Thinkpads Forum

I’ve reading a lot this forum, I guess that’s the reason because I’ll hopefully get my first notebook here: I’m handling a T61 CTO 15.4’ wxga. (I know concerns ‘bout the crappy display, random keyboard qualities, and the fact that the classic thinkpads solid-as-rock are gone)

So at some point, I’ve got two posible configurations for exactly the same price:

1 - GMA X3100; Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9300 (2.5GHz 800MHz 6MBL2)
2 - nVidia Quadro 140M (128mb); Intel Core 2 Duo processor T8300 (2.4GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)

I was wondering which option is more reasonably according to my requirements:
I’m not going to play games. under no circumstances! 3D or vectorial graphs neither. The most heaviest software I’m planing to run is Photoshop, Combustion (video and composition software), Adobe Premiere, and some audio stuffs like Nuendo (audio software where I need to handle a video track to achieve and perform the audio editing matching with the video.
Some divx, HD 720p/1080p h.264 too.


- Can the T9300 in conjunction with the X3100 GPU afford the lack of a ‘powerfull’ GPU (nvidia) to handle my requeriments more than ‘just-fine’?
- How will this T9300 get warm without the help of the ‘powerful’ GPU (nvidia) to handle my requeriments?
- Wich is the more heating configuration? 1 or 2?
- Wich one can I get a more overall performance?

What I presume to be true about Nvidia Quadro 140M against GMA X3100:

Pros:
- I guess “a better general performance” in all-kind aplications (even surfing the net)
- Full HD/video playback without compromising CPU usage.
Cons:
- More weighty.
- More warmly.
- More power consume
- Less battery life
- One more fan to worry about! hehe!

Finally: which way you’d go? I’m stuck!
Thanks

Hey,
if you dont use 3d-progrs at all than you can go for the x3100, coz simply you dont need the nvidia with all the more heat and power it will take...photoshop, video etc..wont use the gfx card at all, so the intel will be fine.
the 9300 is a bit faster and takes lesser heat and power but i doubt you will feel it in the real world...

divx/hd and stuff : i dont know if the intel supports hd video, but even without support, a dual core 2.5ghz should play it all hd-videos ok.

pro for the intel also is a lesser fan, so more quit.

my 2 cents, take the intel !

btw.: i am using nuendo under heavy circumstances with tons of plugins but i cannot get the cpu to 100% load....

None of your tasks requires a discrete GPU, so get the faster CPU and enjoy better battery life at the same time.

I'd go with the X3100/T9300.

Given your requirements, I think you'd get "better general performance" with the X3100/T9300, since your tasks will benefit from a more powerful CPU, rather than GPU. But the difference would be very, very small...likely not be perceivable, but maybe measurable.

Overall 140M/T8300 would probably generate slighty more heat, but I don't think heat should be a consideration in deciding between these two choices. T61s have very well engineered cooling systems that are quiet and effective.

G

As said above, Intel all the way. If you're not going to game, the NVidia does almost nothing for you.

Thanks. Your replies/poll throw a clearly way to go for me.
anyway, I’d like to hear what (people who voted for nVidia’s choice) have to say. Just for curiosity. They don’t write anything about. he.

I have an intel GMA X3100 under my thinkpad's hood, and I can tell you that it performs rather well for an integrated graphic card.

I do play some games (FIFA 08, NFS Prostreet), and the Intel GPU does handle the games pretty well.. (fps isn't that great, and sometimes, the thinkpad goes BSOD under great graphics duress). But if you're not really into hardcore gaming and 3D production, go with the Intel GPU and T9300.

And, btw, if you have read a report detailing the prime suspects why Vista crashes (if you're into XP, forget what I am going to say), you may not want to tinker with the NVIDIA GPU.

Cheers! And enjoy your new TPad!

Without a doubt get the X3100/T9300 combo. All my nVidia does it suck down battery life. At the time I only got it since a 2GB 570M/T9300 was cheaper than a 1GB X3100/T9300 at the time.