x220 First impressions

So, I got my x220 today.... Nice piece of hardware

Before I got the laptop, i was beginning to question my wisdom in buying a laptop that gets so hot.... some running as high at 97c

Being that I have specific purposes for this laptop, the minimum of which is gaming, I trudged forward.

Well, today I got to play with my laptop, and I have to say I think i have worked out a pleasant compromise to my settings. Knowing I can't run full speed, as I would exceed my comfortable limits of over-heating, I played with the power settings, and peaked my processor at 2Ghz x 2 processors, and am able to keep my temps around 70c running LinX test for 30minutes or so.

So, as it stands, Im running from high 40's 48/49 idle, to 70ish full-speed (2Ghz)... This is fine for my purposes, surfing, Itunes, and Playing the odd 1080p movie occasionally.

So, besides the compromise in speed... I love everything else about the system. I have it running on my docking station, and it will be serving as one of my desktops.

Thanks everyone for you help, and support.
Spook


Oh, one more thing, can someone point me to that thread that tells me what software/bloatware should be removed? I understand there are a couple of things that help the laptop boot faster, and maintain better battery yields.... so everything shouldn't be removed.

Thanks again.

 

What's your CPU?

 

Maybe try to re-paste the CPU thermal grease.

 

i7-2620m 2.7Ghz... Which is fine, because none of the other systems came with a USB3.0 either, and I wanted the USB3.0.

 

What temperatures do you get by LinX if you don't throttle your CPU at all?

 

Just get one of these:
Express Card Expresscard 54 to USB 3.0 x 2 Port Adapter | eBay

it's cheaper than getting the i7 just for USB 3.0

 

If I turn everything off in bios, it clocks at 800Mhz x2, and at 100% with LinX basically doesn't move, it stays ~52c

If I optimize for performance it goes up to 3.2Ghz, but as it starts to approach 90c it throttles back 2.8Ghz to 2.6Ghz... so, it stays right around 90c

peaked at 94c

Removing HT also gives me 2-3 degrees cooler

 

That CPU is a beast. It eats Thinkpad cooling systems for breakfast.

 

Only in X220's.

It runs about 10 ~ 15C cooler in a T/W520. I guess that's dinner?

 

@spook161
I am glad to hear that you are happy with the X220.

Can you give us the specs please?

 

0a69630 Sbb Intcr I7-2620m Proc Usb3.0
45m3092 Vbb Genwin7homeprem64
0a59833 Sbb Gen Win7 Home Prm64 En
0a69642 Sbb 12.5prmhdldbcltdpymbbbrdan
45m4572 Vbb 4gbpc3-10600ddr3 1333sodmm
45m4839 Sbb Keyboardus English
0a69644 Sbb No Fingerprint Reader
0a69657 Sbb Camera, Hd 720p
0a69654 Sbb 320gb Hrddsk Drv,7200rpm
0a68287 Sbb No Mssdrive
0a69647 Sbb Tp Battery 29++(9cell)
41w1787 Sbb Cpk North America
0a68261 Sbb Bluetooth 3.0
0a68255 Sbb Ic Advn 6205 2x2agn
44c7950 Sbb Int Wrlsswdareantwrk Upgr
0a69659 Sbb Language Pack Us English

 

I don't understand...why did you buy an i7 in the first place when you are throtteling it...?

 

USB 3.0, as OP said in an earlier post.

 

@spook161
Very nice configuration. All I would add is a bit of ram and maybe an SSD but that's me.

Can you do me a favour. I see you ordered the IPS diplay, is it glossy? The reason why I am asking this is because some people reported that they received glossy. (This is apparently a new batch)

Second, can you test the image retention? (It takes between 10-30 minutes) And let us know whether you have ghosting as others reported.

PS
I am pretty much about to buy the same rig...

 

Can you link us to the source of these reports? This is the 1st I've heard of glossy IPS displays being shipped or a "new batch" of displays. Lenovo advertises/specs the display as "matte", so I'd be VERY surprised if they'd just switch to glossy without some notification. I think the 'matte' display still has a 'sheen' to it, so maybe someone was confused and misinterpreted the 'sheen' as being glossy?

 

Look at post 217 ( Here). The person had his/her IPS display replaced. The interesting part is this quote: " ... I really dont like glossy screens and if it's going to be a choice between a matte IPS screen with defects vs a glossy screen without, id rather take ..." I wonder what this person meant because first he/she complained as defective but then it looks like the replacement does not have the image ghosting. Maybe he/she badly worded his/her post.

Also, I read another post on another forum but I am trying to verify it as the person seemed to be new to the Lenovos and to the X220. In addition, I asked somebody from Lenovo who is trying to verify again the same.

 

Ram and SSD just arrived today... Now I just need my external optical drive, so i can burn the recovery disks.

As far as the screen is concerned... Mine is matte finish.

I'll get back to you on the image retention...

 

This will not help.

 

So you were one step ahead of us with the SSD and Ram. I look forward to hearing your report on the ghosting.

 

Let me restate his question. Why the heck would one get the i7 if he is going to throttle it, while putting two USB 3.0 ports into the empty ExpressCard slot costs only around $15?

Anyway, I ordered my X220 on 7/29 and I was just notified it had been shipped. That's quick. I'm definitely going to return it if my IPS screen turns out to be glossy...

 

So, I put my SSD in, and that went smoothly.... I've made my recovery media, and I have pulled out my Hard drive....


Guess what, its not a Hitachi 320... its the Momentus, Seagate 320

I thought that was interesting, since Lenovo even said they were shipping a Hitachi.

 

Which SSD ?? Are you using UEFI only ?

Turn of the lights and fullscreen a total black image. Then max the brightness.

How is the backlight bleed ?

Any ghosting ?

 

Please keep us updated with your experience with the IPS ghosting