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    W520 performance - why so bad?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by andy789, Mar 18, 2012.

  1. andy789

    andy789 Notebook Consultant

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    I have just received my W520. Its spec: i&-2768QM, NIVIDIA Quattro 2000M, Intel 160GB SSD

    I am a bit puzzled by its performance:

    Windows Performance index shows

    Processor: 7.5
    RAM: 5.9
    Graphics: 4.9
    Gaming: 6.8
    HDD: 7.6

    In contrast, my old Dell Studio 17 with i7 Q720 and ATI Mobility HD 4650 shows:

    Processor: 7
    RAM: 7.4
    Graphics: 6.7
    Gaming: 6.7
    HDD: 5.9


    What is wrong with the graphics and RAM performance? Am I missing some settings here? It has a new factory configuration.... I haven't adjusted anything yet.

    Thanks
     
  2. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    WEI is a notoriously bad system benchmark. Run it again, and it's likely the numbers will change.

    Your GPU may not have switched to the discrete mode (the W520 has Nvidia Optimus), yielding a lower than expected score. As long as the performance is there in programs that need it, I wouldn't worry about the WEI numbers.

    Regarding RAM, WEI limits the high score if you don't have over 4GB (when in reality RAM is rarely the bottleneck).
     
  3. andy789

    andy789 Notebook Consultant

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    Further to my previous message. I've added 8 more GB RAM (total 12GB) and its RAM index is 7.5 now.

    Still cannot understand what is wrong with the Graphics performance index.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks


    Where is that setting to switch to a discrete mode? In the BIOS?
     
  4. allbald

    allbald Notebook Evangelist

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    If you really want to benchmark your system, use 3dMark11 or furmark. They will give much more reliable benchmarks. That WEI is generic at best.

    That being said the quadro 2000m is upper mid range / lower high end card adn score may not be too far off given the other cards it could be compared to.

    Mobile Graphics Cards - Benchmark List - Notebookcheck.net Tech

    If you don't want the hassle of checking yourself just use the link gave you to check. Overall the 2000m is #78 on the list.
     
  5. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    As stated, WEI is a terrible benchmark. Most likely it was scoring the IGP as opposed to the dGPU. Either way, my 2000M is rated as a 6.7 but in any real GPU benchmarks it would destroy the HD 4650.
     
  6. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    WARNING, new owner alert. :eek:

    Ok, just teasing for now.

    If you want the score to be better, don't use the Intel GPU. Turn off Optimus.
     
  7. domaxx

    domaxx Notebook Geek

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  8. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    How much RAM did you have before you added the extra 8GB. Based on my table here I would guess that you had only 4GB, in which case WEI won't give you more than 5.9. However, I can't explain such a poor graphics score except to blame the Nvidia GPU. :rolleyes:

    John
     
  9. Colonel O'Neill

    Colonel O'Neill Notebook Deity

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    Yeah WEI isn't great.

    In fact, my W520 is reporting 7.7 on RAM, despite it being a 2+4GB asymmetric pairing at 1066MHz.