Thinkpads Forum

Considering upgrading from my T410 to a T430s.

I am looking at the S variant because I want even lighter system and I think it looks wonderful.

I've been doing some research and apparently only the i5 model had the Nvidia GPU when it was released, but I would really like an i7.

It it possible and safe (temps) to get an i5 model with the 1600x900 LCD and an Nvidia GPU then upgrade the CPU to an i7?

I'd like to pick up an mSATA drive in 256GB or larger for booting and programs so I can use my 250GB EVO SSD for file storage. I plan to dual boot linux and Windows 7/10. I will also be looking for the backlit keyboard (I've wanted this feature on Thinkpads for years) and upgrading it 16GB of RAM.

What are your thoughts and feelings on my plan? Also if you guys own a T430s i'd love to hear your "user review" about the machine. I really like my T410 and am hoping the T430s will give me even better performance than what I have now. Either way, I am going to upgrade to either a T430 or a T430s. I'd prefer the 's' model for lightness and sexiness. Having SATA3 and USB3 as well as more efficient CPU tech should make for a decent upgrade.

Coming from a T410 I think you'll love the look and feel of the T430s, it simply feels right; regarding the CPU question - as far as I know the 's' models have the CPU soldered (at least that is for my T420s, and I'm pretty sure T430s is in the same boat), so you can't upgrade it. Personally I'd choose an i5+NVidia over an i7 (2 cores) with integrated graphics, but that's me (disclaimer: I play games; if you don't game, then an i7 w/ integrated graphics will be fine).

Temetka wrote:I've been doing some research and apparently only the i5 model had the Nvidia GPU when it was released, but I would really like an i7.

That is not true. 2353-8QG is an example of such a model.

Thanks guys.

Yeah, I really love the look of the T430s. It looks very clean and industrial to me.

I do play games, so I'd like Nvidia GPU for that extra punch.

If the CPU's are not upgradeable, that is fine with me. I haven't done a CPU in a laptop in a long time as they are all rather powerful for most people's needs (e-mail, web, facebook, youtube, MS word, etc).

I am concerned a bit about system heat and downlcocking. My T410 which I recently applied a fresh coat of AS5 only pulls about 20ish fps in World of Warcraft which is pretty much the only game I play. That being said I am heavily considering quitting as it's just so boring. But I would still like the best GPU I can get in the machine seeing as the only upgrade path is to get a different machine.

I've been watching videos about it and reading a ton of reviews. As soon as one of my other machines sells, I will will be purchasing one. I'd prefer to get one from the TPF, but e-bay is still an option. I am also thinking of selling my T410 to pay for a bigger SSD. The one I have now is a Samsung 840 EVO 250GB model. I really like it for the speed, but I need more space. I don't really consider going to a 320GB SSD much of an upgrade. I like to double down when I do system upgrades.

If I can get 2-3 years of life out of the T430s I will be very happy. I say that because who knows we might have i10's by then.

Temetka wrote:If I can get 2-3 years of life out of the T430s I will be very happy. I say that because who knows we might have i10's by then.

Yeah, but Windows 11 will suck all the life out of it anyway and you'll still have the same computing experience .

Temetka wrote:I am concerned a bit about system heat and downlcocking. My T410 which I recently applied a fresh coat of AS5 only pulls about 20ish fps in World of Warcraft which is pretty much the only game I play. That being said I am heavily considering quitting as it's just so boring. But I would still like the best GPU I can get in the machine seeing as the only upgrade path is to get a different machine.

Both of my T420s&T430 are throttling when gaming if I don't put the fan at full speed + (>5000rpm); you can do this with Lenovo Turbo Boost+, or using tpfancontrol, I prefer the last for its adaptability. I usually reach 90C playing modern games.

Temetka wrote:I've been watching videos about it and reading a ton of reviews. As soon as one of my other machines sells, I will will be purchasing one. I'd prefer to get one from the TPF, but e-bay is still an option. I am also thinking of selling my T410 to pay for a bigger SSD. The one I have now is a Samsung 840 EVO 250GB model. I really like it for the speed, but I need more space. I don't really consider going to a 320GB SSD much of an upgrade. I like to double down when I do system upgrades.

I'd go with a Crucial MX200 500GB.

rkawakami wrote:

Temetka wrote:If I can get 2-3 years of life out of the T430s I will be very happy. I say that because who knows we might have i10's by then.

Yeah, but Windows 11 will suck all the life out of it anyway and you'll still have the same computing experience .

I don't know. Windows seems to be getting much more efficient. That being said I am seriously considering moving back to linux and putting Windows in a VM for work purposes.

AIX wrote: I'd go with a Crucial MX200 500GB.

That is a nice SSD. Based on the benchmarks it seems to almost as fast as the 850 PRO which was the drive I have been looking at. I am running an 840 EVO right now and am very pleased with it's performance so far. I also noticed that the 500GB 850 EVO is below $200. I still have time to read the latest reviews before I make a decision on which SSD to use. If the system I get doesn't have a pre-installed mSATA drive, then I plan on adding on of those as well. I know they came something like a 16GB mSATA drive for use as a cache, but that drive can also be wiped and booted from. My current linux install is only using 6.5GB. So If it came it one, there's my OS drive and then just something for storage. I'd want a secondary SSD for speed and battery life. So something around 320GB should be fine although I would prefer a 500GB drive. It just depends what is on sale when I get my new laptop.