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What's a good temperature range for T61P?

T60/T61 Series
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moltar
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What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#1 Post by moltar » Sat Apr 07, 2012 6:25 pm

As the subj says, what's a good temperature range that I should keep the CPU and GPU in? Let's see your TP Fan Control configs ;)

Thanks!

miro_gt
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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#2 Post by miro_gt » Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:01 am

all under 80 deg C.

Occasionally you can have the CPU go to 85 deg C top, but not the GPU. That is for nVidia cards though, Intel ones could go to 85-ish safely.
T61: 14.1" 1400x1050, T9500 @ 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM CL4, nVidia 140m @ 600/925 MHz, Samsung 830 256GB, DVD-rec, 5300agn, FP, BT, 6-cell, clean XP Pro
T61: 14.1"w 1280x800, T9500 @ 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM CL4, Intel X3100, Samsung 830 256GB, DVD-rec, 4965agn, 4-cell, clean XP Pro

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#3 Post by moltar » Sun Apr 08, 2012 9:40 am

I can def feel the computer slow down when it gets into the 60C+ range. I am not asking about the ceiling temperature at which the CPU will fail. I'd like to know the optimum performance range. I.e. the highest temp without affecting performance and the lowest temp for not overworking the fan too much.

Thanks!

TuuS
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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#4 Post by TuuS » Sun Apr 08, 2012 10:07 am

Your system shouldn't slow down at 60c, that's normal operating temp, the fan won't even go on at that temp. A normal range at idle should be about 65c (cpu) and 60c (gpu) +/- 5c

Throttling won't occur until you get close to 90c.

TPFC won't report GPU temp on intel graphics. The gpu is integrated into the chipset, so has not dedicated temp sensor.

ps. I'll also add that the heating/cooling cycles are hard on the nVidia chips more so then extreme temps, so avoid unnecessary shutdown/standby. Best to keep it at a steady normal temp because the materials expand at different rates, so heating/cooling can lead to fractures within the chip. You can have millions of fractures without a problem, but it only takes one in a critical area and your board is toast.

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#5 Post by miro_gt » Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:27 pm

TuuS wrote:A normal range at idle should be about 65c (cpu) and 60c (gpu) +/- 5c
that is kinda high temps for idle, I dont let my laptops reach those levels at idle.

---

CPUs cant fail from high temps. Those have internal protections and so will shut down your laptop if things get out of control. I'm yet to see a now-a-days CPU fail from overheating. Back in the day (some 20-ish years ago) overheating CPU would simply stop responding and the system would freeze, but would still be fine after some cool down time and restart.
T61: 14.1" 1400x1050, T9500 @ 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM CL4, nVidia 140m @ 600/925 MHz, Samsung 830 256GB, DVD-rec, 5300agn, FP, BT, 6-cell, clean XP Pro
T61: 14.1"w 1280x800, T9500 @ 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM CL4, Intel X3100, Samsung 830 256GB, DVD-rec, 4965agn, 4-cell, clean XP Pro

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#6 Post by TuuS » Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:12 am

The bios or TPfancontrol don't turn on the fan until it reaches mid 60s as measured by the board sensor. The internal chip sensor may be different. If I run my fan on manual, it will idle at 40-50c, but in smart or bios mode, the fan won't even come on until it reaches 60-65.

miro_gt
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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#7 Post by miro_gt » Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:50 pm

the smart TPFanControl mode has predefined temperature steps by the author of the program, and he states that he wants more quiet laptop thus would not turn on the fan unless it's really needed, therefore you see higher temps.

Edit the levels for the smart mode for your likings. I have custom levels for my nVidia T61 and different custom levels for my Intel T61. You can change those in the TPfancontrol.ini file, it's all described there.

P.S. I also had to adjust the GPU reading sensor to show what all other programs show for GPU temps, as they read the temp from within the GPU while TPFancontrol reads it from a sensor that sits next to the GPU socket, thus is a little off - in my case with some 3 degrees.

Same thing goes for the CPU temp reading, but it's the closest to the real CPU temp if you run Penryn CPU on older T61 board that pops up the "temperature sensing error", just like mine. I believe I've explained that in another thread recently.
T61: 14.1" 1400x1050, T9500 @ 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM CL4, nVidia 140m @ 600/925 MHz, Samsung 830 256GB, DVD-rec, 5300agn, FP, BT, 6-cell, clean XP Pro
T61: 14.1"w 1280x800, T9500 @ 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM CL4, Intel X3100, Samsung 830 256GB, DVD-rec, 4965agn, 4-cell, clean XP Pro

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#8 Post by ac12 » Sat Nov 24, 2012 4:58 pm

What would be the appropriate TPFC setting for a T61 (not the P suffix)?

