The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro offers powerful AMD and Nvidia technology, housed in a slightly bulky and drab chassis reminiscent of older gaming laptops. It features a spacious 16-inch QHD display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, outclassing its Intel competitors in multithreaded benchmarks. With an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics, it delivers excellent performance at an aggressive price point. While lacking the elegance of some competitors, it provides speed and value, making it a viable alternative to top gaming laptops like the Alienware m15 R4 and Acer Predator Helios 300 (2021). On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion 5 offers affordability and focuses on core components, including a GeForce RTX 3060, modern AMD Ryzen 5000 processor, and a fast 165 Hz display. The combination of the Ryzen 7 5800H processor and the 130W version of the GeForce RTX 3060 ensures high gaming performance. However, the automatic graphics switching can cause stuttering issues, and it is recommended to deactivate the hybrid graphics mode in Lenovo’s Vantage app if long battery runtimes are not a priority. While the Legion 5 offers useful power settings, the fans remain active even in the Eco mode, resulting in a noisy operation.
Summary - The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro offers powerful AMD and Nvidia technology, housed in a slightly bulky and drab chassis reminiscent of older gaming laptops. It features a spacious 16-inch QHD display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, outclassing its Intel competitors in multithreaded benchmarks. With an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics, it delivers excellent performance at an aggressive price point. While lacking the elegance of some competitors, it provides speed and value, making it a viable alternative to top gaming laptops like the Alienware m15 R4 and Acer Predator Helios 300 (2021). On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion 5 offers affordability and focuses on core components, including a GeForce RTX 3060, modern AMD Ryzen 5000 processor, and a fast 165 Hz display. The combination of the Ryzen 7 5800H processor and the 130W version of the GeForce RTX 3060 ensures high gaming performance. However, the automatic graphics switching can cause stuttering issues, and it is recommended to deactivate the hybrid graphics mode in Lenovo's Vantage app if long battery runtimes are not a priority. While the Legion 5 offers useful power settings, the fans remain active even in the Eco mode, resulting in a noisy operation.
Overview - The AMD 5800H CPU with RTX 2070 is priced for 1800 CAD with tax. It runs GTA 5 smoothly on ultra-high settings without any FPS drops. The battery life is decent, and the only downside is the speaker quality. The 300-watt charger is a bit bulky, but can be replaced with a smaller one if needed. It has a great price with teacher discount too. Lenovo creates gaming laptops that match the quality of the Mil-spec business/enterprise class laptops. Despite being consumer grade, the Legion series holds up well in terms of thermals and durability. It's a solid investment, unlike certain pricey Intel Macbooks. It’s got good reliability and upgrades.
Overview - Features - Lenovo's Legion gaming laptops offer an appealing combination of pricing and desired features, such as a mux switch and high-powered GPUs. Comparatively, the Dell G15 and Alienware R5/R6 are also viable options, but they fall slightly short of the Legion 5 in terms of performance and satisfaction. The inverted motherboard design in the Legion 5 poses some maintenance challenges, and while the thermals are slightly inferior, they still outperform many other laptops. Also, the minor difference of a 5W lower GPU power limit should be noted. Overall, the Dell G15 is considered the second-best budget offering with a GTX 3060, but it's difficult to choose it over a Legion at the same price. Discounts and availability can make the Dell G15 more tempting, but Lenovo consistently offers sales and Rakuten deals. The Lenovo Legion 7 slim, while occasionally available at a similar price, boasts a better build with an aluminum chassis and a good display. Ultimately, the choice depends on regional availability and individual preferences. In Asia, the approximate price for the mentioned laptop configuration is around 1455 euros.
Overview - Worth - The price point of $1,000, makes it an excellent choice. While the webcam and speakers may not be top-notch, it's important to note that even higher-end laptops often lack in those areas. Overall, it is highly recommended, especially for those on a tight budget or those considering their first gaming laptop. However, for more serious gamers, it’s best to explore other options especially if one desires features like QHD display models or higher-end GPUs such as the 3070 or 3080. However, such specifications will come with a higher price.
Overview - Performance - Unlike other laptops that excel in specific aspects but sacrifice others, the Legion 5 stands out by being great at everything. It's not necessarily the absolute best in any particular area, but its overall performance is exceptional. It’s a game-changer for AMD gaming laptops, however some sponsored videos overlooked its important basics and focused on less significant aspects. The AMD laptops lacked the support that Intel variants have but are still appear compelling in the value laptop market. In terms of CPU performance, AMD is better than the 11th Gen Intel. Also, the tolerance for longevity allows temperatures up to 100c, so that wouldn't be a concern.
Recommendation - The Legion gaming laptop offers excellent performance with a full watt GPU and a superior cooling system. In comparison to Dell and MSI laptops, the Legion's fans are quieter and more efficient at keeping the system cool. Lenovo's RTX3060-3070 gaming laptops are considered top-tier in terms of price and performance this year. Also, the Legion 5 from last year had an impressive power and thermals while the newer generation Legion laptops offer even more power, performance, improved cooling, and better build quality. The only drawback is the battery life, which is expected for a gaming laptop prioritizing performance over battery longevity.
