T520 General Q's.

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Temetka · #1 Post by **Temetka** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 6:51 am

I'd like to step up from my T410 to a T520. But, I don't want Nvidia graphics. Does this system exist / can I build this system?

T520 Quad Core i7
Nvidia HSF (Typically offers better cooling than the Intel HSF)
16GB RAM
1 mSATA, 1 2.5" SSD
NO Bluetooth
Fingerprint
FHD LED Display (Or, what is the *BEST* panel for the 520)
Webcam
9-Cell Battery.

I know of course I can do most of the stuff like the fingerprint, SSD's, battery, etc. My primary concern is I want Quad Core with great cooling, the best panel available, great battery life, Killer N wireless.

Any input would be appreciated. I am saving up my pennies and putting my shopping list together. Thanks.

#2 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 8:00 am

T520 with Intel Gfx and i7:
4240-4EU
i7-2620M(2.70GHz),4GB RAM,500GB 7200rpm HD,15.6in 1366x768 LCD,Intel HD Graphics,CDRW/DVDRW,Intel 802.11agn wireless,Bluetooth,Modem,1Gb Ethernet,UltraNav,Secure Chip,Fingerprint reader,Camera,6c Li-Ion,Win7 Pro 64
4240-66U
i7-2640M(2.80GHz) [rest as above]

No Quad CPU as standard, but could be updated.
Same for the screen and nVidia HSF.
BT can be removed.
With a Whitelist-removed BIOS, add any wifi card.
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thread ... post642142

Check http://www.lenovo.com/psref/pdf/ltwbook_2013.pdf for more T520 details.

hhhd1 · #3 Post by **hhhd1** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 10:09 am

Quad core, with no nvidia, and great cooling is not possible without modifying the heatsink of the nvidia to make it work on the integrated model.

the integrated gfx heat sink was only designed for dual cores with TDP of 35w, only nvidia models can have quad core with 45w.

There are other forum threads where they reported that upgrading to quadcore on an integrated gfx model is 'working fine' , however I remain skeptical that it would trubo normally or that it doesn't have some thermal throttling.

based on the ebay images of the 't520 fan' and 't520 motherboard' the nvidia heatsink can't be installed on the integrated model, some things on the board gets in the way.

if you install a quadcore on an integrated model, with very good thermal paste, it may work, but do not count on turbo boost.

ajkula66 · #4 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 11:43 am

There is also a separate heatsink for 55W CPUs found in top-end W520 systems, which would likely provide enough cooling power for just about anything one could throw in a T520. However, fitting it onto a T520 board is not something that I've attempted myself.

These run at around $100, though...

bit_twiddler · #5 Post by **bit_twiddler** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 1:51 pm

Can't you just turn off the Nvidia chipset in the BIOS?

ajkula66 · #6 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 2:09 pm

bit_twiddler wrote:Can't you just turn off the Nvidia chipset in the BIOS?

AFAIK, yes.

Temetka · #7 Post by **Temetka** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 4:59 pm

RE: Optimus. Yes, you can disable it. But, it's still going to draw power to some degree and given than, generate a few degrees of heat as well. Given that the Nvidia chip is a POS, I don't want it. I regret having it in my T410 also. That being said, I will check out the links posted. Thanks guys.

So according to the tawbook, the only models that shipped with a FHD LCD were the Nvidia units. Crap. I might have to get an Nvidia unit afterall. So much for my plans of a fast, quiet, cool quad core machine. Hopefully I can just get a FHD panel and drop it in.

/continues research.

ajkula66 · #8 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 5:28 pm

Temetka wrote: Hopefully I can just get a FHD panel and drop it in.

You can "drop in" a FHD panel into any T/W 510/520/530, no mods are necessary.

However, finding the discontinued AUO V4 panel and not a "compatible" piece of junk for a reasonable amount of money is not likely to be an easy task.

