Core 2 Duo upgrade possible for "old" T60P?

[Nubulin]

Hey all. My new T60P will be here tommorrow. YAY! I spent literally hours weighing all of the options (T60, T60P, core duo, core 2 duo, x1300, x1400, V5200, WWAN, BT,.....). I ended up ordering a 2.0 Core Duo T2500 (2623D8U) and saved a ton of money over getting a new 2.0 Core 2 Duo T7400.

My question is: Is it possible at some point in the future to put a Core 2 Duo chip in my T60P and enable 64 bit? It seems like the motherboard would be the same? Bios?

My hope is yes, but the $1200 or so i saved on the "old" T60P was too good to pass up.

Thanks!

[RonS]

I've been keeping an eye on this topic, beause I also have one of the first T60p machines. All indications are that, YES, we will be able to swap out chips for a Core 2 Duo.

[perry_78]

Well, it depends whether the mobile version of c2d also needs the new power management VRM. That was the issue with many 975x boards for the desktop version, that while at face level they supported the new chip, the power management was of an older standard.

But hopefully it will, I saved some 800 usd on my t60.

[cxls]

I'm fairly certain (but not 100%) that you can't upgrade, unfortunately. I wanted to, too. But although the Core 2 uses the same chipset and socket as the Core Series, the the Core 2 requires additional support in the form of extra hardware on the motherboard.

[perry_78]

We'll see whether or not its possible once the new T60s land - my t60 has a rev. 03 motherboard, and being fairly recent I hope its prepared for the new chip, however that's uncertain.

I'll see what board revisions people are getting with the new c2d tps.

[testthings]

.... my t60 has a rev. 03 motherboard, and being fairly recent I hope its prepared for the new chip, however that's uncertain.

How do you know the version of motherboard?

[cxls]

Has anyone opened a ThinkPad to confirm that the processor isn't just soldered on and that it's actually removeable? A lot of manufacturers solder the processors on to save money.

[kulivontot]

In the thinkpad repair manuals, they have specific instructions on how to remove and replace the CPU's on the systems. Unless it's an X60s where the ultra low voltage processor is required to be soldered on, they are replacable. If the new T60's with the C2D chips are released with the same bios as the CD T60's then it will probably be upgradable. We'll know once someone gets the new batch.

[kwhess]

I upgraded my T60P (2623-D8U) last week to a T7600. Speed and battery life are both a bit better, and I have experienced no problems. As always, YMMV. Note that (i) you need to have a 2.x BIOS; and (ii) removing the left side of the keyboard bezel is quite a pain.

[perry_78]

Could you please run CPU-Z and check which revision motherboard you have? Also, PC Doctor 5 will give you the manufacturing date.

-> http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

The revision can be seen under the mainboard tab

Just checked, my t60 is manufactured in week 32, which means it SHOULD be ready for the merom upgrade, but we'll see.

[Nubulin]

I do have the latest bios 2.01.

I will have to check on the mobo revision. I think my machine was built in June.

On another note, I just checked Lenovo's site today and an horrified to see that the C2duos are listed and the prices actually went way down. Basically the same config of my T60p but in c2duo and without the WWAN was $1836. This is a LOT cheaper than last week and I have heard that the new comps are coming with a Vista coupon. (Not sure if I care about that though).

I hate technology sometimes...

[perry_78]

And all we can do is live with it

I'll call lenovo one of these days to see whether I can try the change myself or not, I could have a merom chip here next week to try

[Nebzar]

Also, PC Doctor 5 will give you the manufacturing date.

Where do I look for this info in PC Doctor 5? I was not able to find it...

[perry_78]

You have two options - in PC DOCTOR, look under System Information, and then go to display, this will give you the manufacturing date of the display, which gives an indication to when the system was built.

Otherwise, on your thinkpad box, look at the sticker with the barcodes, should give a date e.g.
Manufactured for Lenovo
Date: 2006 - 07 - 21

Now how's the MB revision check coming along?

[Nebzar]

Otherwise, on your thinkpad box, look at the sticker with the barcodes, should give a date e.g.
Manufactured for Lenovo
Date: 2006 - 07 - 21

Thanks perry, I found it: date is 2006 - 05 - 26.

The mainboard rev is 03 (from cpu-z), I now will wait to see from kwhess's answer (hoping he will post it soon) if it's too old for upgrade or not

regards
Neb

[perry_78]

So do I, the new MBP's were released today with awesome specs, I'll be kicking myself a little if I cant drop this Merom ES in later

[kwhess]

I'm afraid neither PC-Doctor nor CPUID give any helpful motherboard version or manufacturing date information for my system. That said, I purchased it in early June.

[kwhess]

For what it is worth, CPUID also says Rev 03 on the mainboard page for my system, although I thought that probably referred to the chipset.

[perry_78]

rev 03, that would imply it could work with me. I'll talk to the lenovo folk about warranty regarding a cpu switch.

It does specify chipset revision, but if it had a new power VRM then I'm assuming it would use a new chipset revision too, though it is speculative.

The buy date is more important to us in this cae then