Bottom - Handling is superior to the Legion 5 Pro, possibly due to the materials used. The laptop is lighter and has a grippier bottom surface, allowing efficient handling and easy opening of the lid. Although the aesthetic appeal diminishes when looking at the bottom cover. It’s functional with well-sized rubber feet and sufficient air intake holes, and the grippiness of the bottom surface is advantageous for carrying the laptop around. Additionally, there are more stickers on the bottom cover.
Build - Versions - The Intel version shares the same build quality, port selection, size, and overall feel. The consistency in quality and build materials between the Intel and non-Intel versions is notable, especially in terms of the keyboard. Despite being made of plastic, it only has minimal flex and bending, demonstrating great build quality. Its compact and minimalistic design combined with its powerful performance makes it suitable for extended gaming sessions without overheating, with its Coldfront 2.0 cooling system. Overall, its build quality is solid, with no creaks in the casing and impressive durability.
Chassis - The laptop's chassis is mostly unchanged, featuring dark blue plastic for the base unit and lid, and the smooth surfaces are resistant to dirt and fingerprints with a new color. However, the chassis quality is a weak point due to its lower price point. While the overall build quality is decent, there are some creaking noises when twisting the base unit and the hinges produce slight bouncing and creaking when adjusting the screen's angle. These limitations may be noticeable in daily use, but are not significant during gaming sessions. It's worth noting that the laptop lacks a high-end chassis and comprehensive illumination options were intentionally omitted by Lenovo.
Design - Its design is like last year’s Legion 5 with great overall aesthetics. It's an entry-level gaming laptop, but most people would be satisfied with what it offers, including those used to higher-end laptops. Skins are available for those who want to enhance the look. Overall, the slight change in design made it look clean and mature without typical gamer accents. In fact, it's one of the least gamer-looking gaming laptops available.
Internal Parts - Behind two shrouds, the SSD, Wi-Fi card, and two RAM slots are located, which can be accessed by removing the shrouds. Also, there seems to be sufficient space for a second NVMe drive. If the hard drive cage is removed, a perfectly engineered space becomes available, allowing installation of an additional NVMe drive.
Lid & Logo - The laptop's lid is made of a thick plastic, featuring a small Lenovo logo in one corner and a Legion logo in the opposite corner. The Legion logo has a prismatic coloring that shifts depending on the light angle, adding a visually appealing touch. Opening the lid requires only one finger, and the lip on the lid provides a good grip. The hinge is sturdy and allows easy adjustments, while also enabling the screen to extend back 180°. Additionally, the top of the laptop now includes a new metal insert badge that simply says Lenovo.
NVME Drive - AMD Variant - In comparison to the Intel version, the NVMe drive in AMD is smaller and offers a slower read and write speed though it’s still fast enough. Also, it can be changed with a faster NVMe drive or replaced with a second drive that can be either a 2.5-inch drive.
Ports - The Legion 5 15 and the Legion 5 Pro both offer a comprehensive selection of ports. The Legion 5 15, although lacking Thunderbolt support, provides all the essential ports with most of them positioned at the rear, maintaining a clean appearance. It includes USB-C and USB-A ports on both sides, along with a headphone/mic combo jack. The Legion 5 Pro has its well-arranged collection of ports, mostly located at the back, featuring HDMI, USB Type-A, USB-C (with power delivery and DisplayPort support), Ethernet, and power connector. The rear I/O configuration prevents interference with mouse movement and ensures a seamless experience when connecting external screens, as the HDMI port is directly connected to the dedicated GPU.
Processor - The Legion 5 Pro offers an impressive performance at an attractive price point, combining an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor with GeForce RTX 3070 graphics. Additionally, it has an eight-core processor with a base clock of 3.2GHz and a boost clock of 4.4GHz. Performance-wise, the processor provides substantial computing power suitable for various tasks, including schoolwork and professional use. It features a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, ideal for gaming and demanding tasks. It maintains stable performance under heavy workloads and offers slightly better performance than the competing Intel Core i7-11800H. The Ryzen chip also provides improved efficiency at similar performance levels. When running on battery power, the CPU's power consumption is reduced by around 19% (Auto @35W TDP) or 38% (Eco @19W TDP).
Storage - It comes with a Micron NVMe SSD (PCIe 3.0 x4) with 512 GB of storage capacity, providing approximately 436 GB of usable space after the initial setup. The transfer rates are excellent, and unless you have an extensive collection of games that might fill up the capacity, there is no need to upgrade the drive.
Vents - The Legion 5 Pro's design doesn't overtly showcase its gaming nature, except for the functional vents on the sides and back for cooling. However, the vents lack visually appealing features like the honeycomb pattern on the Alienware m15. Additionally, it has dark gray plastic chassis with black keys, offering a subtle contrast, a lid that features a Y logo that illuminates in light blue when the laptop is plugged in, but the color cannot be customized for a more visually striking appearance.
Brightness - Color - The maximum brightness and contrast ratio are above average, and the color accuracy is excellent. If you don't require a broader gamut than 100% sRGB, it's ideal for color-sensitive applications.
Calibration - The calibration has reduced deviations for grayscale and colors when compared to the sRGB reference color space, and the panel's nearly full sRGB coverage making it acceptable for image/video processing.
