x61s L7500 overclock by installing dell 1705 wifi card

[axur-delmeria]

Can this DW 1506 network card hack only work on x61/x61s machines? What about the x60/x60s/x60t?

The x60 family has a different base FSB (166MHz) compared to the X61 (200MHz). I'm not even sure if the 945GM chipset has the 266MHz FSB setting; then there's the big question of whether it will be stable at that clock speed.

[Libre_ME]

Thank you for your reply, even though it's over my head! My interpretaion is, don't try it. Too bad, as the DW-1506 does not heat the palmrest nearly as much as my x60 machines that are using the AR5B95 network cards.

[Libre_ME]

I took the DW-1506 network card out this evening. It was causing the laptop to run hot, always.

[iamdmc]

Can this DW 1506 network card hack only work on x61/x61s machines? What about the x60/x60s/x60t? I received a DW 1506 card, yesterday. A few days ago I put the l7500 motherboard back into the x61s, I had x60 Librebooted motherboard in it for years.After removing the heatsink and cleaning the fan, new thermal paste and thermal tape I've used it daily since, in preperation for the 1506. I tried several different sets of ram memory, but finally tried some Kingston 2GB PC2-6400s 666 800MHz sticks and wow, this really does work! Since I haven't used Windows since July 2011 I can't run any benchmarks, but I know that it's running the 2.4GHz or thereabouts. I actually installed Win 7 to a drive recently, no updates, but that is for Ivyprep only, x230.

I've tried this (DW1705) in my X61s L7500 too with 2x4GB Hynix DDR2 800MHz sticks and it works BUT the system locks up because 1 of the 2 RAM modules doesn't like running at 883MHz (lol). Need to try SPD tool to downclock back to something more stable (fingers crossed). The other module seems fine with the OC, but after 10 mins of use the system locks up, so again stability is a problem without downclocking

Did you need to modify your SPD on the Kingston RAM sticks at all?

Do post if you try on the X60... although I think it's one of those quirks of the X61 chipset that won't be easily replicated on another chipset

[iamdmc]

I took the DW-1506 network card out this evening. It was causing the laptop to run hot, always.

enable intel speedstep, which will let the system dynamically manage clockspeed - so you're not always running at 100% CPU

also try undervolting and re-pasting the CPU with Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut or Gelid GC Extreme (pretty much the best TIM)

[Libre_ME]

How do you enable Intel Speedstep?

[Libre_ME]

I found it, in CPU menu. It was enabled already, but mode for scheme for AC was set to "automatic", I changed it to "battery optomized". Same for scheme for battery, I changed from "automatic" to "battery optomized." I'll put the DW-1506 back in and test it.

[Libre_ME]

The display was also set to "high", I put it to "normal." That did the trick. It's very well behaved now! Thanks a lot for letting me know this trick!

[iamdmc]

The display was also set to "high", I put it to "normal." That did the trick. It's very well behaved now! Thanks a lot for letting me know this trick!

no prob that's what I'm here for

enjoy!

[Libre_ME]

I meant toanswer your questions but got sidetracked/forgot to. I didn't modify anything. I just kept switching modules until the x61s would boot and then I'd test.

This evening I put the DW-1506 network card in a Librebooted x200s, 1.6Ghz. It definitely improved it's performance significantly and without the overheating issue, as well. I just ordered 3x more DW-1506 network cards. If I find anything else out I'll post here.

[iamdmc]

I meant toanswer your questions but got sidetracked/forgot to. I didn't modify anything. I just kept switching modules until the x61s would boot and then I'd test.

This evening I put the DW-1506 network card in a Librebooted x200s, 1.6Ghz. It definitely improved it's performance significantly and without the overheating issue, as well. I just ordered 3x more DW-1506 network cards. If I find anything else out I'll post here.

Just curious, why are you opting for the DW1506 instead of the DW1705?

[Libre_ME]

I can't remember why, now. Maybe the link to the 2012 German Thinkpad forum influenced, but I can no longer remember. I've had the DW-1506 work in both x-models that I've tried it in. Am I missing something by not trying the DW-1705?

