X200 CPU upgrade/Overclock

[cts_casemod]

I have a X200 Laptop with a P8600 2.4GHz.

Recently I had a new IPTV recorder installed, which I need to manage over the network. The Software checks for a minimum of 2.5Ghz and refuses to start with less.

Question:
Whats the highest CPU I can install on this laptop? I'm thinking something along the lines of a Montevina T9600 @ 2.8GHz/6M. Is this CPU compatible at all? If not what other options do i have?

As a last resource could I Overclock the CPU by the required 100Mhz? A multiplier of 9.5 Would do the job (Currently 9), but unsure what software supports this mobo.

Many thanks.

[axur-delmeria]

The X200, like the rest of the X Series Thinkpads, does not have a CPU socket-- rather, the CPU is soldered on the system board. This makes CPU upgrades very difficult (requires access to BGA rework station or reflow oven); it's much easier to replace the system board instead.

[emeraldgirl08]

You could put an X201 motherboard in your X200 if you feel you are up to it. Here is a link to a thread where a couple of us have done this transplant.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=104597

My x201 board has an Core i5 520M and it resides in my X200 chassis. If you go this route you at gain:

• First generation Core i-series CPU
• Intel 5700MHD graphics vs the older Intel 4500MHD (of the x200 Core2Duo series)
• Audio through Displayport via Dock (x200 will transmit video but not audio)

[cts_casemod]

Thanks.

Might be more of an option to replace the whole computer. I could stick 16GB memory on it too (The X200 is limited to 8GB).

Question:
Are the batteries for these two models compatible?
Does the X201 have an extra unlocked mini PCI Express slot as the X200?

[emeraldgirl08]

The x201 board I bought cost me ~$34 shipped so it was not terribly expensive.

Question 1: yes the batteries are compatible. I am using the X200 battery right now in my X2001 Frankie.

Question 2: not sure about an unlocked mini PCI express slot. Are you referring to the turbo memory slot? If so some motherboards do not have that feature. IIRC there is another slot for the wireless wide-area network (WWAN) card however I have never experimented with either intensively so I cannot give you an informed answer.

[cts_casemod]

The x201 board I bought cost me ~$34 shipped so it was not terribly expensive.

Question 1: yes the batteries are compatible. I am using the X200 battery right now in my X2001 Frankie.

Question 2: not sure about an unlocked mini PCI express slot. Are you referring to the turbo memory slot? If so some motherboards do not have that feature. IIRC there is another slot for the wireless wide-area network (WWAN) card however I have never experimented with either intensively so I cannot give you an informed answer.

Good deal. I've looked on eBay and the cheapest i could find is about £60 ($100).

Do the X200 heatsinks fit the X201 mobo? The ones I see come completely stripped. They only have the CPU as it is soldered

So X201 laptop with X200 battery, not a X200 with a X201 mobo, using a X200 battery, right?

Yes. The turbo memory mini PCIExp. i'm using that for a USB/RF adapter which i wanted to keep
I'm using the WWAN slot for a 3G WWAN already.

Gotta keep looking on eBay

[emeraldgirl08]

Good deal. I've looked on eBay and the cheapest i could find is about £60 ($100).

So X201 laptop with X200 battery, not a X200 with a X201 mobo, using a X200 battery, right?

Yes. The turbo memory mini PCIExp. i'm using that for a USB/RF adapter which i wanted to keep
I'm using the WWAN slot for a 3G WWAN already.

Gotta keep looking on eBay

Honestly whichever makes more sense for you. I went the 'X201 motherboard in an X200 body' route because it was cheaper and I just have a persistent curiosity where I just had to try and replicate the results of that thread I gave the link for . If you simply purchase the x201 laptop you will get an LED backlit screen which is what I am sadly lacking at the moment. My CCFL screen is somewhat dim...I have to put my brightness 14/15 or 15/15 notches during daily usage.

Sounds like you might prefer to simply buy an X201 and reuse the X200 battery. If you prefer overall easiness then that is the route I would suggest you take. If you have the $$$ and should need more modern features, enhancements, and want to retain the small footprint of the X-series then an X220 or X230 might be worth looking into (LED backlit IPS options available, mSATA+HDD capability, 16gb RAM, and more recent CPU/IGP).

[ajkula66]

Might be more of an option to replace the whole computer. I could stick 16GB memory on it too (The X200 is limited to 8GB).

As is X201.

You need X220 or X230 in order to run 16GB of RAM.