T440p CPU upgrade + dGPU question

[brendenbogi]

Hello, I guess it's my first post here

I'm planning to pick up a T440p to mess around with and mod. I've looked around the forum and other places where people modded their T440p's so I mostly know what I'm going to do (CPU swap, 16gb memory, IPS, xx50 pad, etc). I want to give it the best performance it could possibly have even though I'm probably going to spend far too much money on it.

So anyways, I was looking for CPU options to swap and every options are good but I have no idea which to use;

37W quad core i7's (4702MQ/4712MQ)
47W quad core i7's (4800MQ/4810MQ/4900MQ/4910MQ)
47W PGA modded i7's (4980HQ) (Can easily get it from taobao)

All of these options have their pros and cons of course and most of the differences is just going to be core speeds and cache size (8MB vs 6MB) which is probably insignificant. Now, the Iris Pro GPU on the PGA modded i7's is going to be quite a big boost compared to the default HD4600 of the MQ CPU and beats the dGPU option too.

For cooling the laptop, I can get PTM and pre-bent heat pipes to add to the heat sink (found a seller in taobao for those heat pipes). If need be, undervolting too can help.

Also I'm planning to run Linux on the thing and I know both GPUs have problems with Linux. Haswell iGPUs (both HD4600 and Iris Pro 5200) have incomplete vulkan implementation, while the dGPU is stuck on Nvidia 470.xx drivers (so no Wayland support) unless you use nouveau. I know it's not a gaming machine and it's really weak even back then but I'd like to run the random indie game once every blue moon or so.

So what CPU option should I get? I have yet to purchase the laptop so I can choose whether or not it comes with the Nvidia GPU or not (basically same pricing).

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the Forum.

Get a T440p with iGPU but with a dGPU fan.
The nVidia dGPU is not much better and running unnecessary hot.
Get a 37W CPU i7-4702MQ or i7-4712MQ, little to no difference between them.
And use a PTM7950 thermal pad.
Replace the DVD-drive with an Ultrabay SSD-adapter.

[ogopogo]

Hi

You are very well informed, so CPU selection it is up to if you want maximum performance, at expense of high temperatures and maybe will need to do a big "mutilating" mod for that (adding another fan plus one or more heatsinks, for example). Or balanced and better longevity, with one of those quad core 37W CPU. If you want first option, go for the best 47W CPU, adapt your linux distro for it, tell us your story; only you will decide if it is worth it.
Personally for my use case, and based on other comments from experienced users here, I couldn't recommend any 47W CPU for T440p.

[brendenbogi]

Now that I think about it more, the 47W CPUs would be better for me. There are so many modding materials in taobao that I could probably run it just fine after a few temperature related mods. (maybe even the 4940MX could be run well in the laptop)

But what CPU options and whether dGPU is there should i use? (I want the best performance out of the machine)

47W MQ + GT 730m
4980HQ Solo (It would probably be cheaper to get the dGPU equipped models than buying the normal ones + dGPU fan)
4980HQ + GT 730m

The 4910MQ has 2MB extra cache (probably insignificant) and the 4980HQ has the Iris iGPU and the eDRAM.

I checked around taobao for pricing for the cpus and they're really cheap compared to US ebay prices. The 4810MQ and 4910MQ are CNY165 and 210 respectively, while the PGA modded 4980HQ is CNY290 (The 4712MQ is CNY175 if you're wondering and the 4940MX is CNY400).

Also does coreboot/libreboot affect performance? (assuming the proprietary blobs/firmware are installed)

[axur-delmeria]

It's best to stick with the 37W ones, because 47W CPUs generally overheat in the T440p. In other words, whatever theoretical performance increase won't be realized because you'll end up underclocking (or disabling Turbo Boost) just to keep it cool.

[brendenbogi]

Okay what about GPU performance though? I know it's not a gaming machine and it's very weak (even back then) but I'd want to get the best out of the machine because why not I guess.

So here are the options now; (dGPU machines are basically the same price as the non dGPU ones)

4712MQ + GT 730m
4980HQ solo
4980HQ + GT730m (probably going to overheat even with mods)

The Iris iGPU has better performance the nvidia dGPU and I'm planning to run linux on the machine.

Also what's the difference between coreboot and libreboot anyways if I'm putting proprietary blobs?

[ogopogo]

I don't have personal experience on coreboot/libreboot, but I have seen that some people have had problems (booting issues and some pci related problems, mostly) with some operating systems. I think maybe it is better just flashing BIOS to unlock advanced menu and remove wifi whitelist.

For GPU dilemma, another option is external, via M.2 slot to pcie x16 adapter, similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mJ8lI1tUljA
Or look at this thread for ideas: https://www.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... d_pcie_30/

Or just go for 4980HQ integrated graphics.
Cheers.

[axur-delmeria]

There are posts on the Thinkpad subreddit mentioning the GT 730M "disappearing" after installing the 4980HQ. Also, the mini Displayport loses functionality with the 4980HQ. Plus the overheating issues.

I personally don't recommend Coreboot/Libreboot. The "freedom" it promises hides a number of inconveniences that range from annoying to downright WTF. For example, needing to use a Linux command-line utility just to change BIOS options that used to be accessible in a menu from the BIOS itself? Completely unacceptable IMO.

Personally, I'd stick to the 4712MQ solo and call it a day. I use Linux primarily and don't like nVidia as a result. Cue Torvald's immortalized F-ck you, nVidia.

I'm not even 100% sure undervolting works on recent Linux kernels, given that Plundervolt forced OEMs to lock it down.