T61P; CPU suggestions... heat? noise?

[CanadianNorth]

hey,

I am bouncing between an x61s and a T61P (14").

the T61's come with a range of processors, up to 2.4 for not too much $$.

I like the idea of some processing power, but I don't want to have to shout at people over the noise of my laptop. I would rather not be able to fry an egg on the thing either.

Can anyone tell me how much heat the T61P's put out, and if going from, say, a 2.0 to a 2.2 or 2.4 would change that much?


thanks.

[Greg Gebhardt]

Are you trying to make us laugh? "SHOUT" over the sound of your laptop!

"FRY AN EGG" with the heat!

You must live in a perfect world!

Laptops do get warm. All electronic devices do when using power!

How about ear plugs!

[CanadianNorth]

I was kidding about the noise and eggs - - -

but seriously, would putting a 2.4 processor in, instead of a 2.0 for example, increase heat/noise noticeably?

[icantux]

Let's divide this up to deal with the issues accordingly.

Heat:

Depends on the form factor of the machine and ventilation provided, yes/no you would (not) notice a difference.

Look, on a T61(p), you wouldn't notice a difference in heat output because the unit is physically larger than the X61(s) and thus has more room for a larger fan assembly which means less heat output through the box itself and more through the appropriate ventilation shafts. Either way, the laptop's not going to burn through your lap if that's what you're getting at. You may experience more warmth on an X61(s) simply because the thing is so much smaller (thinner) with a smaller vent and fan assembly.

The processor will give off heat - regardless of what you have in the box - a 2.0 or a 2.4... Issue is that the 2.4 will invariably produce more heat because the transistors are more numerous but confined in the same space as a "slower" processor. Of course, CPU speed will help in speeding up the functioning of the system, particularly when using CPU intensive applications (say, if you're compiling data or programs, certain games, whatnot), but it will run warmer at higher clock speeds. The temperatures drop significantly when the processor is idling.

Regarding the type of processors, the regular voltage 65nm CPUs (T7xxx series - only ones available for the X61) use more power and run warmer than the newer 45nm CPUs (T8xxx and T9xxx series which are now available on the T61-series thinkpads). They offer a slight speed increase (not readily apparent) but they do run cooler than the regular (T7xxx series) counterparts.


Noise:

With regards to noise, first of all, a processor is not a moving part - so it won't start clucking around on you like some chicken... Some people mention that the Core2Duo CPUs "whine" (make some high-pitched sound) when in idle - I've never experienced it yet I do have a sensitive ear for these things, others say that the newer "Penryn" (T8xxx & T9xxx) processors don't... Point is, the CPU isn't a noise-maker on a laptop - the fan is the bigger culprit. The more heat there is in a box, the more the fan will work to blow the hot air out and the greater the chances are that you'll be hearing hot air being blown out (note that I'm not saying the fan will be louder! ).


Decision time:

Only you can make a decision with regards to the computer purchase. I swayed between the T61 and the X61 for a while as well until I saw how tiny the X61 really is compared to a regular laptop (... and by that, I certainly don't mean "w i d e s c r e e n" ). I realized that down the line, the resolution and screen size of the X61(s) would prove rather restrictive for my purposes, so I opted for a T61 with the newer generation processors (T9300 @ 2.5GHz at the same prices as the T7700 @ 2.4GHz). Sure it's slightly heavier, but I can live with a 5 pounder - heck it's not like I need to lug around a server station or anything, and it's probably just as fast.

I dunno if I'm answering your question with this, but I hope it helps.

[CanadianNorth]

thanks,

that does help. When I said noise, I meant the fan (loud vs. quiet, running all the time, etc).
I had a Toshiba once that sounded like a fighter jet before take-off!

I am torn between a x61s and a T61. I like the idea of small and portable, but in the end I really don't mind carrying around 5 lb'ers.

the x61s is pretty, but the screen size does turn me off a little, as you mentioned.

[Doggy]

CanadianNorth: Just take your laptop outside, and it'll cool/quiet down quickly.

You still brought up a good point: The T61 was designed before the latest Intel T7xxx CPUs were available.

Could heat dissipation be a valid reason to opt for a Penryn chip?

[Miller88]

Are the core 2 duos loud? My dell has a core 2 and it doesn't whine (the CPU) yet other people have the same problem.

[icantux]

Hmm.. whine or no whine

Found this explanation very plausible as the possible cause of the "whine" that some users report.

[ippirate]

As you can tell by my signature, I have a T61 with a T7xxx chip. I have to say, my laptop is very quite, and even at peak performances (I've tried fooling around with Civilization 4 installed on this rig), the fan noise is a lot better than older laptops that I've used. This could be due to the fact that I have a 15 inch model and the bigger enclosure does not concentrate the heat in one small specific area. My graphics chip is cooled very efficiently out of the box and it only heats up if I am running something that requires its power. I remember my mom had an older small and light VAIO and after an hour or 2 of use, I had to shut it down for a bit. This laptop does not have that issue at all, and I would expect that if you get the Penryn chips (t9xxx) they will be better.

