Chipset+ upgrade ?

[odin]

Is it possible to replace the current Intel® 855PM Chipset with Mobile Intel® 915(PM or other) Express Chipset? (Together with proc and ram, of course.)

Have anybody tried?

Due to the specifics of my situation and number-crunching requirements for my T41p, I want to see if I can do this - rather than buy a new TP in 1-2 yrs - unless it requires factory-standard soldering / unavailable drivers, etc.

[none]

Heh, I've seen people wanting to upgrade ther video cards, but you're the first I've seen ask about a chipset.. I think doing what you want to do would be one of the most impossible tasks imaginable with a laptop.

[K. Eng]

It would be impossible to switch out the 855 chipset for the 915 chipset. First, the chipset is fused into the system board and would be next to impossible to remove. Second, the 915 chipset uses PCIe based busses, while the 855 uses standard PCI and AGP. The interconnects between the MCH and ICH chips on the system board are thus probably incompatible.

Theoretically, you could replace the entire system board, since the T40/1/2 and T43 chasis are largely the same, but I don't know if there would be any issues with the PC Card slot connector, since the T43 has a PCIe Express Card slot in the top.

In 1 or 2 years it won't be worth the trouble. You might as well buy a new machine.