Boosting Lenovo Performance

Thanks for the info, Frank.

I thinking about buying a Thinkpad T520 without discrete graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000 only). How big of a performance boost did you get with the Nvidia card enabled for Logos? I'm wondering if spending an extra couple hundred dollars for the added video card is necessary (in the case of the T520, it is the lesser NVIDIA NVS 4200M).

DMB

Thank you Frank for that info. I was thinking about a 560 to run music but wasn't sure what the interplay would be for Logos.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/293847#Comment_293847

I was thinking about a 560 to run music but wasn't sure what the interplay would be for Logos.

I am sorry I can not help you with that one.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/293844#Comment_293844

How big of a performance boost did you get with the Nvidia card enabled for Logos?

Well I did not do any scientific measures. Changing the CPU setting was a major change on both machines. With the graphics card I noticed the biggest difference when switching between layouts. Maybe 30+% when switching, but that is a wild guess. Also the same sort of change when switching between the home page and a layout.

I sure wish we had the ability to have two study layouts active at the same time and switch between them like we do with the home page and one study layout.

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/293934#Comment_293934

Hi Frank

I sure wish we had the ability to have two study layouts active at the same time and switch between them like we do with the home page and one study layout.

Would "Floating Window Layouts" do this for you? See http://community.logos.com/forums/t/22540.aspx for a discussion and a pointer to where you can vote for this on UserVoice.

Graham

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/293934#Comment_293934

Well I did not do any scientific measures. Changing the CPU setting was a major change on both machines. With the graphics card I noticed the biggest difference when switching between layouts. Maybe 30+% when switching, but that is a wild guess. Also the same sort of change when switching between the home page and a layout.

Thanks Frank. I don't switch layouts much--my biggest concern is scrolling speed.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/293937#Comment_293937

Would "Floating Window Layouts" do this for you?

Yes, I just shifted some votes around and made a comment in user voice.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/293970#Comment_293970

my biggest concern is scrolling speed

I do not know what affected what, but I have zero hesitation when using the mouse wheel, and minimal when running the the slider in Flemming, Dean. Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology and Mission. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005.

Don't know if that will help you or not.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

My Lenovo W520 (Nova Bench score over 1000) was not working as fast as expected. I did some checking and found that the CPU was set to run at about half speed. Changing that to "Max Turbo" made a major difference. That got me curious so I checked the NIVIDA display controller and made it the preferred controller for Logos. I got another performance boost.

Running laptop faster is more responsive, but also generates more heat; may want to consider a laptop cooler with fan(s).

Note: after experiencing 4 dozen blue screens of death, learned changing ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3670 to use battery settings vis high performance has allowed graphics card use without blue screens of death (from over heating in laptop).

Keep Smiling [:)]

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294312#Comment_294312

Note: after experiencing 4 dozen blue screens of death, learned changing ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3670 to use battery settings vis high performance has allowed graphics card use without blue screens of death (from over heating in laptop).

KS4J,

What laptop mfg., model, and processor?

What were you doing that resulted in over-heating?

That ATI is only a 30 watt part. Doesn't that suggest possible malfunction on the video card?

thanks in advance . . . Scott

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294490#Comment_294490

Note: after experiencing 4 dozen blue screens of death, learned changing ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3670 to use battery settings vis high performance has allowed graphics card use without blue screens of death (from over heating in laptop).

KS4J,

What laptop mfg., model, and processor?

What were you doing that resulted in over-heating?

That ATI is only a 30 watt part. Doesn't that suggest possible malfunction on the video card?

thanks in advance . . . Scott

I'm not KS4J, but I work for IBM, and my coworkers and I use the (2 yr old) ThinkPad T400 with the ATI Radeon HD 3400. Overheating has shown to a general problem when using the ATI video (especially after a couple years of dust build-up). Blue screens are not uncommon. Many of my coworkers have turned off the discrete video for that reason. That's why the new Nvidia Optimus technology (in the current Thinkpads) is so attractive. You only use the discrete video card for applications that need it, and the integrated video is used for everything else. The latest Thinkpads run much cooler according to reviews.

However I just opted to go with integrated video only when I ordered my personal T520 for cost savings. We'll see how that works out.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294497#Comment_294497

Todd,

However I just opted to go with integrated video only when I ordered my personal T520 for cost savings. We'll see how that works out.

Intel has been bragging of improved integrated video performance with the Sandy Bridge line, so I'm looking forward to your feedback which may play into my own upcoming laptop purchase.