I had it 10C below the as delivered settings, as below:
Level=50 0
Level=55 1
Level=60 3
Level=70 7

But then thought the fan would be running too much, so I split the difference and currently have it at:
Level=55 0
Level=60 1
Level=65 3
Level=70 7
Although I would rather have to replace a fan than a cooked CPU.

For reference the settings as provided by the author of TPFC is:
Level=60 0
Level=65 1
Level=75 3
Level=80 7
Level=90 64

Running TPFC on manual I seem to have only 2 speeds
1 = 2900-3000
3 = 3000 (not sure of this one, it might simply be a variation of #1 as the rpm is about the same)
7 = 3500

Thanks

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#9 Post by miro_gt » Sat Nov 24, 2012 7:40 pm

my nVidia T61:

Level=30 0
Level=40 1
Level=50 1
Level=55 3

Level=65 64

--------------------------------

my Intel T61:

Level=50 0
Level=55 1
Level=60 3
Level=65 6
Level=70 64

--------------------------------

for me only 0,1,3,6, and 64 actually change fan speeds. Note I'm on XP Pro.

0 - off
1 - 2500 rpm
3 - 3000 rpm
6 - 3300 rpm
64 - 4600 rpm
T61: 14.1" 1400x1050, T9500 @ 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM CL4, nVidia 140m @ 600/925 MHz, Samsung 830 256GB, DVD-rec, 5300agn, FP, BT, 6-cell, clean XP Pro
T61: 14.1"w 1280x800, T9500 @ 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM CL4, Intel X3100, Samsung 830 256GB, DVD-rec, 4965agn, 4-cell, clean XP Pro

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#10 Post by jbcdidgosir » Sun Dec 02, 2012 7:32 am

CPU: X9000
room temperature: 15

For accessing Internet, office working.
CPU: 40
GPU: 38
Fan speed: Medium or low

For NFS 14
CPU: 60
GPU: 52
Fan speed: Highest

Dust in fan are cleaned every year.
T61, 1024*768, X9000, NV140 improved 01R

n2ri
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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#11 Post by n2ri » Wed Apr 18, 2018 3:04 am

the CPU speed also can make temps run hotter than a lower speed e.g. 1.5mhz/2.2mhz same as GPU types do and ext monitor usage. if effects power usage it also effects heat. its why users need to learn their usage needs and find a setup that fits your needs without wasting money on more than you need. why I have decided against moving up to tehW520 beast when the W500 is more than enough for my needs and power usage plus has compatible accs with my T61 which the W520 dont.

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#12 Post by wujstefan » Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:35 am

Now here goes the "archeologist of the year" title.

Man, this is a 6-years-old post!
Too many thinkpads not enough time!
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BillMorrow
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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#13 Post by BillMorrow » Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:20 pm

oh well..
so this forum member is remarking an a really old thread..
lets see if others have more to contribute.. :)
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She was not what you would call unrefined,
She was the type of person who kept a parrot.
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Raidriar
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Location: Richmond, VA

Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#14 Post by Raidriar » Thu Apr 19, 2018 1:36 pm

With proper undervolting and fresh paste and TPFC on aggressive control, temperature should never exceed 65C full load
Thinkpads: 760XD, 600E, T23, T30, T43p, T61p
Alienwares: M17x R1, M17x R2, M18x R1, M18x R2, Alienware 18
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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#15 Post by n2ri » Sun Apr 22, 2018 1:20 am

jbcdidgosir wrote:
Sun Dec 02, 2012 7:32 am
CPU: X9000
room temperature: 15

For accessing Internet, office working.
CPU: 40
GPU: 38
Fan speed: Medium or low

For NFS 14
CPU: 60
GPU: 52
Fan speed: Highest

Dust in fan are cleaned every year.
good grief are you working in a freezer? mine starts in the 50s soon as turned on at room temp lol

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#16 Post by storm-chaser » Sun Apr 22, 2018 5:14 pm

I have a T61P with the Nvidia FX-570m and X9000 processor. The X9000 is clocked to 3.2Ghz @ 1.1875 volts.

