Identifying model of R51 & suitable CPU upgrades

[bigblue99]

Hi, I have a R51, type 2888-xxx. However the sticker underneath the machine is totally worn off & I have no clue how to identify my model (the xxx following 2888). Any ideas?

I'm also thinking of upgrading my processor, adding extra RAM & getting a new HDD.

Current specs:
Intel Pentium M 1.4 GHz
1 GB RAM
40 GB HDD

Are all of the below mentioned processors (Dothan) compatible with R51?
I did read somewhere that heating could be a potential problem and hence it would be good to limit the upgrade to a 1.7GHz for R51.
PM 725 - 1.6 Ghz
PM 735 - 1.7 Ghz
PM 745 - 1.8 Ghz
PM 755 - 2.0 Ghz
PM 765 - 2.1 Ghz

Help anyone?

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

You can find the system's TYPE number in BIOS. Press the F1 key right after turning power on; you should see a message on the screen that indicates that system is entering the BIOS utility. After a few seconds you should see the main BIOS menu. The line named "System-unit serial number" has the TYPE as the first seven characters. Sorry, but I'm not familiar enough with the R5x system to say what CPUs you can plug in there. There should be somebody here that can answer that question, just wait around for a little while .

Alternately, you can search the archives by using the link at the top of the page.

[RealBlackStuff]

Any of those CPUs is suitable, they need to be FSB 400.
The M 735 (1.7) is the preferred one.

[underclocker]

Welcome to the forum.

That's a fine machine, an Intel GPU R51. As stated, any of the CPU's you listed would be fine. Remember to reapply the thermal paste, people really like Arctic Silver 5.

You can upgrade the drive to 320GB. R51's have a PATA interface, so don't look at SATA drives. For more speed and more silence, there are PATA SSD optioins. They are much more expensive.

You can also max out the memory at 2GB with 2 x 1GB PC2700 sodimms.

Before you do any upgrades, make sure the BIOS and EC are current.

Also, just be careful with upgrade costs, used T60's and R60's are within one to two hundred dollars of R51's (at least in the U.S.) and no matter what you do to the R51, it will feel slower than the most entry level T60.

[bigblue99]

Thanks to all you guys for the swift response. Will keep all the points in mind before I actually do my upgrade. And Underclocker, you have given me an alternative path, with the prices of used T60s that you mentioned. Looks like I have to do some serious thinking.
Thanks guys!