T61 / Quadro 140M Question

Hi Folks,

First post, can I thank the people who review on this site, it's the best on the web!

I am writing on a new T61, UK edition, and I am very happy indeed, except for one vital factor - the graphics card.

I've attached a screengrab from my gfx properties, and I'm confused. I expected it to say 128Mb of graphics memory, but instead it says 512Mb. I specifically wanted a gfx card that doesn't use shared memory, feeling that the overall performance would be better. Is my card using shared memory?

The memory my system has (MyComputer-->Properties) is the full amount, just shy of 2Gb, so it's not as if the BIOS is sharing RAM out.

I'm particularly curious about this because the gfx perfomance is a bit below what I expected. I can have a normal window open (e.g. PuTTY) and when I move it from side to side, I get that annoying trail that seems like the gfx card is trying to catch up. I didn't expect this effect from a dedicated gfx subsystem. Am I completely insane or not?

Any help much appreciated!

 

The graphic issues you are describing leads me to believe your Graphic Drivers are:

1) Installed Incorrectly
2) Severely Outdated
3) Not installed at all

As for your graphics card sharing memory, it should have 128 MB dedicated and the rest is indeed shared. However this won't have any negative impact on your performance, it will only use over the dedicated amount of RAM when absolutely necessary. (Which will only increase your performance)

How much RAM do you have and what OS are you using? If your using XP and have 2 GB even if the graphics card utilizes all the shared RAM you shouldn't even notice. For Windows Vista I would say the safety net would be 3 GB of RAM.

I would suggest grabbing the latest graphic drivers from www.laptopvideo2go.com along with a Modded INF. If you are unaware/unable to do this just let us know.

 

Since this laptop arrived last week, I hope none of these apply!

Great, thanks.

2Gb, XP Pro.

Thanks I'll check this out.

 

After reading the OP, I checked my own Adapter properties as I have a Quadro NVS 140M as well.

My Adapter Information:

Total Available Graphics Memory: 879 MB
Dedicated Video Memory: 128 MB
System Video Memory: 0 MB
Shared System Memory: 751 MB

I'm using Windows Vista.

Anyone know where I'd play around with these settings?

 

I checked this site, and they don't seem to have a version of Forceware that will install on the Quadro 140M, WinXP 32-bit.

Can anyone from Lenovo shed any light on why my graphics might be sub-standard for the spec?

TIA.

 

How much "window stutter" do you get? I've got my T61(same video card), T7100 driving dual 20"(19"?) 1600x1200 Dell displays and I don't get any really noticeable window tearing when I move them around rapidly. The edges don't always draw correctly as I'm moving it around, but I wouldn't notice unless I was really looking for it...