Thinkpads Forum

I've been looking at a T60 for awhile, and I've decided to pull the trigger. Problem is I'm not sure what would be best for me. Stuck on T60 vs. T60p

After configuring them the only difference I see between the two is the x1400 vs. 256MB FireGL V5250 and 2ghz T7200 vs 2.16ghz 7400. And the $400 price difference. I assume I won't notice much if any defference in .16ghz, so what I need to know is if the V5250 is worth it and if there are any other differences between these models (weight or other factors, but the stats from lenovo appear to be the same now). I will be mainly multitasking using common college software(firefox, word, excel, trillian, outlook, ect.), however I like to play fps now and then so I would like this computer to be able to handle games as well as possible for the next couple years (I play source now for example). What difference will these graphic cards have? Also, I do expect to upgrade to vista so which would be better considering that as well.

Let me know what you think, Brandon.

p.s. I hear great things about the flexview screens and would wait a month to get one if they came out in 14.1 screens. Anyone know if that might happen soon? And does anyone know what the next promotion will be and when, the current promotion really only helps me with the dvd burner, because I would like a 7600HD and 6cell battery anyways.

Googling on V5250 brought up this discussion:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=84095

You can look up the differences in performance of the two graphics processing units on the web as well, perhaps on the ATI web site.

I've actually read that discussion before. I've tried to do my research on this, but I've seen completely inconconclusive information on this. Some say the firegl is terrible for games, and others say its acceptable and is basically an x1700 which is way better than an x1400. I would assume I would run omega drivers either way, I run those with my current notebook with a radeon 9000 mobile with great success.

Does somebody know if the firegl V5250 really is not good for gaming, or if it is far superior to the x1400?

Just get the 'p' model. It's short for "performance" =).

That's what gaming's all about!

X1700 > X1400.

I don't want to come across as generalizing (or worse, ignorant), but I'm in your identical shoes, and I got a T60p.

-3nigma

The Firegl V5250 is the Cad version of x1700, its raw graphic power is far superior than the x1400, although you might run into compatibility issues with certain games(very few). If you are gonna game on a TP, go for the T60P.

Yes, another vote for the T60p.

You won't regret it

Ok thanks for the input guys. I leaning towards the T60p, but the 3 hour battery life on a 6cell is the only think holding me back.

I have a question about the docking stations. I plan on getting one, but I'm deciding between the mini and regular advanced dock. If I got the advanced I could toss the 100gb 5400HD that comes with the T60p after I trade it out for a 7200. But I could buy a $10 usb2 enclosure to put that HD in instead. So the only real advantage I see in the full dock is the pci express slot. Question: If I were to put a graphics card into the pci express would I be able to use it to play games on an external monitor, or would it be noneffective at games due to the pci express being x1? Basically could I get a T60 with low end graphics card that uses less battery, get an advanced dock with a pci express graphics card, plug that all into an LCD and be able to get the best of both world, good battery life and good gaming while at my desk(at my desk is the only time I will be doing anything graphically intensive). Or will the x1 limitation make the pci express graphics card considerably slower than the firegl card?


ps. when will a company make a docking station with full speed pci express graphic solutions to effectively give you desktop graphics while docked, so you can have slower more efficient smaller graphics components on the go when graphics aren't needed. A x60 that docked to give desktop graphics would be a dream come true....

i was wondering the same thing too blych

I wonder if what that guy was talking about on that small thread about soft modded chipsets. i wonder if we uninstalled the graphics "professional" (cad) drivers from the FireGL card and installed OMEGA ATI Drivers if we could get better performance for the gaming guys. again, these laptops are not alienware gaming laptops, but it would be awesome if they would perform nicely with mid settings in the game. something to take time on a road trip or airplane trip and actually enjoying playing the game.

dfumento wrote:Googling on V5250 brought up this discussion:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=84095

You can look up the differences in performance of the two graphics processing units on the web as well, perhaps on the ATI web site.