Display - It boasts an impressive screen that caters to both gamers and content creators with features like Freesync, Gsync, and a mux switch specifically designed for gaming. Additionally, its color accuracy of 98-99% sRGB makes it suitable for content creation and consumption. There’s a range of display options offered for Legion 5 Pro, starting from a 1080p screen with 120Hz and 250 nits brightness, all the way up to a WQHD panel with 165Hz and 300 nits brightness. In tests, the fast FHD panel with 165Hz and G-Sync performed exceptionally well, providing vibrant colors, a smooth visual experience, and an average brightness of 350 nits. The display also exhibited minimal backlight bleeding and no noticeable issues with ghosting or PWM. Compared to other gaming laptops, the Legion 5 Pro stands out with its generous 16-inch, 16:10 screen, offering more screen real estate and pixels than the standard 15.6-inch, 1080p models. It surpasses the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE, which features a smaller 14-inch display. Despite being $130 more expensive than the Acer, the Legion 5 Pro justifies the price with its larger screen, higher resolution, and superior performance. Overall, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro combines AMD and Nvidia technologies to deliver an exceptional gaming and content creation experience. The 144 hertz display is color accurate with good screen brightness and is suitable for doing design work and gaming.
Graphics - Benchmark tests like 3DMark and Unigine Superposition evaluate a system's graphics performance. 3DMark has two subtests, Sky Diver and Fire Strike, suited for different system types. Sky Diver is for laptops and midrange PCs, while Fire Strike is for high-end PCs. The results provide scores indicating the system's graphics performance. Unigine Superposition is another synthetic graphics test that renders a detailed 3D scene. It measures frames per second (fps) for 720p Low and 1080p High presets, showing the smoothness of onscreen animation. Lower-end systems target 30fps, while serious gamers aim for 60fps or higher. These benchmark tests compare and assess different systems' graphical performance.
HDR & Dolby Vision - It’s Dolby Vision capable although the display is only HDR 400. Content is displayed correctly but it won’t have the same range as those with a thousand nit peak brightness.
Matte Display - The Legion 5 15's matte display allows outdoor usage, although very bright environments can be challenging though it remains visible when not exposed to direct sunlight, making it suitable for outdoor use. For a comfortable experience, it is recommended to find a shaded area. The IPS screen provides excellent viewing angle stability.
Options - The 240Hz option is not available, which is understandable considering it’s a budget-oriented build. Instead, it’s a 60Hz version, which indicates that it doesn't have the same one-millisecond response time as the 240Hz display. However, when using an RTX 2060 or higher and primarily playing competitive games, the 240Hz display is best recommended.
Panel Upgrade - The base panel is a 60Hz screen, which might not be ideal for a gaming laptop. But, there’s an option of a 120Hz screen with lower brightness.
Response Time - 50% Grey to 80% Grey - Compared to other devices tested, response times range from 0.711 ms to 636 ms. Approximately 14% of devices perform better, indicating that the measured response time surpasses the average of all tested devices (37.3 ms).
Response Time - Black to White - The screen demonstrates fast response rates making it suitable for gaming. When compared to other tested devices, response times range from 0.8 ms to 240 ms. Approximately 13% of devices perform better, indicating that the measured response time exceeds the average of all tested devices (23.6 ms).
Screen Flicker - Compared to other tested devices, 52% of the devices do not utilize PWM for display dimming. In cases where PWM was detected, the average measured frequency ranged from 5 Hz to 3,846,000 Hz.
Screen - Most gaming laptops typically feature 15.6- or 17.3-inch displays with a 16:9 aspect ratio. However, the Legion 5 Pro sets itself apart with its 16-inch screen and 16:10 aspect ratio. For gaming performance, there wasn't a noticeable difference as compared to typical gaming laptops, but the additional vertical space is great for web browsing and working with large Excel spreadsheets. Overall, the Full HD (1920x1080) IPS screen with matte finish is outstanding. Also, it boasts a 165Hz refresh rate, solid viewing angles, and no observable backlight bleed.
Backlight - Customization options are available for the four-zone RGB keyboard backlighting though the white backlighting provides a clean and sleek appearance. The keyboard features 4 zone RGB lighting, but has limited features and the software for customization may not be the best. However, it still offers satisfactory performance, although there’s some light bleed underneath the keys, but the color uniformity was better than the Legion 5 Pro.
Keyboard - The keyboard is highly regarded, appealing to most users. It includes a number pad, resulting in a left-shifted layout that may bother those who prefer symmetry. However, it’s a common approach taken by Lenovo in their mid-tier devices. Despite the layout, the actual keyboard experience is excellent and remains unchanged from the previous model. Typing on the keys is comfortable, although they are slightly narrower due to the inclusion of the number pad. The arrow keys are conveniently positioned towards the bottom and have identical sizes, making them easy to locate without looking. Additionally, the keyboard's background illumination is divided into four zones, allowing separate adjustments. Three profiles can be switched between using a key combination (Fn+space bar) and adjusted through Lenovo's Vantage app, which offers options for brightness, color, and pattern customization. The large clickpad provides smooth cursor movements, but most gamers will likely opt for an external mouse. The keyboard is equipped with TrueStrike technology, providing a generous 1.3 millimeters of key travel. This longer travel distance gives the keys a pleasant tactile feel and cushiony sensation when pressed, enhancing the overall typing experience.
