluing piece is achieved. You may want to only straighten the bracket (b) hook first (see point 6 below).
4. Remove all original thermal grease from the new 42W2820 assembly. Use both thermal pads from old fun assembly (GPU and PCI chips) and places them on heat sink where the PCI chip is located.
5. Apply thermal grease on CPU/GPU and place the new fun assembly. Use bracket (a) to fix the heat sink. Do not use bracket (b) yet.
6. The bracket (b) should be formed in two ways. 1) Slightly bend the short spring that touches the heat sink in the middle from 90 to 40-30 degrees so the bracket can be placed close to heat sink surface. 2) The left side hook should be straightened and bended again to make a small hook no longer than 3mm so it can grapple the bottom of the frame. All this should allow placing the bracket (b) at its place hooked to the frame while pressing the heat sink slightly.
7. Fix the bracket (b) by screws only. There is no need for the bracket to apply a hard pressure since CPU’s screws and bracket (a) fix the heat sink tight and two thermal pads have ample high to reach the PCI chip surface.
Result:
Stress load CPU and GPU for 10 minutes has stable 80/85C temp respectively. The idle temp is 45/61C respectively.

Good luck!

[yak]

This is basically a way to put a T61 14.1" 4:3 fan assembly into a T60 14.1".

However, I spotted a strange thing on the German site. There are two screenshots of TPFanControl showing the temperatures and fan speed before and after the modification. It would be a good idea to enable BIOS controlled fan speed in both cases but no, they set the smart mode after the modification (which gave fan speed level 1) and manual mode before the mod with level setting of 3 (!). At the end of the post the guy even says the speed was reduced from 3 to 1.

Still, the temperatures are lower so the mod payed off.