60p v 61p FPS on modernish games? Reliability anecdotes?

[Arturus]

Hello.

I am currently looking for a super - reliable 4:3 Thinkpad to last me a good four years, Ideally I could keep it going forever. My ideal would be a 14.1" 1400 * 1050 IPS T61p that never died but alas, such an angelic being could not exist for fear of something in the world being perfect.

Does the 1400 * 1050 display on a 15" model look too sparse, pixel-wise? I know that that resolution looks gorgeous on the 14.1" model, but I fear it may not scale up too well. There is another aspect to this, though: the decreased resolution will result in less strain on the nvidia / ati, irrespective of which one I decide on. I say 15" as opposed to 14.1" because IPS is a MUST for me.

Moving on, what kind of support do the V5250 and 570M get in linux? This aspect isn't hugely important, but it'd be a nice plus to not have to shift OS' to play something like Dota2. I'm not looking for ME3 or any such thing, but more recent mid-range kind of games. If it gets 60 FPS in HL2 on high, or like 35 in Portal 2 on medium then I'm happy, .

Now the part that I'm sure you're all happiest to discuss: Reliability. Is a 5250 going to accompany me to my grave in 80 years time? or will it conk out in 3 years time mid way through university? Is it appreciably much quieter and less hot than the 570M? On the flip side, are the reports about the 570M overblown? Does the issue only effect 1/40 laptops? Can I buy a specific mobo, manufactured later that'll survive against all odds?

How easy is swapping a T61p mobo into T60p with a UXGA IPS display? Does it truly create a beauty to behold? Is there a lesser - known fan that negates temperature issues with the 570M? Which xx" mobos are compatible with a T60p 15" model? is the IPS display from a T60p presumably compatible with the mobo of a T61p?

I know this is a lot of questions; I'm familiar with the T43, and have had many issues over the past year trying to get the most out of it. I don't want that to happen again. I think I could make a beautiful, minimalist computer out of a £220 T60p and a £60 mobo + extras.

You guys know these computers better than I do, what's your advice?

[QWERTY Andreas]

Hi
I have a 14.1" T60/1p frankenpad, even though it doesn't have IPS - its about the fastest as it gets when coming to play games (I have not seen many other frankenpads with a 256MB mobo, since most others use the 14.1" of the T61p mobos with only 128MB before anyone tries to correct me ).

Anyway: I use Windows 8.1 Pro on mine, so it will not be the same under Linux. I can run "HL2 lost coast" on highest possible settings, without any problems. Im having a 25% overclock and custom cooling profile. So the FX570M should be quite capable of running those games.
The V5250 is much, much slower when it comes to games. It migth run portal and HL2, but not as good as the FX570M by any Means. However, if you want the fast 256MB version it requires some modding to the magnesium "roll cage"/frame.

If you want a "safe" machine, pick a T61p mobo dated later than 08/08. However, they are old by now. Don't expect them to live many years - no matter what you choose. Hardware have Wear and tear, and will eventually go Down.

Best regards

[Arturus]

Thank you for your reply.

I'm slowly starting to zero in on my build; can anyone comment on how extensive the modifications for a 256mb version would have to be?

Also, any details on how to find a post 08/08 mobo? This is quickly becoming my dream laptop. I don't think I will have to worry about longevity that much, outside of the obvious nvidia issues, I'm writing this on the nine year old '43, so I think only five years old should be fine.

Do you find the WTB forum to be a successful place to pick up good parts?

[QWERTY Andreas]

Thank you for your reply.

I'm slowly starting to zero in on my build; can anyone comment on how extensive the modifications for a 256mb version would have to be?

Also, any details on how to find a post 08/08 mobo? This is quickly becoming my dream laptop. I don't think I will have to worry about longevity that much, outside of the obvious nvidia issues, I'm writing this on the nine year old '43, so I think only five years old should be fine.

Do you find the WTB forum to be a successful place to pick up good parts?

I know it. I have done it to a 14" frame. Only do it, if you have the rigth tools. It is not just something you "do" with a Sharp knife. Link to my build log: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=110323

The 08/08 mobos are hard to find. I bougth mine, through a small computer shop in denmark. Had to pay a whopping 300$.

A lot of my parts, was salvage from older laptops. Ie. the X9000 was from an Alienware, that i installed a newer processor into and then sold the alienware. It gave me a profit of 20$. If you want it cheap, its about keeping a good eye upon the market - some people are, sometimes, selling something way below value because they don't know the value.
All in all, my frankenpad costed me around 7-800$ to build - but HW is rather expensive in denmark, so hard to compare.

[Arturus]

Sadly, I don't have anywhere near that kind of money. Also, I'm kind of invested in the ultra bay for an SSD + big /home/ drive configuration.

Do all Nvidia GPU's pre 08/08 eventually go old, excacerbated through heat stress, or is it only just a sizeable portion?

[ajkula66]

Do all Nvidia GPU's pre 08/08 eventually go old, excacerbated through heat stress, or is it only just a sizeable portion?

Let me answer your question in a roundabout way:

I would never buy a pre-08/08 *61 series machine with nVidia GPU unless I knew the owner personally and were familiar with their user patterns.

Yes, transactions of this nature usually end up on the more expensive side of the market.

None of the above guarantees that the machine won't die three days later. Haven't had that happen yet, though.

Obviously, YMMV.

[Medessec]

Well, in terms of personal experience, if it's reliability you want, this is the least to most reliable T6x, in ascending order: pre-08/08 FX570M T61, pre-08/08 NVS 140M T61, V5200/V5250 T60, X1300/X1400 T60, warranty-repaired Nvidia T61, NOS-boarded T61, Intel graphics T60/T61.

If you plan on gaming, buying up any odd T61 with nVidia graphics is only going to end badly. Games are the most abusive in terms of thermal cycling, Minecraft in particular, is what I like to call... a "T61-killer", because it strains the CPU and GPU in alternating, offset periods.

Although the ATI chip in the T60 can be reasonably good with some old games... it's mostly awful. Plus, ATI chips age worse than nVidia chips.

I'd say your best option is to go hunting for a Post-08/08 T61 widescreen machine. They aren't super expensive, and they can be rather nice.