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    Which X-series has the best cooling?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by kns, Sep 13, 2011.

  1. kns

    kns Notebook Evangelist

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    Among the current X220 and previous models (X201, X200s, X200...),which runs the coolest?

    By the way, for the size and weight, I really like X200s. Smaller footprint than X220 and lighter, best for carrying/travel. Wonder if it's also one of the coolest?
     
    kns, Sep 13, 2011
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  2. erik

    erik modifier

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    X200s/X200T without question.   i've owned them all and never once found the bottom of my X200 systems warm, especially the X200T.   none of my X220 systems (ULV or not) have run quite as cool as the X200 series under similar settings and circumstances.   they're close though.
     
    erik, Sep 13, 2011
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  3. grisjuan

    grisjuan Notebook Evangelist

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    I have an x200s with the 1.86GHz LV CPU and an x220 with the i5 2.5GHz.

    My perception is that the x220 runs cooler. I don't have any concrete numbers, but here are two anecdotes:

    - The bottom of the x220 is definitely cooler to the touch during light operation (web, email, PowerPoint, etc).

    - I can leave the x220 sitting on the bed for a while without the bottom heating up...the x200s gets really hot if I do that.
     
    grisjuan, Sep 13, 2011
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  4. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Probably the X200 generation. The Montevina Core 2 Duo CPUs run very cool in general, and the X200 has a good cooling system. The X200s and X200t, which use low-voltage or ultra-low-voltage versions of the CPUs, likewise run very cool.
     
    MidnightSun, Sep 13, 2011
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  5. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    I'd just say my X220 seems about the same as my X200t. It rarely goes above warm, but I do not often push it.
     
    ZaZ, Sep 13, 2011
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  6. unreal25

    unreal25 Capt. Obvious

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    I have X200t with Core2Duo SL9400 1.9GHz and depending on the exterior temp, it runs wPrime (100% CPU usage, both cores) max 70 C, with stock paste. And I think thats not even ULV CPU, its rated 17W TDP. Try to do that with X220 - if you dare. ;)

    As for the exterior it can get a little warm, but not that much to bother me, if you're doing some heavy downloading through the WiFi.
     
    unreal25, Sep 13, 2011
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  7. lead_org

    lead_org Purveyor of Truth

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    as long as the X220 CPU are not stressed then the level of heat production is not something you would need to worry about. But if you stress the CPU, then the X220 do get warm.

    The X200s and X200t are the coolest running Thinkpads to date.
     
    lead_org, Sep 13, 2011
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  8. Colonel O'Neill

    Colonel O'Neill Notebook Deity

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    I suppose you could just cap the X220 CPU speed.
     
    Colonel O'Neill, Sep 13, 2011
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  9. kns

    kns Notebook Evangelist

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    Hmmm, I just found my x200s temperature is 5C higher than x220, according to HWMonitor, with the same simple applications (web browsing). Does the temperature increase with the age of the machine? My x200s is more than two years older. It seems to have been cooler when new.
     
    kns, Sep 13, 2011
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  10. BlackLion

    BlackLion Notebook Consultant

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    It's possible that your thermal compound is simply wearing out.. you could just re-paste it to get the good temperature back.
     
    BlackLion, Sep 13, 2011
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  11. kns

    kns Notebook Evangelist

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    Sorry, I forgot that my motherboard was replaced not long ago. How about the HD?
     
    kns, Sep 13, 2011
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  12. erik

    erik modifier

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    before assuming something is wrong with the hardware, it's more plausible to blame the software.   hwmonitor assumes a 100°C TCase temp for everything whether this is the correct value or not.   lowering this to 95°C in the hwmonitor.ini file will also lower the reported temp 5°C.

    try hwinfo64 and i'll bet you see a difference in reported temps.

    don't tear apart your system trying to chase down something that isn't likely an issue.   thermal compound is rarely a problem on new systems.
     
    erik, Sep 13, 2011
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