Thinkpads Forum

If I buy a used ThinkPad T520 with a 1600 x 900 resolution off eBay, can I replace the LCD with a full HD of 1920 x 1080?

Yes.

Just make sure that you get a proper Lenovo-issued LCD and not a "compatible" piece of junk.

Does the T520 have to have a discreet NVIDIA GPU or is a model with an INTEL onboard video sufficient?

Intel will do just fine.

I have mine just sent in to have the mainboard replaced and this display replacement done on T520 with Intel only...should work fine....will report back with the result.

I think the main purpose of the discreet GPU option on the T520 was to drive additional external monitors. The T-series is not intended for gaming, CAD or video work, even with its discreet GPU which is quite weak. In my experience, the integrated intel graphics on the T520 is fine for office work, browsing and watching a high resolution movie.

One of my T520's has the nVidia and core i5; another has intel graphics and core i7; both machines have 8GB ram. For my purposes I can't really tell them apart. But maybe replacing the HDD on one machine with a budget SSD (like an 850 EVO or Crucial BX100/MX200) will differentiate them.

I'm considering the same upgrade to FHD on my T510 and got some very useful advice over here:
ThinkPad T510 upgrade -- next steps after SSD and RAM?

terry_mccann wrote:I have mine just sent in to have the mainboard replaced and this display replacement done on T520 with Intel only...should work fine....will report back with the result.

Had to change plans as no display was available. Got myself a nice 1600x900 thru other channels and it fitted right into the T520....