Most Powerful CPU R61 Can Handle

[portosown362]

Hi everyone,

I have an R61 I want to put upgrades on for music recording/editing. I am planning to install an SSD, 4GB of memory and a more powerful CPU.

The SSD and memory upgrades don't seem to be a problem, but what concerns me is the CPU. I want to install a quadcore, Intel-based CPU, but I am concerned that the CPU may: 1.) Not be compatible and 2.) Might fry the motherboard and other components in the laptop.

What is the most powerful CPU that an R61 can handle? Also, are there any other necessary additions/modifications I should do to accomodate the new, powerful CPU?

Thank you.

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

No Quad Cores in the *61 series, I'm sorry to say. Not supported by BIOS and there are no workarounds regarding that particular issue.

The strongest CPU that one could put in is X9000. Having said that, a T9300 is a much more sensible option at 1/3 of the price.

What's the date code of the machine located on the same sticker that holds the serial and model numbers on the bottom of the machine? Posting a full 7-character model number would help as well.

[portosown362]

Thank you for the warm welcome, ajkula66! :

Thanks for the clarification. I was hoping to install a quadcore cpu on it, but I guess that will not work. What would be the lowest-priced Thinkpad that would accept a quadcore cpu?

To answer your question, the R61's date is 08/09 and the model type is 8935.

[Medessec]

From the fact it's post 08/08, we can tell you for a fact that it's not affected by the NVIDIA issue if it has NVIDIA graphics.

But the Type 8935 is not enough to tell us exactly what your laptop has, we need the three letter code after the Type No., there should be a sticker. For example, Type 6363-46U.

In the way of Quad-Core Thinkpads, you'd probably be looking at the T410/T510/W510. The absolute earliest Thinkpad to support Quad-core CPUs was the W700, but that's a 17" monster.

[ajkula66]

Being that the machine is a late one, it will accept a Penryn CPU so the OP can use T8100/8300/9300/9500 with no issues.

X9000 will work but might cause heating issues.

On the subject of newer ThinkPads:

T410 will not accept a quad core, W510 will.

T510 might or might not depending on the motherboard type.

[portosown362]

Thanks for all your inputs everyone - I am learning a lot.

I do have some other questions if you don't mind answering them:

1. How do you know if a computer is "quad-core ready", or is able to accept a quad-core cpu?

2. Are there particular Lenovo Thinkpad models under $250 that you would recommend that readily accept quad-core processors?

P.S. I took a look at the w700 and that thing is massive!

[ajkula66]

1. How do you know if a computer is "quad-core ready", or is able to accept a quad-core cpu?

Generally speaking, a ThinkPad that didn't offer a QC option to begin with will have the BIOS blocking installation of that type of CPU.

2. Are there particular Lenovo Thinkpad models under $250 that you would recommend that readily accept quad-core processors?

There aren't any.

[portosown362]

Generally speaking, a ThinkPad that didn't offer a QC option to begin with will have the BIOS blocking installation of that type of CPU.

I think I am starting to understand a bit more. I looked into Lenovo's official specifications of the w510 and I see the quad core options there: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-75377

It also raises another question I have. If a Thinkpad did not offer a particular CPU option, how where you guys able to find that CPUs like the t8100, 8300, 9300, 9500 would work on the R61? Lenovo shows the CPUs, t7100, 7300, 7500 and 7700 as other options: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-67735

On another CPU note, I have pulled a t7200 from another computer - would this be compatible with the R61?

[ajkula66]

It also raises another question I have. If a Thinkpad did not offer a particular CPU option, how where you guys able to find that CPUs like the t8100, 8300, 9300, 9500 would work on the R61? Lenovo shows the CPUs, t7100, 7300, 7500 and 7700 as other options: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-67735

Late model R61 units were shipped with T8100 and T8300 CPUs out of the factory. Therefore, they accept the same generation of CPUs (800 Mhz Penryn Core) that run at higher speeds. On early machines a modded BIOS is required for these CPUs.

The key is the particular chipset used in the given series.

On another CPU note, I have pulled a t7200 from another computer - would this be compatible with the R61?

No. That CPU is compatible with R60, T60 and Z61 series machines.

[portosown362]

It also raises another question I have. If a Thinkpad did not offer a particular CPU option, how where you guys able to find that CPUs like the t8100, 8300, 9300, 9500 would work on the R61? Lenovo shows the CPUs, t7100, 7300, 7500 and 7700 as other options: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-67735

Late model R61 units were shipped with T8100 and T8300 CPUs out of the factory. Therefore, they accept the same generation of CPUs (800 Mhz Penryn Core) that run at higher speeds. On early machines a modded BIOS is required for these CPUs.

The key is the particular chipset used in the given series.

On another CPU note, I have pulled a t7200 from another computer - would this be compatible with the R61?

No. That CPU is compatible with R60, T60 and Z61 series machines.

Hi ajkula66,

Thank you for the all the info you provided. I learned some key things from you in regards to CPU selection and compatibility. As you have mentioned, the X9000 is the most powerful option out there for the R61, but in terms of value, the t9300, t8300 and t7700 are very good choices, with each providing much of the power of the x9000 for a far better price.

I will most likely be getting one of the three above. Thank you again - your advice has been extremely helpful and I have learned alot

[ajkula66]

Hi ajkula66,

Thank you for the all the info you provided. I learned some key things from you in regards to CPU selection and compatibility. As you have mentioned, the X9000 is the most powerful option out there for the R61, but in terms of value, the t9300, t8300 and t7700 are very good choices, with each providing much of the power of the x9000 for a far better price.

I will most likely be getting one of the three above. Thank you again - your advice has been extremely helpful and I have learned alot

You're very welcome.

Do bear in mind that T7700 is a rather hot-running CPU. T9300 would be my preferred choice.

Happy upgrading.