Lenovo W510 Owner's Thread

HDMI is a consumer connector designed to replace S-video and component video, plus it costs money. Lenovo is targeting business users, in which DP was designed for (to replace VGA and DVI), and it's free.

 

DisplayPort is compatible with HDMI [1], you just need a conversion cable for simple connections (if you are trying to run very high resolution then you need an active converter, but for a regular monitor you don't).

[1] If the chipset supports it, but in this case it does.

 

I'm using my DisplayPort with one of these DP -> DVI adaptors for my external monitor. HDMI would have been a lot more convenient, but it works just fine.

 

my w510 makes the noise only when on battery and if something plugged into one of the USB ports. changing the CPU state doesn't help. but unplugging the USB device remedies the problem instantaneously. and I agree that 2 laptops are not the same just like some of us.

 

For myself, the FHD Screen is the kind!

 

Had two people today say that May 6th will be the date they have enough FHD monitors in stock to fill existing orders and meet orders going forward. Also, the option should reappear on the website "sometime" before May 6th.

 

dude you killed the thread lol

 

Anybody else using the new NVIDIA Verde Drivers (8.17.11.9716 ) with their W510? It installs now and it fixed my problem in regards to booting up Win7 w/ an external monitor attached (via display port) and hanging (right after the dots combines into the Windows logo).

 

So no one has tried overclocking the GPU or undervolting the CPU?

 

if you can tell me the best program for measuring the power consumption difference (ideally with some sort of graph?) then id be happy to take a shot at it over the weekend.
However i have no idea how overclock the gpu
but id be happy to undervolt the cpu

 

This thread has lots of info on undervolting. GPU overclocking is done with Rivatuner (details here). Have fun!

 

Well, I finally reached a point where I couldn't wait any longer. I needed a laptop prior to military deployment in June, and while I preferred the FHD display, I found out that the 6 May deadline is now pushed out again. The representative I just talked to said the earliest they would be getting them and taking orders now is the end of May. Then, probably another month or so to receive it. Therefore, I reluctantly had to pull the trigger and went with the HD+ display. Hopefully, other owners are finding this display nice and crisp. Here's what I should have arriving at the end of May, beginning of June:

i7 820QM
8GB 1067 MHz memory (4 DIMMS)
15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) display
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
1 GB Nvidia Quadro FX880M
500 GB 7200 RPM hard drive
9 cell battery + 9-cell slice battery
Additional 135-watt power supply for travel
Intel Ultimate N-6300 wireless adapter
2-year Basic + 2 year Thinkpad protection warranty

I looked at the Dell Studio XPS 16, but wanted USB 3.0 and durability, so I went with the Lenovo. Hopefully, the difference in screen resolution won't turn out to be a problem.

 

FWIW, I too decided to take the W510 HD+ rather than wait for the FHD.

I had been running 1920x1080 for the last 4+ years (Dell D810), and I have no regrets at 1600x900 on the W510.

I actually find I am less fatigued at the end of the day lately. My guess is the high resolution was just a bit too much for my eyes and they're thanking me.

I also picked up a port replicator, and having 3 screens running has been awesome.

 

Hi SG,

Not sure that I follow or agree with their reasoning. So DP is invented to be different from the perfectly operational and available HDMI to differentiate from consumer products?

Sounds like another opportunity to try and convince me to spend for cables, adapters, etc.

Thanks for the reply!
R

 

The main difference. as far as manufacturers are concerned, is that HDMI requires a licensing fee, while DisplayPort does not. That makes DisplayPort more attractive to include on devices.

If you want any more details on HDMI and DisplayPort, please use Google or Wikipedia.

 

I've had the HD+ for two months now. Multiple comments in this thread pro and con, but speaking as an application developer and not a desktop publishing guy, I've been very pleased.

Of way more value to me has been the 16GB RAM; has truly made a difference with my usage of multiple VMs and emulating distributed environments.

Cheers, B

 

Been looking at the W510 for about a month now, so I can imagine the pain people are feeling regarding ordering in January and still not receiving their orders.

So, what alternatives to the W510 are there? My primary concern is a FHD resolution screen in a 15" package.

 

http://www.clockmod.com/index.php?/forums/viewthread/84/
As far as i can see it seems near impossible to undervolt
underclock certainly but not undervolt
any thoughts?

