Graphics upgrade on the T520

[oldfashioned]

Hello from a possible new member. I've recently taken fancy to Thinkpads' sexiness and am looking to replace my trusty Macbook pro 15 cca2010 with a used and upgraded t420/t520/w520.

Im an architect so it should be design capable (CAD, 3D, vector, raster, light rendering) - but not as a main machine. Other uses would be internet, some gaming (classics), etc.

EDIT***

So the original question was regarding gpu upgrade and since i've realised the gpu is soldered on the mb, so only switching for a quadro w520 MB would do it. Now the only relevant question for me remains, how good is the NVS 4200m vs naked Intel graphics 3000? And what kind of eGPU solutions are practical (with dock?). ANy recomendations are appreciated:)

[BillMorrow]

hello and welcome to the forum..

unobtanium..?!
cute..
so are you tall and blue..

i just saw this.. you might be interested.. even though it is not a W520..
http://us-micro-corp.shop.rakuten.com/p ... adid=17917

also it might not be available to ship to where you are..

[oldfashioned]

Hey Bill, thats quite a nice find, w510 is my third choice, but to keep things relevant,ill shoot for the x20 series first:) Need to get some decent performance out of it:)

[ajkula66]

Need to get some decent performance out of it:)

Then your best bet is a W520 with a 2000M GPU or - if you're not "married" to the classic 7-row keyboard like some of us - W530.

Happy shopping!

[Temetka]

I'd 2nd the recommendation of a W520. Excellent machine with the classic keyboard.

The 510 also has the 16:10 LCD which is something worth considering.

[ajkula66]

The 510 also has the 16:10 LCD which is something worth considering.

No. It doesn't.

While T410 is a 16:10 unit, T/W 510 are 16:9.

[theterminator93]

Now the only relevant question for me remains, how good is the NVS 4200m vs naked Intel graphics 3000?

The main benefit is that the Quadro GPU is a "certified" chip that many of the CAD type applications recommend or require. As far as actual performance, it's about 20% faster than the HD 3000 in most benchmarks.

A poor benchmark is the WEI index; for Aero Graphics the NVS 4200 scores a 6.5, and the Intel HD 3000 got a 4.6. I usually go to videocardbenchmark.com for some slightly more reflective performance benchmark scores/information.