W520 noise

Hi guys, I want to buy a W520 2700QM and nVidia 2000M. Please, can anybody when his machine will arrive tell us, how noisy this machine is? I want to have it in the dock running all the time at max performance and I hate noise. I have T60+dock now and if it will be the same I have to buy some silent desktop. Thank you!

 

One reviewer said that the W520 is quiet but I'm dubious of that claim. No laptop with 100W of CPU+GPU is going to be particularly quiet, even with good thermal design. There's just too much heat in too little space to cool it without moving a lot of air. In a desktop you can use big heatsinks and have low-velocity high-volume flow, but that's not an option on a laptop where space is much more constrained.

 

I guess that depends on your definition of quiet. Unless decibels were measured you don't know what the relative observation was. Quiet compared to what?

I know my MacBook Pro sounds like a jet turbine spinning up when it really gets bothered.

 

There's a reason Lenovo doesn't listen to the "HURR LAPTOP NEEDS TO BE SUPERTHIN" critics. It's thick so it can dissipate heat well. Besides, the new fan is significantly quieter than the previous ones.

 

My T60 is running at least at 3000 rpm and the noise is at high frequency so it is pain to be near at. I also thinking about some box if you are interested check http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...es/565499-custom-made-case-notebook-dock.html

But I also red that even the W/T5xx were better than T6x.

Compared to some HPs or Apples my friends has is my T60 relatively quiet, but sitting in front of it 8 hours a day and sometimes sleeping with the laptop ON I had enough if you know what I mean

 

Sounds like you need something like this to keep the fan off.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-removable-laptop-water-cooler!-And-other-co/

 

I am in same situation as you. I hate fan noise & return one W510. Now second W510 is making fan noise but very little. Still watching it carefully how it will works in next 4-5 days otherwise return.

After this I will not buy W series since W520 power supply is massive & can't carry easily. I think T series is only option.

My W510 came with i7-820QM/ 1900x1080/ win7 pro/ 4GB/ 500GB 7200 HDD & other goodies for $1050 + tax. So that price is attractive to keep it if noise doesn't go beyond my limit.. let see

 

Dude, if it bothers you I'll be happy to take it off your hands for that price (if it is new). Was that new? How on earth did you score that deal?

 

wow, thats insane! My idea is to build a box with some managed airflow only

 

hehehe I was so sure you will reply to this.. I know it is heck of deal & that's one of the reason I am trying so much to like it. Yes it is CTO config BRAND NEW from lenovo (03/23/2011 ship out date). Also I score 96GB SSD for $110. So now W510 is even faster.

I am one of the picky one with fan noise. If I am selling will let you know.

 

for that price you can stand a little noise

 

I understand. But since the notebook is my only working tool and I have to spend time in front of the computer I have to solve this... I am thinking of getting back to a desktop solution and get some notebook only for emergency tasks and which I can do via remote desktop. But I am a bit aware of this since I am working with photoshop/indesign/illustrator and also the T-series is not cheap either...

 

UP
Since W520 is starting to be delivered, can anybody check fan speeds and noise please.
Also if you had T60 with C2D how they are compared. Thanks.

 

My T61 is on the floor beside me and I can hear its fan.

I have my W520 on my lap and I can hear nothing.

Perry

 

Could you describe the power management settings you set in the BIOS and in Windows (assuming you are using Windows).

 

Also can you please install TPFanControl and check the RPM?

 

i suggest you should get SSD for sure since GPU temp will stay close to 40 to 50 range but SSD will make big impact to reduce over all heat and keep fan noise inside 3000 rpm or close to 2500. If you want inside 2000 rpm then i7 is not your choice. I know Core Duo were very good at maintaining good temp but they are now consider a old