T20 - Upgrade in Progress!!

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djpharoah · #1 Post by **djpharoah** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:58 pm

Hi guys.
some more questions:

1) How easy it is to upgrade teh T20's cpu to a 1.0Ghz SL5TF 100fsb? Is it really just plug-it-in-play? Does the cpu work at a full 1.0Ghz? Im asking due to the differences in the required voltages between my curreny 700Mhz and the 1.0ghz cpu.

2) This is regarding the cpu fan/heatsink upgrade. I have read about how the stock T20 fan is inadeqaute to cool the 1.0Ghz cpu. Thus everyone suggest to upgrade to the T22 cooler. I noticed that you too used the T22 cooler. Was this installation as well just a drop-in-replacement? Is there any modifications that need to be done for the cooler to fit into the laptop and work? Also what is the deal with the Z-Bracket that comes along with the cooler? How does that fit into the laptop and will it affect anything else on my T20? Anyone know the part number for this cooler? it would make it much easier to buy from ebay if i can get the exact number.

3) Another concern i have had is that the T22 cooler has 3 contacts while my T20 cooler has 4 contacts, does that matter?

4) Thinking of getting a T30 4400mAh battery of ebay. Is this a smart move or should i just get the T20 3600mAh battery>?

5) Thinking of also getting an Ultrabay 2000 battery. These typically have a rating of 2000-2200mAh. Is it worth it to get this?> How much additional time would i get from it approximate? I am asking this as this battery cost almost the same as the main battery.

6) Looking for a cheap cd-rw drive that would work on my laptop. Doesnt have to be IBM, as long as it works. Have read that certain oem drives work. anyone have any suggestions??

any help you can offer me would be greatly appreiciated.

-dj

djpharoah · #2 Post by **djpharoah** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 2:34 pm

anyone?

Orevin · #3 Post by **Orevin** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 5:43 pm

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=19717

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=17550

djpharoah · #4 Post by **djpharoah** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 6:34 pm

wow thanks.
-dj

djpharoah · #5 Post by **djpharoah** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 12:34 pm

guys after reading most of the posts regarding swapping out cpu(s) in the thinkpads. i have a few questions.

[1] My current CPU runs on 1.6V/1.35V. If I were to change my cpu would those voltage values limit what I use? I have seen a couple of ppl saying that they have put a 1.0Ghz cpu in the T20. Yet after some research I found those 1.0Ghz chips run on 1.7V/1.35V. Would the cpu work in my T20?

-dj

chan_man · #6 Post by **chan_man** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:30 am

I pulled a 1gig processor from a T23 and have it working in a T20. No problems. I did use the fan/sink from the T23 just in case for cooling. In any case use some good thermal grease between the chip and the cooler or you may run into lockups.

Sal · #7 Post by **Sal** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:53 pm

Hi, I am also thinhking about upgrading my CPU to 1Ghz. I have a t20; type 2647-81U. Is the upgrade noticeable - for those of you who have done this? From whom do you recommend I purchase the CPU? I understand a fan with greater airflow is also necessary. My skills are adequate, but I have never attempted this. Can a novice with basic skills make these changes?
Thanks for your help,
Sal

djpharoah · #8 Post by **djpharoah** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:12 pm

Dude the T20 is very easy to strip down to barebones.
PM if you want the Tech Manual from IBM which describes how to take apart the T20.

Also the highest cpu we can use in our mutual T20s is the 1.0Ghz 100fsb cpu. I have seen it on ebay. ~24-28USD. Also as suggested in your thread and mine, we would have to get the heatsink/fan combo from the T22/23. This is due to T20 heatsink being totally not adequate for cooling that kind of cpu. The cooler is ~10-12USD on ebay.

I am however seriously thinking of getting a T40 from ebay and upgrading the cpu (P-M) and maximizing the ram/hdd to make it trully effective.

-dj

Sal · #9 Post by **Sal** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 7:05 pm

Hey, thanks for yor reply, I expect to do the t40 thing sooner or later, but my HD crashed, and my company IS folks put in a 60 gig HD for me - free.
Also, they probably will expense a DVD recordable drive. I currently, have the standard readable DVD/CD.
Crazy, they will do this stuff for free, but not buy me a new computer.
Anyway the cpu upgrade will be my expense.
Any suggestions on the DVD?
Thanks again.....Sal

djpharoah · #10 Post by **djpharoah** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 7:24 pm

sal
check on ebay. there are ibm cd-rw/dvd-rom drives for the T2x series. that makes it compatible with the T20 you own. Im pretty sure im just going to wait till mid-to-end summer and just get a T40/41 off ebay. then i will be set for another 2-3 years.

-dj

Sal · #11 Post by **Sal** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:00 pm

dj, thanks, I appreciate all of your help and wish you well on your t40 purchase....sal

Sal · #12 Post by **Sal** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:58 pm

dj,
One more question. As I just checked the processor speed I have the 542 on my t20, not the 700 as I thought (and was told - bought it used). Do you know if this machine is still upgradeabel to th 1ghz processor?
Thanks again...Sal

chan_man · #13 Post by **chan_man** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:28 pm

Sal,

The slowest T20 available was the 700, I think your system is running in step mode on battery or your power management system is running like it is on battery. Set your power setting to High Performance and it should read 700Mhz.

The system is really easy to upgrade, all that is needed is to remove the keyboard, and you will have access to the heatsink, remove 4 screws and the processor is underneath. a quarter turn on the socket and the processor is out.

Be careful with getting parts from eBay. there are two different Intel body sizes in the 1Ghz, only one will fit the T series.

