Performance – Synthetic GPU and Gaming
Synthetic GPU Benchmarks
The ThinkPad W540’s workstation-class discrete graphics range from the K1100M to the K2100M. Our configuration included the latter, more powerful option, and it’s a quality midrange professional graphics adapter. This is a Kepler-based 28nm GPU with 2 GB of GDDR5 VRAM. Furthermore, the TDP of 55W means that it still remains manageable for the smaller 15.6-inch machine while in use (as compared to the top-end adapters with TDPs of around 100W). Optimus switching is available; Intel HD Graphics 4600 picks up the slack whenever dedicated graphics are not warranted.
Obviously the W540 is not a logical choice if your primary goal is gaming; there are far better candidates available for comparable prices that offer better performance and targeted feature sets if that’s what you’re after. We won’t focus heavily on it in our review for that same reason. Still, thanks to its respectable GPU, it hardly breaks a sweat when running most games even on high settings. Let’s begin with synthetic tests for a scope of where we’re headed.
3DMark
Not bad at all. With a Fire Strike score of 1704, the W540 is clearly equipped to handle demanding 3D games.
3DMark 11
Considerably lower here, but again, far better than anything else in the ThinkPad line that we’ve tested to date.
Gaming Benchmarks
Now let’s turn to a couple of actual game benchmarks. The two we chose for this machine are Metro 2033 and Bioshock Infinite.
Metro 2033
Metro’s Subway benchmark still spanks just about any laptop that attempts it without a truly high-end GPU at its disposal, and the W540 merely manages 12.67 fps here at 1080p as detailed. That’s around 23% below the MSI GE40, so it’s nothing to get excited over.
Let’s turn to something a bit more reasonable.
Bioshock Infinite
This fantastic game records over 25 fps on Ultra settings at 1080p resolution, so it’s nearly playable even there. At 1600×900, it’s almost 33 frames—so 60 is nowhere in sight—but playing around with the settings will definitely get you to palatable fluidity even at 1080p. Having said that, this is no GT72 we’re dealing with here: again, it’s a workstation, and it’s meant for professional applications primarily, not necessarily gaming.
I’m little surprised this
I’m little surprised this review is coming out today. Lenovo doesn’t even sell this Laptop any longer on their Website. The model has been replaced with the W541 and W550.
I’d really love to see a review of current generation (2015) ThinkPads like the: Yoga 12 (2nd Edition); T450/T450s; X1 Carbon (2015; or even the W550.
Thanks.
There might be newer ones,
There might be newer ones, but we still see it for sale a lot.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1025232-REG/lenovo_20bg0014us_w540_i7_4800mq_8gb_256_ssd_windows_7p_windows.html/BI/19995/KBID/13279
The TSX instructions on this
The TSX instructions on this SKU, are they part of the errata? And what of any Xeon options, should someone want to do server/other related build testing with this workstation. Certainly the newest SKUs need to be reviewed.
Damn, does that look
Damn, does that look nice.
Sometimes when I’m not browsing PCPER on my super basic, refurbished Latitude, I daydream about getting a high powered modern Thinkpad and 3D printing a lid for it where the ThinkPad logo is the right side up.
Yeah sorry for the lateness
Yeah sorry for the lateness of this one guys. There were some uncontrollable factors in play that delayed it beyond the usual — but I had already begun working on it so it made sense to finish it up anyway. After all, the revised model (W541) mostly features revised input devices… primarily touchpad, which I mentioned in the article. So it is still relevant regardless. I don't believe we will see a W550 for several months yet to come still.
I’m not sure we’ll see a true
I’m not sure we’ll see a true W550 before the fourth quarter, if not 2016. The last roadmap I saw indicated the W541 available through early next year and no sign of a full W550… The W550s, while a nice machine, isn’t really a replacement for the W540/W541… The W550s is really just a T550 with a low end Quadro and with the same unfortunate 16GB RAM limit of the T series. 🙁
We have these at work and
We have these at work and it’s a solid machine. Packs a LOT of punch for our engineers looking for more processing power that they can take to the office or take home. Looking forward to the W550. However the trackpads on the newer Lenovos SUCKS. Do they even test these things? The X1 Carbon, X240, and W540 all have horrendous track pads. I don’t understand. Or maybe I’m just a bit spoiled using a Macbook Pro as my work machine.
no, you’re right, Lenovo did
no, you’re right, Lenovo did a serious deisgn mistake with the W540 and that era touchpads. They’re reinstating the buttons in a new design with W541 and newer machines.
I always liked using the
I always liked using the little eraser vs the trackpad. Move the mouse, type, hands never leave the keyboard.
My W540 has an i7 4900 MQ.
My W540 has an i7 4900 MQ. I’ve been using it for several months and I like it a lot. Its only down side is the trackpad. Not very user friendly but regardless of this, I prefer to use an external trackball or space mouse, depending on the work.
This computer is spectacular when it comes to rendering, video editing and CAD.
Removing the optical drive and replacing it with a second HDD is an excellent option.
I understand the W541 has minor hardware upgrades, apart from the trackpad, where the two physical buttons have been reintroduced.
The W550 has an ultra low voltage broadwell-gen CPU for better battery life. It has a smaller chassis and cannot be configured with a second HDD.
Never ever spend your money
Never ever spend your money on this crap laptop from Lenovo. I had 4 Lenovo laptop before and I own W530 which I used for daily work involving high end cloud server , virtual multiple on my machine with 4 Dim and 32 GB RAM. I spend around near to 2K to by this new version of laptop since my W530 was already 3 year old and out of depot warranty. The biggest blunder I did in my life was not to open this W540 for 45 Days since I was very busy in my work , But when I opened it initially I said woow that is cool. But when I started operating it mouse pad SUCKS , Yes Big time SUCKS , I am clicking Minimize button of my application and It is closing application , When I Move my mouse it behave quite quirky. On top of this machine is getting overheated to 105 F. When I dialed tech support ,It will take 10 days. Now after spending 2K on this laptop if you get such CRAP Product , You will throw in your garbage , But unfortunately I am not that rich to do it , nor I can return this CRAP. I was getting MAC PRO at same price and I choose this CRAP product. I regret not opening my laptop. I will never buy LENOVO Product from now , this is my last ONE.
Agree with the poster above.
Agree with the poster above. This laptop (W540) is a complete piece of shit. Do not waste your money. Buy an HP, Dell, or Apple. This is one of the most poorly made products I have ever owned.
I had several Lenovo laptops
I had several Lenovo laptops (over time), and have always found them to be reliable. Due to the good experience with Lenovo, I opted to purchase the W540 when the time came. A decision which I cannot fully express how bad that was. If nothing else, good comes from this, don’t waste your money on the W540 even used. It’s not worth it even if you are paid to take it.
Do I understand that this
Do I understand that this laptop only has 8 GB of memory?
I find that surprising, given the other specs and this laptop’s intended performance.