Layout - Lenovo collaborated with the Dolby team and made the decision to position the speaker at the bottom of the keyboard rather than the top. This allowed for a larger trackpad without compromising sound quality. The palmrest and chassis exhibit minimal flex, including on the keyboard deck. The key layout is well-designed, avoiding cramped or oddly placed keys, despite the inclusion of the numpad keys that are smaller than the rest, and the smaller bezels. Overall, the keyboard is full-sized with a decent-sized trackpad.
Performance - The keyboard seems to be similar to the Legion 5 Pro but with the typing experience improved, or the key feedback could be slightly stronger. Regardless, typing on the keyboard was enjoyable. It offers ample space and comfort, with keys that provide a firm yet satisfying feel due to the soft-landing switches. The typing experience is both quiet and gratifying. The overall build quality of the laptop feels sturdy, without any noticeable flex on the keyboard deck, even during intense typing or gaming sessions. Lenovo managed to incorporate a numeric keypad without compromising the layout or arrangement of the other keys. However, the keys on the numeric keypad are narrower compared to those on the main keyboard.
Touchpad/Trackpad - Below the keyboard is a spacious touchpad, slightly offset to the left due to the number pad. Its positioning feels natural, and the matte finish allows smooth gliding and accurate gesture recognition. The touchpad can be disabled using the F10 key when an external mouse is used. Although made of plastic, it has a smooth surface resembling glass until smudges appear. It functions well and tracks movements accurately, providing a better experience compared to average trackpads in other gaming laptops, especially Alienware models. Surprisingly, it is preferred over the Legion 5 Pro's trackpad, feeling less plasticky and narrower in width, reducing accidental palm touches. While lacking dedicated physical buttons, it incorporates the click function directly into the trackpad, common in gaming laptops, still delivering a satisfying experience.
Speakers - Sound Quality - The laptop's downward-facing speakers are not impressive, but their placement prevents sound muffling. The volume output is limited, reaching a peak of 70dB with adjusted settings, relying on surface reflection, but without it, the volume drops to around 65dB. Despite the lower volume, the sound quality is decent, with satisfactory highs and acceptable mids. However, the speakers lack bass, providing minimal low-end presence, with bass dropping off around 140Hz.
Speakers - Dynamic Output - The Legion's speakers, despite the laptop's size, didn't meet expectations for dynamic output. While they can reach high volumes, the sound quality lacks bass response and can be muddy. Gamers may prefer using headphones for a better audio experience. Additionally, the speakers are located on the left and right sides, delivering sound that is typical of gaming laptop speakers.
Bezels - Webcam - Except for the slightly thicker bottom bezel, which is common in 15" laptops, the laptop has small bezels. The display is surrounded by thin bezels, giving the system a modern look despite its bulky chassis. An HD webcam without a sliding privacy shutter is positioned at the top center of the bezel, but there is a switch on the right edge to disable the camera.
Webcam - Image Quality & Features - The laptop's camera falls short in terms of quality, with grainy images even in good lighting and even worse performance in low light. However, it functions adequately and has a physical switch that disables both the camera and microphone. The 720p camera's picture quality is below average even in favorable lighting conditions, and there’s no additional IR camera for Windows Hello. Also, the webcam has been relocated to the top of the screen, and a privacy filter can be activated with a switch to physically cover the camera, enhancing privacy and security.
Cooling - The cooling is a standout feature that didn’t let the thermal throttle no matter how long a game runs. The cooling system has 70 plus parts with thin fan blades. However, the cooling in AMD seems to be barely working.
Fan Noise - The fan noise on the Intel version is lower at 45 to 46 decibels while the AMD version hits 50 decibels making it as loud as some gaming laptops. The laptop offers different modes to address fan noise. Balanced mode reduces fan noise to some extent, but its effectiveness depends on the game's CPU and GPU demands. Quiet mode further reduces noise by significantly lowering the TDP/TGP, resulting in fans operating at around 35dB during most games. This mode also improves temperature performance, with average CPU and GPU temperatures of 67°C and 65°C respectively during a Horizon Zero Dawn test. However, it's important to consider that performance will be noticeably affected. Generally, the laptop is appropriately cooled, and the fan noise remains within acceptable limits.
Heat Management - The laptop's cooling performance is excellent, and higher specification options rarely experience throttling. Also, gaming at 1080p with an overclocked screen keeps the temperature at bay. Additionally, a use of a cooling pad maintains the laptop temperature below 55 degrees, even while playing demanding games like Fallen Order at over 60fps on high settings. Furthermore, the 1660 Ti version of the laptop stays below 80 degrees even under stress, and in balanced mode, the temperature remains between 69-77 degrees.
Heat Management - Noise - The Legion 5 Pro relies on active and loud fans to cool the laptop during demanding graphics tasks, but it remains fairly quiet during regular Windows usage and gets louder when running 3D games and media editing apps. The cooling solution, similar to older Lenovo models, combines heatsinks, heat pipes, and fans. Specifically, during normal use, the CPU stays at around mid-40°C, and the fans operate at a low speed, producing a noise level of 26-28dB. The laptop is impressively quiet overall and doesn't exhibit coil whine. However, temperatures rise during intensive gaming, with the CPU averaging 80°C and peaking at 90°C, while the GPU stabilizes at 72°C during a prolonged Horizon Zero Dawn gaming session on Performance mode. The fan noise during gaming measures around 44dB and emits a low whoosh sound.
