Thinkpads Forum

Hi-
I'm new to this forum, and I'm very confused. I have an older T61 that I would like to get more performance out of. I'd like suggestions on how to get the most bang for the buck in terms of upgrades.

I've listed all the pertinent stats below, and woudl love suggestions and feedback.

Lenovo T61 laptop (6459 CTO)
Windows Vista Business (32-bit OS) SP2
Intel Core 2 Duo t7500 @2.20GHz (4mb L2 cache, 800MHz FSB)
NVIDIA Quatro NVS 140m graphics
2.00 GB ram PC2 5300 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM SODIMM 200 pin
142 GB hard drive (I think 5400 rpm) which is a Hitachi HTS722016K9SA00
I also have a SD 8gb flash drive which I am using for ready boost (4090mb allocated).
I think I have a PM965 chipset (using cpu-z)

I mostly use the laptop like a desktop – I don’t really care about battery life, since I am pretty much always near a plug. I like the portability so I can bring my work home (who doesn’t love that?)

I’m looking to increase its speed and storage. Currently, I have to use an external drive to store data files, since the hard drive is so tiny. The most computationally intensive programs I use are statistical software packages (SAS, STATA, GAUSS, Matlab, Mathmatica). Not much in terms of graphics, just big data files and lots of read/write operations.
What is the most efficient bang for the buck for upgrades?

I think I can put in a better processor. My understanding is that I have a GME965 Express chipset 82801 HM IO ICH8M, so I can fit and run any of the following
X7900 (4mb cache, 2.80 ghz)
T7700 (4m cache, 2.40 ghz)
T9500 (6mb cache, 2.60 ghz)
T9300 (6mb cache, 2.50 ghz)
X9000 (6mb cache, 2.80 ghz)
However, there has been some discussion here which indicates the earlier Merom cannot support a T9xxx or Xxxxx processor. My planar card (based on sticker near battery pins) is 42w7652, but there is also another code 42w3815 (?) Anyone know if I can run a faster processor, and is it even worth it? Is higher speed or higher cache more noticiable?

I can also get more RAM, but I think I am pretty close to maxed out if I stay with the 32 bit OS – probably only another 1 GB would be recognized/useable.
So, instead of/in addition to the processor upgrade, I could go with Vista 64 bit OS, and max out the RAM at 8gb. If I do a clean install of Vista 64, what do I need to do to get everything else to work?

Finally, I can’t figure out if there are any high speed bigger capacity hard drives that would fit in the slot. I almost never use my CD RW DVD drive, so maybe I could fit an extra hard drive in that slot?

The processors seem to run about $150 to $250, and I can’t figure out how much gain they would give me. The memory seems to run $200 to $400. The OS would only cost me about $100 since I qualify for a special academic license.
I have no idea what hard drives would work, so I can’t guess at cost.

Any OS upgrade would be followed by an attempt to reinstall all the other software (especially the ThinkVantage apps, since I am a moron and rely on it to keep the PC updated and running properly). How hard is this to do?

Any suggestions on the sequence of upgrades, and biggest bang for the buck would be appreciated. Also, I am an idiot, so if I didn’t provide any pertinent info, or have no idea what I am talking about, I am not going to be at all insulted if you correct me/ask for additional info.

Thanks!

The Penryn processors will work with your motherboard but you'll get a thermal sensor error at bootup and a beep. Just hist <esc> and you'll be fine. I don't think you'll see a major increase in performance, though.

Tossing so much money into it as you are willing, your biggest bang for the buck would probably be selling this one and buying a T400. You'll get faster CPUs, faster FSB, faster RAM, better battery life, SATA DVD drives (with optional BluRay support), a SATA bus that isn't limited to 1.5Gbps (for future SSD upgradability) and a couple of other small neat features.

Personally I would think that the fastest upgrade you could do is install xp pro. Even if it is possible to run vista at a high speed with that system, it still takes up more memory, and for statistical programs, I think you want more free memory, and downgrading is a lot cheaper since you already have the licence (downgrade rights), so all you need is the disk - you could borrow one from a friend as long as it is genuine, and when activating if it does not go call M$ and tell them that you are downgrading. If you want to upgrade to Vista Buisness 64 bit, you once again have the licence, all you need is the disk (LF add in marketplace possibly? - if that is legal).

Jack

Agreed with dr_st...

Sell it, get T400/500 or W500, much better performance, no possible nVidia issues and overall a more modern and stable units.

My $0.02 only...

Memory is definitely the 1st thing you should upgrade. Considering the price now, 4G is what you want.

T9500 is nice to have because you can really feel the performance (X7900 / X9000 are good but too hot and too expensive)
However you would need to make sure your T61 is manufactured AFTER April 2008, otherwsie it is likely to see the BIOS error message.

Your HD is 7200rpm, so unless you want more capacity, stay with it.

Vista x64 is much better than the x86 version. Try it and you would know why x64 is the future.

Doesn't a licence vor vista cover both 32bit and 64bit versions? If I am not mistaken, you would only need a 64bit Vista installation dvd to use with your existing vista product key (you can call the Microsoft activation hotline to check on that). That would save you the money for another os licence.

George

I honestly believe also that you could upgrade selling you current T61 and get a T400, the P series processors offers very good performance and overall the machine will stay cool. T61 with nvidia graphics tend to fail over time just like the ATI gpus used on the T4x series.

Also, indeed the T61s bus are capped to have 1.5Mb/s bandwidth, the T400 offers LED backlighting, full SATA2 speed, and no problems with graphics.

If you need space right now you could get a 320GB/500GB HDD, take a look at www.newegg.com, you'll need a SATA 2.5" mobile drive.
My recommendations are the 500GB Hitachi 5K500.B or the 250GB (single platter) of the same model which is more quieter and output less heat so you will have a nice and cool palmrest.