The most powerful CPU for my Lenovo T60 (socket PBGA479)

dy_james

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Mar 4, 2010
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So I have an old Lenovo T60:
https://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/42t7844_01.pdf

I already opened it so I know the current CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo processor T5500 (1.6 GHz), 2-MB L2 cache

Which I know from here:
http://ark.intel.com/products/27253/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-T5500-2M-Cache-1_66-GHz-667-MHz-FSB

as a PBGA479.
It can't be PPGA478 as no Core 2 Duo has that socket). Also, if it was compatible, I have no interest in downgrading (could be that there is a CPU faster @ PPGA478, but let's just follow my bias).

So this is my question. What is the most powerful CPU I can fit in this laptop motherboard (that will work)??
My initial searches leads me to a Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7600, but I get conflicting info as some sources say it is socket M (which is ONLY mechanically compatible with BGA479). While others say: http://ark.intel.com/products/27257/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-T7600-4M-Cache-2_33-GHz-667-MHz-FSB , it's BGA479.
 
Solution
You are correct about the T7600 being the fastest you can use; it was made in both PGA and BGA variants, and you need the PGA version. Put simply, there's no need to worry about BGA vs PGA since you can't upgrade a BGA processor easily; if the CPU has pins, it's PGA. (I doubt you could even buy a BGA T7600) Socket M is only called PPGA478 by Intel because it has 478 physical pins; this is kind of dumb on Intel's part because it's easily confused with Socket 478 used by the Pentium 4.

voltoid27

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Sep 17, 2014
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You are correct about the T7600 being the fastest you can use; it was made in both PGA and BGA variants, and you need the PGA version. Put simply, there's no need to worry about BGA vs PGA since you can't upgrade a BGA processor easily; if the CPU has pins, it's PGA. (I doubt you could even buy a BGA T7600) Socket M is only called PPGA478 by Intel because it has 478 physical pins; this is kind of dumb on Intel's part because it's easily confused with Socket 478 used by the Pentium 4.
 
Solution