T61 Performance/CPU Options

[rscosworth]

Guys,

Ive recently received my T61, 7665-B68

Originally shipped with a T7100 CPU (1.8x2 (800) (2mb)) and 2GB RAM (2x1)

I have replaced the CPU with a T7700 CPU (2.4x2 (800) (4mb)), added 1GB Turbo Memory and kept the shipped ram.

The problem is i dont find the machine as nippy as i thought i would, cant really feel much difference between the T7100 and T7700.

I have used the Lenovo Vista Business build and also made a custom Vista Ultimate build with all the recent drivers inc Turbo Memory from the instructions on notebook forums

I use the Laptop for web browsing, downloading, music, movies, office. I never play games.

Would i be better returning the machine to factory spec and selling off the CPU and Turbo Memory and pocketing the cash? Or sticking with it?

Opinions please. Ta.

[erik]

I use the Laptop for web browsing, downloading, music, movies, office. I never play games.

given your list of uses, you don't need a faster processor.   in fact, most people don't need fast processors for what they do.

i would have skipped the turbo memory and added another 1GB system memory instead for 3GB total.   vista loves having more memory.

if you want to make your system faster then get a 7200RPM hard drive -- namely a hitachi 7K200 in any size.   the 80GB 5400RPM drive currently in your thinkpad is slowing you down more than processor or memory.

[rscosworth]

sorry, 100GB Seagate 7200.....installed

is there any way to test this drives performance, as it had a couple of bad sectors that i repaired, could this be the cause?

[ryengineer]

snip......The problem is i dont find the machine as nippy as i thought i would, cant really feel much difference between the T7100 and T7700.....snip....I use the Laptop for web browsing, downloading, music, movies, office. I never play games......snip

Unfortunately you would feel little to no difference while merely using the machine for above activities.

[rscosworth]

would 3gb, be better than 2gb? i mean just now am i not taking advantage of DDR?

[erik]

sorry, 100GB Seagate 7200.....installed

is there any way to test this drives performance, as it had a couple of bad sectors that i repaired, could this be the cause?

HDTune will test performance.   i'm sure its speed is just fine.

would 3gb, be better than 2gb? i mean just now am i not taking advantage of DDR?

for your use 3GB may not make a noticeable difference.   i only mentioned it because in my opinion more system memory would have been a better investment than intel turbo memory.   turbo memory has yet to impress me in terms of performance.

your problem is not the system itself but its intended use.   you simply aren't using it to its fullest potential.   it's much like buying a 280KM/H-capable supercar and driving it along 50KM/H roads just to go grocery shopping.

since you've already purchased the aforementioned upgrades, only you can decide whether to keep or resell them.

[Proteus]

Upgrade to the latest 1013 turbomem drivers, and Vista SP1 RC. Your system will feel *much* "snappier"..even in standard desktop use.

[burhan]

I'm surprised that you swapped out the processors ... I didn't even think that was possible.

Just to chime in with what others have said, with your usage the biggest boost would have been with a faster disk and more RAM. I am willing to guess your old processor wasn't even breaking a sweat.

However, since you have all this spare horsepower -- why not sign up for SETI or similar programs and donate some cycles to help find ET

[rscosworth]

cpu and turbocache now swapped back and sold and i notice no difference....

changing cpu is easy,

palmwrest 4 screws
keyboard 4 screws
keyboard bezel 5 screws
heatsink 8 screws

easy as pie

100gb 7200 will stay
2 x 1gb will maybe be swapped out by 1 x2gb, 1 x1gb as i can use the spare 1gb in my mac mini

cheers

[eyecon82]

cpu and turbocache now swapped back and sold and i notice no difference....

changing cpu is easy,

palmwrest 4 screws
keyboard 4 screws
keyboard bezel 5 screws
heatsink 8 screws

easy as pie

100gb 7200 will stay
2 x 1gb will maybe be swapped out by 1 x2gb, 1 x1gb as i can use the spare 1gb in my mac mini

cheers

how long did it take for you to switch out your CPU? i was very interested in doing this at one point, but the thought of taking my computer apart freaked me out

Also, you did make sure you used thermal grease when putting heatstink back on, right?

I also thought you had to unintall your WLAN (or some abbreviation I can't think of right now) as well to remove the heatsink?

I have a t7300 and was thinking of upgrading to t7700 as well since they are so cheap through newegg

Thank you!