Overheating has shown to a general problem when using the ATI video (especially after a couple years of dust build-up). Blue screens are not uncommon.

As an instrumentation mfg., I see this as poor design (It's not like heat dissipation is a new issue in electronics design.) and a shocking lack of product testing.

"Nvidia Optimus technology" Auto-sensing demand and turning off discrete GPU's is a great step forward in extending laptop operation on batteries. I suspect that Logos recommended use of "DirectX10 graphics device" means that Optimus will sense the DirectX (See NVIDIA explanation p16) and run the GPU constantly. However, I'm guessing here, because I don't know if Logos uses DirectX continuously, or possibly just for certain functions such as Notes which use the imfamous WPF.

The most impressive laptop design I've seen for controlling heat is the use of copper strips in Dell's Precision line. Dell uses this setup to control GPUs that require 75Watts and more (The backside of the video heat sink on the right). The overall design of this rig is very very tempting . . .

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294545#Comment_294545

As an instrumentation mfg., I see this is as poor design (It's not like heat dissipation is a new issue in electronics design.) and a shocking lack of product testing.

As the recipient of many BSODs and other unwanted issues, I do not disagree. At the same time, laptop heat issues aren't limited to one manufacturer.

. I suspect that Logos recommended use of "DirectX10 graphics device" means that Optimus will sense the DirectX (See NVIDIA explanation p16) and run the GPU constantly. However, I'm guessing here, because I don't know if Logos uses DirectX
continuously, or possibly just for certain functions such as Notes which
use the imfamous WPF.

I believe you can manually configure each app if you want it to use a specific graphics device. Logos uses WPF (and DirectX) for all of its screen drawing (not just notes), so it definitely shows a performance boost when using the discrete GPU instead of the integrated graphics. (spoken from experience)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294556#Comment_294556

As the recipient of many BSODs and other unwanted issues, I do not disagree. At the same time, laptop heat issues aren't limited to one manufacturer.

I apologize if I appeared to slam your employer. I assume IBM has long been out of the picture and this is the fault of new designs by Lenovo / ATI and other mfg's that appear to rush to deliver products without adequate testing. I've wondered if it could be the demand to quickly deliver "leading edge" components necessitates this approach to survive in some markets. It is still shocking to those of us that depend on laptops.

Logos uses WPF (and DirectX) for all of its screen drawing (not just notes), so it definitely shows a performance boost when using the discrete GPU instead of the integrated graphics. (spoken from experience)

Thanks for confirming this. Why isn't the extra speed of a discrete GPU worth it to you on a new laptop, is this PC mainly to run other apps and only a little use for Logos?

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294578#Comment_294578

I apologize if I appeared to slam your employer. I assume IBM has long been out of the picture and this is the fault of new designs by Lenovo / ATI and other mfg's that appear to rush to deliver products without adequate testing.

Oh no, you mistook my meaning. I was just pointing out that cutting corners on heat handling is common in the industry, and that I thought it strange you found it "shocking". But from your point of view I can see your point. (Also, IBM has no part in Lenovo anymore)

Thanks for confirming this. Why isn't the extra speed of a discrete GPU worth it to you on a new laptop, is this PC mainly to run other apps and only a little use for Logos?

The question for me was it worth the cost and the hassle of additional video drivers and the additional hardware that could fail for the limited amount of performance gain supplied by the Nvidia NVS 4200M available in the T520. I can't answer that for certain, but I betting/hoping that I'll be satisfied with the integrated video. I could be wrong. I'm currently happy with the Logos performance on the T400 with the ATI GPU. The Intel HD Graphics 3000 is supposed to be at least as powerful as that, so if it is, I'll be happy.

I'm in the position of needing a new computer when I didn't expect to have to buy one, so I'm working hard at keeping the costs as low as possible and still get good performance from Logos. I ordered a T520i with the i5 CPU (2.40GHZ) and the 1600x900 screen as the only upgrades.

P.S. Do you really look like Dr. Quest?

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294587#Comment_294587

heat handling is common in the industry, and that I thought it strange you found it "shocking"

Before your posts, I only had a general awareness that some laptops easily over-heat. That the problem is common, reinforces my plan to purchase a laptop that has been on the market for 6 months or so, to can see if it plagued by any serious ailments, whatever their cause. I run many apps, and setup of a new PC is so time-consuming, I can't afford a redo because of a lemon.

P.S. Do you really look like Dr. Quest?

Ha!

I asked my son that question and he said, "not really". However, I am sporting a beard. I have to find another Dr. Quest picture, that one looks a bit too serious or severe.

