Thinkpads Forum

hi, I'm reading up on whether a x61t can work as an upgrade from my x41t (rather than going for a x2xx). From the Thinkwiki and ebay it seems like the tablet doesn't have the option for the faster Core Duos, is that correct? Also I'm wondering if the max is 4 GB or whether 8 GB is possible like on the x61.

I'm sure an x220t or similar would be good but the screen ratio and price of an x61 series makes them attractive, if the performance will work.

Using 8GB RAM is possible, but 2x 4GB DDR2 RAM is very very expensive. CPU wise, the X61T's came mostly with Core2Duos IIRC, but I don't know by heart which models exactly.

Fastest CPU available for the X61T is the L7700. All X-series tablets have the CPU soldered to the motherboard so it's not upgradeable. Maximum supported memory is 8GB at 667Mhz even though officially Lenovo states it's 4GB. The real problem is that 4GB DDR2 modules are extremely rare and expensive. DDR3 on the other hand is easy to find at such capacities.

The X220T also supports a maximum of 8GB, so the only memory related advantage is the faster speed of DDR3 (1333Mhz) and that it would probably be cheaper to max out. 4:3 aspect ratio is more comfortable in portrait mode, but you won't be able to decide whether that's important to you until you try it out. Biggest reason for getting an X220T is the faster CPU (nearly triple the L7700).

Ah it was soldered, thanks guys, that makes sense now.

Right now on ebay it looks like 2 4gb modules would be $120+ (versus $30-40 for ddr3!), you weren't kidding.

Yeah it's hard to decide if the newer cpu will be worth it. It's more of a convenience because then you don't have to farm out as many cpu-intensive tasks to an external server.

It all depends on what you will be using it for. I chose to buy an X61T because i wanted a cheap second-hand tablet. I haven't upgraded my desktop PC's CPU since 2007, so i can't say i've noticed any difference. It can raytrace at a reasonable speed, and that's more than enough for a laptop... You can speed it up just a little bit if you install an SSD and flash Middleton BIOS to give it SATA2 support.

Just be aware that L7700 models of the X61 are pretty rare, the most common variation you're gonna find is the L7500 1.6Ghz one.

If you play a lot of newer games, then the X220T is your choice.

With L7700 you can use additional IDA multiplier when using Middleton BIOS which gives you 2.0 GHz.

Same goes to L7500, you end up with 1.8 GHz (L7700 stock speed9.

Raceboy wrote:With L7700 you can use additional IDA multiplier when using Middleton BIOS which gives you 2.0 GHz.

Same goes to L7500, you end up with 1.8 GHz (L7700 stock speed9.

Really? But wouldn't that make it run even hotter than it already does?

Don't know, my X61s with L7500 CPU is not hot at all (idling around 40-43 degrees, full load ~60 degrees at 1.8 GHz).

It's TDP is rated at it's maximum speed and with IBM_ECW I always undervolt the CPU + manage the fan tresholds.

This morning I got my T8300 X61 to 2.59Ghz by turning the multiplier to 13x.
I haven't run a continuous load test with that, it was just to see if I could get it that high (I'm afraid of heat issues).
I'm not sure if one can change the FSB, but if not this appears to be the limit.

R

It is possible to make FSB pll mod to X61/s also, and raise FSB to 266 MHz with it.

Raceboy wrote:It is possible to make FSB pll mod to X61/s also, and raise FSB to 266 MHz with it.

Really, how? ClockGen doesn't report anything at all controllable, for example.

R

PLL mod requires some soldering, it is hardware mod, not just software mod: http://translate.google.com.au/translat ... nkl-Tablet

Wow, I've never even disassembled mine that far. It's definitely something for next semester once I figure out my dual hard drives.
Thanks though!

R