Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

what would be max CPU with modded BIOS to my T61 system?

T61 7659-12G
14.1" wxga
T7300
X3100
42W3782 41W1487 PLANAR ASSEMBLY FRU
42X7318 0000000 MALIBU-1 PLANAR:SYSTEM PLANAR

So the highest that I can use in this machine is T7800?

jiopsi wrote:So the highest that I can use in this machine is T7800?

You can go up to T9500 which is 2.6GHz 6MB cache. If you want, you can also try (not recommended due to heat, battery life, and others) X9000.

bgalakazam wrote:You can go up to T9500 which is 2.6GHz 6MB cache. If you want, you can also try (not recommended due to heat, battery life, and others) X9000.

So which is it? Other thread it says it can't, bar the last unconfirmed post?

Does the mod BIOS enable the T9500 in all T61 models and mobo-versions? I'm very confused.

BIOS mod just removes the CPU temp error. You can still stick it in and cancel the error even without BIOS mod.

The X9000 has worked successfully, but from what I hear it generates too much heat, wastes more power, and it's about $250 which is the price for one good SSD. In the end, it is up to you, of course.

bgalakazam wrote:BIOS mod just removes the CPU temp error. You can still stick it in and cancel the error even without BIOS mod.

The X9000 has worked successfully, but from what I hear it generates too much heat, wastes more power, and it's about $250 which is the price for one good SSD. In the end, it is up to you, of course.

I have Vertex 2 in line for this already from my desktop, which will get Vertex 3 refresh.

I don't think X9000 really wastes any more power than other first gen Penryns which uses same amount of cache and have same 45nm process. After all you can undervolt them in all in steps, although it may have higher lowest VID. It will produce more heat on max only, but you will get same amount of processing power too. The same goes for LV and ULV models, which have only advantage in lower enabled VID's. Nevertheless I would like to go with T9500 which I have in line for about 80€, but would like to get confirm first that it will work on this.

Got hold of T8100 and tried it, didn't work. Glad I tried before purchasing T9500.

jiopsi wrote:Got hold of T8100 and tried it, didn't work. Glad I tried before purchasing T9500.

Please explain "it didn't work".

bgalakazam wrote:Please explain "it didn't work".

Powered up, fans etc. but got only blank screen.

jiopsi wrote:Powered up, fans etc. but got only blank screen.

You most probably didn't perform a reset of the BIOS to factory settings before trying this out.

rumbero wrote:You most probably didn't perform a reset of the BIOS to factory settings before trying this out.

How is this done, BIOS defaults? Could it be just that? Every other Thinkpad that I have upgraded didn't need any tinkering when upgrading CPU.

jiopsi wrote:How is this done, BIOS defaults? Could it be just that?

Maybe, maybe not. I'd first try everything before calling it quits, or posting one's failure on public forums.

BTW, here is a nice listing of different Thinkpad BIOS simulators which i used to find the right option for your T61 BIOS:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -SIMS.html

As you can see on the first screen shown at http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 69927.html
you only need to press F9 to reset the BIOS to the Setup Defaults. I guess i should have worded it like that
before in order to avoid misunderstandings.

Tried again, didn't work. It just doesn't work with this MB version.

EDIT: it worked.

Are you running the latest BIOS?

Harryc wrote:Are you running the latest BIOS?

Yes, 2.29 Middleton mod BIOS.

Well wadda you know, decided to give it one more try, and it worked. Don't know why it didn't work earlier, but I'm happy now.

Tell us about the T9500 when you get it. I have a T61 upgrade project in the works as well. These Intel T61's are very upgradeable and now with the Middleton BIOS mod and a fast SSD are extremely capable.

Harryc wrote:Tell us about the T9500 when you get it. I have a T61 upgrade project in the works as well. These Intel T61's are very upgradeable and now with the Middleton BIOS mod and a fast SSD are extremely capable.

Yeah, I'll get back to you on that.

Hello,

I upgraded my T61 from a T7500 to a T9500 recently, I am using the latest Middleton BIOS.
I love this laptop, as Harryc said, very upgradeable.

My problem now, is what can I upgrade now(see Sig)? Only spot left I can think of is the second mini pci-e slot, and I don't think a Turbo memory will be of benifit.

Any ideas?