The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    X220 or Thinkpad Edge S430 aka Express Card Vs TB

    Discussion in 'e-GPU (External Graphics) Discussion' started by HiGGz, Jun 25, 2012.

  1. HiGGz

    HiGGz Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hi guys need to buy a laptop for work (3 months far from home) and strong enough to play BF3 (low or medium @60fps min). Already got (more or less) a 560ti for the upcoming eGPU.


    Well I have two options:
    - X220 (i5-2520M). 670€
    - Thinkpad Edge S430 (i5-3210M + 630M). 790€

    The first got expresscard capabilities and with P4EL v2.1b it's already a working solution
    The second got a thunderbolt connector but no solution for eGPU (TH05 is supposed to coming but... nothing so far)... But it got a 630M. So maybe it's strong enough as a temporary solution while waiting TH05?

    What would u do? Go for the X220 and getting a working solution now or go for Thinkpad Edge S430 and waiting for TH05 (hoping the perf will be better with 10GBT link... even if i'm a bit woried about bus delay).

    Thank u.

    PS: there is also the TB->expresscard adaptator from sonnet but t's a bit expensive to me.
    PS²: will be use with internal display / need an esay to carry around laptop
     
    HiGGz, Jun 25, 2012
    #1
  2. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

    Reputations:
    2,365
    Messages:
    9,422
    Likes Received:
    200
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Sincerely go for the TB solution. However pay attention that the S430 has a TB port, apparently not all models support it
     
    Karamazovmm, Jun 25, 2012
    #2
  3. EfficientN

    EfficientN Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    We are supposing the S430 actually comes out. The S430 thread in the Thinkpad forum has rumors that it's been cancelled for North America, and I haven't seen any reviews or videos out of Europe yet.
     
    EfficientN, Jun 25, 2012
    #3
  4. manamananomnom

    manamananomnom Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    18
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    The T430s I7 model has expresscard and thunderbolt. Best of both worlds ;D
     
    manamananomnom, Jun 26, 2012
    #4
  5. __-_-_-__

    __-_-_-__ God

    Reputations:
    337
    Messages:
    1,864
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    56
    a thunderbolt egpu has at least twice more performance. it's a massive improvement.
     
    __-_-_-__, Jun 26, 2012
    #5
  6. HiGGz

    HiGGz Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Sure but, for now, TH05 isn't available and nobody now when it will be :/

    Well maybe i'll get a S13A from sony, just use the 640LE (even if i can't get 60fps@low on BF3) and forget about the whole eGPU thing.... Too bad :( but lenovo/Dell/sony are way to slow to deliver TB.... They suck as always.

    About the t430s... it's way too expensive to me.
     
    HiGGz, Jun 27, 2012
    #6
  7. DaCM

    DaCM Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    204
    Messages:
    576
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Buy a laptop with expresscard then? Still much better than a 640LE. For example a Lenovo X220. I guess their price will drop as the X230 is out.
     
    DaCM, Jun 27, 2012
    #7
  8. HiGGz

    HiGGz Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Sure X220 is at 670€ from lenovo outlet... But it suck buying an expresscard laptop now while TB should be available (on PC) for months.

    Maybe i'll get a Macbook pro (secondhand/2011)... I dunno.

    The good thing with the S13A is that the mPCie is easy to access... But so far did not find anyone with a S13+eGPU.

    Well still don't know what to do :(
     
    HiGGz, Jun 27, 2012
    #8
  9. DaCM

    DaCM Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    204
    Messages:
    576
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Well, it may not be as good as TB, but it's still faster than a low-middle range mobile GPU. Just because it's not the newest tech it still works pretty well. If I were you I'd go for an eGPU and a cheap laptop with the best CPU possible (and expresscard of course), like the X220.
     
    DaCM, Jun 27, 2012
    #9
  10. __-_-_-__

    __-_-_-__ God

    Reputations:
    337
    Messages:
    1,864
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    56
    yeah buy a notebook now and then in 3 months you have loads of thunderbolt models and egpu's that have more then twice of the performance at a fraction of a cost. it's really the way to go to invest into something now.
     
    __-_-_-__, Jun 28, 2012
    #10
  11. HiGGz

    HiGGz Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Probably get a Macbookpro 13" from 2011 with TB (900€ ;)... What do u think of that? (running win 7 of course)

    Did not get the difference between MBP 2011 and 2012 about TB btw? there is 4 lines instead of 2 on the 2012 one, right? wich mean only 10GB on 2011 vs 20 on the new one?
     
    HiGGz, Jun 28, 2012
    #11
  12. __-_-_-__

    __-_-_-__ God

    Reputations:
    337
    Messages:
    1,864
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I've red until the MAC part. then I stopped. I would never ever buy, use or recommend products with a apple logo on it.
    there's so many issues that I don't even give a dam about explaining how crappy and overpriced they are.
     
