T420 Nvidia versus integrated

[Frotz]

What's the graphics performance of a T420 with discrete Nvidia graphics versus one with Intel integrated graphics? I'm pondering buying a refurbished or used one because my T42 is getting long in the tooth and I would rather not have a T430 or T440.

[wolfman]

Welcome to the forum.

I have the T420 in my signature below with integrated only graphics (e.g., Intel HD 3000 graphics). The nVidia NVS 4200m graphics was an option on the T420 and leverages Optimus technology. It's approximately 20% faster than the integrated graphics.

From your other post, you mentioned you were going to install llnux on the machine as well. Take a look at bumblebee to support switching graphics. I tend to only buy laptops with integrated graphics as it's one less source of both heat and failure over the lifetime of the machine. I don't have a use case that required a discrete graphics chip. If you search benchmarks for the nVidia NVS 4200m and the Intel HD 3000 you'll be able to see the performance difference for your specific use case and decide if it's worth it - the 4200m is a low end card.

To me, honestly, I'd take a 1600x900 display with integrated graphics over a 1366x768 display with a discrete chip all day long... I think the display resolution is more important, so definitely consider getting the 1600x900 panel.

Hope that helps.

[jayton4]

Like wolfman said, just make sure you get the 1600x900 screen.

I have the Nvidia NVS 4200 on my T420s, and I like that I have it, but don't see it as an absolute necessity.

I do not like the Optimus mode, and prefer to use either one or the other. When I need performance, I switch to Nvidia graphics. When I need extended battery life or lower fan noise, I choose Intel. In addition to the approximate 20% GPU performance increase, when Nvidia-only is enabled the CPU benchmarks are higher than when Integrated-only is enabled. Offloading the graphics from the CPU/chipset really does help.