Good luck.

bit_twiddler · #9 Post by **bit_twiddler** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 5:41 pm

You can "drop in" a FHD panel into any T/W 510/520/530, no mods are necessary.

How sure are you about this? If so, you could just buy an FHD panel for a W510 and put it on a T/W520.
I've heard that the lids are mechanically interchangeable, but have zero actual experience on the subject.

RE: Optimus. Yes, you can disable it.

Optimus is not the same as disabling the Nvidia chip in the BIOS. I don't know if the chip is going to draw anything
with it being turned off in the BIOS, but, in any case, you're going to get much better battery life with any kind of
Sandy Bridge than you would with your T410.

ajkula66 · #10 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 5:46 pm

bit_twiddler wrote:
How sure are you about this? If so, you could just buy an FHD panel for a W510 and put it on a T/W520.

I'm dead certain. How about that?

Finding the proper panel is the problem. Nothing else.

bit_twiddler · #11 Post by **bit_twiddler** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 6:13 pm

Glendora is in the LA area, right? Here's a little shop that purports to have the genuine item:

http://www.hidevolution.com/parts/auo-a ... gamut.html

You might stop by and ask them some questions. I noticed that they offer laptop services, like re-applying
thermal paste. They might swap the LCD for you. Or, someone on this forum might do it for you.
It sure beats blowing some little fuse on the motherboard.

Of course, if you do go this route, we expect to hear a full report on your experiences.

ajkula66 · #12 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 7:17 pm

bit_twiddler wrote:Glendora is in the LA area, right? Here's a little shop that purports to have the genuine item:

http://www.hidevolution.com/parts/auo-a ... gamut.html

That's a good price for a new genuine panel of this kind. I don't believe that I could source one for less myself.

Temetka · #13 Post by **Temetka** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:38 pm

Nice find! Yes, that is definitely the panel I want in my T520.

Now about the HSF. I don't really want to spend $100 to cool a quad core CPU, but if that's what I have to do, then so be it.

ajkula66 · #14 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 10:56 pm

Temetka wrote:
Now about the HSF. I don't really want to spend $100 to cool a quad core CPU, but if that's what I have to do, then so be it.

Well, I'd try to verify that the heatsink I referred to would fit the board, since these were offered only on W520 machines with Extreme series CPUs...

Temetka · #15 Post by **Temetka** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 12:22 am

That is what I am researching now.

I threw a quick and dirty pic together of the parts in question:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c163/ ... lq1u2h.jpg

I believe I got the FRU's right.

hhhd1 · #16 Post by **hhhd1** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 12:58 pm

I do Not think the w520 and t520 heatsinks are interchangable, the screws position are different.

If you are thinking about getting T520 with nvidia and FHD, you might as well consider the W520, it has better cooling, since it is designed for a better nvidia chipset, and it is much easier to find with FHD and quad core.

casnova · #17 Post by **casnova** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 10:05 pm

Very interesting thanks for sharing.
I agree with the post.

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Temetka · #18 Post by **Temetka** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 10:36 pm

hhhd1 wrote:I do Not think the w520 and t520 heatsinks are interchangable, the screws position are different.

If you are thinking about getting T520 with nvidia and FHD, you might as well consider the W520, it has better cooling, since it is designed for a better nvidia chipset, and it is much easier to find with FHD and quad core.

It's also much heavier and runs hotter. I simply want a 15" Thinkpad with a quad core CPU and excellent cooling. If that means I have to source parts and build one myself, then so be it.

I've been reading up on adding additional heatpipes to an existing setup. Standard solder won't work and while I know someone who could tack weld for me, I am concerned about the high heat required damaging the HSF. What I am thing of is using a MAP gas torch to melt some copper wire from a metal coat hanger and letting it drip onto where I would want to add the additional pipe to. To this end I am going to pick up a T520 HSF and see about playing around with it.

ajkula66 · #19 Post by **ajkula66** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 10:51 pm

Temetka wrote:
It's also much heavier and runs hotter.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. Then again, "much heavier/hotter" may mean very different things to you and me.

