Thinkpads Forum

I'm still thinking to buy another thinkpad and as time goes, the budget grows.
My main concern is the graphics with this model.
I heard about issues in t61 and now have at home dell inspirion with failed nvidia (m5010) graphics (overheating no matter how good I treated it). I want a model that won't fail in this.
Which made model of t510 is the best to grab?
Models with i7 are good or they overheat usually? Can I replace the screen to higher resolution if I grab lower one?
Thank you
Lior

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Wiking wrote:Can I replace the screen to higher resolution if I grab lower one?

As long as the screen is from a T/W 510/20/30 it will work. I swapped in the FHD panel from a W520 I believe for the 1600x900 my T510 had.

Can't answer your other questions. I have the Optimus version but doubt it's ever been engaged. I'm not even sure what triggers that (unless I force it).

All machines from *10 generation run hot, that's just the nature of the 1st generation Core i CPUs.

Sandy Bridge units (*20 series) are not all that more expensive, and are far better balanced system with several major advantages, such as their ability to utilize mSATA drives.

Thank you for answering. Yes, after looking, the T520 is not so expensive so I'm thinking to going forward one more generation to have a decent machine for at least 3 years.

Is it worth taking i7 instead of i5 ? is the more powerful CPU worth the extra cash (T520 I mean) ?
+Thinking about W510\W520 also right now.

Wiking wrote:Is it worth taking i7 instead of i5 ? is the more powerful CPU worth the extra cash (T520 I mean) ?
+Thinking about W510\W520 also right now.

Only if you truly need a Quad core and higher electric bills, lol. The more powerful GPU might make more of a difference for some users. One advantage of the W-series is that it sports USB3, which the T510/T520 do not. But I hate the heavy, massive AC adapter for the W520. In contrast, the T-series use the 90-watt adapter, same as since the T60 days, and you can even use the nice little 65W adapter that has been around for 8 years, especially with the T420 which runs on integrated graphics unless you press it.

After looking I can grab really nice T520 but with i5. Can I replace it later to the i7 version ? Having 6mb of L3 cache is far better then only 3mb as all i5 models have. Or pursuit i7 from the beginning?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Wiking wrote:I'm still thinking to buy another thinkpad and as time goes, the budget grows.
My main concern is the graphics with this model.
I heard about issues in t61 and now have at home dell inspirion with failed nvidia (m5010) graphics (overheating no matter how good I treated it). I want a model that won't fail in this.
Which made model of t510 is the best to grab?
Models with i7 are good or they overheat usually?

Based on my limited experience, I would not worry about the 520 and W510 thinkpads overheating (assuming no issues such as bad thermal paste or clogged vent).

I have not heard of gpu issues since the infamous T61 one. I do not press it but my W520 i7 does not overheat. The bottom of my W520 is cooler sitting on my lap than my W500 and W510 were. Not sure, but offhand I think some W-series are slightly thicker than the T-series so that might help the W feel cooler, plus the W might have stronger cooling, commensurate with its higher power.

Good question tho. Regarding T-Series, my T420 Optimus runs cool too. The T420/T520 are reputed to be less warm than the T410/T510were. I am thinking about getting a T420s but I am concerned that because it is thinner than T420, it might be too warm for my lap

As my sig indicates, my primary machine is my T410. It runs very cool even with the Nvidia GPU.

I have been think of getting a T420 mainly to use mSATA. Althoug I do prefer the 16:10 LCD of the T410.

That being said, I am posting here because I am also thinking of picking up a T520 or W series. I have never owned a W series machine, only T series and X series. What are the primary differences? I am just looking for 15" Thinkpad to possibly replace my M4400.

Temetka wrote: I have never owned a W series machine, only T series and X series. What are the primary differences? I am just looking for 15" Thinkpad to possibly replace my M4400.

W series will usually offer a beefier GPU than their T counterparts.

Also - starting with W510 - the QC models were available with 4 RAM slots as opposed to 2 on the T series.

Unfortunately, only the W500 was still 16:10, everything else is 16:9...