Hey there,

my thinkpad t420chg is in need of a new motherboard. I am not sure why, but somehow I am not able to check the exact fru of my current one as the parts lookup page does not recognise my SN (XX-XXXXX).        Serial number removed per forum rules - mod

I have an intel i5 processor and the nvidia 4200 graphics card.

I have two questions:

1) the partslookup page stated that I would need the replacment part 63y1995 and lists 5 substitutes. does this mean that they will all support the existing heat sinks, ... without the need to buy new parts?

2) is there a newer version that it would make more sense to buy?

kind regards

Hi,

Not sure what you did but parts lookup with your serial number worked for me.  It showed the below.  Hope this helps.

***removed link since it had your serial number in it*** below information is still accurate.

There is no newer version.  Any T420 board with nvidia graphics will work with your existing fan and other parts.  The only options that matter are nVIDIA vs. integrated graphics.

Hey,

thanks a lot for the two replies so far!

Don't know what went wrong when I tried my serial number (sorry for posting it here) on the parts lookup page. Fine to see that it works.

When looking online I did not find any of the substitutes listed on the parts site.

So I am somewhat lost in the endless amount of motherboard versions there ssems to be for the t420. How can I tell which ones are compatible with Nvidia? And isn't the card soldered to the mainboard?

The nVIDIA chip is soldered to the board.  Any T420 motherboard will work in the machine, but you asked for one that worked with your fan/heatsink.  The fans for nVIDIA boards have a 2nd copper pad that cools the GPU.  If you look on eBay or somethin similar, they will probably say nVIDIA or discrete graphics, but not always.