When do you expect to receive theT520i?

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294644#Comment_294644

I have to find another Dr. Quest picture, that one looks a bit too serious or severe.

Dr. Quest is always serious.

When do you expect to receive theT520i?

Within a couple weeks.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294650#Comment_294650

Thanks Todd.

RPW

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294587#Comment_294587

Todd wrote:

"The question for me was it worth the cost and the hassle of additional
video drivers and the additional hardware that could fail for the
limited amount of performance gain supplied by the Nvidia NVS 4200M
available in the T520. I can't answer that for certain, but I
betting/hoping that I'll be satisfied with the integrated video. I
could be wrong. I'm currently happy with the Logos performance on the
T400 with the ATI GPU. The Intel HD Graphics 3000 is supposed to be at
least as powerful as that, so if it is, I'll be happy."

Todd, please keep us posted. It looks like several of us will be asking the same question in the near future.

Thanks,

Ron

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294490#Comment_294490

What laptop mfg., model, and processor?

Dell Studio XPS 1640 with P8400 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz

What were you doing that resulted in over-heating?

Using laptop on regular basis with external monitor; no discernible pattern for when blue screen would appear.

That ATI is only a 30 watt part. Doesn't that suggest possible malfunction on the video card?

Since changing graphics speed setting (via Power Options => Edit Plan Settings => Change Advanced Power Settings => ATI Graphics Power Setttings), to Maximize Battery Life when plugged in, has seen blue screens disappear so appears video card is functional. From Todd's comments, wonder about dust build-up inside.

Maximum Performance benchmark => http://community.logos.com/forums/p/24555/254929.aspx#254929

Maximum Battery Life benchmark => http://community.logos.com/forums/p/24555/204042.aspx#204042

Over the summer, migrated primary Windows 7 usage to Dell XPS L702X, benchmark posted => http://community.logos.com/forums/p/24555/254929.aspx#254929

With same screen resolution (1920 x 1080), finding 17" bit easier to read vis 16" due to 7 % larger screen. Dell XPS L702X has 4 memory slots; have option to upgrade RAM (2 slots in use) plus have option for another drive. Personally like LED backlit keyboards; 17" laptop has number keypad.

Keep Smiling [:)]

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/294312#Comment_294312

may want to consider a laptop cooler with fan(s).

I have had zero blue screens on the Lenovo W520. Logos is always running. I have a 21 inch 1080p LCD panel running (used as primary screen, laptop screen is secondary). The laptop sits on a docking station except when I am in a remote village on the Alaskan tundra.

Another reason I chose the W520 is the rugged internal design. I transport it, and a projector (which uses a laser light source) in small single engine planes that land on gravel and often snowy and icy runways. This is normal life and my equipment must be reliable in these situations. .

I could not be happier with my choice.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/295004#Comment_295004

What were you doing that resulted in over-heating?

Using laptop on regular basis with external monitor; no discernible pattern for when blue screen would appear.

Does the over-heating occur with low GPU demand apps or just with Logos and other graphics intensive apps?

Over the summer, migrated primary Windows 7 usage to Dell XPS L702X, benchmark posted => http://community.logos.com/forums/p/24555/254929.aspx#254929

I have a question about this linked post. Please see the "What's Your benchmark?" thread for my query.

Thanks in advance.

Rod Bergen

My Lenovo W520 (Nova Bench score over 1000) was not working as fast as expected. I did some checking and found that the CPU was set to run at about half speed. Changing that to "Max Turbo" made a major difference. That got me curious so I checked the NIVIDA display controller and made it the preferred controller for Logos. I got another performance boost.

The other day I help a friend with his Lenovo (a different model) and found the same sort of settings. Apparently they ship from the factory in some sort of energy saving mode that really slows them down. If you have or get a Lenovo be sure to check all the "undercover" settings before making a performance judgment.

I have a Lenovo W510. Would you mind sharing where you access the CPU and graphics card settings as they are not readily apparent to me?

Thanks!

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/295645#Comment_295645

where you access the CPU and graphics card settings

CPU Settings:

1. Open Control Panel; 2 Select Lenovo Power Controls, 3. Expand system settings, 4. Select what you want.

Graphics Settings: (I do not feel qualified here. Any corrections to this would be gladly accepted.)

1. Right click on an empty area of the system desktop and select NVDIA control panel. 2. Select Manage 3D settings. 3. Add Logos to the program list, 4. Select the High Performance Processor.