    __-_-_-__, Jun 28, 2012
    #12
  13. HiGGz

    HiGGz Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Sure but at least they have a working/available TB solution...

    Btw my last Apple was a macintosh plus in 1988 (well wasn't really mine but anyway...)... worked fine loved it :eek:
     
    HiGGz, Jun 28, 2012
    #13
  14. sformasforma

    sformasforma Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    3
    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Full specs for Edge S430 -

    http://shopap.lenovo.com/ISS_Static/WW/ap/au/en/products/pdf/notebooks/thinkpad/edge/Thinkpad_S430_DS_ANZ.pdf

    Thunderbolt for i7. Released in Australia for 1099 Australian Dollars=+/- 1105 USD= 885 Euros.


    Processor
    Intel Core i7-3520M Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.60 GHz) - Intel Core i7 3520M Notebook Processor - Notebookcheck.net Tech
    Display type
    14.0" W HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit, AntiGlare Glass, Low-light sensitive HD Webcam (w/oWWAN), Mocha
    [add AU$11.00]
    14.0" W HD+ (1600 x 900) LED Backlit, AntiGlare Glass, Low-light sensitive HD Webcam (w/WWAN), Mocha
    Selecting this option will include additional $110 for Integrated Mobile Broadband (Ericsson H5321)

    System graphics
    NVIDIA N13P-GLP Graphics 2GB, Intel Core i7-3520M Processor (4MB L3, 2.90GHz)

    Total memory
    Please note, a 64bit operating system is required to realize the full benefit of more than 3.5GB of installed memory
    8 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (2 DIMM)

    Hard drive
    128GB Solid State Drive, 2.5"

    Optical device
    DVD Recordable
    [add AU$220.00]
    1 TB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm with Bay Adapter

    Battery
    4 Cell Li-Polymer 48.8Wh
     
    sformasforma, Jun 28, 2012
    #14
  15. HiGGz

    HiGGz Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    still unavailable in Europe (Even if some websites from Germany claim to have it -> seems 100% bull**it to me)
     
    HiGGz, Jun 28, 2012
    #15
  16. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

    Reputations:
    2,365
    Messages:
    9,422
    Likes Received:
    200
    Trophy Points:
    231
    the difference is in the controllers, I have to see the teardown by ifxit before I can comment on anything, but the mbp of 2011 had a 4 channel controller, against the 2 channel from the mbas.

    And sincerely I have that model and love it. no problems whatsoever running windows on it, which is exactly what Im doing now. And sincerely, if you are buying a mac for just running windows, dont. You can get more for your money in other OEMs.

    And yes you are going to deal with a lesser battery life, on OSX I can get with my usage around 8-10h in windows its 5h or less
     
    Karamazovmm, Jun 28, 2012
    #16
  17. HiGGz

    HiGGz Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15

    yeah... maybe not... can get the MBP 13" (end 2011) with an i5 SandyBridge :( /4Go/500Go @980€ (A brand new one...not from outlet or secondhanded)
    wilhe the t430s with i7 IB :) /4Go/320Go is @1300€
     
    HiGGz, Jun 28, 2012
    #17
  18. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

    Reputations:
    2,365
    Messages:
    9,422
    Likes Received:
    200
    Trophy Points:
    231
    depends on the location, for example here a 2012 mbp 13 would still cost me less than buying a x220 or a t430s, specially the latter
     
    Karamazovmm, Jun 28, 2012
    #18
  19. DaCM

    DaCM Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    204
    Messages:
    576
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I would still advise you to get an X220 if you want it fast, wait for the S430 if you can wait a few weeks. By now with 3 TB eGPU solutions being developed I think we don't really need to worry about none of them making it to the market.

    Also the new Macbooks have the better TB controller (I don't know the exact name) as the ifixit MBA teardown shows, so if you have the money for one you can consider those too, because no matter how much people hate them, they are still among the best-built machines.
     
    DaCM, Jun 28, 2012
    #19
  20. HiGGz

    HiGGz Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    but is the MBP 2011 TB controller faster than the X220's express card link?

    from what I read here and there we have 5Gbits/s on Express card (chipset 6 & 7) and 10 on TB, right?
     
    HiGGz, Jun 29, 2012
    #20
  21. DaCM

    DaCM Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    204
    Messages:
    576
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Yes. All Thunderbolt solutions will be faster than the older (expresscard) ones.
    There was even a topic in this section about an MBA TB solution being faster than an expresscard one on a PC, but having high latency (because the guy used the sonnet converter).
    Of course with proper converters released this issue should not happen.
     
    DaCM, Jun 29, 2012
    #21
  22. __-_-_-__

    __-_-_-__ God

    Reputations:
    337
    Messages:
    1,864
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    56
    thunderbolt will give at least 50% more performance then current egpu solutions.
     
    __-_-_-__, Jul 1, 2012
    #22