At idle, CPU temps run from 95-110*F and under average load I see 130-145*F. Very reasonable for daily use.
I have experimented with TPFanControl, however at the moment I am just using the embedded controller.

I use AIDA64 to get temp readings. GPU temp is always a little on the high side, I don't like it but I've yet to find a simple method to undervolt the GPU.
The heatsink/fan was recently cleaned and re-installed with expensive thermo paste. This is a recent build, about a week old to be exact. But it is now my
main laptop and I hope to have it around for many years to come. Very happy with the results so far.

Image
AMD Phenom II 965 @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
AMD Phenom II 960T @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
Lenovo T61p 15.4" - Core 2 extreme X9000 CPU @ 3.4Ghz, SSD
Toshiba Satellite A505D - 2.5Ghz, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#17 Post by wujstefan » Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:45 am

An important thing:
14,1" or 15,4"? 14,1" runs REASONABLY hotter due to inferior cooling capabilities.
Too many thinkpads not enough time!
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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#18 Post by storm-chaser » Mon Apr 23, 2018 4:43 pm

wujstefan wrote:
Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:45 am
An important thing:
14,1" or 15,4"? 14,1" runs REASONABLY hotter due to inferior cooling capabilities.
When you say "inferior" what exactly do you mean? The quality of the heatsink seems to be similar between the two models, is it airflow through the case?
My 14.1" T61 runs a T9300 @ 2.7Ghz @ 1.1675v and temps are similar/ slightly lower to that of my t61p varient with the X9000.
AMD Phenom II 965 @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
AMD Phenom II 960T @ 4.1Ghz, 8GB DDR3 1600, SSD
Lenovo T61p 15.4" - Core 2 extreme X9000 CPU @ 3.4Ghz, SSD
Toshiba Satellite A505D - 2.5Ghz, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#19 Post by TPFanatic » Mon Apr 23, 2018 7:44 pm

Considering the 14.1" 4:3 and the 15.4" T61 use the same heatsink they should get the same performance, I'd think? Heatsink assemblies can develop defects that decrease their performance. There may also be some models of heatsink that are better or worse than others for the same model, eg. 2 pipes vs 1 pipe. Quality of the compound and its appliance will also effect temperatures immensely.

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#20 Post by wujstefan » Sat Apr 28, 2018 1:56 am

They do not use the same heatsinks.

I have personally found 15,4" capable of running almost 10C lower. 15,4" is also easier to mod since it has more place to work on :)
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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#21 Post by GunslingerThink » Thu Jun 14, 2018 1:24 pm

I have 50-60C when idle and about 90C when gaming. Is it bad? The CPU is T7500.
  • T61 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M SXGA+
  • T61 Intel GMA X3100 XGA
  • T40
  • 600E

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#22 Post by wujstefan » Thu Jun 14, 2018 3:05 pm

Well, IMO, it is. Especially given that when looking at your location I'd not expect 32C ambient.

Clean up the heatsink, apply new, good thermal grease and it should be way better. If not, invest ~$10 in a Penryn CPU (runs faster and cooler).
Too many thinkpads not enough time!
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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#23 Post by GunslingerThink » Fri Jun 15, 2018 7:53 am

wujstefan wrote:
Thu Jun 14, 2018 3:05 pm
when looking at your location I'd not expect 32C ambient.
It's 27C right now. And the room itself has a very poor ventilation.
wujstefan wrote:
Thu Jun 14, 2018 3:05 pm
Clean up the heatsink, apply new, good thermal grease and it should be way better.
I'll try, but I've changed the thermal paste just a few months ago.
wujstefan wrote:
Thu Jun 14, 2018 3:05 pm
If not, invest ~$10 in a Penryn CPU (runs faster and cooler).
How come? They both have 35W TDP, according to Wikipedia.
  • T61 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M SXGA+
  • T61 Intel GMA X3100 XGA
  • T40
  • 600E

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Re: What's a good temperature range for T61P?

#24 Post by wujstefan » Fri Jun 15, 2018 8:26 am

GunslingerThink wrote:
Fri Jun 15, 2018 7:53 am
How come? They both have 35W TDP, according to Wikipedia.
T8xxx/T9xxx are 45nm, and T7xxx are 65nm. It will run significantly cooler.
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