The Lenovo ThinkPad T450s Review: Bridging The Ultrabook
by Brett Howse on September 15, 2015 8:00 AM ESTGPU Performance
With the review unit’s Core i5-5300U processor, we get Intel’s HD 5500 GPU which has 24 execution units, and a frequency range of 300 to 900 MHz. We have seen quite a few notebooks with this GPU this year already, and performance is certainly a step up with the Gen 8 graphics on Broadwell as compared to Haswell’s Gen 7.5. Depending on the processor, maximum clock speed can be as high as 950 MHz, so this model is slightly down on the best possible performance for the GT2 graphics.
As with the system performance, the graphs have a sampling of similar devices but if you would like to compare the T450s to any other notebook we have tested, please use our Notebook Bench.
3DMark
Futuremark’s 3DMark suite is one of the oldest synthetics around, and they roll out new versions with new features. The current version is 2013, and they have updated it several times to include more demanding tests for multi-GPU setups and for testing UHD readiness. With just integrated graphics, the T450s is not going to be able to do those but we ran it through the normal suite. As you can see, the T450s does very well here compare to other Ultrabooks. It is beaten only by the ThinkPad X1 Carbon which has a Core i7 CPU and the top 950 MHz clock speed for the GPU.
GFXBench
GFXBench is a cross-platform test and is one of the staples of our smartphone testing. This is the DirectX version. Once again there are no real surprises here, with the T450s falling in the same range as the other Broadwell-U based systems. The one exception is Alpha Blending which seems a bit low.
DOTA 2
This may be the last chance to try out DOTA 2 since Valve is moving towards DOTA 2 Reborn. Apparently the new take will finally move away from DirextX 9 and the new engine is supposedly better on both low end hardware as well as high end hardware. Once Reborn launches we will take a look at it as a replacement for our iGPU testing. Taking a look at what we have today though shows that the ThinkPad T450s actually falls behind some of the other devices we have tested. Either this can be attributed to a game update, or drivers, since the GPU frequency stayed right at the maximum of 900 MHz throughout the test. I also verified it with a much longer test of this game and the average GPU frequency was 895 MHz. Its lower scores do not appear to be a cooling system issue in this case.
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justmiff - Sunday, September 20, 2015 - link
Hang on, it states in Intel's ARK platform the the 5300U can support only up to 16GB of RAM. Where does this strange 20GB number come from? Though I would recommend adding another module regardless to gian the benefit of dual channel memory, I don't much thing 20GB of RAM in this machine is addressable.Harry_Wild - Saturday, September 26, 2015 - link
It impossible to achieve 16GB RAM; if the first slot is filled with soldered 4GB stick! There is no 12GB stick! You an upgrade to 12GB or 20GB!lophiomys - Sunday, September 20, 2015 - link
When I saw only "Optional 1920x1080 IPS" as the better option for the screen, I stopped reading.I am typing this on a 10year old T43p with 1600x1200 UXGA (133DPI) and would expect a high-DPI matte "Retina" screen for the better an option, best in 4:3 form factor.
Actuallykeith - Friday, September 25, 2015 - link
I notice you say the maximum memory is 20Gb, I guess 4Gb on board plus a 16Gb in the second slot. However on their website Lenovo state the maximum memory as 12Gb. I'm confused, are they correct or you, did you try it?Actuallykeith - Friday, September 25, 2015 - link
Hi, looked more closely at their US site and although the spec says 12Gb max, the config allows 20Gb, so I've answered my own question. CheersHarry_Wild - Saturday, September 26, 2015 - link
Just purchase a T450 with 8GB. It has a 4GB stick soldered in the first slot and a 4GB in the second slot beside it, why not just have on 8Gb soldered in and forget about dualism. I have to now wait a few years for the 16GB stick which is approximately $200; to fall. If you buy the 8GB stick for around $50; you only get 4 extra GBs. Lenovo is not doing me any favorites with their idiotic practice in matching RAM size!FYoung - Tuesday, November 10, 2015 - link
Thanks for the review, which is very informative.I have a question. Can the docking port on the bottom still mate with the docking station when an upgraded taller battery is installed?
Lad - Thursday, August 19, 2021 - link
My ThinkPad T450 is not clocking the 17 to 21 hours of battery life. I recently reinstall everything and my dual batteries both can make upto 5 hrs of fully charged. What do I need to do so as to get my batteries efficient to its powerhouse of 21 hours.Help please, if you know the twikings of the drivers or what ....