T60p max RAM & other silly questions

[Bookworm]

My T60p has 2 Gig. Is that the limit, or can I go up to 4? Is the hard drive 7 or 9.5mm? Will it work with a 1600X900 second monitor? (Not that I'd want one, but I saw one at a yard sale that might have been cheap)

There's a weird connector on the back of the dock. It's shaped like a D connector, about the size of a joystick port, with 24 holes lined up instead of ofset like a normal D. What's it for?

[Harryc]

4GB is the limit, but due to a chipset limitation in the T60 series the OS (32bit or 64bit) will only see and use 3GB. No problem driving a 1600x900 LCD.....I do exactly that. The HD size is 9.5mm. I believe you are talking about the DVI port. It's the only thing close to your description. It's for connecting LCDs with a DVI interface.

[BootSectorVirus]

Is the hard drive 7 or 9.5mm?

Most are 9.5mm, just pulled the stock one from my T60-1952AP2, it was 9.5

[Bookworm]

Thanks Harry! Is DVI the same as high definition TV? I know I've seen that connector somewhere before, and I think it was on a big flat screen tv.

Is the T60p CPU upgradable?

[Neil]

Most TVs have HDMI connectors. DVI is/was the standard for digital monitors. There are DVI to HDMI adapters that will allow a computer to connect with a HDTV, but you can only have audio on the same cable with true HDMI.

[billp117]

I have heard of successful upgrading of the T60p CPU...I believe Brad has done it. There may be a concern for heat issues but I believe a T7600 is compatible and the fastest cpu available for your T60p. Others can confirm that fact.

But in my opinion...it is not worth the effort, time and money since your performance increase will not be that drastic. Maybe an SSD might be a better investment. Besides...you are still stuck at 3GB of usable memory due to the chip set.

The T60p is a great unit...hardly worth messing with perfection.

[BootSectorVirus]

I have heard of successful upgrading of the T60p CPU...I believe Brad has done it. There may be a concern for heat issues but I believe a T7600 is compatible and the fastest cpu available for your T60p. Others can confirm that fact.

But in my opinion...it is not worth the effort, time and money since your performance increase will not be that drastic. Maybe an SSD might be a better investment. Besides...you are still stuck at 3GB of usable memory due to the chip set.

The T60p is a great unit...hardly worth messing with perfection.

I have the early model with the slowest processor offered.

I have heard the increase is worth it when going from the first gen Core duo (t2300, 2400,2500, 2600) to the second gen Core 2 Duo, Also understand the first gen ran hotter than the second.

The 7300 and 7400 have double the cache also, not that I will spend for one of these.

Can anyone confirm?

[Bookworm]

Mine has a 2.16Ghz Centrino Duo. What is a Centrino? What is a T7600? I'm only familiar with intel's Pentiums.

Is the Centrino 64 bit? if so, would I be better off with a 64 bit version of Windows 7? I'm using the 32 bit version now, and I've never used anything so fast.

[mariol90]

Mine has a 2.16Ghz Centrino Duo. What is a Centrino? What is a T7600? I'm only familiar with intel's Pentiums.

Is the Centrino 64 bit? if so, would I be better off with a 64 bit version of Windows 7? I'm using the 32 bit version now, and I've never used anything so fast.

centrino was a platform at the time, where you had an intel processor, wireless card, and chipset. it sounds like yours has a core 2 duo T7400 (2.16 GHz). system properties or any hardware info program will tell you the actual name of the processor.

all core 2 duo processors are 64-bit (the previous core duo processors are not).

[BootSectorVirus]

Nice Intel Processor page here

http://ark.intel.com/

[Bookworm]

Thanks for the link, BootSectorVirus! I should be able to find all the CPU information I need threre, even for older stuff.

Is the t60p CPU socketed? If so, Which socket does it use?

Exactly what kind of RAM do I need?

[dr_st]

Yes it is socketed, Socket M.

It uses DDR2 ram, at 667MHz maximum speed. You can install 800MHz DDR2, but it will only work at 667MHz.

[BootSectorVirus]

It uses DDR2 ram, at 667MHz maximum speed. You can install 800MHz DDR2, but it will only work at 667MHz.

aka, PC2-5300 sodimm

[Bookworm]

How many monitors does the T60p support? If I connect one to the DVI port and one to the VGA port, will they both display the same thing?

There's an RCA jack on the right side of my dock labeled S/PDIF. What does it do?

My dock is a "Type 2504" (FRU 42W4630). Not that I need them, but are there other docks available with more features?

My CPU is a T2600; From what I've read, a T7600 sounds like a noticeable improvement. Are there faster Socket M CPU's?

[billp117]

Two!

[Bookworm]

Thanks for the nice clear answer, billp117. I guess I'll have to assume that's two monitors. Or two other docks. Or two faster CPU's.

What's the highest resolution possible on the second monitor, in 32-bit color? Mine has the 1400X1050 LCD. What if I go down to 24 bit? (I don't notice much diference.)

[billp117]

Two monitors...of course.

You have a lot of flexibility with monitors. It is nice to find a monitor that matches the same top resolution and format of your T60 screen. It probably will reflect on your budget as to how many monitors you buy and the desk space. A lot of people like to find one monitor that matches the T60 max resolution and use the T60 screen plus the external monitor - side by side. It makes a nice setup. However if you use your dock, a combo keyboard and mouse, plus two external monitors you now have a desktop computer. I personally use two wide screen 21" Acer's with no problems...got them on sale at Fry's for $99 each.

Good luck...

[Bookworm]

> However if you use your dock, a combo keyboard and mouse, plus two external monitors

If I do that, What's the maximum resolution on each monitor? What's the maximum resolution if I use the built in screen and an external monitor?

[dr_st]

The maximum resolution on each monitor (including the LCD) is the maximum resolution of the monitor.

T60 docks are equipped with Dual-Link DVI that will transfer even 2560x1600. The maximum resolution for VGA may be lower (usually 2048x1536 will be supported), but hardly anyone will want to use such high resolutions on the analog and interference-prone VGA connection.