Upgrading Video in T30

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sassy1-4u · #1 Post by **sassy1-4u** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:03 pm

I want to upgrade my video in my T30. I know that it is on the motherboard but what kind do I need to replace the one I have and is there instructions on how to do it?

2366 81U

thanks

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 6:32 pm

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Video system in the T30 (and most all other Thinkpads I'm familiar with) is firmly soldered down onto the motherboard. It appears that all T30s came with the ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 graphics chip with 16MB of memory. You can't (easily) swap out the chip, nor expand the memory. I suppose that if you have access to sophisticated surface mount re-working systems and the knowledge to use them AND you can determine if there is a pin-to-pin compatible graphics processor than replaces the Radeon 7500, then maybe it can be done. But it won't be as simple as a desktop computer where you can pull out the PCI or AGP graphics card and replace it with something newer.

sassy1-4u · #3 Post by **sassy1-4u** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:03 pm

Can I replace the Motherboard with one that has a better video graphics card on it? If so what kind

Thanks for the help

#4 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:06 pm

jronald · #5 Post by **jronald** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:14 pm

HarryC I disagree with you on Mother Board replacement
Sure he can replace it......
Its called a new Laptop!
Start at $400 and go to $4000.
How much better video do you want?

Old saying at the hot rod shop
"How fast can you afford to go?"

Ron

sassy1-4u · #6 Post by **sassy1-4u** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:15 pm

I joined this forum to get "nice" advice.. to assist me with my laptop...Sorry that you thought I was not as knowledgable as you wanted. Yes...I am well aware that I can buy a new one. Just wanted to keep the old one if I can. 16 mg Video is low considering.

pianowizard · #7 Post by **pianowizard** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:24 pm

Have you guys considered the feasibility of putting an A31p mobo into the T30? They both use the 845MP chipset, so it's possible they use the exact same mobo but different GPUs, i.e. 16MB vs. 64MB.

sassy1-4u, if your T30's color depth is set to 32-bit, lowering it to 16-bit will improve its graphics performance.

EDIT: Forget it. I just checked the Hardware Maintenance Manuals and determined that these mobos have very different shapes.

ajkula66 · #8 Post by **ajkula66** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:39 pm

sassy1-4u,

Where do you find the GPU capabilities of your T30 lacking? What are you intent on accomplishing? Although you can't upgrade the GPU itself, there are other things that can be done to make your ThinkPad run faster and smoother...

Good luck and let us know.

#9 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:45 pm

George reminded me that I left my manners at the door. Please let us know what you are looking for in the way of laptop performance and maybe we can recommend a solution ...and welcome to the forum.

sassy1-4u · #10 Post by **sassy1-4u** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:22 pm

I just wanted to play a Sims game and although I know that it is not a" per say" gaming computer..it flashes when I attempt to play it because I need at least 18 in the graphics department..If I can't no problem but I could with my Toshiba but it was stolen and I bought this one and like it but wanted to play just that one game!

Kim

#11 Post by **Harryc** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:35 pm

Can you post a link to the specific SIMS game that you're trying to play?

sassy1-4u · #12 Post by **sassy1-4u** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:21 am

I have Sims 2 and all the expansion packages eg:Nightlife,open for business etc.

#13 Post by **Harryc** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:00 pm

It seems that the game requires a better GPU than what's in the T30. If the game is a large part of your computing experience, then I'd recommend a better laptop. Look at the T4X or newer T6X series.

Answer: Maxis has released information on the system requirements for "The Sims 2." If you have a T&L (info about what T&L is below) capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM (such as nvidia GeForce 2 or better or ATI Radeon 7000 or better) then you need at least:

* 800 MHz processor
* 256 MB RAM if Windows XP
* 128 MB RAM if Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows 2000
* At least 3.5 gigs of free hard drive space

If you have a non-T&L capable video card (such as TNT2, Intel, or Rage for example) then you need at least:

* 2.0 GHz processor
* 256 MB RAM if Windows XP
* 128 MB RAM if Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows 2000
* At least 3.5 gigs of free hard drive space

Recommened video cards (and the more video memory the better):

* ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
* Nvidia Geforce 4
* Visit "The Sims 2" official website for a more detailed list.

Peter_Peril · #14 Post by **Peter_Peril** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:40 am

sassy1-4u wrote:I joined this forum to get "nice" advice.. to assist me with my laptop...Sorry that you thought I was not as knowledgable as you wanted. Yes...I am well aware that I can buy a new one. Just wanted to keep the old one if I can. 16 mg Video is low considering.

I had similiar concerns on my system which is an exact match for yours. I resolved it by installing a cheap PCI video card in my dock and running my apps from there. I have had good results with this arrangement and docks are relatively cheap for systems like ours. If you're interested I'll give you the short list of video cards that I chose from. Bottom line don't give up... The T30 is durable system and worthy of attention.

sassy1-4u · #15 Post by **sassy1-4u** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:20 pm

Thank you and yes give me a list of cards that I can use. I have looked and can find a docking station fairly cheap..

Thanks so much for all your help!

There was only 1 persons comments that I thought were a little out of line..but all and all the other ones were very helpful. I like my T30 and sorry but am kinda attached to it so I just want it to "be all it can be"! lol

Peter_Peril · #16 Post by **Peter_Peril** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:26 pm

YGPM!

Upgrading Video in T30

Upgrading Video in T30

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