Thinkpad T42's and T43's

A couple questions:

1) Is the T43 known to produce significantly more heat than the T42? I've read about the T43 having southbridge issues, something about it purposely being designed to run at full speed all the time for better performance. I've read a number of threads from people claiming the machine runs at 55-60C idle.

2) As far as power adapters go for these older models, I've seen a 16V 4.5A and a 16V 3.5A. I know the 4.5A will work with both, but how about the 3.5A? Is it compatible with the T42/T43, and if not, what's it for?

Thanks.

 

It's really not all that simple, but here are some basic rules:

a) 15" units generally run cooler than their 14" counterparts.

b) Intel-based T43 machines run cooler than their ATi-equipped siblings.

c) If you want a *really* cool machine, a 15" T42 with PM 735 and ATi 9600 is your dream machine.

d) "p" variety runs quite warm all over the range

e) SouthBridge issue plagues *all* of the T4x/R5x generation. The only reason why it gets mentioned more in respect to T43/p models is the fact that these machines - unlike their older T4x siblings - do NOT commonly suffer from BGA failure of the graphics card, and that SB is their only known weak spot.

f) All of these systems should use a 72W adapter, not the 56W one. The latter was designed for older (600x/T2x/X2x/X3x/X4x) ThinkPads and/or ones with less powerful graphics than the T4x/R5x series.


Undervolting the CPU and running TPFC helps optimize the thermal performance of these charming, but aged beauties.

Typed on a maxed-out-SATA-modded-T43p...

 

Thanks much for the reply. Yes, I have a 14" model with the ATI. I took it apart recently, removed the heatsink, and regreased it. It brought the temperature down a few degrees. I think what helped most was scraping off the thermal pad that was used for the ATI and then using thermal paste instead. It still runs quite warm, though, but it's better.

 

Do you have a T43 or T42?

If you have a T43, there are three things that you can do:

1) Replace the current fan with the M10 "long" fan from T42p, FRU is 13R2657

2) Install ThinkPad Fan Control

3) Install NoteBook Hardware Control and undervolt your CPU.

Good luck.

 

Yeah, T43. But if the southbridge is dead, like I'm assuming from my other thread on the hard drive, then I won't be investing more in this laptop. Such a shame.