Video cards for Advanced T60 docks

So, I've got T60 with x1400 and was hoping I will be able to play Microsoft Flight Simulator X at least somewhat good (given that the required specs on FSX website are a lot less). Not a chance, even with graphics settings set at half-the-best, the frame rate is not nearly acceptable. So, I am thinking about getting the Advanced dock and a PCIe video card. Any suggestions for the card? Are there any good high-performance pcie half-size cards or am I just dreaming?

Another option is getting a new T60 (my current is defective) directly from Lenovo and get T60p with 5200. Is that card much better than x1400? Anyone found a solution to get any reasonable frame rate from FSX?

Dima

 

The advanced dock doesn't have the same type of PCIe slot. I believe it uses 1x (vs. 16x) It was designed more to drive high resolutions/multiple monitors rather than to play games. The firegl v5200 is based off the x1600 so yes, it is a more powerful card. the x1600 is about twice the card the x1400 is. It is a workstation card though, so the driver support for games is not as good.

 

It's too bad your current one is defective. I was hoping you could try adjusting a setting to see if it fixes it (got to ATI catalyst, powerplay, and select when plugged in to be optimal performance - for some reason mine was set to optimal battery life when plugged in.

 

I was wondering whether it was 1x or 16x... Well, do you think that extra $50 and bigger power consumption (any data on how much more?) would justify the increase in performance?

And about the multiple monitors... I currently have the Advanced Mini dock. I want to set up two (separate) dual monitors or possibly even three using the laptop screen. Will this be possible? Do I need the Advanced dock for that? Does it matter whether it is 1400 or 5200?

Thanks a lot!

 

marlinspike, the laptop is actually working, i just have an issue with the screen... anyways, tried going to the catalyst control center and I cannot find the Powerplay option. I found something under 3D, is that it?

 

I got about 2hours to 2:15 running the T60p with firegl card under normal use with screen 2 notches below max brightness everything else set to optimal battery life (browsing internet and looking at powerpoints). Its a pretty good card, I could play source pumped all the way up on everything just fine. However my T60p got sent back because I had a bluescreen issue that was unresolvable. I am considering canceling my order and getting an x1400 T60. What is your battery life like on with the x1400?

I'm also interested in the advanced dock and placing a graphics card in there. Even though it is 1xpci express, would it still be able to out perform the x1400 or the firegl card? If the advanced dock+pcie graphics card would outperform the firegl, I will definately change my order to the T60 w/ x1400 for the extra battery life -if it is a noticeable difference in battery life that is.

 

I haven't done any benchmarks or anything, but I have noticed that it lasts through my 3-hour classes just fine with full brightness and wireless on, however I do not play music or watch (many ) movies in class. Oh, and btw, that's on a 6-cell battery. Are you using 6-cell or 9? I will be ordering 9-cell for v5250, hopefully it will last more than 2 hours....

I'm also very interested in how 1x pcie cards compare to x1400/v5250 so if someone could shed some light on that, we would greatly appreciate that

 

6cell on my v5250, so you should hopefully get 3:15 to 3:45 on the 9cell. Before my T60p went in I was just about to order a 3cell battery for the ultrabay since 2+ hours I was getting isn't that good. Your battery life seems really nice with the x1400, so much that I would definately get an x1400 if I could put a video card in the advanced dock and get results at least as good as the v5250.

 

We have the same card and we both have T60's but your catalyst is different from mine. Have you updated the drives? In catalyst go to help and about, what version do you have? Mine is version 1.2.2447.13670

 

Mine is older... and I cant update :-( Tried downloading the updater from ati/amd website and when i run it, it says it can't do it, I need to get the drivers from manufacturer and there is nothing on the lenovo site for the video card:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-62928

2blynch: I've been watching the movies on my flight back home today with wireless turned off and monitor brightness turned down couple notches. Lasted me about 2.5 hours so I guess there is not much difference...

 

I think movies eat the battery alot more than just web browsing and office do, so 2.5 hours running movies is probably still considerably better than the v5250. I think i've decide to stick with the v5250 though, its only like $40 more than the T60 with x1400 and it also has a 2.16ghz processor vs. the 2ghz --so it is a much better deal, with the special going on now on lenovodirect w/ epp. Getting the ultrabay battery should put me up to a resonable battery life.

 

my thoughs exactly

 

well, i just got my t60p with Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz, 2GB RAM, 100GB 7200RPM hard drive, and FireGL 5250 video card. Ran the Flight Simulator X demo and it seems to work flawlessly with all graphics settings at least at Medium High! SWEETNESS