ThinkStation P8 Hardware replacement guide

General prerequisites

Read Generic Safety and Compliance Notices.

Prerequisites for opening computer cover

During operation, some components become hot enough to burn the skin. Before you open the computer cover, remove any media from the drives, turn off the computer and connected devices, disconnect power, remove all cables and locking devices, and wait approximately 10 minutes until the computer is cool.
Before reaching parts with cables, record the cable routing for future reference and then disconnect its cable from the system board.

Prerequisites for storage drive replacement

The internal storage drive is sensitive. Inappropriate handling might cause damage and loss of data. When handling the internal storage drive, observe the following guidelines:

Replace the internal storage drive only for repair. The internal storage drive is not designed for frequent changes or replacement.
Before replacing the internal storage drive, make backup copy of all the data that you want to keep.
Do not touch the contact edge of the internal storage drive. Otherwise, the internal storage drive might get damaged.
Do not apply pressure to the internal storage drive.
Do not make the internal storage drive subject to physical shocks or vibration. Put the internal storage drive on soft material, such as a cloth, to absorb physical shocks.

Prerequisites for hot-swappable M.2 SSD storage box replacement

For some computer models, an NVMe storage tray might be installed in the front-access storage bay. The M.2 SSD storage box 2 in the NVMe storage tray 1 can be hot-swappable, which means you can replace the M.2 SSD inside without even turning off your computer.

To avoid damage and loss of data, observe the following guidelines before replacing the hot-swappable M.2 SSD storage box:

Ensure that NVMe RAID mode is disabled.
Ensure that the operating system of your computer does not reside on the M.2 SSD inside the hot-swappable M.2 SSD storage box.
Lock the M.2 SSD storage box to prevent unexpected removal. The keys are attached to the rear of the computer. For security, store the keys in a secure place.

Handling static-sensitive devices

Do not open the static-protective package containing the new part until the defective part has been removed and you are ready to install the new part. Static electricity, although harmless to you, can seriously damage computer components and options.

When you handle options and other computer components, take these precautions to avoid static-electricity damage:

Limit your movement. Movement can cause static electricity to build up around you.
Always handle options and other computer components carefully. Handle PCI/PCIe cards, memory modules, system boards, and microprocessors by the edges. Never touch any exposed circuitry.
Prevent others from touching the options and other computer components.
Touch the static-protective package containing the part to a metal expansion-slot cover or other unpainted metal surface on the computer for at least two seconds. This reduces static electricity from the package and your body before you install or replace a new part.
When possible, remove the new part from the static-protective package, and install it directly in the computer without setting the part down. When this is not possible, place the static-protective package on a smooth, level surface and place the part on the package.
Do not place the part on the computer cover or other metal surface.

Ensure that the following common service tool kit is prepared before you service the computer.

No.	Tool name	Specific	Product scope	Tool type
1	Screw driver: Phillips Head 0	PH0	All	Common tool
2	Screw driver: Phillips Head 00	PH00	All	Common tool
3	Screw driver: Phillips Head 01	1	All	Common tool
4	Screw driver: Phillips Head 01	1, Shank length greater than 6 inches	ThinkSation/DT	Common tool
5	Screw driver: Phillips Head 02	2, Shank length greater than 6 inches	ThinkSation/SC/DT	Common tool
6	Screw driver: Torx Head T5	T5	IdeaPad	Common tool
7	Screw driver: Torx Head T15	T15, for Chassis outside	ThinkSation	Common tool
8	Screw driver: Torx Head T20	T20, Shank length greater than 6 inches, for heatsink and CPU	ThinkSation	Common tool
9	Screw driver: Torx Head T30	T30, Shank length greater than 6 inches, for heatsink and CPU	ThinkSation	Common tool
10	Pry tools 1	N/A	All	Common tool
11	Tweezers (conductive)	N/A	All	Common tool
12	Tweezers (isolated)	N/A	All	Common tool
13	Suction cup	N/A	All	Common tool
14	Hexagonal socket (for VGA )	H5 mm or 4.8 mm	ThinkCentre/Tiny	Common tool
15	Hexagonal socket (for Tiny antenna)	H8 mm	ThinkCentre/Tiny	Common tool
16	Ajustable Torque Screwdriver	0.2 Nm to 4.0 Nm, Threadripper CPU, CAMM, etc	All	Common tool
17	ESD Mat	ESD Mat	All	Common tool
18	USB Flash Drives	For Golden Key, Chrome Reloads, AutoPilot, etc	All	Common tool
19	USB-C to USB-A Converter	For USB-C only systems	All	Common tool
20	SSD/WWAN/IC Thermal pad	Variety of thickness, most common 0.5mm thickness pad under the component	All	Consumable
21	Silicone grease for CPU or heatsink repairing	N/A	All	Consumable
22	Polyamide tape	N/A	All	Consumable
23	Mylar tape	N/A	All	Consumable
24	Eraser	N/A	All	Consumable
25	Electrical tape	N/A	All	Consumable
26	Double sided tape	N/A	All	Consumable
27	Conductive tape	N/A	All	Consumable
28	Cleaning pads/wipes	N/A	All	Consumable
29	Heat gun	N/A	All	Special tool
30	Brown brush	25 mm to 35 mm wide	All	Special tool
31	Contact Cleaner Spray	WD-40 Contact Cleaner for battery connector	ThinkPad X1 Carbon	Special tool
32	Hexagonal socket	17 mm	Yoga AIO 7 27ACH6/ Yoga AIO 7 27ARH6	Special tool

The silicone grease can be applied to the surfaces of the microprocessor and heat sink to eliminate air gaps. For parts with silicone grease applied, it is suggested that you apply new grease during the installation.