I simply want a 15" Thinkpad with a quad core CPU and excellent cooling. If that means I have to source parts and build one myself, then so be it.

My take would be to buy a W520, choose a CPU and go with the strongest heatsink regardless of the processor chosen. If more adjustments are required, Throttle Stop is your friend.

Temetka · #20 Post by **Temetka** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 1:03 am

Hrm...A quick session with google informs me they both weigh the same. 6.2 pounds.

My primary concern is heat output. Using my T410 on my lap with the left side hanging over my leg so it has plenty of airflow gives average CPU temps of around 52-55 degrees Celsius. I consider this "hot" for simple web browsing. But I do want the extra power when needed. What started all this is I miss the pure power of my old quad core E6520, but I couldn't handle the Dell keyboard and total failure of their design of a trackpoint.

So I'd like 2nd gen Intel which supposedly runs cooler, Quad core (primary requirement), 16GB of RAM and my SSD. I'd get a T530 but I'm just not sure if I am going to like the new keyboard layout. With regards to the W520, I don't think I will be needing the power of the Nvidia card and I haven't seen any that have Intel only. I just checked the twbook, and yup no Intel only W520's.

But after some more research, I totally forgot the W520 has 4 RAM slots. Now that could come in handy. 32GB of RAM would certainly handle the VM's I want to throw at the machine (1 Windows Server 2012 w/ Active Directory, and a few 7 / 8 clients to simulate network activity). I could give Server 8GB and the clients (6) 2GB each and still have 12GB left for the host and 1 thread available.

But checking e-bay, the prices go from $250 to $1,200. Ugh. I was planning on spending $500 including upgrading the LCD ($140), 500GB SSD ($200). I am going to have to adjust my budget. I was hoping to buy in august, but now it's looking like october. Frak.

EDIT: I checked lenovo and they state the T520 supports the quad core i7 2630.
http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/pd015761

So now in my head I'm going back and forth between the W520 and T520. I don't need the Nvidia GPU but even the T520 with a QC CPU has the Nvidia chip and thus the better HSF. I could adjust my VM's to take 1GB each and give Server 4GB. That would leave 6GB for the host and still 1 thread left over. Gah!

/bangs head against wall.

I'll probably add more as I debate back and forth, but it's looking like I am going to need a bigger penny jar.

mpcook · #21 Post by **mpcook** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 8:49 am

Also consider if you decide to go with the W520 (which is what I would recommend), not all W520's have 4 working ram slots so be sure to check if you want to go to 32GB. From Lenovo forum: Dual core CPU equipped models can only support two memory dimms. Some systems ship with dummy modules populating the slots that should not be used. If these are removed and additional memory added to these sockets, the system may not boot and may beep a 1-3-3-1 code.

hhhd1 · #22 Post by **hhhd1** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 2:33 pm

the T520 and the W520 are practically the same laptop, they share most FRUs, except the motherboard and heatsink, so under the same load, the w520 should be even cooler than the t520, that is assuming the nvidia chip is disabled, ... with the nvidia enabled, it can get hot.

FRU's: http://support.lenovo.com/en/documents/migr-76718

There are offers on ebay now for $429 + $20 shipping for:
W520 with FHD, i7 2720qm, 160gb SSD, 4gb RAM.

you may need to contact the sellers to verify that the FHD is still the original FHD ..etc.

-----

if that doesn't work for you, and you REALLY want to avoid any nvidia chip, consider modding the heatsink of the dedicated T520 to work on the integrated T520.

No gurantees that this will work, but this was my plan earlier, I too really dislike nvidia

1. someone need to verify that the heat pipe of the cpu is not touching the pad above the nvidia, some ebay images suggest that they are not touching.
2. cut throught the heat pipe going to the nvidia chip.
3. optional: add some adhesive thermal paste between the heat pipes to enhance heat dissipation.

full image size: http://s10.postimg.org/7d54ccph5/002_t520_plan.png

Hans Gruber · #23 Post by **Hans Gruber** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 4:03 pm

Temetka wrote:Hrm...A quick session with google informs me they both weigh the same. 6.2 pounds.