Heat - AMD Variant - The laptop delivers impressive performance, but tends to generate high temperatures, reaching up to 100 degrees Celsius. However, despite the high temperatures, the laptop does not experience thermal throttling or performance dips.
Temperature - The laptop performs well for general tasks, but temperatures can be concerning during gaming. However, installing XTU and applying a -125mV underclock on the cache and core can help improve thermals without compromising performance. Externally, the palmrest remained cool, especially with higher fan speeds during gaming, and the underside temperatures were manageable. During normal use, temperatures were slightly warmer, likely due to placing the laptop on the lap and the fans running at low speeds. Although there are no temperature issues with the cooling system, one area on the bottom left measures around 50 °C during gaming, making it unsuitable for use on laps. The top base, in contrast, is cool and keyboard usage is unrestricted.
Battery - Life, Rundown/Runtime - The battery usage can be managed by using hybrid mode, for optimal performance. Runtime is 4-6 hours during casual use and up to 8 hours with power-saving settings. In a battery test, the laptop was set to power-save mode with Wi-Fi disabled, playing a looped 720p video at 50% brightness and 100% volume until the battery depleted. It fell short of the eight-hour mark compared to other models like the Predator Triton 300 SE, Alienware m15 R5, and Razer Blade 15 but outlasted the larger Alienware m17 R4. Overall, the 80 Wh battery provided decent runtimes, depending on GPU usage. Also, with the Nvidia GPU active and hybrid mode deactivated, the laptop achieved up to 5 hours in the Wi-Fi test and 1 hour and 45 minutes under maximum load. Furthermore, laptops with working graphics switching have an advantage in battery life, and activating hybrid mode can significantly extend the runtime, even doubling it in certain scenarios.
Battery - The battery life of Lenovo Legion, specifically the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H model with a 120Hz screen, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage was great. Also, it has the option to charge the battery up to 80% and then use AC power for the laptop's functions without continuous charging, which helps extend the battery's lifespan. It comes with a 60Whr battery, but an 80Whr battery is available when buying directly from Lenovo. Furthermore, the smaller battery size is convenient for fitting in a backpack, although it may not fit well in certain charging bins due to the size of the 230W power brick. However, the laptop supports USB-C charging, allowing the use of a portable GaN charger for a small CPU boost and to keep the laptop running. However, battery life is similar to last year's model, lasting around three and a half hours. Although the battery is small, it has longer battery life than the Intel version. Unlike the Intel, which only provides 3 hours and 15 minutes of use, it offers almost 4 hours.
Charger - It has a conventional PC-style wall plug and a B feed power bricks, and it uses 230 Watts. It has a 170 watt brick and unimpressive graphics setup.
Power Consumption - The Legion 5 15 has a typical power consumption, peaking at around 230W before settling at around 200W. Although the 300W power adapter may be slightly excessive, it comes with the advantage of Lenovo's Vantage app, which includes an express charge feature. This feature enhances charging speed, reducing overall charging time by 40 minutes, thus, within 20 minutes of charging while the device is on, you can have 50% battery capacity, reaching 80% in 44 minutes.
Advanced Optimus - Its panel uses Advance Optimus technology for seamless GPU switching without having to restart. In the Lenovo Vantage software, the mode can be adjusted by disabling Hybrid mode, though it’s advised to keep Hybrid mode enabled unless the laptop is seldom used on battery power. Furthermore, Advance Optimus works smoothly and avoids issues found in other devices.
Performance Modes - The laptop has convenient keyboard shortcuts for switching performance modes, and a colored LED in the power button indicates the current mode. Three performance modes are accessible through the Vantage app or the key combination (Fn+Q): Eco (blue), Auto (white), and Ultra (red). During testing, the Ultra mode was used for benchmarks. Auto and Eco modes are available when using battery power. The Vantage app also includes a hybrid mode for graphics switching, but it was disabled during benchmarking due to issues.
Power Profile - The power profile is indicated by the always-on light on the power button, which is red for performance, blue for quiet mode, and white for balanced.
Software - Lenovo Vantage - The major control software for the Lenovo Legion 5 is Lenovo Vantage, which has a number of features, including the ability to change the CPU and GPU settings. There are three settings offered by the software: Performance, Balanced, and Quiet. The Fn-Q key combination makes it simple for users to switch between various modes, and the power button's color changes to show which mode is active.
Wi-Fi - The Wi-Fi module in the laptop is built on a budget-friendly price point. It has a RealTek (RTL8852AE) Wi-Fi 6 module that is current. There’s no problems while using the device in the real world, despite the highest transfer rate being capped at 866 Mbps and the lack of gaming-specific features like prioritizing online gaming. Although the Netgear Nighthawk RAX120 router's transfer rates fluctuated during the regular Wi-Fi test, overall download speeds were acceptable.
