T61p 646067F needs upgrade :)

[jpeg21]

Hi

I have a T61p 646067F

Need to now which cpu I should get to get the best performance. It's running on a T7500 right now. Wondering to put the T9xxx serie.....along with a 8gb RAM (with Win 7 x64)

thank you

[miro_gt]

go for it.

the ram will be overpriced as hell though.

[TuuS]

depending on which systemboard you have, you may need a modified bios to run a t8xxx/t9xxx series chip. If your T61p was manufactured in 2008, then you can check the board FRU number, the label will be under the battery, or under the ram. If it was made in 2007 then it will definitely need the modified bios.

Another option would be a T7700 or T7800, which will run on either board.

[slpin]

X9000 would be the fastest processor
You can also use Throttle Stop to overclock it to make it even faster
It is expensive

8GB Ram works - I am using the Patriot 667mhz ram and it works good on my system
It is also expensive

128GB Intel SSD works really good in it too and is fast
It is also expensive

For the cost of those 3, and selling your T61p on eBay, it might be more economical to get a T400....

[jpeg21]

how do i know if i have the right BIOS? I updated it few times since I have my laptop throught Lenovo.com. By installing the latest BIOS update/software (seems to have multiple choices), would I be ok for sure?

[robert213]

I am really not qualified to answer your question, but I think your next step is to determine whether your machine has Merom or Penryn motherboard.

If you have the Penryn motherboard, then you are good to go.
If not, you will need a modified bios to bypass CPU temperature issues.

You will need your machine's "serial no" to obtain build sheet. More info here...
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=101664

Once you have FRU number of motherboard, search this list to determine whether you have Merom or Penryn motherboard.

http://thinkwiki.de/T61

14.1" 4:3
Intel GM965 Nvidia NVS140 Nvidia Quadro FX 570M (T61p)
42W7648 Merom, FPR 42W7649 Merom 42W7650 Merom
42W7872 Penryn 42W7873 Penryn 42W7874 Penryn

14.1" 16:10
Intel GM965 Nvidia NVS140
41W1487 Merom 41W1489 Merom
42W7866 Penryn 44C3933/42W7867 Penryn

15.4" 16:10
Intel GM965 Nvidia NVS140 Nvidia Quadro FX 570M (T61p)
42W7651 Merom 42W7652 Merom 42W7653 Merom
42W7875 Penryn 42W7876 Penryn 42W7877 Penryn

[Backslashnl1]

I had a 42W7872 motherboard in my FrankenPad T61 configuration, but I also got a "thermal error" message during boot up.
So I think in most cases you will need a modified bios if you install a Penryn cpu. Anyway, that's not too much hassle.