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Is it possible to make an older IBM ThinkPad T41p laptop a little bit faster? Yes, it is if you upgrade the CPU as it explained in this tutorial.
I learned that with a simple BIOS flash, the original 1.7 ghz pentium M “Banias” CPU (130nm process, 1mb L2 cache) that came standard with the T41p can be upgraded to a 2.0 GHz Pentium M 755 “Dothan” CPU (90nm process, 2mb L2 cache) which was available in the later T42 models.
For this upgrade you’ll need:
1. IBM ThinkPad T41p hardware and maintenance guide. The maintenance guide will help you to remove the keyboard and palm rest and get down to the CPU socket.
2. Small Philips screwdriver.
3. Thermal compound. Before you mount the heatsink back on the CPU, you must apply new thermal compound on the top of the CPU. You may consider Arctic Silver thermal compound. This stuff will keep your CPU cool and stable.
4. A can of compressed air. That’s would be a great idea to blow off dust from the cooling modules while you are replacing the CPU. Removing dust from the heat sink will help to prevent laptop overheating.
Before I go any further, you should know that this upgrade is not for the novice or fumble-fingered. There are any number of ways you can completely destroy your computer during an upgrade of this type. From losing tiny screws to shorting out the motherboard with static electricity or dropping ascrewdriver into the open computer, this is not a project for someone who is not already fairly competent wielding a screwdriver and performing computer upgrades.
Static electricity can kill your laptop. I recommend wearing an anti-static wrist strap while working with internal parts of your laptop.
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January 19th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Does it also work for my IBM ThinkPad T41? Thx in advance…
Rubz
January 20th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Rubz,
According to this overview page for ThinkPad T41 and T41p, both models are very similar.
I’m not sure what the difference between these two models. Maybe the screen size?
Otherwise, specifications for both models are the same.
I assume this upgrade will work on a T41 laptop too.
March 29th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
This is exactly what I’m looking for.
Are all T41 mobo will accept Dothan ?
You;ve said that it will need BIOS upgrade– I assume BIOS upgrade must done before replacing the processor, is it ?
April 11th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
How do I flash the BIOS? Also, looking to upgrade to the largest possible hard drive (still workin off my stock 60 gb!)
Thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated
April 12th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
James,
Go the the manufacturers website and find the latest BIOS update. Most likely you’ll find the BIOS update instructions in there too.
What is the model of your laptop? If it works with a 60GB drive, most likely it will work with a 120GB drive too.
April 14th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Thanks so much for replying!
I have a T41p…Was looking to put in a 500gb, but will something prevent me from doing so? Perhaps a 500 gb portable drive would be a better idea?
Thanks again!
April 19th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
James,
I’m not sure if your laptop can handle such a large drive. Also, I believe you have an IDE drive inside your laptop and I really doubt that you can find a 500GB laptop drive with IDE connector.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:00 am
You can only replace your internal with an ATA6 drive (IDE). Newegg has a 320 gig’r for $90 (old tech here). Honestly folks, even moving to a M755 (should you be able to find one) will net you a relatively small jump in performance as this processor is at least 5 year old technology. I agree with the OP’s original point in that this would be a fairly difficult hassle. Much easier just to ebay the t41 now and get $100 and apply it to a newer model for sub $500 will get you a huge leap in performance.
Sorry to be a killjoy
On the other hand if your nerd juices are really flowing, rip that bad boy a new one!
August 12th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Hi there,
I just received an M735 that I bought on eBay ($18 shipped!) and installed it in my T41 (2373-7FU) – with no luck! Computer powered on, but screen stayed blank. No beeps, nothing. Holding down the power key for just a second or so turned it back off. I put my old CPU back in and everything worked fine again.
Is it safe to assume the M735 I got (SL7EP) is a dud?
I bought this T41 on eBay a while ago because I love the old ThinkPads and have since added a bigger battery, maxed out the RAM and replaced the WiFi with 802.11g (it had b), and am looking forward to swapping out the drive for an SSD soon when prices come down a little more. I KNOW I could have a faster, newer computer for the money I’ve spent so far (~$350), but pimping my T41 is fun!
August 12th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Tim,
I assume the new CPU was installed correctly and you locked the socket before turning it on, correct?
Yes, it does sound like you got a bad one.
August 12th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Hi Laptop Tech,
I was careful to take both of those steps, and again, just to be sure, I ran through the whole exercise twice.
The eBay seller has agreed to send me another CPU, hopefully this one will work out!
Thanks for the reply.