Maximum CPU Upgrade for Thinkpad R61 8934 A7U

[BobSmith2784]

Hello--

I was wondering what the fastest CPU I could get that would run stably in a Thinkpad R61 (8934 A7U). It currently has the original, stock T7100, socket P 478, GM965 chipset, 2GB RAM. From my initial research it looks like it would handle up to the T7500 without a BIOS upgrade (currently using the Lenovo 2.24 BIOS from 04/09/2010) but I was wondering if I could really ramp it up, say to as high as a Core 2 Duo T9500.

Would the Middleton BIOS be necessary if installing a CPU faster than the T7500?

Any ideas and/or hidden gotchas would be really appreciated. Thanks!

Bob

[RealBlackStuff]

T9500 is possible, but expensive. (ca. $120-150)
T9300 for ca. $50-75 is more realistic.
X9000 is also possible, but even more expensive. ($150 upwards, very rare).
Yes, you need to install Middleton's BIOS for that, but I would do that regardless...

Your machine has Intel graphics and a lowly 1280x800 screen.
You'd get much more noticeable (and cheaper) improvement by putting in an SSD and switching to W7, if you haven't done so yet.
And by just putting in a dirt-cheap T7300, you would double the L2-cache in the CPU!

[BobSmith2784]

RealBlackStuff--Thanks for the reply!

Yes, I just put in an SSD and it has greatly improved things. Still using XP Pro.

So, you're saying that any of the CPUs listed in the maintenance manual should work in my system, all the way to T9500, without any other modification?

I was actually thinking of either the T7500 (does it also double the L2 cache like 7300?) or T8300, depending on the price/performance point.

You don't see any reason why either of those would not work?

Is there a definite need for a BIOS upgrade at a certain CPU upgrade point? Like any CPU above T7500? I currently have the 2.24 BIOS (04/09/2010).

Sorry to have so many questions, just kind of clueless in the Lenovo upgrade area.

[RealBlackStuff]

Your motherboard is designed for Merom CPUs (up to and incl. T7800).
Above that come Penryn CPUs (T8100 upwards) for which you need M's BIOS if you want to run them.
I repeat: you should really install M's BIOS NOW.
It gives you SATA II speed.
Also, do away with XP and do a FRESH install of W7 on your SSD.

[BobSmith2784]

Thanks very much for the info!

Bob

[BobSmith2784]

Well I took the plunge and ordered a T9300 from one of the popular auction sites. Also upgraded the BIOS to Middleton's 2.24-1.08 for the R61. Verified the install of the BIOS using Intel® Rapid Storage Technology program that I had 2nd generation (SATAII) on the SATA interface and all has been smooth so far. Will post results of the new CPU after my install.

[BobSmith2784]

Well I finally installed the T9300 and it went in just fine. It was a pretty intense dis-assembly but this webpage helped a lot:

forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo/213057-guide-replacingthe-cpu-r61-series-notebook.html

I did it in a few sessions when I had a spare hour to devote to it.

Must have put in the right amount of Arctic Silver 5 because the temps seem to idle in the high 20's-low 30's C. System is definitely faster and more responsive going from the T7100 to the 9300 Penryn. Giving it a run on Prime 95 right now and getting mid 50's C on both cores. Thanks again everyone for the advice and pointers, really helped a lot.