Solved Lenovo m81 case modification

[logo897]

Hello all,

I have a Lenovo M81 thinkcentre tower and I would like to buy a custom case to put my motherboard in, which is currently inside it's stock lenovo case.

I do not know if the computer is ATX but it might be since it's the tower form I have, but it's not a really huge tower, but not a mini desktop.

Are there any ways I may have help identifying which case I can put my mobo in, if it's possible?

Thanks.

 

[Mellon Head]

The best way that I can think of is to look at the pattern of the hold down screws from the motherboard, and try to find a case where the mounting holes line up.

Some newer cases have quite a number of mounting holes and are built to house many different types of motherboards, with different hole patterns. Seek and ye shall find.

 

[logo897]

The best way that I can think of is to look at the pattern of the hold down screws from the motherboard, and try to find a case where the mounting holes line up.

Some newer cases have quite a number of mounting holes and are built to house many different types of motherboards, with different hole patterns. Seek and ye shall find.

Thank you, Mellon Head

 

[logo897]

I have another question but instead of making a new thread, I'll post in this one since it's similar.

Okay so I updated my system specs under my profile. My only question is: what computer part do you recommend I upgrade right away, or which do you think I should upgrade first? I'm curious to see what everyone would do if they were in my shoes. Thanks.

 

[Mellon Head]

There isn't a whole lot you can do without changing motherboards, and that may require you to buy a new version of Windows, since you have an OEM copy.

Something you could do, though, is upgrade the processor to an i7-2600. That will give you a little bit more in the performance department. I checked the Lenovo website, and that CPU is supported. I also noticed that the motherboard supports up to 16GB of RAM. It may help to add another 8GB of RAM, especially if you are using a lot of programs simultaneously.

 

[logo897]

There isn't a whole lot you can do without changing motherboards, and that may require you to buy a new version of Windows, since you have an OEM copy.

Something you could do, though, is upgrade the processor to an i7-2600. That will give you a little bit more in the performance department. I checked the Lenovo website, and that CPU is supported. I also noticed that the motherboard supports up to 16GB of RAM. It may help to add another 8GB of RAM, especially if you are using a lot of programs simultaneously.

Alright, I'll look into those, thank you!

One other thing is that when my CPU is at max usage, it gets in the 60 degree Celsius range, and I don't think my thermal paste has ever been changed. Do you recommend I apply new paste? If I should, does the kind of thermal paste I buy matter? I have extremely cheap thermal paste from ebay, but I see these more expensive kinds and wonder if there are any big differences. Thanks

 

[Mellon Head]

I always use Arctic Silver 5. It seems to outperform most of the others for me.

Yes, I would change the thermal paste, but I would go one better: I would buy a good aftermarket cooler, such as a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, or something similar. They run quiet, and really help to cool your CPU. You can even do limited overclocking with it.

Here are the specs:

Cooler Master: Hyper 212 EVO

 

[logo897]

I always use Arctic Silver 5. It seems to outperform most of the others for me.

Yes, I would change the thermal paste, but I would go one better: I would buy a good aftermarket cooler, such as a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO, or something similar. They run quiet, and really help to cool your CPU. You can even do limited overclocking with it.

Here are the specs:

Cooler Master: Hyper 212 EVO

Ok I'm going to buy that cooler, but see it comes with paste. Shall I buy your recommended paste still?

 

[logo897]

Wait... I have to remove my motherboard to install it?

How to install a Cooler master hyper 212 evo on Intel 1151 - YouTube

 

[logo897]

How about I just buy your recommended thermal paste? I am very uncomfortable removing my mobo

 

[Mellon Head]

It's not that hard to remove a mobo. Just make sure that you ground yourself good. Often, cases will have an access panel or hole in the motherboard's back panel to allow you to put bolts through the motherboard to mount a cooler. That way you don't have to remove the motherboard. Before you give up on the idea, check to see if your case has such an access point.

And the thermal paste would be a good investment, no matter what you do. By the sound of things, your paste is pretty old, and is probably not doing the job well anymore. New paste will definitely help, and AS 5 is the cream of the crop IMHO.

