Upgrade T60: just T7x00 or T61 mobo?

[yosan]

Hi Guys,

Using my Thinkpad T60 (T2400, 15" SXGA Flexview) for 4 years I fell in love with it and can't do it away. Buying a new Thinkpad is a bad idea, since the screen height is horrible in the current models, which you all know.
So I have different options and am really into 'preserving' my old T60 for the Windows-7 era, but I hope I can use your help with some descisions.
The forum provides excellent technical instructions for replacing the CPU, the harddrive (for an SSD) and even the motherboard (for a T61 motherboard). But I don't want to start on such a project if it's not all worth it. So I more need some 'descisional-help'

So here are my options:
1. Replace CPU for T7600/7400/7200 and replace HDD for Intel SSD
2. Replace motherboard for T61 mobo and upgrade processor to T9500, replace HDD

Do you think that with one of these options I will be able to use my Thinkpad for another, say, 4 years? Or will it be outdated again in a year and should I accept the fact that my screen will be lower?

Thanks!

[eatbuckshot]

If you don't mind in cost, I'd definitely replace the motherboard with a t61p, so you can get an upgrade to a decent graphics card(570m based off of 8600m GT, unfortunately only 64-bit memory bus 128 mb vs 256 128-bit found in the widescreen model) That's at least two times better in general graphics performance(if you need it that is), and can do more gpu accelerated video decoding. Also with nvidia graphics you can reach high refresh rates with your lcd. In combination with the IDtech QXGA i can do up to 89hz @ 2048x1536, or 100hz on BOE-Hydris UXGA @ 1600x1200. Currently using the 14.1" 1400x1050 i can do up to 180hz and 500hz @ 800x600(though not usable just fun to play around with). 8600gt would also be much cooler (at least in combination with the t61p heatsink and fan assembly)

Only negative about that is it's possible that it may be shortlived with the supposed nvidia "gpu defect", but I've been using mine for 2 years and no problem. (i also like to keep everything cool gpu is at 51 right now)

With a t61p mobo you can use socket P processors so you aren't limited to 2.33 ghz (t7600), which these days is medium performance(even if you got t7600g, unlocked multiplier, not sure if t60p can support changing multiplier to higher, or if it even supports) You may even be able to put a quad core in there (don't quote me on it), but at least you can get up to 2.8 ghz or more. Socket P processors have better power saving features with the reduced bus speeds.

The t60p chipset only supports up to 3gb of memory, where as you can get up to 8gb with the t61p.

Intel ssd of course is a great upgrade, i have one in my x200t

As for becoming outdated and still being usable, that's something dependent on how you use your laptop. There are people who still use their t4x's and are okay.

I still go to my t61p to play games (since it has great refresh rate) and can handle source games from valve such as counter-strike source and team fortress 2 despite having a desktop with a gtx 260 and 3.7ghz phenom II x2(i do have a nice ips samsung just too much input lag) Also i use it for heavy internet browsing(i mean maybe 50 tabs or more of chrome), some photo, and video editing, and viewing, IM clients, some programming. It just doesn't have the laggy feel of my t60p and x200t (in certain things) which are both running windows 7; it could just be that my t60p is running win2k3 server and that in itself is so responsive.

It's chugging along only with a half dead 100 gb 7200 rpm hard drives(baaad clicking noises when starting, sometimes doesn't detect, been a year since it came back from being dead and not working) t8300 2.4ghz, 3gb ddr2 (only since i don't have 2x2gb, it can support more)..

I actually was going to switch it over to the t60p case so i can use it with my qxga.
Ideally though, if i could get 2.8 ghz or faster, 8gb, of ram, this would be a great mobile workstation especially combined with the rare qxga or occasional uxga ips screens, there wouldn't be any other laptops like it. Admittedly, the graphics would be outdated, but is no slouch. I'd say lenovo has only caught back up to the same graphics performance per weight(vs t61p 14.1" 4:3), with the t410s, and that's due to just purely a few generations of new graphics hardware.

To me, the screen is one of the most important aspects of your computer, after seeing the uxga ips and qxga ips panel, along with my hp tablet's ips panel, and x200t panel (which is probably the worst i'd accept) i realized how terrible my sxga+ 14.1" was... It only makes up in its lack of colors and viewing angles by the shear amount of refresh rate it can do.

That's to say though the general trend of lcd panels from all manufacturers is minor quality increase. IMO Viewing angles for even TN panels have improved compared to before (at least horizontally). However, there doesn't seem to be any trend towards IPS high resolution displays in the future yet.

[RealBlackStuff]

Read this: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=87272

[yosan]

Thanks for the reply's; so far I am considering to upgrade to a T61 motherboard and not just plugging in a T7600.
Since I have a 1400x1050 display, I have also been looking to upgrade to a UXGA (1600x1200) display. Since these are quite expensive, one of my considerations would be to buy a T60p with a UXGA and sell my old T60.

I found a refurbished T60p with a UXGA screen (2007-93U): T2600, 100GB-7200rpm, IPS flexview UXGA (I guess Boe Hydis?), 256 ATI FireGL V5200 and 3 month of IBM warranty.
They ask 550 USD, is this reasonable?
If you think so, my first step would be buying this machine and my next step: buy a X25-M 160GB.

Anyone with a UXGA: how is the web-browsing experience?

[GrandMasterKhan]

hi eatbuckshot, how are you keeping your Nvidia card at 51C? Mine ranges from 58 to sometimes 61 (highest Ive seen). I have a T61, slightly different card. Card seems reliable as its logged close to 9000 hours of power on time based on a program I use. In Hawaii, we always have the AC on so room temp is cool.

[netzspannung]

A t61 mobo still leaves issues - it's not a clean fit, you lose the modem (what if you just NEED to send a fax to some bank or other institution?), the NVidia thing is reported flaky... Keep the T60 mobo around in case you'd want to revert back...