I would suggest you go to for the 15 inch model like I have. A smaller laptop does not mean it is cooler.

[Tony Chan]

Is there somewhere on the web that actually documented or proved "Penryn" (T8xxx & T9xxx) cpu runs cooler than a comparable T7xxxx? If it does it could mean better battery time too??

[ippirate]

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/in ... i=3195&p=2

Anandtech always have some pretty in-depth hardware reviews.

i don't think the article has anything on actual temperature measurements but from the looks of the lower voltage/wattage and slightly longer battery life, i would say that it will run cooler but not noticably. And this goes for all the performance boosts that comes with Penryn.

I looked at the lenovo site as well, the upgrade to T9300 (i think it is.. it's the lower T9 series), is your best bang for the buck as of right now. It's only 75 dollars more expensive than my T7500 and if I bought my laptop today I would spend the money. It's not that much really, you can save it by not going to see that horrible Jumper movie that you would've otherwise saw (75 dollars considering you are paying for tickets for your family/friends and ur grabbing something expensive like a 5 dollar popcorn and a 5 dollar drink for every 2 ppl)

[Aroc]

If you're worried about warmth from the computer, don't get discrete video RAM. Get something with Intel integrated (like the X3100). also consider the Intel 4965AGN wireless card. Stepstep can throttle the CPU down in speed (and heat output as a result). But those GPUs can still toast your lap.

[metro_88]

I'd like to add that I've used lots of laptops in the 2.0 - 2.4 GHz range, but none of them has been and cool and quiet as my new 2.5 GHz (T9300) T61. It's unbelievable - I haven't yet heard the fan, at all, and it's only warm to the touch on the bottom.

[Tony Chan]

metro_88, can you post some temperature measurement plz.

[metro_88]

I can tonight if someone can recommend appropriate software for heat monitoring.

[stkris]

I think perhaps Lenovo sells different models in my country. Which graphics card does your T61p have, Metro_88?

[metro_88]

I'm in the U.S., stkris, and I've got the Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics. I just needed a business laptop and didn't have much need for anything 3D.

[aiiee]

T61p here, T9300, Quadro 256MB discrete video. Never hear the fan, and the bottom only gets warm when playing CoD4 or Bioshock.

[CanadianNorth]

I can tonight if someone can recommend appropriate software for heat monitoring.

try this:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/CPU- ... CooL.shtml

[CanadianNorth]

T61p here, T9300, Quadro 256MB discrete video. Never hear the fan, and the bottom only gets warm when playing CoD4 or Bioshock.

I'm thinking I'll go for the T61P 14", with the discrete video (570N, 128mb)... I know it will add heat and the tighter 14" frame will likely be less effective at cooling. I was primarily concerned with EXCESSIVE fan noise, and I guess some heat has to be expected, but from what I'm reading it shouldn't be too much of a problem
Portability is paramount, and as I was originally choosing between a X61s and a 14" T61/T61P, I can't see myself happy with a 15", even though I would love the better video performance.



off topic, can someone tell me if the 14" T61P comes with a SD reader?

[metro_88]

CanadianNorth,

CPUCool doesn't appear to be working. It shows Temp Sens 0 at 52.0 C and Temp Sens 1 at 47.0 C. The problem is that I've had the computer on for 20 minutes and that value hasn't changed at all. Maybe there's some configuring that needs to be done to CPUCool, I don't know. I'd be happy to help out more if anyone can recommend another piece of software or something that can be fixed in CPUCool.

[icantux]

off topic, can someone tell me if the 14" T61P comes with a SD reader?

There are two options when configuring the system:

1) choose the PC/SD combo (~$45), or
2) choose the PC/ExpressCard combo and then purchase a PC card (15 in 1) of your choice separately for ~$30CAD from any online retailer .

Depends on what your needs are. If you find that you'll require the ExpressCard slot at some point, I'd suggest against opting for the PC/SD combo, as the PC slot only supports Cardbus type 2

[CanadianNorth]

CanadianNorth,

CPUCool doesn't appear to be working. It shows Temp Sens 0 at 52.0 C and Temp Sens 1 at 47.0 C. The problem is that I've had the computer on for 20 minutes and that value hasn't changed at all. Maybe there's some configuring that needs to be done to CPUCool, I don't know. I'd be happy to help out more if anyone can recommend another piece of software or something that can be fixed in CPUCool.

Sorry to hear that... you could try this one:

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

it works with a T30 I've been using.

[CanadianNorth]

off topic, can someone tell me if the 14" T61P comes with a SD reader?

There are two options when configuring the system:

1) choose the PC/SD combo (~$45), or
2) choose the PC/ExpressCard combo and then purchase a PC card (15 in 1) of your choice separately for ~$30CAD from any online retailer .

Depends on what your needs are. If you find that you'll require the ExpressCard slot at some point, I'd suggest against opting for the PC/SD combo, as the PC slot only supports Cardbus type 2

When I go to configure the laptop it give me the option of PC/Expresscard or PC/Smartcard on the T61P.....

guess I'll just have to get an adapter.