Sal · #14 Post by **Sal** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:51 pm

dj,
Thanks again. Novice question: how do I remove the keyboard. There are 4 - 5 screws underneath - just remove these and the keyboard lifts off?
Thanks...Sal

Orevin · #15 Post by **Orevin** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:19 am

Sal wrote:dj,
Thanks again. Novice question: how do I remove the keyboard. There are 4 - 5 screws underneath - just remove these and the keyboard lifts off?
Thanks...Sal

There are only two screws holding the keyboard, they are marked with two arrow heads. One is between battery and memory door, the other above the sticker with the s/n.

For further information, download the maintenance manual: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... 2p9631.pdf

Sal · #16 Post by **Sal** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:11 am

Thanks, I will try this and let you know.....

djpharoah · #17 Post by **djpharoah** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:58 am

guys few more questions:

1) Noticed online that there are two types of pentium 3 mobile cpu's. MicroPGA2 and BGA2. What is the difference between the two? Which would work in my T20?

2) Also noticed that there are many different cpus that can work but have different voltage settings. Does the T20 motherboard support different voltages? or am i stuck with something that is basically 1.6V/1.35V?
take a look P3-M List and let me know if those could work on my T20.

Im still considering selling my T20 to get a cheap T40 off ebay. But it all depends on how much money i get for the T20 and how much it costs to upgrade it.

-dj

djpharoah · #18 Post by **djpharoah** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:02 pm

bump..newer questions!!

#19 Post by **schen** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:39 pm

Yes, I have found my Ultrabay batteries to be useful. That combined with the T3x 4400ma battery really give me good run time when I need it (something North of 3 hours in real world use running WiFi). It's rare that I do, so I use the old (read rapidly dying) battery that gives around 45 minutes for my day to day use. So basically, the year old 4400ma battery gives me somewhere around 2 hours and the 4 year old Ultrabay battery give another hour plus.

djpharoah · #20 Post by **djpharoah** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 2:34 pm

wow..didnt realize the ultrabay battery was essentially worth another 1hr?
schen what is the rating of your ultrabay battery??
also where did you by your batteries?

-dj

BryanHarig · #21 Post by **BryanHarig** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:18 pm

With a brand new t30 battery and an ultrabay battery (also new) I can get around 4 hours of use with wifi. the ultrabay battery acounts for about 40% of that run time. I will update with exact MaH when i get home and have it in front of me.

djpharoah · #22 Post by **djpharoah** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:53 pm

BryanHarig wrote:With a brand new t30 battery and an ultrabay battery (also new) I can get around 4 hours of use with wifi. the ultrabay battery acounts for about 40% of that run time. I will update with exact MaH when i get home and have it in front of me.

wow that is sweeettt.. What is your CPU speed? i might be able to get more if i dont upgrade my 700Mhz.

-dj

BryanHarig · #23 Post by **BryanHarig** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 11:14 am

its a p3m 1200mhz processor, almost always clocked down to 799mhz though.

The ultrabay battery made a big difference, I was a bit disapointed with the t30 battery but I have no such feelings about the ultrabay.

This may be because I got a 3rd party t30 battery and a genuine ultrabay battery, the t30 battery doesnt seem to take a full 4400mAh charge no matter how I try to condition it.

#24 Post by **schen** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 12:11 pm

The Ultrabay Battery show to be 3500ma designed capacity. The one I have in there right now is at around 2900ma. It's about 4 years old, but I haven't used it much (only 29 cycles on it). I bought one new when I got my first T2x from work. The second one came from my brother when he sent me my current T23 to replace the dearly departed T22 last year. So I have not idea the history on that one, but it's current capacity is 2300ma with 42 cycles on it. I really need to condition that one.

djpharoah · #25 Post by **djpharoah** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 2:37 pm

schen wrote:The Ultrabay Battery show to be 3500ma designed capacity. The one I have in there right now is at around 2900ma. It's about 4 years old, but I haven't used it much (only 29 cycles on it). I bought one new when I got my first T2x from work. The second one came from my brother when he sent me my current T23 to replace the dearly departed T22 last year. So I have not idea the history on that one, but it's current capacity is 2300ma with 42 cycles on it. I really need to condition that one.

holy smokes.
those ultrabay batteries have the same capacity as my regular T20 battery.
schen, where did you get those high capacity batteries and are you using them on a T20?

@ bryan
how did u manage to get a 1200mhz p3-m in a t20? or are you running a t21+ motherboard?

-dj

#26 Post by **schen** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 3:48 pm

Those are just regular Ultrabay batteries as far as I know. I what I posted was just what the Battery Miser was telling me, but it looks about right for what I know about them.

On the other front, I'm running a T23 which my brother hot-rodded a little by putting in the 1.2 CPU and SXGA screen for me. I bumped up the RAM to 512 ,the HDD to 60Gb, and T30 battery, but otherwise is pretty much stock. I'm considering changing the RAM to 1Gb and HDD to a 7200rpm 100Gb, but not sure whether that's worthwhile for what I do with a 4 year old machine.

BryanHarig · #27 Post by **BryanHarig** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 4:38 pm

djpharoah:

Its a t23.

That is the standard capacity for the ultrabay battery.

djpharoah · #28 Post by **djpharoah** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 7:35 pm

BryanHarig wrote:djpharoah:

Its a t23.

That is the standard capacity for the ultrabay battery.

bro i have seen alot of ultrabay batteries on ebay. they range from 2000mAh to 2200mAh.
what is your rated at? and where can i find it?

-dj

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