T430 configuration questions (graphics, and installing my own RAM and Solid State Drive)

Hello,

I am planning to replace my aging T400 with a brand new T430. However, I have a few questions:

1) Are there any planned upgrades or improvements to the T430 that I should aware of? I would hate to buy a T430, only to have a newer model be released in 2 months.

2) Are the Intel HD Graphics 4000 good for normal home and office use, or is it worth upgrading to NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology, 1GB DDR3 Memory? I do not do gaming, however I do some 3D visualization of computer simulation results, and watch the occasional HD movie. If the NVIDIA graphics are added, are these switchable graphics with the integrated HD? Are there any reports of the NVIDIA graphics causeing overheating in the T430? I can't even use the high performance graphics on my T400 anymore, as it overheats the laptop.

3) I've been thinking that I could save a few hundred bucks if I just ordered the base hard disk and 4 GB of RAM, and upgrade to 8 or 16 gb RAM and a Solid State Drive myself. Can anyone offer suggestions best aftermarket components for the T430. I'd like the drive to be at least 180 gb, but preferably more.

Thanks!

 

1) No solid news about a refresh yet, but Haswell is going to be released this year, so a refresh in Q4 this year or Q1 of the next would be likely in my opinion.

2) That NVS5400 could come in handy for manipulating your geometries, I've definitely noticed a difference between a HD3000, HD4000 and my firepro in COMSOL when checking simulation results with options like transparency enabled. The HD4000 won't prevent you from analyzing your results, but you may have some stutter when manipulating complex geometries depend on what you're displaying. Also, yes it has switchable graphics.

3) You are right, however, if it's like the T420, one of the SODIMMs is located under the keyboard which will require a little bit of disassembly to get to, the other SODIMM is easily accessed though.

 

For the use-cases highlighted above, Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics is powerful enough. I suppose "3D visualization of computer simulation results" does not require intensive graphics support to do 3D charts, but I let you decide on this one. I only add that I do extensive Photoshop editing and video encoding on HD 4000 without any problems.

3a. RAM. One slot under the keyboard (not too difficult to lift the keyboard), one slot on the underside. 2 x 4GB sticks, or 2 x 8GB sticks. 1600 MHz. Crucial, G.Skill, Mushkin, Kingston... any of those brands.

3b. You could replace the stock HDD with a SSD. Samsung 840 Pro is highly recommended. Or you could keep the stock HDD where it is and add a mSATA SSD (slot on the underside, next to the second RAM slot) which will serve as your boot/OS/programs drive. Crucial 256GB mSATA SSD's are what I've been using, excellent.

 

1) If you're not in urgent need of this upgrade, I think we are starting to approach the point where waiting for Haswell is worthwhile.

2) As mentioned, for general home and office use the HD4k is plenty. Heck, I'm still using HD3k on mine and it's perfectly adequate for everything I do.

3) Get an SSD.

 

Haswell is getting released on June 3 and will be on full display June 4th at Computex. I'm sure there will be a flurry of announcements before J une 10.