Thinkpads Forum

Hello friends.

I am thinking of getting a brand new ThinkPad T520 and need some feedback. One concern I have is on the graphic card/chip. I heard that most T4x models had graphic chip failure. So now I an worried about a similar failure with my next TP purchase.

So, ... do I get a T520 with an "Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor graphics with dynamic frequency" or a "NVIDIA Quadro NVS4200M Optimus technology (1GB)" ?

Has Lenovo corrected this issue or is it a time-bomb ready to explode ?

Plus, any other feedback on this model is more than welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

I'd make the decision based on what your needs are. Do you need a discrete graphics chip? Do you plan to play games on the machine? If not, the Intel integrated chip will likely be just fine, run cooler and be more problem free over the life of the machine.

Intel chips have served me well over the years. As wolfman says, they run cooler than alternative chips so there are fewer failures.

My old 15" screen T43 with an Intel chip hasn't failed yet. It is 7 years old and still in daily use by the outlaws. The ATI models never lasted that long without a heat problem.

What's more, look through these forums and read about all the NVIDIA problems people have. Meanwhile my Intel chip T510 runs quietly and with no cooling problems ... the fan rarely comes on.

Heat can be very destructive to the solder in any electrical device. A computer is no different. As soon as the tin alloy reaches a certain temperature it goes for a walk with inevitable results.

We have a number of Thinkpad t510 and t520 with the nvidia with no issues ever with the video or heat.