Help with W700 cpu & expresscard upgrades.

[AMATX]

Hi all - I'm thinking about upgrading a W700 cpu(to either an X9100 or QX9300) and swapping out the combo ExpressCard/CF ports with an ExpressCard/ExpressCard port card, so that I can have two ExpressCard slots. Evidently the two slots are on one unit, so to add a second ExpressCard slot means swapping out the entire port/slot unit.

I've built my own desktops/towers in the 1980s/90s, but switched to Thinkpads ~10 years ago and haven't looked back. However, I don't have much experience tinkering w/Thinkpads...

So, anyone out there who's cracked open a W700 and could clue me in as to whether I'm looking at trouble or would it be fairly easy to do? While I'm in there, I'd clean out dirt/dust, but is there anything else I should do while it's open?

All I know at this point is that I'd probably want to re-goop the thermal paste, righto? Other than that, is access & replacement easy or a real pain??

Thanks...

[ausmike]

Giday AMA*...
...umm see you have modified/extended your W700project - Multiscreen to UPGRADE prospects....

I did have and used the older W7xx series machines (0ne of those first releasebatches) and AFAIK...the SYSTEM BOARD in those models - have intel 'soldered in' ie NO SOCKET for the proc'or(s) ,,,,,, but you might want to go thru the ]HMMHMM or the SPL etc ,,one of the links here..
but I hope am wrong ,,,,,,,,,,, since I never actually bothered to OPEN one of those models - and we had HUGE RELIABLITY/PERFORMACE issues with the earlyW5xx & W7xx Series of machines...

Sorry cant be of much + help .... cheers mate

[AMATX]

Hello again...yes, still tinkering...not sure just where I'm gonna end up at but I'm sure it'll be a -dangerous- ride getting there.

I may need some more horsepower, so am thinking of upgrading to an extreme processor, as there's been a fair amount of overclocking done on those, so this could work out ok for me.

If I find a good deal on an extreme W700, I'll just buy it, but am also considering buying a dirt cheap W700 and upgrading it.

Separate issue with the ExpressCard slots; I'd just like to have two of those instead of the one I have now. Thought that if I do the cpu upgrade, I'd swap ExpressCards while "I'm in there tinkering"...