Your computer contains the following types of CRUs and FRUs:

Self-service CRUs: Refer to parts that can be replaced easily by customer themselves or by trained service technicians at an additional cost.
Optional-service CRUs: Refer to parts that can be replaced by customers with a greater skill level. Trained service technicians can also provide service to replace the parts under the type of warranty designated for the customer’s machine.
FRUs: Refer to parts that must be replaced only by trained service technicians. If customers choose to replace the FRUs by themselves, the product warranty might be affected.

Number	Description	Self-service CRU	Optional-service CRU
1	Side cover	Yes	No
2	NVLINK retainer*	Yes	No
3	Top cover	Yes	No
4	Optional internal storage drive cage*	Yes	No
5	CPU heat sink	No	No
6	CPU	No	No
7	M.2 SSD heat sink kit*	Yes	No
8	M.2 SSD*	Yes	No
9	M.2 SSD holder*	Yes	No
10	Intrusion switch	No	No
11	Internal speaker	No	Yes
12	Chassis	No	No
13	ThinkStation LED	Yes	No
14	ThinkStation LED holder	Yes	No
15	ThinkStation Logo badge	Yes	No
16	Computer ID badge	Yes	No
17	Thermal sensor	No	No
18	Upper PCIe fan	Yes	No
19	Blank bezel*	Yes	No
20	Front-access storage fan*	Yes	No
21	PCBA of 15-in-1 media card reader*	No	Yes
22	15-in-1 media card reader*	No	Yes
23	NVMe storage tray*	Yes	No
24	M.2 SSD storage box*	Yes	No
25	Locks and keys for side cover and M.2 SSD storage box	Yes	No
26	Front panel I/O assembly	No	Yes
27	Fan grommets*	Yes	No
28	Keyboard*	Yes	No
29	Mouse*	Yes	No
30	Power cord*	Yes	No
31	Wi-Fi card*	No	No
32	Wi-Fi card cover*	No	No
33	U.2 or U.3 SSD*	Yes	No
34	U.2 or U.3 SSD bracket*	Yes	No
35	HDD*	Yes	No
36	HDD bracket*	Yes	No
37	M.2 SSD bracket*	Yes	No
38	Lower PCIe fan	Yes	No
39	Internal storage drive fan*	Yes	No
40	NVMe cable bracket*	No	No
41	Front fan*	Yes	No
42	PCIe bracket*	Yes	No
43	Power supply assembly	Yes	No
44	Rear fan	Yes	No
45	Rear power button	No	No
46	Memory fan and air duct	Yes	No
47	Memory module	Yes	No
48	System board	No	No
49	Front Wi-Fi antenna*	No	No
50	Rear Wi-Fi antenna*	No	No
51	Wi-Fi antenna cover*	Yes	No
52	PCIe card*	Yes	No
53	Serial connector cable*	No	Yes
54	Customized PCIe card extender*	Yes	No
55	Super capacity module*	Yes	No
56	Fiber modules for NVIDIA ConnectX-6 Ethernet Adapter*	Yes	No
56	NVLINK bridge*	No	Yes

In the following illustrations, the style of the number indicates the part’s type.
For your convenience, the number and part name in the following illustrations correspond to that in the flow chart.

*for selected models

For detailed FRU and CRU information, such as the FRU part numbers and supported computer models, go to: Find Parts

The system board might look slightly different from the illustration.

Item	Item
1 Internal speaker connector	2 Coin-cell battery
3 Wi-Fi socket	4 M.2 SSD slot 2
5 M.2 SSD slot 1	6 Cover presence switch (intrusion switch) connector
7 Upper PCIe (slot1–4) fan connector	8 Internal storage drive cage power connector 1
9 Internal storage drive cage power connector 2	10 Internal storage drive cage slot 1
11 Graphics card power connector 1	12 Graphics card power connector 3
13 Front-panel I/O connector	14 Front fan connector
15 Front-access storage fan connector	16 Internal storage drive fan connector
17 Internal USB-A 2.0 connector	18 CPU fan connector 1
19 Front-access storage bay connector	20 SATA 3 connector
21 SATA 2 connector	22 ThinkStation LED connector
23 Internal USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 connector	24 SATA 1 connector
25 M.2 SSD slot 3	26 TCM connector
27 Memory slot 5 (DIMM 5)	28 Memory slot 6 (DIMM 6)
29 Memory slot 7 (DIMM 7)	30 Memory slot 8 (DIMM 8)
31 Power supply connector	32 BMC card connector
33 PCIe slot 7 - Gen 4 x 8	34 PCIe slot 6 - Gen 5 x 16
35 PCIe slot 5 - Gen 5 x 16	36 CPU fan connector 2
37 Serial port (COM) connector	38 Memory fan 2 connector
39 Internal storage drive cage slot 2	40 Graphics card power connector 2
41 Lower PCIe (slot5–7) fan connector	42 Memory slot 4 (DIMM 4)
43 Memory slot 3 (DIMM 3)	44 Memory slot 2 (DIMM 2)
45 Memory slot 1 (DIMM 1)	46 Memory fan 1 connector
47 Rear fan connector	48 PCIe slot 4 - Gen 5 x 8
49 PCIe slot 3 - Gen 5 x 16	50 PCIe slot 2 - Gen 5 x 8
51 PCIe slot 1 - Gen 5 x 16