Review Update Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p (GT 755M SLI) Notebook

Unfortunately, the chassis has not been modified in the course of the GPU update. Besides the unreliable and extremely wobbly touchpad, the display's sensitive, high-gloss bezel is still annoying. Lenovo should have also made the keyboard bed matte. More information about the casing can be read in the earlier test report.

Processor

The new Haswell generation will not be an unknown name to most gamers. Intel's swift 2.4-3.4 GHz Core i7-4700MQ starts off the premium, or quad-core segment. The 22 nm model can process eight threads at the same time via Hyper Threading. A 6 MB L3 cache is also a guaranty for high speeds. Like the more expensive Core i7-4800MQ and Core i7-4900MQ models, the TDP is 47 watts.

The integrated HD Graphics 4600 graphics chip cannot be used in the configuration at hand. The SLI array prevents graphics switching based on Nvidia's Optimus technology. According to our information, Optimus should be available in the single-GPU models.

Lenovo combines two GeForce GT 755M chips into a powerful dual-GPU array. The DirectX 11 scion lures customers with 384 unified shaders, and a large 2048 MB GDDR5 memory (128-bit interface).

Compared with the GeForce GT 750M, Nvidia has slightly increased the core's clock. The GT 755M works with 980 rather than 967 MHz. Up to 1097 MHz would even be possible during load owing to the GPU Boost technology (according to the GPU-Z tool). Like the Kepler models, the GT 755M is built in the 28 nm process.

The GPU driver should be updated regularly to ensure the best performance in new games. The ForceWare 331.82 driver that was used in our benchmarks worked flawlessly, except for graphics and performance issues in battery mode. The preinstalled 311.54 driver version was several months old at the time of the test.

Although the review sample sports a hybrid hard drive, the laptop sometime works noticeably slower than a device with a solid state drive in Windows routine. The 9.5 mm thick Seagate ST1000LM014 compensates for the relatively low speed (5400 rpm) with a high capacity (1000 GB), and a small 8 GB flash memory that takes care of frequently used data.

Most HDDs do not achieve a sequential read speed of 112 MB/s or a write rate of 100 MB/s (CrystalDiskMark). The HD Tune tool recorded an average transfer rate of 87 MB/s, which is also a good result. The access time is approximately 19 ms. Modern solid state drives manage less than 0.1 ms and are also superior to the SSHD in small files (e.g. One K73-3S).

Replacing the 2.5-inch drive or buying the corresponding model should be considered when the maximum is to be retrieved from the IdeaPad Y510p.

As expected, the GeForce GT 755M SLI struggles with the typical drawbacks of a dual-GPU array. Besides the high driver dependency, it is primarily micro-stutters that are quite distinctive in the IdeaPad Y510p. Despite usable frame rates, the gameplay often does not seem very smooth.

Although the GeForce GTX 770 lags behind by over 10%, the image looks smoother with a single high-end chip. The SLI array tears past a GTX 765M by almost 50%. It can be seen that Nvidia designs good drivers in the single GT 755M. The system only computes about half as fast when SLI is disabled.

Most titles can be played in the native resolution with nice looks when anti-aliasing and maximum graphics options are not used (concerns Assassin's Creed IV, Crysis 3, Metro: Last Light & Far Cry 3). This is not a matter of course for a 1100 Euros (~$1512) laptop. A few games like Dota 2, GRID 2, and BioShock: Infinite are even accelerated to over 40 fps (average).

We would not recommend for less savvy users to buy a dual-GPU system though. Irregular maintenance could cause performance losses (no SLI profile in the driver).

System Noise

The IdeaPad Y510p is surprisingly quiet considering it is a laptop with two graphics cards. In contrast to other SLI contenders, such as the Clevo P370SM barebone, even sensitive users will find the noise development tolerable. 30 - 31 dB(A) in idle operation stands for a barely audible level that comes close to the IdeaPad Y500 - despite better hardware.

The casing fans spin with almost 35 dB(A) in 3D operation, which can also be called acceptable. The device only becomes more audible during full load. 44 dB(A) was reached when Prime95 and Furmark ran at the same time in the test. Some gaming laptops, e.g. MSI GE60H, climb beyond 50 dB(A) even with slower graphics chips.

Although we did not find the IdeaPad Y510p's fan characteristic ideal, the cooling works very dynamically and without massive fluctuations.

The moderate system noises naturally have an impact on the temperatures. Both the processor and the primary graphics card approached the critical 100 °C range when the system was maxed out. The Core i7-4700MQ throttled to 800 MHz due to the extreme rates. This was also true to almost the same extent for the secondary GT 755M with 100-200 MHz. However, throttling will not be an issue in normal (gaming) routine.

It can also get quite warm on the exterior. A maximum of 53 °C on the upper side and 46 °C on the underside (after an hour of full load) were a bit high. At least the cooling's setup kept the wrist rest below 40 °C. The laptop remained considerably cooler in idle operation with an average of 30 °C.

The battery runtime is not one of the IdeaPad Y510p strengths. Despite the strong 6-cell model (now 72 rather than 62 Wh), the laptop is drained quite soon. The all-rounder had to be reconnected to the outlet after 88 minutes in Battery Eater's Classic test, which simulates high load.

Better runtimes can be achieved when SLI is disabled and the brightness is reduced. The battery ran through our internet test for almost three hours. A maximum runtime of approximately four hours is not record breaking either.

The verdict from our last review also applies to the new version. Lenovo's IdeaPad Y510p is a unique multimedia laptop that turns into a swift gamer due to the ultrabay.

Apart from the micro-stutters and driver dependency, the GeForce GT 755M SLI is unexpectedly impressive. While buyers have to invest over 1500 Euros (~$2062) with other manufacturers for appealing performance, the IdeaPad Y510p only costs a bit more than 1000 Euros (~$1375). This price not only includes an above-average sound quality, but also a bright Full HD screen. The noise emissions do not give much reason for complaint either.

The buyer has to be willing to make compromises in other areas though. Besides the sensitive display bezel, the interface positioning also proves to be annoying. The battery runtime, the touchpad and the temperatures could also be better. The main point of criticism is the CPU's Turbo that is disabled in high load.

Nevertheless, the IdeaPad Y510p has fully earned the grade "Good". The exciting ultrabay design lets the device stick out from the masses. Worthy 15-inch alternatives (GTX 770M or faster) would be Gigabyte's P25W and Clevo's P150SM and P157SM barebones.