 

The Dell Latitude E6510 looks like a good competitor.

 

Finally getting my FHD mt.
ordered: 02/19
shipped: today

 

Just received my shipping notice as well
The rep was correct, I contacted them yesterday and they said it would ship today and it did!

Shipped: 04/23 (Estimated shipping 05/06)
Ordered: 03/12 from Lenovo Australia

Intel Quad Core Processor i7-720QM (1.6GHz 1066MHz 6MBL3)
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64
15.6" FHD Display (95% Gamut) with LED Backlight and Multi Touch Screen
NVIDIA NVS 5100m Discrete Graphics 1GB DDR3 with Intel Advanced Management Technology
UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader for Colour sensor
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM)
500GB Hard Disk Drive
DVD Recordable, Ultrabay Enhanced
9cell, LI Battery TWSL
Integrated Bluetooth PAN 2

Looks like they got their FHD MTT supply back!

 

Hi,
I'm just wondering, does "UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader for Colour sensor" mean it comes with the Fingerprint reader and colour sensor because I got that as well - I'm still waiting for it to ship. Thanks!

P.

 

I'd rather compare Latitude to T-series and Precision to W-series. So the closest to W510 would be M4500, IMO. Also, consider HP 8540w.

 

Same here, and it's actually a bit earlier than they had said earlier. So in the end, a little under two months from order to ship date for me. Still crazy, but for a while it seemed like it was going to be worse.

 

duplicated message

 

Yes that is correct

 

anyone here interested in buying my w510?
It is one 1.5 month old in 10/10 condition.

cpu : i7 820qm
ram: 4gb
display: hd+
web cam, finger printer reader, bluetooth, 120gb ssd
1 year warranty

What I want is
1.
2.x210 + $
3.t410 with discrete video + $

I need more portability than performance.

contact me at starkoh at hotmail dot com if you are interested.
I am in waterloo/Toronto Canada.

Thanks

 

FHD is for winners and not for whiners

if there was super FHD+ I would go for it more resolution"less strain for eyes"

 

i didn't feel like reading all 168 pages, but can someone tell me where i can find more info about this FHD Display? thanks

 

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/what-does-HD-HD-and-FHD-mean/td-p/195430

 

I have a W510 16 GB RAM and 920x - it is very fast and very hot -according to CPUID hardware Monitor up to 96c. it sometimes shuts itself off (I assume due to thermal overload)and I have to leave it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to get it to reboot.I called Lenovo about this and they said it was probably dueto the 12 GB of non-lenovo memory; I pulled the 12gb and stress test still gives 96C. I downloaded TPFC.62 and the stress test still gives 86C. the Lenovo guy says it should be running 50 Celsius which I doubt, but it's going back to the shop tomorrow. Questions:
1. Anyone else have a 920x and how hot does yours run?
2. any suggestions for a cooling unit that works well with the W510?

Thx

Bob

 

Here's a tip, whenever you have an issue and need to call support, never tell them you did something like upgrade the RAM, change the HD, reinstall Windows, etc... for the following reasons:

1) If you're savvy enough to do this yourself, then you already know that's not the problem.

2) They will always, ALWAYS, point to that as the problem. As soon as you give them any reason to blame something else, they will always take it.

Because of 1 and 2 combined, you're only signing yourself up for delays in getting the problem fixed if you tell them. It's good practice and good debugging, however, to remove any upgrades and retest before calling them. Once you tell them, it's in their log forever.

Also, in the USA, you cannot void your warranty by upgrading yourself, unless it is provable that the upgrade is what caused the problem. Fighting them on this though, could be more trouble than it's worth.

 

orev-

Probably a good point but I never had a problem with Dell with service after self upgrades to HD or memory. (This is my first lenovo). Its a fast unit and I guess I can keep it in ice box (thats how old I am) and run remote desktop.

 

I know it's a long shot, but have you happened to take a look in the case and see if the fan is seated where and how it's supposed to be? Would not be the first loose-fan incident...

 

correct suggestion @ Orev

what OS are you running? and are your power settings at max?

both combined may give you that result you can make any PC go to 97c
but don 820 s suggestion is also sound.

other thing is some old (not designed for w7) programm may have went cyclic and caused it.

