Discrete graphics necessary for CAD/CFD/FEA?

[First420]

I've been reading up as much as I can on the new T420 and from what I've seen the discrete chip only gives about a 1000 point advantage in 3DMark compared to the new integrated Intel. Does this mean that I could do without the discrete card to run Pro/E, SolidWorks and Abaqus? I don't do a lot of rendering for my CAD models and rarely do much CFD or FEA (though I'm pretty sure that will change next Fall). It would be nice to be able to play CS:S again once in a while but not entirely necessary.

With my student discount a T420 with discrete graphics, the HD+ screen and 2 GB of RAM with the 250 GB HDD (both of which to be replaced with aftermarket parts) only costs about $100 less than a W520 spec'd out just the way I want it. I wouldn't mind paying for the W, but I have a 15" MBP right now and want to downsize a bit.

So, do you guys think I could get away with the Optimus (or even regular) T420 or should I spring for the W? Also, I'm assuming I can't stack an eCoupon on top of my student discount? If not I'll probably order fairly soon.

[Colonel O'Neill]

It would probably help as CAD software generally look for a workstation GPU, and the Intel GPU is probably not optimized for CAD work. (3DMark is a better indicator of gaming performance than workstation software performance)

The Quadro 1000M is miles better than the NVS4200M though.

CS:S is by no means a demanding game nowadays; comparable to Solitaire or Minesweeper (I exaggerate, but it's definitely not demanding).

[Q-Ball]

Actually, you won't be downsizing at all if you get the T420 since that laptop is probably just as wide if not wider than your 15" MBP (Pro's are 16:10, T420 is 16:9): the W520 even more so.

I'd spend the extra hundred and get the W520 just because of the video card- those programs will compute faster with a 1000M than with an NVS4200M.

Better yet, have patience.
The price of the W520 will fall, or at least the discounts will get larger, as time goes on.


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