X201 Noise and thermal performance

[Lo-q]

I´m looking for a replacement for my T60, and I found an X201 locally. And I´ve been trying to find some information about the noise and thermal performance of this thing.

Will it stay cool passively, without the fans running, when it´s not under heavy load? Using tpfancontrol if necessary...

What kind of sound does the fan(s) make when they do spin?

This particular X201 has an i5 M520 with integrated graphics.

[Tasurinchi]

Core i5 in this series are not the coolest CPUs (temp wise I mean). Having said that my own X201 doesn't get loud, but I did make sure to clean the fan properly and I have applied AS5 Thermal Paste, which is one of the bests around. When browsing the Internet or even watching videos I don't get bothered by the fan noise.

However, noise depends a lot on personal perception. What is not loud to me may be a hell of a noise for some other person...

[Lo-q]

Okay, thanks.

I´ve read some reviews now, it seems people cant´t agree whether it is noisy or quiet.

By the way, how is the video output? One x201 owner wrote

This port delivers a very good output at 1280x1024 pixels and a fine, but, slightly blurred output at a resolution of 1680x1050 pixels

I´ll mostly be using this with a 24 inch monitor running at 1920*1200, and it better produce a sharp image .

[ZaZ]

I had no issues outputting my X200 to a UXGA LCD.

[mrj47]

I use a x201 connected to 2x 1920x1080, 23" displays. No issues. I also have it docked and its not loud at all unless the fan is being ramped up to max even then I don't personally find it very loud. Idles at around ~54-60c (docked). Hope this helps!

[Lo-q]

I use a x201 connected to 2x 1920x1080, 23" displays. No issues. I also have it docked and its not loud at all unless the fan is being ramped up to max even then I don't personally find it very loud. Idles at around ~54-60c (docked). Hope this helps!

Yes it does, thanks a lot

[Cigarguy]

My X201 is relatively cool and quiet compared to my other laptops and Thinkpads. It's also pretty decent on battery life.

[ZaZ]

I´ve read some reviews now, it seems people cant´t agree whether it is noisy or quiet.

I think there can be some variances from one machine to the next, which would explain the difference of opinion. My X200, when I first got it, was noisy, but after I replaced the fan, it was very quiet.