 

[logo897]

It's not that hard to remove a mobo. Just make sure that you ground yourself good. Often, cases will have an access panel or hole in the motherboard's back panel to allow you to put bolts through the motherboard to mount a cooler. That way you don't have to remove the motherboard. Before you give up on the idea, check to see if your case has such an access point.

And the thermal paste would be a good investment, no matter what you do. By the sound of things, your paste is pretty old, and is probably not doing the job well anymore. New paste will definitely help, and AS 5 is the cream of the crop IMHO.

Yes I understand what you mean, however I cannot seem to open the side of the case where my CPU is at. Here are some pics:

 

[logo897]

Yes I understand what you mean, however I cannot seem to open the side of the case where my CPU is at. Here are some pics:

heres a better one

 

[Mellon Head]

Aha! Rivets! Typical OEM manufacturer. You won't be able to do as I suggested then. You'll have to take out the mobo in order to change out the cooler to a better one. If you do it, check your measurements carefully to make sure that the cooler will fit before you start.

 

[logo897]

Aha! Rivets! Typical OEM manufacturer. You won't be able to do as I suggested then. You'll have to take out the mobo in order to change out the cooler to a better one. If you do it, check your measurements carefully to make sure that the cooler will fit before you start.

Hah yeah I rather not do it yet as of now. I did however order the paste you recommended to me! Should be here within a week or two. I can let you know how it works for me once I apply it if you want.

 

[Mellon Head]

Hah yeah I rather not do it yet as of now. I did however order the paste you recommended to me! Should be here within a week or two. I can let you know how it works for me once I apply it if you want.

Yes, please. I would be interested to know if your temps go down. Make sure you clean the heatsink and processor top with a good quality 99% anhydrous alcohol and a lint free cloth. Also make sure that you only get the Arctic Silver 5 on the top of the processor, not the sides. It's conductive and could cause a short.

Here's a little video on how to apply it if you've never done it before:

 

[johnhoh]

my two cents......

Download the free program Belarc Advisor and run it - it will tell you everything about your system including your specific motherboard model, then you can google your motherboard model specs to find its size. My guess is its matx, which means its square, 9.6" x 9.6".

Okay I just checked and if this is your machine, your motherboard is a matx size

Amazon.com: IBM Lenovo ThinkCentre M81 Intel Q65 Replacement Motherboard FRU 03T8181: Computers & Accessories

I would not sweat it if you are getting 60c temps but are stable. Temperatures reported by different systems are all over the map. Try running passmark performance test while watching your core temps using hardwareinfo. My cpu gets up to 85c but is stable as a rock...
PassMark Performance Test download page
HWiNFO - Download

 

[Mellon Head]

I would not sweat it if you are getting 60c temps but are stable. Temperatures reported by different systems are all over the map. Try running passmark performance test while watching your core temps using hardwareinfo. My cpu gets up to 85c but is stable as a rock...
PassMark Performance Test download page
HWiNFO - Download

60C is not an outrageous temp to get with a stock cooler at full load, but the lower the OP can keep his temps, the longer that the CPU will last.

And if your CPU is reaching 85C under full load, you have a cooling problem. Even for an Intel chip. Stable or not, the maximum rated temp for that CPU is 72.7C. As per these links:

http://ark.intel.com/products/42915/Intel-Core-i5-750-Processor-8M-Cache-2_66-GHz

Access denied

 

[johnhoh]

Actually I'm running an i7-7700k which reports the on die temp (max is 100C), much higher than the i5-750's heat spreader max temp (max of 73C)

 

[logo897]

Mellon Head,

I have recieved the thermal paste today and applied it, however, a few things:

- I only had 70% isopropyl alcohol, so I used that, however I made sure that very little came in contact with the processor and only on the top of it, and I wiped it dry completely after I was done.
- I made a line straight down the processor with the thermal paste and then I made sure all of the processor was covered and I did not see any thing on the sides. I spreaded it evenly with my finger to make the pasted surface smooth.

I have run the CPU stress test for a little over 10 minutes and am at 65 degrees Celsius. When I first started, it would go up to 59-60c. Before I even tested anything, my temps went as low as 30 degrees Celsius, but averaged around 35c. Before I applied the paste the lowest it would go is 39c.

Here are some pics