T4x/R5x CPU swaps

[TRS-80]

1.Are those 1.7 and 1.8s about the fastest / best CPUs you can put into a T4x/R5x?

I think I have a 1.6 in my R51 now.

2.How much work is a CPU swap? Need a different cooler or anything other than thermal compound (which I already have)?

Admin edit: Split from ajkula66's FS thread in the Marketplace.

[ajkula66]

1.Are those 1.7 and 1.8s about the fastest / best CPUs you can put into a T4x/R5x?

No, there are also 2.0 and 2.1 versions, known as PM 755 and PM 765 respectively. Intel SL7EM and SL7V3.

I think I have a 1.6 in my R51 now.

You most likely have a Banias CPU which has 1MB L2 cache - as opposed to 2MB on the Dothans listed above - and also runs hotter under load.

2.How much work is a CPU swap? Need a different cooler or anything other than thermal compound (which I already have)?

Less than 30 minutes even if you've never done it before, preferably with an open HMM. The existing heatsink will suffice.

[TRS-80]

1.Are those 1.7 and 1.8s about the fastest / best CPUs you can put into a T4x/R5x?

No, there are also 2.0 and 2.1 versions, known as PM 755 and PM 765 respectively. Intel SL7EM and SL7V3.

Interesting, are those Dothan based as well? I have been looking around a good bit on eBay and CL for some T4x and/or R5x and I don't think I have ever seen anything faster than 1.6 or maybe 1.7/8.

I think I have a 1.6 in my R51 now.

You most likely have a Banias CPU which has 1MB L2 cache - as opposed to 2MB on the Dothans listed above - and also runs hotter under load.

Speaking of running hot, have you seen this yet? lol

2.How much work is a CPU swap? Need a different cooler or anything other than thermal compound (which I already have)?

Less than 30 minutes even if you've never done it before, preferably with an open HMM. The existing heatsink will suffice.

Cool. Well, as you may read in that other post, I have been as far as "almost" replacing the CPU fan, and yeah, I don't remember it being all that difficult.

[ajkula66]

Interesting, are those Dothan based as well?

Yes.

However, given the cooling properties of R50/51 I'd stay away from them.

[TRS-80]

However, given the cooling properties of R50/51 I'd stay away from them.

You mean the cooling properties of regular ones? Or ones without fans? :p

BTW, was putting either of those in a factory option? Or is this an upgrade that people figured out afterwards?

[ajkula66]

BTW, was putting either of those in a factory option?

No. Some of R51 machines shipped with 1.6 Dothans (PM 725) but the vast majority sported Banias CPUs.

Or is this an upgrade that people figured out afterwards?

Exactly.

Now, I'd appreciate if we could continue this discussion in another thread, since it's unfair to other posters in the Marketplace to bump my FS thread constantly...

[TRS-80]

I think I have a 1.6 in my R51 now.

You most likely have a Banias CPU which has 1MB L2 cache - as opposed to 2MB on the Dothans listed above - and also runs hotter under load.

To clarify, you are saying the Banias runs hotter under a load?

Interesting, are those Dothan based as well?

Yes.

However, given the cooling properties of R50/51 I'd stay away from them.

Just curious, were any aftermarket coolers ever made for Thinkpads as they are commonly for PCs? Not only for T4x/R5x but also other models?

[ajkula66]

To clarify, you are saying the Banias runs hotter under a load?

Yes.

Just curious, were any aftermarket coolers ever made for Thinkpads as they are commonly for PCs? Not only for T4x/R5x but also other models?

No.

[TRS-80]

Yeah, didn't think so. Sounds like care should be taken (running something like CPUfan, with some temp warnings set perhaps) if one were to go with one of those unsuported, much faster CPUs.

Or, just stick with the 1.7 / 1.8 Dothans. Gee, know where I might be able to find anything like that?