Gaming - Far Cry 5 - Tomb Raider - Horizon Zero - Rainbow Six: Siege
GPU Performance - AMD
GPU - Specifications
Performance
Performance - Adobe Photoshop
Performance - AMD
Performance - Gaming - AMD
Performance - Multimedia
Performance - Processor
Performance - Specifications
Performance - Stress Test
Specifications
System Noise - AMD
System Performance - AMD
Usage
Versatility
Positive
Negative
Benchmark - Cinebench R15 - Maxon's Cinebench R15, a CPU-intensive benchmark that stresses all processor cores and threads focuses on CPU performance rather than GPU rendering and provides a score indicating a PC's suitability for processor-intensive tasks. Cinebench results are often indicative of performance in other CPU-dependent workloads, such as the Handbrake video-editing trial. The trial measures the time it takes for test systems to transcode a 12-minute 4K video clip (specifically, the open-source Blender demo movie "Tears of Steel") into a 1080p MP4 file. Lower scores indicate better performance in the timed test.
Benchmark - PCMark 10 - The Legion 5 Pro stands out among the other gaming laptops in both performance and PCMark 10 score. It achieved the highest score, surpassing the 7,000-point mark. With its high base clock speed of 3.2GHz, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H outperformed the eight-core, 16-thread Intel CPUs found in the Razer and Alienware m17 R4 models. The Legion 5 Pro has ample power to handle multitasking efficiently.
DPC Latency - AMD - In the DPC latency test, the Legion 5 performed well, making it appropriate for real-time audio applications. However, there were missing frames and reduced video decoder performance while using the Nvidia GPU, resulting in a GPU load of about 60%. In contrast, the Ryzen processor's integrated GPU (iGPU) had a load of just 9% for the identical task and saw no missed frames.
Gaming Performance - With its amazing gaming performance, the Legion 5 15 can easily handle demanding games even at high settings. It is advised to get the optional RTX 3070 (140W) graphics card for the greatest performance with the optional WQHD panel. The highest FPS is available in Ultra performance mode, but other options should be considered for a quieter fan. There were reduced FPS figures in the extended Witcher 3 test, but consistent behavior. The Witcher 3 Ultra only manages 22 frames per second when using battery power, a considerable reduction in gaming performance. Thus, tweaking the game's specifics may be required for more enjoyable gameplay.
Gaming - Far Cry 5 - Tomb Raider - Horizon Zero - Rainbow Six: Siege - Synthetic tests measure 3D prowess, but retail games provide a more reliable measure of gaming ability. Modern, excellent games with built-in benchmarks that measure real-world gaming at various settings include Far Cry 5 and Rise of the Tomb Raider. Evaluating the games at 1080p resolution with medium and high graphical presets (Normal/Ultra for Rise of the Tomb Raider, Medium/Very High for Far Cry 5) while Rise of the Tomb Raider uses DX12, Far Cry 5 makes use of DirectX 11. Using Horizon Zero Dawn in Performance mode with OC settings, an average frame rate of 73 frames per second and a low of 65 frames per second were reached in a game test specifically designed to assess the impact of improved RAM, which is a 13% improvement. The FHD screen considerably improves the entire experience, even though the frame rates are respectable for the standard system. The rating might be different if the screen were QHD, which is frequently found in higher-end laptops. Despite that, a 15" FHD screen is still acceptable. Considering its low price, it offers exemplary performance with a beautiful screen that matches the hardware, making it a good choice for a first gaming laptop. With the Legion 5 Pro's Low and Ultra presets at 1080p and 100% render resolution, Rainbow Six: Siege was benchmarked. The laptop averaged 316 frames per second in Low and 262 frames per second in Ultra. Esports athletes searching for a cheap gaming laptop are drawn to the high frame rates. In particular, a seamless gaming experience would be provided by fully using the 165Hz screen.
GPU Performance - AMD - Lenovo employs the powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, which has a maximum core frequency of 1935 MHz and a TGP of up to 130W. Synthetic evaluations show great performance, sometimes even outperforming laptops with RTX 3070 models from lower price ranges. Depending on the benchmark, the RTX 2060 Mobile offers a considerable 30–40% performance gain over the prior Legion 5 15 while keeping stability in all performance modes and exhibiting noticeable battery power throttling.
GPU - Specifications - The model comes with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti dedicated graphics processor, which is a lower-end discrete graphics processing unit (dGPU) that falls between the GTX 1660 Ti and the RTX 3060 in terms of performance. Despite being classified as an RTX, its 4GB VRAM restricts the ability to compute textures and hinders the efficient use of Ray Tracing features.
Performance - Though it is about 15-20% slower than an RTX 3060, the system has reasonable GPU performance and outstanding CPU performance. It is interesting that Lenovo supports the BIOS's overclocking profile, which poses little risk and keeps the temperature under control. Depending on the game, changing the RAM kit does affect gameplay performance, though perhaps not as significantly as in other situations. In benchmark tests, the Lenovo system with a GeForce RTX 3070 exceeds the Razer Blade 15 with its RTX 3080 and is only outperformed by the larger Alienware m17 R4. It also outperforms RTX 3060 systems (Predator Triton 300 SE and Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5).
Performance - Adobe Photoshop - Utilizing the Creative Cloud version's early-2018 release, an Adobe Photoshop benchmark is run. The benchmark applies ten sophisticated filters and effects to a JPEG test image, timing each operation and totaling the results. Better performance in this CPU, storage subsystem, and RAM-intensive test is indicated by lower timings. Additionally, strong graphics processors or cards can enhance performance by speeding up Photoshop's filter application.
