What is the fastest factory installed W520 CPU?

[Carthik]

What is the fastest factory installed W520 CPU?

Data out there is inconsistent, I assume this is because Lenovo made multiple upgrades during the lineup's lifespan.

I also know that people have successfully installed faster CPUs not originally offered by Lenovo. What would be the fastest that is fully compatible?


Cheers

[Tasurinchi]

What is the fastest factory installed W520 CPU?

I think it was a i7-2860QM

What would be the fastest that is fully compatible?

The i7-2920XM if my memory is correct...

[jaspen-meyer]

Intel Core i7-2920XM processor (quad-core, 2.50GHz, 8MB Cache),
DDR3 memory controller (up to 1600MHz), Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 (3.50GHz), HT technology

source: http://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF ... k_2013.pdf

[ajkula66]

The i7-2920XM if my memory is correct...

Actually it would be 2960XM and some of the W520 units were factory-equipped with these. Not an easy find, though.

[MikalE]

Lots on e-Bay. Averaging around $250US.

[Tasurinchi]

Intel Core i7-2920XM processor (quad-core, 2.50GHz, 8MB Cache),
DDR3 memory controller (up to 1600MHz), Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 (3.50GHz), HT technology

source: http://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF ... k_2013.pdf

The i7-2920XM if my memory is correct...

Actually it would be 2960XM and some of the W520 units were factory-equipped with these. Not an easy find, though.

I stand corrected! So much power in those units...

[thinkpadcollection]

Saying about not easy to find is true, easier to find low end quad W520 to get 4 memory slots then buy a CPU from ebay and upgrade that, factory options is just that, and bios can allow faster one installed instead. This way you also will know if need to upgrade the W520 heatsink to 55W type. If bios is older which is often is, update that first before swapping out processors.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[Carthik]

Turns out it is the 2960XM. Found a source stating that it is the fastest CPU the motherboard is compatible with. Will link to it later.

Thanks for the advice thinkpadcollection, that sort of is the plan. Currently collecting the FHD panel, 2000M motherboard, and CPU. Plan to find a donor "parts" w520 and swap everything in.

[thinkpadcollection]

This is exactly what I do all the times, sometimes full up rebuild as budget allows. I just gathered parts and now next budget will be a good better processor by motherboard swap to replace celeron in Latitude 3340 with either 3340 or 3350 if I can find i5-5200u board. Just received Dell OEM battery from china today. US Keyboard coming in, I do not like any language keyboards because of backslash key is shifted make me miss it sometimes while in command line console.

Did T500 in pieces as it was expensive back then, upgraded two T410, T420, and countless computers upgrades including HP Z220 barebone into working 16GB Xeon machine, and did a custom build T42 w/ 9600 based on R52 chassis (complete and cheap, easier to get long heatsink this way) for best cooling and 15" LCD.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[jaspen-meyer]

Turns out it is the 2960XM. Found a source stating that it is the fastest CPU the motherboard is compatible with. Will link to it later.

Thanks for the advice thinkpadcollection, that sort of is the plan. Currently collecting the FHD panel, 2000M motherboard, and CPU. Plan to find a donor "parts" w520 and swap everything in.

My T420 has a middle-of-the-road Ivy Bridge quad, i7-3630QM. It is faster than the 2960XM. Has anyone tried coreboot on their W520?

The coreboot W520 page is incomplete:
https://www.coreboot.org/Board:lenovo/w520

[Carthik]

Turns out it is the 2960XM. Found a source stating that it is the fastest CPU the motherboard is compatible with. Will link to it later.

Thanks for the advice thinkpadcollection, that sort of is the plan. Currently collecting the FHD panel, 2000M motherboard, and CPU. Plan to find a donor "parts" w520 and swap everything in.

My T420 has a middle-of-the-road Ivy Bridge quad, i7-3630QM. It is faster than the 2960XM. Has anyone tried coreboot on their W520?

The coreboot W520 page is incomplete:
https://www.coreboot.org/Board:lenovo/w520

I'm aware I can run Ivy Bridge with coreboot. Found a few threads on it. I cannot sacrifice reliability or functionality so keeping everything factory for now. I'm sure I'll get a few years out of the 2960XM. Got my FHD panel and 2000M non-AMT TPM Raid motherboard, just need to find the 2960XM CPU now!

If anyone has a 2960XM or a cheap donor W520 please send me a PM! Have US and Canadian shipping addresses. PayPal verified.


Cheers,