Also, I'm looking at Kingston 4GB memory modules with pc2 6400s 800Mhz specification. The one that I'm interested in is 1.8v, not 1.5v or 1.35v. My 2x Kingston 2GB memory modules do not have the voltage written on them so I'll have to research to see what voltage they actually are. I do know that after installing the DW-1506 network card that all kinds of memory sticks would no longer let the x61s boot, whereas they did with the AR5B95 network card.

[iamdmc]

I can't remember why, now. Maybe the link to the 2012 German Thinkpad forum influenced, but I can no longer remember. I've had the DW-1506 work in both x-models that I've tried it in. Am I missing something by not trying the DW-1705?

Also, I'm looking at Kingston 4GB memory modules with pc2 6400s 800Mhz specification. The one that I'm interested in is 1.8v, not 1.5v or 1.35v. My 2x Kingston 2GB memory modules do not have the voltage written on them so I'll have to research to see what voltage they actually are. I do know that after installing the DW-1506 network card that all kinds of memory sticks would no longer let the x61s boot, whereas they did with the AR5B95 network card.

I think the reason your RAM didn't work with the DW1506 is that they're forced to run out of spec - hence why modifying the spd (down clocking) is necessary. Unfortunately it seems that most RAM doesn't allow spd modification. Some user reports suggest that the Kingston RAM is the only one that is easy to modify or might not require modifications. I'm on the hunt for some now

And not sure on the differences between the DW1506 and DW1705. I'll look into it. What is the ar5b95 card you mentioned? Does it offer a shortcut to pinmod too?

Edit: it looks like ar9565 is the DW1705 viewtopic.php?t=127571
Atheros AR9565 (aka AW1705) and AR5B125 (aka AW1506)

So what is the ar5b95

[iamdmc]

How did you find unlocked RAM chips?

from a forum member

Any chance this forum member has more? I'd like to pm

[Libre_ME]

The ar5b95 is the recommended card by the Libreboot project. I don't know what's exactly so special about it save for the fact that it runs opensouce firmware. I have 8 Thinkpads and 7 of them were using this card, but boy do they get the wristpad hot! As of yesterday only 3x of these machines are using the ar5b95 network card, now 4x of them are using the DW-1506. The DW-1506 network cards might also be using opensource firmware, as well, because I read that any Atheros network card from some time in 2009 and forward that all have opensource, auditable, firmware.
I put a DW-1506 network card in an x230 yesterday and it really seems to be running much better, faster, than before. I know that there are benchmark tools for Linux nowadays, but I'm not a very technical guy, just an enthusiastic Thinkpad/Linux user, but it would be nice to able to show some numbers/evidence to go with my performance increase claims.

[Libre_ME]

I put DW-1506 network card in x60s, with l7400 cpu, using the 2x Kingston 2GB modules and there does not seem to be any increase in performance in that machine.

[iamdmc]

I put DW-1506 network card in x60s, with l7400 cpu, using the 2x Kingston 2GB modules and there does not seem to be any increase in performance in that machine.

Different chipset so pinmod won't work

[Kingair]

I just got a mint X61 T7300 4GB RAM
HDD is swapped by a 256GB Samsung 860 Evo
Yesterday I did the Middleton BIOS upgrade
Made it definitely snappier
Now I want the upgrade / speedboost using the DW1506
I already ordered a DW1506
But my biggest concern is the memory
What brand / type will get me the processor speed boost ?
I'm looking for 2 x 4 GB sticks but not easy to find and if pretty pricey
Or should I just go with 2 x 2 GB
All advice is welcome !

[Payo]

Hi, i tried the mod on a X61T L7500 but when i install the dw1705 card on the WLAN slot i get 4 beeps and no image, i thought that it was the middleton bios whitelist so i tried a dw1702 card on the WLAN slot and it worked.
Then i tried the dw1705 on the WWAN slot and work so i dont know what could make the 4 beeps and no image (also the overclock wont work on the WWAN slot)
Also i have 2 samsung 667 ram sticks installed.