Performance - AMD - The system outperforms more expensive options in difficult jobs. It excels in CPU-intensive activities like code compilation and video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro, handling a variety of tasks with ease and even outperforming older desktop CPU generations.
Performance - Multimedia - The Ryzen 7 and 9 5000 series chips outperformed equivalent Intel Core i7 and Core i9 processors in media creation and editing workloads, and the Legion 5 Pro won or tied for first position in all three multimedia tests. While the Alienware m17 R4 with a Core i9 processor kept up with the Legion 5 Pro in Handbrake and Photoshop, the Legion 5 Pro displayed a significant edge there by earning one of the greatest Cinebench scores ever seen in a gaming laptop. For those looking for a multipurpose machine without the need for separate systems, the Legion 5 Pro is a great option because it offers superb performance in both content creation and gaming.
Performance - Processor - It has a RTX 2060 graphics card and a six-core Intel processor, the performance is good compared to rivals because it is the regular 2016 model rather than the max q.
Performance - Specifications - With the ability to increase, the machine has 16GB of RAM in a 2x8GB configuration. Although the 3200MHz specification is outstanding, the single-ranked (1RX16) RAM has a little performance impact on the CPU. However, the outcomes were enhanced when dual-ranked modules were used in its place. The value of the update will vary depending on personal tastes and requirements.
Performance - Stress Test - The Legion 5 15 did well throughout the stress test with Prime95 and FurMark but is unable to maintain its high performance results. The graphics card is limited to 115W without further reduction when the processor drops from 60W to 45W after around 5 minutes. As a result, the system performs flawlessly even in challenging situations.
Specifications - The Legion 5 Pro comes with a GTX 1660 Ti, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a terabyte of hard drive space. The system offers great specs, especially when configured appropriately, and the GPUs have high power limits to ensure optimal performance. The test system, featuring an AMD Ryzen R7 5800H processor, 16GB of RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics, and a 512GB SSD, will be available at Walmart for $1,529.99 starting from the end of June. A similar laptop, the Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5, with the same components except for an RTX 3060 GPU, costs $120 more ($1,649.99). The performance of the system during gaming, recording, and SSD speeds is commendable, with the 512GB PCIe 3.0 drive providing good speeds, and minimal differences observed on battery power.
System Noise - AMD - Fans on the Legion 5 Pro run continuously and can be heard in quiet spaces. Fan deactivation would have been a useful option, especially in Eco mode. However, even while under pressure and performing GPU-intensive tasks, the fans in Eco mode are only making about 43 dB(A) of noise. When playing in Auto or Ultra mode, the fan noise is stronger and can reach 48 to 53.5 dB(A), which suggests the use of headphones for the best audio quality. During testing, no electrical noises were heard.
System Performance - AMD - There’s one-second delay and a Windows notification sound when switching between the integrated and separate graphics card. The problem is fixed by turning off the hybrid mode in Lenovo's Vantage software, however at the expense of a less efficient functioning. Hopefully, Lenovo will address this issue in a future release.
Usage - The laptop is aimed towards gamers who value performance and simplicity in design. It enables portability for both games and daily duties. The AMD model is a suggested option for individuals who prioritize their jobs—for example, video makers, 3D animators, or developers—and who occasionally play video games.
Comparison vs. Acer Nitro 5 & Comparison vs. ASUS TUF Gaming F15 - The Legion distinguishes itself from competitors like the Acer Nitro 5 and Asus TUF Gaming F15 with its powerful graphics card. Lenovo's notebook is less expensive, but it doesn't have as much illumination as the Alienware m15.
Andreas Osthoff - NotebookCheck
09/07/2021
Comparison vs. Acer Nitro 5Comparison vs. ASUS TUF Gaming F15GPUAffordability
Comparison vs. Acer Predator Triton 300 SE, Comparison vs. Razer Blade 15 Advanced Edition, & Comparison vs. Alienware m17 R4 - Performance of competing gaming laptops with GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs was compared to that of the Legion. Acer Predator Triton 300 SE, which had an Intel Core i7 processor and RTX 3060 graphics, was less expensive. At the top end, the Legion cost roughly twice as much as the Razer Blade 15 Advanced Edition and Alienware m17 R4 with RTX 3080.
Matthew Elliott - PCMag
06/23/2021
Comparison vs. Acer Predator Triton 300 SEComparison vs. Razer Blade 15 Advanced EditionComparison vs. Alienware m17 R4PerformancePriceCPUGPU
Comparison vs. Acer Triton SE & Comparison vs. Alienware m17 R4 - In the tested games, all five systems delivered strong frame rates. The Legion 5 Pro's performance was comparable to that of the Alienware m15 and Razer laptops, whereas the Acer Triton 300 SE and Alienware m17 R4 were on opposite extremes of the performance spectrum. For gamers looking for an excellent gaming experience without going over budget, the Lenovo system offers outstanding value due to its relatively lower price compared to the rest.