My primary concern is heat output. Using my T410 on my lap with the left side hanging over my leg so it has plenty of airflow gives average CPU temps of around 52-55 degrees Celsius. I consider this "hot" for simple web browsing. But I do want the extra power when needed. What started all this is I miss the pure power of my old quad core E6520, but I couldn't handle the Dell keyboard and total failure of their design of a trackpoint.

So I'd like 2nd gen Intel which supposedly runs cooler, Quad core (primary requirement), 16GB of RAM and my SSD. I'd get a T530 but I'm just not sure if I am going to like the new keyboard layout. With regards to the W520, I don't think I will be needing the power of the Nvidia card and I haven't seen any that have Intel only. I just checked the twbook, and yup no Intel only W520's.

But after some more research, I totally forgot the W520 has 4 RAM slots. Now that could come in handy. 32GB of RAM would certainly handle the VM's I want to throw at the machine (1 Windows Server 2012 w/ Active Directory, and a few 7 / 8 clients to simulate network activity). I could give Server 8GB and the clients (6) 2GB each and still have 12GB left for the host and 1 thread available.

But checking e-bay, the prices go from $250 to $1,200. Ugh. I was planning on spending $500 including upgrading the LCD ($140), 500GB SSD ($200). I am going to have to adjust my budget. I was hoping to buy in august, but now it's looking like october. Frak.

EDIT: I checked lenovo and they state the T520 supports the quad core i7 2630.
http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/pd015761

So now in my head I'm going back and forth between the W520 and T520. I don't need the Nvidia GPU but even the T520 with a QC CPU has the Nvidia chip and thus the better HSF. I could adjust my VM's to take 1GB each and give Server 4GB. That would leave 6GB for the host and still 1 thread left over. Gah!

/bangs head against wall.

I'll probably add more as I debate back and forth, but it's looking like I am going to need a bigger penny jar.

I have an answer for your heat question. I am typing on a T410s with an M560 processor 2.67ghz. It's running on power save mode in the Windows 7 profile. The processor is running at 1200mhz according to CPU-Z. There is little to no heat coming out of the heatsink to the right of the keyboard. This T410s has Nvidia graphics and I have the Optimus Graphics (dual/switchable) enabled.

I can't speak for the W series regarding Nvidia GPU's (desktop replacement series) but the T series graphics cards are terrible on the T410 and I imagine the same for the T420 series.

With all the complexities of software (Lenovo battery stretch) and other software to extend battery usually by limiting CPU usage and thus heat output. I find it easiest to simply set my Thinkpad to power save modem (Win7). When plugged in I set it to maximum performance in bios when connected to a AC power supply.

I have a infrared laser heat thermometer that I use to measure temperatures. 33-34C is what the heatsink puts out in power save mode. Core temp has my T410s idling at 38C-43C. The high temps under load reach 50C-51C.

The T410 series is the Arrandale which is Nehalem. T420 uses the Sandy Bridge i5/i7 series. I think they went away from the QPI link in Sandy Bridge. The T410 series still has the QPI link.

I have been looking at the T420 series to add to my collection.

Temetka · #24 Post by **Temetka** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 4:25 pm

After careful evaluation and consideration, it looks like I am going to save up for the OEM T520 with a QC CPU and just disable the Nvidia chip. This machine will be carried around with me every day and as such that 170W Power brick is just too darned big and heavy to want to lug around.

Now to research my T410 heat issue. Maybe a simple re-paste will solve it. But it reports the same temp in either Linux or Windows so I know it's not an APM/ACPI thing. Maybe if I disable my Nvidia chip in this machine also. Hmm...

/runs off to reboot

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