A few questions I have before buying a T61p

Hey guys, I’m about to purchase a T61p and I have a few quick questions before I take the plunge

1. I noticed that the T61p only has a VGA out port. Will buying a VGA to DVI adapter limit me to certain resolutions? I have a 22 inch 1680x1050 monitor; will this resolution be achievable via a VGA to DVI adapter? Also, I do a bit of gaming, will the VGA to DVI adapter impede game performance on my monitor?

2. Anyone here have any experience with the Zalman NC-1000 and their Thinkpads? I was considering buying the cooler for when I have my laptop hooked up to my monitor. I’ve read good things about it on these forums, but I was wondering if any Thinkpad owners could attest to its quality/performance.

3. I’m upgrading my laptop to 4 gigs of RAM when I get it. I’ll be using Vista (32 bit), so I know I won’t be able to use all 4 gigs. My question is; will the RAM still run in dual channel even though the OS will only address ~ 3 gigs?

4. Also, to anyone with 4 gigs on their T61p’s, exactly how much RAM does Windows detect? I know the amount can vary from 3-3.5 gigs depending on hardware configuration, I was just curious what the number is for the T61p.

5. Finally, can anyone recommend a good case/sleeve for the T61p?

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate your input!

 

1. Even VGA can output 1680x1050 just fine. With a converter, there will be no affect on performance.
2. No comment. But generally, I don't think the T61p needs a cooler.
3. Yes.
4. Around 3.2-ish gb
5. Don't know.

 

Thanks for the reply,
but for #2, I will be doing some gaming, and even if it doesn't need a cooler, I'd like to have one anyway. I know the Zalman blows air up onto the bottom of the notebook that rests on it, is this alright for the T61p? I know it doesn't work well with some notebooks out there.


Also, for #4, I wanted an exact number, from whoever has a T61p with 4 GB of RAM

 

I don't see why you need a cooler. I have a T61p, and I game a LOT (I'm in the middle of Bioshock and Crysis right now). It never gets too hot to touch.

 

a bunch of folks, including me, posted their sleeve recommendations in this thread.

 

I'm getting 3GB's stated w/ 4GB installed...supposedly someone said 4GB is stated w/ SP1...I guess we'll see when we see it.

1) If you get a dock you can use DVI
2) Never used it
3) Yes on Dual Channel w/ 4GB even 3GB stated
4) On x61 it is 3GB on Vista32bit
5) sfbags.com for custom sleeves

 

what are your specs. I play crysis on my brothers laptop and it get rather hot without a cooler

 

T7300 2.0 GHz
2x1GB RAM
7K100 HDD
WUXGA screen

 

Thanks guys

I guess no one here has a Zalman nc 1000 cooler and a T61?
All I need to know is how the T61p exhausts its hot air
The Zalman blows hot air up on to the bottom of the laptop that rests on top of it, so if the T61p exhausts any air downward it would be a problem..

 

My T61 only pushes air from the top left vents out to the left and up. It's very hot air too. Other than that, everything is as cool as room temperature.

 

So no exhaust air at all is vented downwards (through the bottom of the t61)?

 

I doubt the Zalman NC cooler will do much more than a passive cooling pad. If the intakes on the T61p were at the bottom then it would but as such the main intakes and exhaust are on the sides. There a few tiny holes at the bottom for ventilation and drainage but those wont be enough for the fan on the zalman to do much.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2716865&highlight=ixoft#post2716865
Even tho it mentioned 4C max, in real world usage its more like 2C.

 

Here's someone who tested the Zalman with a M1530:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=208650
I'm not sure how the M1530's cooling system is but it has vents at the side and bottom.

 

thanks for the reply morphy, great info, just what I needed!

 

That is correct.

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate your responses.