Matthew Elliott - PCMag
06/23/2021
Comparison vs. Acer Triton SEComparison vs. Alienware m17 R4Frame RatePriceValue for Money
Comparison vs. Legion Y540 - Since the Legion Y540 is a gaming laptop, it's preferable to use it in a place that is conducive to heat generation. It is advised to turn on battery-saving functions while operating a device for an extended period without a plug. Without battery saving, it lasts for around three hours, and with them on, it lasts for about five or six hours. To ensure uninterrupted use, it’s best to keep the charger close by. Also, other activities such as attending classes and extracurricular activities, can have a different effect on battery life for others. Furthermore, it’s best to consult the most recent benchmarks for the chosen games to get adequate frame rates and graphics quality for the best gaming performance.
r/Lenovo
07/09/2020
Comparison vs. Legion Y540DesignHeatBattery Saving FeaturesBattery LifeBuild Quality
Comparison vs. Razer Blade 15 Advanced Edition - The Razer Blade 15 Advanced Edition and the Legion 5 Pro are very different from one another. The Razer Blade is a thin and light gaming laptop that weighs 4.4 pounds and measures 0.67 inches thick, but it costs a lot, starting at $2,500. In comparison, the Legion 5 Pro is one of the few gaming laptops that is larger than 1.1 by 14 by 10.4 inches (HWD) and thicker than one inch.
Matthew Elliott - PCMag
06/23/2021
Comparison vs. Razer Blade 15 Advanced EditionPriceDimensionsWeight
Comparison vs. Razer Blade 15, Comparison vs. Alienware m15, Comparison vs. Ryzen Edition R5, & Comparison vs. Alienware m7 R4 - The Legion 5 Pro weighs 5.65 pounds, which is more than a pound more than the Razer Blade 15. Its travel weight is increased by the large power brick by more than 1.5 pounds. The Lenovo laptop is not the heaviest considering its size. Despite having a smaller 15.6-inch display, the Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition R5 weighs 5.93 pounds, while the larger 17.3-inch Alienware m17 R4 weighs 6.5 pounds.
Matthew Elliott - PCMag
06/23/2021
Comparison vs. Razer Blade 15Comparison vs. Alienware m15Comparison vs. Ryzen Edition R5Comparison vs. Alienware m7 R4WeightPortability
Price - With costs changing by area, the Legion 5 Pro maintains its affordability in comparison to comparable gaming laptops. It’s available for $1050 in Amazon, and costs $999 on sale. Battery upgrades are possible when purchasing directly from Lenovo, however they are more expensive, with the same model costing $1500 on Lenovo's website. On Lenovo's website, the Legion 5 15 AMD can be ordered with a Ryzen 5 5600H processor, GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, and a 1080p 120 Hz display for as little as $949. The cost of a configuration similar to the device under consideration is about $1800. It was anticipated to initially cost between $850 and $900. Also, when upgrading the system with an Intel chip, the cost would be significantly higher.
Value - The Legion 5 with a Ryzen 5 processor and an RTX 2060 graphics card has an excellent value for money. Performance-wise, the GPU temperature stays at 75 degrees even during extended gaming sessions due to its great screen, performance, and effective cooling. The understated style with the iridescent Legion insignia is also great though some may not like it. Overall, the Lenovo Legion 5 meets the needs for a powerful CPU, a decent GPU, a good screen, along with other features, making it a great laptop in its price range.
General Specifications - Intel & AMD Variants - The sixth version of the Legion 5 15 offers a choice between Intel and AMD processors as well as Nvidia GeForce RTX GPUs (RTX 3060 or RTX 3070), catering to gamers. The machine under examination is equipped with a quick Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card and an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor. The laptop is a well-rounded unit because it has a matte 1080p screen with a 165 Hz refresh rate. Regular customers could anticipate to pay between 1400 and 1500 Euros for this model, which comes with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB PCIe-SSD storage. Customers with access to Lenovo's campus program can get this model (without an operating system) for 1120 Euros.
Andreas Osthoff - NotebookCheck
09/07/2021
General SpecificationsIntel & AMD VariantsCPUGPUDisplay
Issue - Wi-Fi - When the Wi-Fi started experiencing sporadic dips, cycling the power only temporarily alleviated the problem before Device Manager totally disconnected the connection. The Intel AX210 module was changed to resolve the issue.
Maintenance - The removal of the laptop's bottom cover is a very difficult task that necessitates the removal of screws and cautious handling due to the tight fit. It is possible to access the memory slots, M.2-2280 slots, and Wi-Fi module by removing additional panels, which are reasonably simple to remove.
Upgrade - AMD - The hard disk can be removed and replaced with an M.2 drive. The WiFi card can also be installed in an additional M.2 slot. Overall, there aren't many upgrade possibilities. While replacing the components is simple, taking off the back cover takes some work. Ten Phillips screws and plastic clips that must be released using a plastic opening tool hold the cover in place. The interior is freely accessible once the lid has been removed. The right heat shield houses the SSD and WiFi components, and the left side features a second heat shield protecting an additional M.2 slot. Additional screws are used to affix both heat shields.
Variants - Intel - Due to their more powerful GPUs, the Lenovo Legion 5 Intel models are suggested for gamers with larger budgets. While the AMD version is restricted to the 1660 or 2060, Lenovo's website, lenovo.com/legion, offers customization choices to meet different demands.
Comments