T520 NVIDIA 4200M Graphics Worth It?

I am configuring a T520 and am certainly getting core i5-5420m, FHD, 4GB of memory (free upgrade from 2gb). However, I am undecided whether I should go with the integrated Intel HD 3000 or spend a little bit more on the NVidia card. Here are the things I am concerned about:

1) How much performance improvement over the HD 3000 will I get especially considering I am getting the FHD screen? I work with graphics/video only occasionally. However, I can afford the upgrade and thought it might be nice to have a dedicated video card.

2) More than the price difference, I am concerned with the noise and heat. My last laptop was XPS 15 and it would get so loud and hot that I decided to ditch it and try a ThinkPad. I've seen my friend's T520 with integrated graphics and it is silent and cool most of the time. Will adding the NVidia card increase noise and heat emission considerably?

3) Related to number 2 above, will the Optimus Technology keep the NVidia card off most of the time (with Aero on) or is there a way to manually switch it off.

Again, my main concern is heat and noise. I will appreciate responses from people who own a T520 with NVidia and those who don't but have something to comment on. Thanks.

 

Hi ivybridge:

The T520 is a fairly quiet notebook. The dedicated graphics does not turn on unless you're using a 3D application. Even when watching bluray movies, the notebook uses the integrated graphics.

When the dedicated graphics is in use, there is a noticeable increase in exhaust temperature and fan speed noise of course. It's not egregious but I certainly wouldn't want to use that in a quiet environment on a prolonged basis. If you're going to use the dedicated card while gaming with speakers blasting or with earphones, it won't matter.

I've only played Portal with my T520 and it runs much better with the Nvidia card than with the Intel HD3000.

C.

 

Thanks Claudehl. Just to confirm - the NVidia card is off unless under a heavy graphics-related load and doesn't turn on sporadically? If so, I don't see any reason for not getting it.

 

1. Computer Games on Laptop Graphic Cards - Notebookcheck.net Tech
Neither seems to be awesome, but the NVS 4200 is an improvement.

2. No, see #3.

3. You can choose which programs run with the Nvidia chip vs the Intel chip. You can also force it to 100% be one or the other in the bios. So you have full control over how it runs.

 

FYI - the 2540M really isn't worth it over the 2520M. It's a whole extra 100MHz in speed. Wow.

For the $50 or so it costs, you could get a built in webcam and a wireless card upgrade. Or a fingerprint reader and bluetooth. Or some other combo, or save the fifty.

As for Optimus, I have it. I have not found it to make my T420 noisy. If you don't play games, or only do modest work with graphically intense programs though, the Intel HD 3000 is perfectly fine for your needs.

 

The Thinkpad T520 was made for work and thus it is not for heavy gaming. Also, the T520 will power 4 screens which the W520 can't do. If you go to the BIOS during bootup, you can set the computer to save more power by setting it to pure Intel HD 3000 (of course you can always set it back).

 

Then it will be news to you, people on this forum have issues with the 4 screens as only 3 screens can be physically powered by W520 (hate to break it to you). Source: here.

 

If you want to drive a WQXGA screen then you'll might need the 4200M option.

I have not been able to successfully drive a WQXGA resolution with the integrated Intel HD3000 graphics (when laptop is in integrated or optimus mode as set via BIOS) - I have to set my T520 to discrete only to get WQXGA and even then it is a hilarious amount of rebooting etc.

This was an unpleasant surprise when I first received it.

 

No, I'm aware of that limitation. However, like my X201 which only supports 2, I have 4. There are other methods to get more screens. I use two Lenovo USB DVI adapters. Those two screens work flawless for everything except 3D/Gaming/CAD. The two USB adapters will move to my new W520 docking station.

 

Historically, the Thinkpads with discrete graphics have a more robust heatsink/heatpipe/fan assembly than the same integrated graphics model. I'd expect the T520 to be the same. So, theoretically, if you were running on integrated graphics mode, the discrete GPU-equipped Thinkpad would run slightly cooler.

I second LoneWolf15's point: the CPU upgrade is definitely not worth it. Save your money.