Thinkpads Forum

Recently I replaced the 650MHz P3M on my 600X with the 850MHz-version, and I notice the running time has decreased significantly. Right before the switch I got well above two hours, more than three if I kept calm. Now with the new CPU the machine drains the battery in 45 minutes doing nothing but showing the desktop (Ubuntu/Gnome). Have it do some installing and it's down to 20 minutes.

It is not (yet) the common 600-series battery failure, the battery meter goes down steadily one by one, no big drop from 90% to 30% or so.

On the one hand a drop is to be expected, I suppose - even when idle the new CPU is running faster than the old one at full power. Still, this is quite drastic, and I am seriously considering a downgrade again, as the machine cannot really be used unplugged any more. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it possible to slow the CPU down to less than 700MHz?

Björn

Is the unit generating an abnormal amount of heat with the "new" processor (fan running continuously)?

Is it possible you might have caused a tiny short during installation, such as thermal paste oozing out from under the fan?

Hmm, interesting idea, I will have to check this tonight. Usually I pay no attention to the fan, so I don't really remember if it is on all the time. I did use a thermal pad instead of paste (there are tiny spacers between fan and CPU, would have required lots and lots of paste to fill the gap), but pads are a bit suboptimal as far as I know. Maybe I need to work out an alternative there. Thanks for the hint!

Björn

I shouldn't think the fan by itself would be responsible for such a vast drop in run time, but it might be a symptom.

Certainly it's worth checking out.

After switching various CPUs back and forth for a while and dragging in a second 600x for comparisons, I am now quite certain that it is the battery's fault after all, in spite of my first statements. A rather stupid coincidence, it is merely a month old (genuine ebay-noname-brand, though ) and must have started failing right between the old and the new CPU. So, potential modders, don't let my experience stop you, the CPU is fine.

Björn