R50P Processor upgrade & RAM

[demossmd]

I did my first processor upgrade. I upgraded my R50p from the stock 1.7Ghz 1MB to 2.0Ghz 2MB processor. It shows up in the Device Manager correctly, however I'm wondering if there is anything else I should do to make it work properly.

I've read on some websites that did processor upgrades on other thinkpad brands that they updated the BIOS. If so, what's the magic button to get the BIOS to show up?

Also, I know people over ask this question, but I searched for the answer at least 45 minutes. Appears 2GB of RAM is the highest for the R series? Even the R52, because I'd consider putting an R52 mobo into this R50p if it could take higher RAM. I also wonder the same question for my T43p, but I know this isn't the place to ask that.

Lastly, the 2.0Ghz processor had a little bit of processor "grease" (whatever its called) which is there to keep it cool. I've read that this processor runs fairly cool compared to the 2.1Ghz, but are all processor grease/lube created equal and can someone recommend a good one. I plan to do more processor upgrades with my other computers. It was too easy.

[schen]

I did my first processor upgrade. I upgraded my R50p from the stock 1.7Ghz 1MB to 2.0Ghz 2MB processor. It shows up in the Device Manager correctly, however I'm wondering if there is anything else I should do to make it work properly.

I've read on some websites that did processor upgrades on other thinkpad brands that they updated the BIOS. If so, what's the magic button to get the BIOS to show up?

Also, I know people over ask this question, but I searched for the answer at least 45 minutes. Appears 2GB of RAM is the highest for the R series? Even the R52, because I'd consider putting an R52 mobo into this R50p if it could take higher RAM. I also wonder the same question for my T43p, but I know this isn't the place to ask that.

Lastly, the 2.0Ghz processor had a little bit of processor "grease" (whatever its called) which is there to keep it cool. I've read that this processor runs fairly cool compared to the 2.1Ghz, but are all processor grease/lube created equal and can someone recommend a good one. I plan to do more processor upgrades with my other computers. It was too easy.

There's no magic button or anything you have to do make it work. However, you should go over to the Lenovo support site and make certain that you have the latest BIOS. I really don't see much reason to upgrade to the 2.1Mhz processor (most people don't upgrade past the 1.8Mhz) since the 2.0s and 2.1s are SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive for a relatively small gain in performance. I would suspect that with a machine with maxed out RAM and a fast HDD (meaning newer 5400rpm or 7200rpm) then you'd probably not see a detectable gain. But hey, it's your money! When doing a processor upgrade, the most prudent course of action is always to use newly applied thermal grease. I typically use something generic, but usually don't stress my machine and don't use the hottest processors anyway. That being said, many of the Forum members here swear by Artic Silver (I think the latest is AS5).

On the RAM front, 2Gb is pretty much it for any of the R5x or their prettier twins, T4x. It's limited by the chipset of that generation and their's nothing that can be done about it. You would need to go to a completely different generation to go past that point (R/T6x etc.).

You can get several areas of gain by going to the R52 since this is the last of their generation and received some of the upgrades of the next series. The main one being the same 533 bus that your T43 runs on and therefore cheaper DDR2 RAM and CPUs. They also tended to be less prone to GPU detachment failure (although that is due to better manufacturing technics or newer age is rather up in the air). I believe you also get an Express card slot as well, along with a regular PCMCIA slot.

In the end, I'm not certain that it'd be all that great of an idea to do upgrades that could easily run up over $150 or $200 when the price of the T60s and R60s are dropping into the sub-$400 range.

[sjthinkpader]

To OP:

Make sure you set the CPU setting to Adaptive in the Power Manager profile, never use Performance. This will keep your CPU cool and the MB will work a lot longer.

[demossmd]

Thank you for all that information. I'm going to pick up some Artic Silver 5. The 2.0Ghz 2MB processor was free. I agree, it wouldn't be worth the upgrade overall. I'm at a point to where I need more than 2GB of RAM on a day-to-day basis, so I'm starting to transition to the T6x series, which is a whole new learning process. That was my first processor upgrade. I didn't know they were that easy to do.

[schen]

Thank you for all that information. I'm going to pick up some Artic Silver 5. The 2.0Ghz 2MB processor was free. I agree, it wouldn't be worth the upgrade overall. I'm at a point to where I need more than 2GB of RAM on a day-to-day basis, so I'm starting to transition to the T6x series, which is a whole new learning process. That was my first processor upgrade. I didn't know they were that easy to do.

I wish you luck with your transition process. I've just gone through it myself this last summer shifting from the T30/A31 generation machines to the T4x/R5x generation. As you know, it's not just the machine, but the batteries, spec of RAM used, different optical drives etc. And that's not including learning the idiosyncracies of a new machine. I've upgraded several of these machine now, but have not gotten as far as the 2.0Ghz CPU for obvious reasons.

I use a R60 at work and am very impressed by it's ruggedness and build quality, but really wish I could do more with it, but since it's not mine......

[demossmd]

One last question. I see Artic Silver sells a CPU cleaner pack with a stick of AS5. The 2Ghz 2MB processor has a very thin haze of grease on it from the previous computer. I'm not worried about spending the extra ten bucks for the cleaning solution, but rather concerned whether it's wise to clean a CPU, i.e. causing more harm than good?

I got my T61p today. OMG, it's ridiculously fast. I'm now spoiled.