Changing GPU in T60

[electrizer]

Is it possible? Can I install a new GPU in my T60?

Thanks,
Przemek

[Harryc]

Not without replacing the systemboard, or you can have it reballed. It is soldered to the board. Contact Nick (member name poshgeordie) in the UK for this service, but I am not sure if he works on T60's though.

[underclocker]

Indeed. The GPU is not a pinned VLSI chip like the CPU, so it's not a pop & drop operation.

However, technically, I believe it can be replaced if you find someone willing to remove the original GPU and replace it with another. I had this done on a T40 motherboard, I swapped in an ATI 9000 for an ATI 7500 GPU without any issue at all. Actually, I had Superior Reball do it.

FYI, there are 5 different T60 mobo GPU's that I know about. Intel integrated, ATI X1300, ATI X1400, ATI V5200 & ATI V5250. Any of the ATI GPU's should be interchangeable.

Of course, buying the mobo you want may very well cost less than a GPU swap operation...and carries less risk.

[electrizer]

The purpose of that is to make my laptop a bit more game-friendly. I installed Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and the performance wasn't the best. Is there only a narrow range of compatibile, middle-range gpu's that I can choose from or can it be something that will actually improve gaming experience?

Best,
Przemek

[Harryc]

What is the machine type and model from the sticker on the bottom of your T60? It will be a (7) digit alpha-numeric like 2653-3CU.

[electrizer]

2007-43G

[Harryc]

Ok, so you have an ATI Radeon X1300. So theoretically you could replace the system board (or GPU) with one that has an ATI X1400, ATI V5200, or ATI V5250 and that would technically be an upgrade.

[underclocker]

If you decide to have the GPU swap done, definitely post back with the results.

Wouldn't it be nice if the GPU was a socketed chip like the CPU!

[electrizer]

Thanks for all the help guys but if replacing my GPU involves some unorthodox activities I'm going to stick by what I have and istead of that upgrade my desktop. I like and appreciate my T60 too much to experiment with it and put its condition and safety at risk It's a pity though, you'd wish your machine was fully customisable and expandable but after all it's not a top of the range model so you get what you pay for. I'm still pretty happy with it. Thanks for all your help! Again this forum proved to be an invaluable help!

[eyestrain]

You know, if the GPU was upgradable, we'd prob be complaining about the T60 being too big and/or thick, too difficult to take apart/for amateurs to fix, too expensive, or arriving too late compared to competing brands.

I'd also like swappable GPU, but can appreciate that everything in a laptop is compromise, and Lenovo/IBM did a good job overall.

[electrizer]

Don't get me wrong, I adore my T60 for its thinnes, weight, design, and specs (especially after an HDD and RAM upgrade ). And it's true that if one wants to play games on a laptop one needs to buy a game-dedicated machine, or use a desktop for that purpose.