Can someone guide me?

P.D. Sorry for my bad english, it's not my first language

[kfzhu1229]

Hi, i tried the mod on a X61T L7500 but when i install the dw1705 card on the WLAN slot i get 4 beeps and no image, i thought that it was the middleton bios whitelist so i tried a dw1702 card on the WLAN slot and it worked.
Then i tried the dw1705 on the WWAN slot and work so i dont know what could make the 4 beeps and no image (also the overclock wont work on the WWAN slot)
Also i have 2 samsung 667 ram sticks installed.

Can someone guide me?

P.D. Sorry for my bad english, it's not my first language

You are missing the SPD mod part of the RAM. Basically the RAM is being overclocked to 880Mhz with 5-5-5 timings on the 667Mhz profile, which is just not stable.
You need at least one stick of RAM that is SPD unlocked and modify the SPD profile. Unfortunately you have to do it on another laptop, no T6x or X6x has working SMBus drivers for SPDTool

[Payo]

Thank you a lot that worked, now its 2.1~2 on idlle and 45°C and its 2.4 and 70°C on stress

[kfzhu1229]

Thank you a lot that worked, now its 2.1~2 on idlle and 45°C and its 2.4 and 70°C on stress

Also, it is important to know that for L7500 equipped X61s/X61T, there are two FRU's for X61s/X61T heatsink (which are interchangable). One has a wimply aluminium coldplate and a thin copper pipe (but copper coldplate for iGPU), the other has copper coldplate for everything and a thicker copper heatpipe.
At one point I had three X61s and one X61T, all with L7500, 2 of the 3 X61s came with the copper coldplate, the other X61s and the X61T both came with aluminium coldplate, which results in the CPU hitting 85C after the overclock easily, by which point BIOS triggers thermal throttling!

[axur-delmeria]

I had 3 battered X61Ts, but all of them, even the L7700, had the aluminum plate.

I've never seen a copper X61s or X61T heatsink.

[Payo]

Hi me again, after using the x61t i noticed that the ram modules went back to 533 instead of the 711 that they where, i need to do the spd mod again or its a bios thing?

[kfzhu1229]

Hi me again, after using the x61t i noticed that the ram modules went back to 533 instead of the 711 that they where, i need to do the spd mod again or its a bios thing?

From my experience, that wifi card connection must be very clean for the mod to work properly - Like when I tried bridging the two pins on an Intel wifi card, the slightest bit of wiring mishap results in either no POST or no overclock - the 3.3V rails can carry a lot of current so even a partial short will hinder its reliability!
And for clarification, with the correct SPD mod, the laptop should be using the modded 533mhz profile but run it actually at 711Mhz.

I had 3 battered X61Ts, but all of them, even the L7700, had the aluminum plate.

I've never seen a copper X61s or X61T heatsink.

This is what I was talking about: https://imgur.com/a/McsGd2C

[axur-delmeria]

This is what I was talking about: https://imgur.com/a/McsGd2C

All the X61s and X61T heatsinks I've encountered was the one in the first photo. I know the copper one in the second photo exists, but I've never seen one in person.

[Payo]

Hi me again, after using the x61t i noticed that the ram modules went back to 533 instead of the 711 that they where, i need to do the spd mod again or its a bios thing?

From my experience, that wifi card connection must be very clean for the mod to work properly - Like when I tried bridging the two pins on an Intel wifi card, the slightest bit of wiring mishap results in either no POST or no overclock - the 3.3V rails can carry a lot of current so even a partial short will hinder its reliability!
And for clarification, with the correct SPD mod, the laptop should be using the modded 533mhz profile but run it actually at 711Mhz.

I had 3 battered X61Ts, but all of them, even the L7700, had the aluminum plate.

I've never seen a copper X61s or X61T heatsink.

This is what I was talking about: https://imgur.com/a/McsGd2C

thanks for everithing, after cleaning everithing the x61 started working as it should, i also bought the 4.0 bluetoth daughter card and now i can connect any bluetooth device