Thinkpad T520 i5-2520M vs i7-2760QM

Hi Everyone,

I am planning to purchase Thinkpad T520, but I am unable to decide clearly whether to go with i5 or i7 (quad core). Any help would be appreciated.

1. Intel Core i5-2520M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz), 7200 rpm disk, NVIDIA Optimus
2. Intel Core i7-2760QM Processor (2.40GHz, 6M Cache with Turbo Boost up to 3.50GHz), 7200 rpm disk, NVIDIA Optimus

1. Does the laptop become more warm when using i7 quad core?
2. Does i7 drain the batter more faster? (I just do normal web surfing and Java programming etc.)
3. Any other suggestions?
4. Please note that I am getting a deal on i7 as I got a good quote after long bargaining from a sales rep. So money wise there is no much difference between the configurations.

 

What's the price difference? Is battery life critical to you? Those are the primary differences between the two.

The Core i7 would likely use a bit more power on idle and significantly more on load than the dual core i5, but multithreaded CPU-intensive applications will see a benefit from the quad core. I would expect the quad core machine to run slightly warmer as well. I think they share the same heat sink part, but not 100% sure on this (if this is the case, the i7 variant will run warmer, although it may not be significantly so).

 

i7 I am getting for around $1200 before tax
i5 I am getting for around $1000 before tax

Also yeah battery life may not be that crucial but I can't see it draining too fast either. 2 years back I got a T510 with i7 Quad Core and it was the battery was draining fast, so I returned it by paying restocking fee. (Also the power adapter was getting too much heated)

 

I would also consider if you really need the extra processing power of the quad core.

 

It might not be worth spending your money on the Core i7 upgrade unless you know that you're going to benefit from it. The FHD 1920x1080 display, for example, might be a better use of your money. Give some consideration to the 9-Cell battery too.

Regarding the display, you should ensure that your Lenovo Thinkpad T520 configuration has at least the 1600x900 display. Don't buy a Thinkpad T520 in any configuration that has the stock 1366x768 display. The 1366x768 display makes things onscreen large and has poor image quality due to low contrast.

Also, if you were looking at upgrading the memory by-chance, don't pay the prices for the upgrades on the configuration page. Look into upgrading it yourself.

 

For $200 difference (if the only difference in the two configurations is CPU), I would definitely get the i5, unless you absolutely need the extra CPU power (ie, you do tons of video encoding on a daily basis). It's not worth it. Save it towards your next computer a couple years down the road, when CPU power will again have increased.

 

1-yes, it does get warm, but so does the i5. and it handles the heat well, so it is a non-issue

2-idling (contrary to the comments from those who have no clue), it is IDENTICAL to my (now gone) i5 T420, at 7.5-8w (depending on which SSD is in), at the LOWEST display brightness.
mind you, you will almost never be using it at the lowest setting. therefore, most of the battery drain will be the screen backlight, the hdd or ssd activity, and then some CPU.
and I'm guessing here, but I would surmise that per the same load, it would not be dissipating more heat than the i5.

3-like the other guy said, get the memory cheap, and not from lenovo.
the quad core, if you have the money, is definitely worth it. believe me, it's like pen.s envy, everyone would get a quad core if it cost exactly the same.

But like another guy said, 1366x768 is absolutely crap. the only reason FOR ME to get the a T520 over the T420 is the 1080 screen.

 

Thanks a lot everyone for your quick and nice responses.

Actually the i7 was coming for $1150 (including tax) (some more bargain again ). Hopefully the quote is still valid, if so then this is the price I would get it.

But the i5 I am not getting a good deal and it is coming to around $1060 (including tax) for the same configuration.

So this is my dilemma... i5 or i7

This is current configuration (just the processors are different):

i5

Intel Core i5-2520M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50GHz)
OR
I7-2760QM2.40GHZ,6MB

Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)
15.6" HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlight AntiGlare display, with Wireless WAN Antenna
NVIDIA Quadro NVS4200M Optimus technology (1GB)
4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
6 Cell 2.6Ah Li-Ion Battery
ThinkPad 1x1 b/g/n

 

OP, personally, I would opt for the i5 and use the price difference on the nicer FHD screen. That'll be something you benefit from 100% of the time when you use your laptop.

For an i5 T520, though, I would think you could get a better deal. My friend recently got a new i5 T420 (granted, with integrated graphics) and the HD+ screen for $680.

Well, there definitely is a difference. Granted, these specific numbers are from desktop systems (where it's a bit easier to measure power draw), but I see no reason the same overall pattern wouldn't hold.

Depending on your usage, the power consumption differences may or may not make much of a difference. Suppose a quad core CPU uses 1W more on idle than a dual core CPU (making up numbers here) and the T520's idle system power draw on battery is 9W (10W with quad core), which is pretty realistic (my T500 gets down to 8-9W, and that's with a Core 2 Duo and a CCFL screen). Then, with a 90Wh battery, the difference would be 1 hour of battery time.

 

Unless you do video editing on the go, I'd stick with a dual-core processor.

 

Hmmm... $680? I am not getting a good deal at all... all I get is $100 of using T520SAVE, even though I chat or call... the same. That's why leaning towards the old quote of i7.

 

An FHD Screen benefits you better than the i7.
And you always have the option to switch from i5 to i7 by yourself in the future(price will be dramatically lower if you buy an OEM i7 after a year or so)

 

agreed on FHD
same with the 420 suggestion

but about the power draw?
You've used DESKTOP power draw to reach a conclusion on mobile processors, and then came up with numbers? Ha ha ha.

"Granted, these specific numbers are from desktop systems, but I see no reason the same overall pattern wouldn't hold." = "I close my eyes and it's not there"
You see no reason? We need no measurements, from now on, then.
And I've got a T520 under my palm here, and I gave you the numbers.

 

receph is right. so if a few extra dollars is no big deal to you, get a quad. it is a great cpu. my machine runs cool and silent - just like my old dual.