upgrading processors.

[bass1175]

I know this topic has been discused so please forgive if this specific question was answered. I currently own a t43 with a 1.73 processor. I just purchased another t43 this one to be exact

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-T43-LA ... dZViewItem

and would like to trade processors. My t43 has the radeon x300
and this one has the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900.
also mine has a/b/g wireless card while this one is only b/g.

So there are lots of differences that's making me wanting to upgrade my own rather then keeping the new which im giving away as a gift.

Questions are, do I need to upgrade the bios when I install the new processor? Any firmware updates required.

Is there any links that have images of this procedure I couldn't find any. Any special advice you can provide doing this exchange.

Is my x300 superior to the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900, which would you guys say is better and why?

Thanks for your help and this great forum.

[Harryc]

Make sure you are running the latest BIOS before swapping them. The latest BIOS may require the latest firmware. As far as the GPU, if you don't do any gaming, keep the Intel. It provides battery life and is not subject to known GPU problems on the T4X series. With that said, I have not seen many reported X300 failures on T43's. When you swap CPUs, use the T43 maintenance manual as a guide. Get yourself a tube of Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound at Radio Shack as well.

[bass1175]

Thanks for the reply, whats this arctic silver do and where do you paste it exactly. Nor being cheap here but what happens if I dont use it, is this something IBM uses?

[Johan]

Thanks for the reply, whats this arctic silver do and where do you paste it exactly. Nor being cheap here but what happens if I don't use it, is this something IBM uses?

Arctic Silver is a thermal compound that is absolutely necessary to obtain a good thermal contact between your CPU and GPU and the heatsink/fan assembly. IBM uses a thermal compound of some kind, and whether it is Arctic Silver 5 or a different type is not relevant - what matters is that it is there! If you don't use it, you have a very high probability to burn (kill!) your CPU and/or GPU under heavy load (no kidding).

Kindly see the following threads: T43 fan noise... really that bad? and thinkpad and silver 5...........(56K be aware) and Thermal grease: How much to apply, and how ? and find the appropriate "Hardware Maintenance Manual" for your specific T43 at T43 User's guides and manuals. You may also use the (very useful!) Search function on this forum to find more information about e.g. "Arctic Silver" (hint: Remember to check "Search for all terms").

Johan

[bass1175]

I really appreciate it, going out later to get this stuff and thank you again for the guidance.

[Johan]

I really appreciate it, going out later to get this stuff and thank you again for the guidance.

You're certainly most welcome!

Just another hint: In some of the above threads the thermal compound Liquid Cool Labolatory Pro is mentioned (as an alternative to the more commonly used "Arctic Silver 5"), but according to user reports (also on this forum; see some of the above-mentioned threads) the "Liquid Cool Labolatory Proh as a chemical composition which is said to cause corrosion to surfaces containing silver... which is of course very undesirable! I suggest you Google a bit (or search this forum) for user experience about the use of "Liquid Cool Labolatory Pro" in Thinkpad T43's... you probably won't want your GPU or CPU to corrode!

PS: "Liquid Cool Laboratory Pro" is also said NOT being suitable for use with aluminum surfaces, according to this site... There are a variety of thermal greases like the Arctic Silver 5 - see e.g some (and their user feedback) at the Newegg site.

Johan

[bass1175]

Thanks again Johan, I just did a dry run on this whole process in changing out the processor. Its too easy, too simple no one should be discouraged, as I was before. Here are simple 4 steps to change out the processor, yup thats all it took me. Hope this saves someone from scanning thru the 250 page pdf file:)


1- Unscrew the screws associated with the touch pad and keyboard.

2- Disconnect each of these items ribbons carefully.

3- Unscrew the 3 screws that secure the fan and wiggle it out gently, also remove the one screw located on that bezel right above the fan, will give more room.

4- Once the fan is out, unscrew the plastic insert sitting right next to the processor using a thin flat screwdriver. Processor will fall right out. You will see this plastic screw once you remove the fan.


Now ill just wait till the new t43 comes in and do this swap. I just realized the auction has a picture of a t43 with a fingerprint reader but is not what Im getting. will I miss much?

[SteveS]

HarryC wrote:

As far as the GPU, if you don't do any gaming, keep the Intel. It provides battery life and is not subject to known GPU problems on the T4X series.

Different users have different needs, so I will give my opinion. I am not a fan at all of the Intel graphics chip in the T43. I bought a used one once, not knowing its limitations. The Intel chip does not support DVI (available on a dock or port replicator), so you are stuck with analog interface if you use a LCD display with one of these. Also, it does not support SXGA+ resolution displays, so don't try an upgrade if you have the a T43 with an Intel integrated adapter. (denoted by the 18xx Type)