T430S GPU questions for CAD

I'm looking at the T430S (i7, SSD, 16 GB RAM) for someone at work (civil engineering). He's not a heavy Civil3D (Autocad) user but will so some design. I've read a lot and checked the benchmarks about the Intel 4000 HD vs Nvidia 5200M vs Nvidia 5400M. I'll get the dock and run dual 22" LCDs.

A few questions:

1. Why does Lenovo direct offer the 5400M but the retailers offer the 5200M? I'd like to buy from a retailer since I can return it without a restock fee. But the benchmarks (see below) seem to show that it's a good increase in performance. What do you think?

2. I read that the performance of the 4000 HD improves as more RAM is installed. How would that compare to the Nvidias?

3. I've used entry level Quadro video cards in our desktop machines and did not notice any improvement in CAD when compared to mid-high level gaming video cards. For civil design, I don't think the Quadro perfomance makes a big difference. Do you think I can get by with the Intel 4000 HD? If yes, then I might considering getting the X230 instead.

4. Are there any working thunderbolt external video options that are available now? If yes, what do you recommend?

Thanks!

 

1. There doesn't seem to be a NVS5400M option as seen in the specification page on lenovo.com.

Spoiler

EDIT: The corresponding .pdf datasheet shows NVS5400M, either Lenovo offers both or one of them is a typo.


2. Nvidia Optimus gives you the option to specify when to use the GPU for which program and others integrated graphics.

3. No comment.

4. The specifications show that there is a MiniDP port (probably your thunderbolt port), so get a converter and you'd get resolutions as big as what the NVS 5200M can handle.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Looking at the benchmarks again, I added a couple high end cards for reference. It seems like the NVS5400 is a significant step up from the Intel 4000, almost 2x better most benchmarks. The high end cards are better, but not a 2x margin, except for the #1 card. Can anyone comment on the benchmarks? What does this mean in real world use?

 

If you want to compare CAD, a benchmark like specviewperf would more appropriate. However, if you want to compare performance, look at the 3Dmark vantage and 3Dmark11 scores. The previous versions of 3Dmark aren't really representative anymore. Also, for CAD, it would be more interesting to compare against cards meant for cad as well like the quadro series and again in specviewperf if possible.

 

Wow, I did a google search for specviewperf after you posted and your post already showed up. Fast!

I just compared the three cards with Specviewperf and they were all abot the same, all pretty bad. However, the tests they run are for programs that require much more video processing than what Autocad needs.

 

Yes specviewperf does bench for more intensive CAD' but the idea is that it benches for CAD rather than gaming like 3DMark does. It can give you an idea of how the cards will perform in CAD in general relatively to each other. You could also run an OpenGL benchmark as well. If I recall correctly, autocad uses OpenGL rather than DirectX. If your coworker only does 2D and wireframes, the GPU shouldn't be an issue though.

 

I thought a screenshot of what our files look like might help.

 

So after all this study, I decided to go with a X230 w i7. The benchmarks seem to show the NVS to be twice the GPU as the Intel 4000, but for our purpose, I don't think it matters. I have another user with an i3 laptop and integrated graphics and he can run CAD ok. I'll post an update after we try the X230.

 

I think the HD4000 will be decent. I believe the HD4000 in your x230 will be running at the fastest clock available, given you ordered an i7. Just make sure you pair it with enough ram at DDR1600 and get an msata.

So far, I am very happy with my x230 i5-3320m especially after adding a 120GB msata from Crucial. I will be looking to upgrade memory soon.

 

I'm about to order the x230. I'm going to go with 16 GB RAM. My plan is to install an Intel SSD I already have. I didn't see an option for the msata, did I miss something?

 

Lenovo mSATA is only for Cache. Get the mSATA aftermarket.

 

In case anyone is wondering, I did a quick test with the X220 with 4 GB of RAM and Civil3D ran fine. It wasn't a complex file but it runs the basic tools without issue. The X230 I ordered will take three weeks and I'll post an update after I get it. Thanks for the input.