Upgrading processors in my T41?

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MintPad · #1 Post by **MintPad** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:29 am

I'd like to upgrade the processor in my T41 sometime down the road. I bought it used, with 1.5GB RAM installed. I think that this could be seriously fast with an improved processor. Currently, I have an Intel Pentium M @ 1.6GHz installed.

So, what are my options? How hard is it to swap a processor in a ThinkPad? Any help is greatly appreciated.

I run various Linux OSes on my laptop, and although the upgrade is not as necessary as it would be for a more CPU-intensive/inefficient OS (Vista), I'd like to see the speed increase for launching applications, zipping large packages, and compiling sources. It would also open the door for me to really use openSUSE, Sabayon, and others that interest me.

GnatGoSplat · #2 Post by **GnatGoSplat** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:54 am

T41 only supports a 400MHz FSB so the Pentium M 765 2.1GHz is the fastest CPU you can upgrade to.

I have never swapped processors, but I do recall it was easy to see and socketed in the T41 I had. I think it would be a fairly easy swap. It's under the keyboard which can be removed by removing 4 screws on the bottom.

MintPad · #3 Post by **MintPad** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:02 pm

Thanks for the help. You say that T41 only supports 400MHz FSB. Are you referring to the motherboard? Or some other component? In either case, can this be upgraded? I'd like to continue upgrading my T41 over time, because I've inspected the *60 series, and I'm unimpressed by the quality of the new plastic, keyboard, buttons, etc. That's why I bought this laptop four months ago, used, for only $550.

GnatGoSplat · #4 Post by **GnatGoSplat** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:11 pm

The 400MHz limitation is due to the chipset (Intel 855GM). The max CPU a T43 (first T-series to support 533MHz FSB) is a Pentium M 2.26GHz, so you're not missing out much.

Too bad there's not a company out there that makes Socket M to Socket 479 adapters so we could use a Core 2 Duo in our vintage T4x-series!

MintPad · #5 Post by **MintPad** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:24 pm

OK. Do you have any links to shops and/or product pages with some compatible processors? I know a whole lot about software, but not so much about hardware :^)

GnatGoSplat · #6 Post by **GnatGoSplat** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:40 pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_In ... processors

I think anything with "400" in the "Front Side Bus" column should work.

I don't know where you can get a new Pentium M 765 since Pentium M's are discontinued. You should be able to find one on eBay though!

MintPad · #7 Post by **MintPad** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:52 pm

Now, I'm being dense, but I'd hate to spend the money and either have a useless chip, or fry my laptop. Would this entry be compatible? It has the highest frequency of 400 FSB chips on the page:
Pentium M 765 (SL7V3)
2100 MHz, 2048 KiB, 400 MT/s, 21x
0.988/1.4 V, 7.5-21 W
Socket 478

Does a T41 have a socket 478 or 479? Does it matter? If I had some detailed specs aruond, I'm sure I'd know, but I bought this used.

#8 Post by **Harryc** » Wed May 23, 2007 2:23 pm

Would an upgrade from a 1.7 Banias to a 1.8 Dothan be worth it? The 2.0Ghz and above Dothans are very expensive.

GnatGoSplat · #9 Post by **GnatGoSplat** » Wed May 23, 2007 3:01 pm

Yeah, the 765 should work. I believe someone else on the forum has a 765 in a T40.

I think socket 478 is the older name for what later became socket 479. It's rather confusing, but because there already existed a Pentium 4 socket called "Socket 478" and the Pentium M's socket was also "socket 478" having 478-pins, they eventually renamed it socket 479 to differentiate between the two because the P4 and P-M sockets were incompatible.

At least, that's what I read on Google!

agarza · #10 Post by **agarza** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:20 pm

Harryc wrote:Would an upgrade from a 1.7 Banias to a 1.8 Dothan be worth it? The 2.0Ghz and above Dothans are very expensive.

I would say getting a 2.0GHz and above Dothan is not a wise choice if the price is high. A 1.8GHz (745) is the best bang for the buck. I can't certainly tell if a Dothan is better than a Banias, the only thing I know is the Dothan generate less heat than the Banias

#11 Post by **Harryc** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:18 am

xtr wrote:
Harryc wrote:Would an upgrade from a 1.7 Banias to a 1.8 Dothan be worth it? The 2.0Ghz and above Dothans are very expensive.
I would say getting a 2.0GHz and above Dothan is not a wise choice if the price is high. A 1.8GHz (745) is the best bang for the buck. I can't certainly tell if a Dothan is better than a Banias, the only thing I know is the Dothan generate less heat than the Banias

Thanks for the reply.

Upgrading processors in my T41?

Upgrading processors in my T41?

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