T61 - What Cooling System Do You Use?

[Dante of the Inferno]

Greetings!

I'm a long-time lurker, first time poster. While I've enjoyed an R61 Thinkpad since 2008, it sadly succumbed to the Nvidia plague last year. After a sufficient period of mourning, I have acquired a T61 15.4" Widescreen to enjoy (and turn into a FrankenPad) for years to come. I've already flashed the Middleton BIOS and transferred the nice battery and power supply over from the R61 (shame about the Ultrabay size discrepancy - would have been nice to use my old Blu-Ray player). I'll replace the CPU with a T9300 or 9500 eventually.

With the introductions complete, let's talk cooling systems. The fan has that old familiar rattle that cleaning won't fix, so it'll need a replacement. From what I've read, some people just replace the fan from other T61's, replace them with new third-party fans (including some with programmable controllers), or even replace the heat sink and fan with something from the T500 or W500. These suggestions are often mentioned in passing or are part of a much larger article concerning cooler temperatures.

Personally, I'd prefer a system that is as quiet as possible, whether that be due to a more efficient fan blade, lower speed, or stronger bearings. So, what kind of cooling system does your T61 use? Please include system names and links if possible (some people might be envious).

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

You haven't stated whether your "new" T61 is an Intel or nVidia-based system, but this is what I'll say:

I've always used the conventional T61p heatsink assembly in all of my nVidia-based units, including custom builds with X9000 CPUs and have yet to see a single one overheating in normal use. Of course, start unlocking the multipliers and overclocking and you're on your own.

[Dante of the Inferno]

It's an Intel with integrated graphics, an Intel Wifi Link 5300 WLAN, and (for now) a Seagate 7200 RPM HDD (I have a Samsung 850 Pro SSD waiting in the wings for Windows 10 Pro). Currently, I'm running Windows 7 Pro x64 with 4 GB RAM. I may spring for 8 GB RAM later (does the Middleton BIOS remove Lenovo's 667 MHz limitation?).

When you say that you've used the conventional T61 heatsink, do you mean the integrated Fan + Copper Heatsink as one piece or just the heatsink? How's the noise from the fan? How long does it typically last before you replace it due to wear)? This machine seems like it only experience light office use, but I will be taking it out and about, so I'm concerned about the longevity of the bearings (which I hear is why the current fan makes a grinding rattle).

[ajkula66]

I may spring for 8 GB RAM later (does the Middleton BIOS remove Lenovo's 667 MHz limitation?).

No it doesn't.

When you say that you've used the conventional T61 heatsink, do you mean the integrated Fan + Copper Heatsink as one piece or just the heatsink?

A heatsink that includes the fan. ThinkPads are not meant to be cooled passively.

How's the noise from the fan?

When compared to ???

How long does it typically last before you replace it due to wear)? This machine seems like it only experience light office use, but I will be taking it out and about, so I'm concerned about the longevity of the bearings (which I hear is why the current fan makes a grinding rattle).

A fan should last at least a couple of years, but as with most other things in life - YMMV.

[Dante of the Inferno]

Sorry, I meant a discrete (interchangeable) fan + heatsink or an integrated heatsink and fan (literally a blade spinning in a lump of copper)?

When comparing the noise, I mean in reference to the supposedly quieter T500 and W500 fan assemblies. Supposedly, they produce less noise when run at the same speed as a T61 fan.

Yeah, I was hoping that a third party manufacturer was able to develop a fan whose bearings wouldn't wear out so quickly. Coming from an R61 (whose assembly is half aluminum, half PLASTIC), the all-copper plate on the T61 was a very pleasant surprise.

[ajkula66]

Sorry, I meant a discrete (interchangeable) fan + heatsink or an integrated heatsink and fan (literally a blade spinning in a lump of copper)?

All of the ThinkPad heatsinks are "integrated". You have to rip one apart in order to swap just the fan itself.

When comparing the noise, I mean in reference to the supposedly quieter T500 and W500 fan assemblies. Supposedly, they produce less noise when run at the same speed as a T61 fan.

I've never been bothered by the sound of T61/p fans, whatsoever. Compared to what we've known in T43/p and T60/p, these are pretty quiet, so I've never felt the need to experiment with 500 series fans. But that's me.

[600X]

The W500 fan is less intrusive IMO, although the difference isn't that huge. Some poeple use a T61 heat sink with W500 fan.

Since you have a T61 with intel graphics, there is no harm in using a T500 ATI/W500 heat sink, although from my experience, you may as well just use the original T61 integrated graphics heat sink, which is a bit lighter and keeps your system just as cool.

On my T61 with intel graphics, I use the original heat sink and the fan is off most of the time. CPU, chipset and southbridge temperature is usually around 40°C. However, I use IC Diamond as my thermal paste.