Replacing motherboard - is exact match required?

[Thinkpad2024]

I'm replacing the motherboard for a T14 gen2 AMD Ryzen 7 pro. I'd prefer a used one and see lots on ebay but few are an exact match. I think the part number is 5B21C82223 but I'm not 100% sure of that. Do I need an exact match?

[axur-delmeria]

As long as it's the right model (T14 Gen 2 AMD), it will fit. Since the AMD variants are all iGPU-only, there won't be any incompatibility regarding the heatsink. Just make sure it has a Ryzen 7 and not a Ryzen 5. IIRC the T14 Gen 1 and Gen 2 share a common chassis, so better check the processor.

[Scorpion8]

As stated above, I did this with an E14 from Intel to AMD mobo. As long as all the ports line up in the case and ribbon cables. Yours should be simpler being AMD->AMD. I had to change a few other parts.