I would start from re imaging if memory replacing didn't help.

 

Fan doesn't wiggle; power settings are max; at I work with big 3d models and need all cores at max and all 16gb (my dell desktop has 64gb and I am look and ugrading to 128gb to 192gb) - my best engineering judgement is that Lenovo did not think anyone would use machine except for playing movies and sending emails.

 

roger that, well you explained the problem yourself really, my suggestion is the cooling mat that lifts machine atleast 1 inch above the surface and doesent work as insolating mat (thick plastic) I think most cooling mats invented by eskimo people since they actually in some instances lock heat rather than dissipate it.

with good steady flow props in the middle which will blow air at ram compartment you can get the 10c off. I myself dont exceed the 70% use of cpu only rarely it goes into 100% when converting AVC clips so I never go above 75

1inch above m8 and its - 5c atleast

P.S I dont think there is a laptop to satisfy your current need, though I have another suggestion I know you need 100% of cores but since the i-7 is intelligent cpu (no need for sarcasm)
you can try putting your laptop in adaptive "power source optimized state" in power manager I have noticed that when I was leaving mine on max it was hot in no time without any load!
so just try and see if it cuts the Celsius.


BTW did any1 upload new color profiles?

 

I have to imagine something isn't right with your cooling. I forget which review I read where they ran it at 100 percent load for like 24 straight hours and it never heated up that hot.

 

How did the one I uploaded a bit ago work out for you?

 

Any idea about this?

I reinstalled screen FN etc and still I can not see level of brightness on screen. For example I can see speaker volume and also fn+ magnification works, also cap locks.

 

its allways been a pain with new drivers ie I have reinstalled the Nvidia driver and lost brightness bar, I suggest you to uninstall (check for new ver) and reinstall it. it has happened befor look it up on google.

thanks rukes ill look up your posts!

 

no I think its possible, hers why: CPU 100%=100cTjMax and GPU is @100% TjMax so its combined !!! even if you have one at 50 and other equates it to about roughly 70 being itself 85.

if he does what I think he does he need vacuum cleaner reverse at the exhaust !!! lol

 

I don't know, the thing that's the biggest difference to me is that he's got the extreme proc. Maybe that thing produces a bit too much heat for that setup. Most the reviewers don't have that processor, and like I said, I don't think even with the most stressing of tests that I've seen them over heating like his is.

 

Hi All,
I just noticed there a new review for the w510 thinkpad (posted 2 days ago) at thinkpads.com, here's a link:
Review: Lenovo ThinkPad W510 mobile workstation | Thinkpads.com - News, Reviews, Coupons, Deals on ThinkPad & IdeaPad Laptop computers

The reviewer is using the 920xm and 16gb ram.
P.

 

I finally got a shipping notice for my w510 this past Saturday, can't wait.
P.

 

I've had several scenarios on past thinkpads running hot. It usually results in me setting my BIOS and Power Management settings all to max performance thus setting the CPU to full speed 100% of the time. I've always figured that notebook manufacturers assume that the user will be running some power management / cpu optimization with the laptop when they do their heat testing. It does not seem like a faulty unit at all but I'll be interested to see if a new machine fixes it. Your best engineering judgement is probably correct The only thing I'd recommend is to set you cpu and power settings to adaptive or optimized (whatever terminology they use in the bios). That way it CAN run at 100% but isn't forced to all the time. Your cpu just may get enough breaks in between tasks to cool down a bit while another component is busy.

 

Would I be able to run Microsoft FSX on this machine.? Also COD 4. I game in small amounts but I would like to be able to play a few games when I upgrade to my next laptop.
If I could run FSX that would be a big + for me.

 

Yes, it will run COD4 very well. I play Warcraft and have no problems pushing 60-80FPS with high settings. FSX is a pretty old game, I can't imagine there would be any performance issues there.

Notebookcheck: NVIDIA Quadro FX 880M

 

Thanks for the link.
60 fps on medium res is very good.

The build quality of the Lenovo could sway me away from the Asus G73 and the Clevo.

 

dont even mention those two not even close.

"adaptive" aka "power source optimized" is the only way to go, otherwise it will overheat. and its not a flaw its like if you use your car engine allays running on max RPM and complain why it SO HOT!(even when on the car park)