Finally found a solution for X61 T8300 heat

[cogitordi]

/* No, it's not to buy a new laptop. I know the X61 is old but I like the size of this Thinkpad and the keyboard is a joy to use. */

The diverting history of my battle against the heat of my X61 can be found here:

http://www.thinkpads.com/forum/viewtopi ... 0&t=109901

The simplest, most effective solution that I have found is the following combination:

= disable the internal wireless card
= use a USB wireless adapter (e.g. D-Link DWA-131 Wireless N Nano USB adapter)
= TPFanControl (http://www.staff.uni-marburg.de/~schmitzr/donate.html) with the following settings:

Level=62 0
Level=66 1
Level=69 3
Level=70 128 //BIOS takes control

With TPFanControl, I use the following temperature offset:

SensorOffset1=8

Using the solution above, my x61 remains at about 55C.

Note: A laptop stand is a must. Air needs to circulate underneath the X61.

[dr_st]

So I understand that the standard solution of replacing the stock Wifi with a newer, cooler mini-PCIe adapter was not sufficient in your case, is that so?

That's a bit depressing, since having to resort to an external adapter in an ultraportable laptop seems too big a sacrifice.

[cogitordi]

a newer, cooler mini-PCIe adapter was not sufficient

Correct. It helped reduce the surface temperature of the palm rest by a couple of degrees. But the wireless dongle made a significant difference -- 10C at least.

The dongle that I am using (dwa-131) is not the best but I prefer comfort.

The hottest area of my X61 remains the underside.

to resort to an external adapter in an ultraportable laptop seems too big a sacrifice.

The wireless dongle is small: only 2.1 cm protrudes. So, not a "big" sacrifice.

It should be noted that upgrading the Hitachi 5400 RPM disk to an SSD *increased* the operating temperature.