Lenovo most effective simply unveiled its new gamer, the Legion 5i 16 G9, at this yr’s CES—and we’ve already had an opportunity to check it. Lenovo’s mid-range gaming computer comes proper in between the inexpensive LOQ collection and the costlier Legion 5 Professional. With its new Raptor-Lake-HX processor, the Core i7-14650HX, a 115-watt model of the RTX 4060 Pc (together with Complex Optimus) and a quick 240-Hz WQXGA panel, the brand new Legion 5i 16 focuses totally on efficiency, leaving out issues equivalent to intensive case lights. Additionally, the producer uses a distinct AI chip—supposedly, Lenovo’s AI Engine+ will additional support customers’ gaming revel in.
We examined the model of the Legion 5i 16IRX G9 with the Core-i7 processor, RTX 4060 Pc, 240-Hz show, 16 GB RAM in addition to a 1-TB PCIe SSD for US$1,610.
The software’s case may be very swish for a gaming computer and when you desire issues to be extra crowd pleasing, then the Legion 5i would possibly properly disappoint you. With the exception of its black keyboard and bezels, it options no additional colour contrasts and as well as, Lenovo has made up our minds in opposition to putting in any case lights. Best the standing LED surrounding the facility button lighting fixtures up in 4 colours which might be depending on which power profile is in use. A minimum of this implies you’ll additionally use the computer in additional skilled settings equivalent to at college.
In the case of high quality, the case has rather a high-end really feel to it—even if most effective the lid is produced from aluminum. The bottom unit is made totally from plastic, however the most sensible nonetheless feels truly great. Best the ground of the case is a bit rougher, giving it slightly of a inexpensive really feel. One benefit the case has is how little it draws filth and fingerprint marks. Its steadiness is just right as an entire, however this is not a wonder on account of how thick the bottom unit is (max. 2 cm on the rear). The show hinges had been set properly and permit you to open the computer with one hand; its most opening perspective is 180 levels.
Weighing 2.4 kg, it’s in no way as mild as a feather however throughout the comparability box, our take a look at pattern plays properly. Its footprint makes it one of the vital compact fashions, too. You’ll have to plan in an extra 869 grams for the 230-watt energy provide.
At the Legion 5i 16 (in addition to at the Legion Professional 5i), Lenovo has made up our minds in opposition to putting in Thunderbolt 4 however in flip, it options an another way just right collection of ports unfold out alongside all 3 aspects. The again homes the facility connection and HDMI port, the left options 3 USB ports and there are two additional USB connections at the proper aspect. All video outputs are hooked up by the use of the dGPU, which means that the Nvidia GPU is all the time energetic when an exterior observe is hooked up.
The microSD card reader at the proper aspect of the software does not absorb playing cards totally and it is not in particular instant. Together with our reference card (Angelibird AV Professional V60), we measured low switch charges of about 30 MB/s.
Lenovo has fitted the Legion with the AX211 WLAN module from Intel which, except for Bluetooth 5.3, additionally masters the present Wi-Fi-6E same old for 6-GHz networks. Together with our reference router from Asus, its switch charges have been nice in overall, even supposing the contest used to be nonetheless sooner every now and then. Alternatively, you should not truly have the ability to understand this in sensible use and right through our take a look at, we by no means had any problems with sign high quality. As well as, the computer includes a Gigabit-Ethernet port for stressed connections.
The Legion 5i’s 1080p webcam fulfils its activity, taking first rate pictures in just right lights stipulations. At the turn aspect, it does not toughen any further studio results and it does not have an IR sensor for facial reputation by the use of Home windows Hi. There’s a transfer at the proper aspect which deactivates the webcam.
The ground case phase is hooked up the usage of customary crosshead screws nevertheless it nonetheless sits securely when those are got rid of. You need to use an acceptable instrument to lend a hand pry it open. Within, the computer’s repairs choices are just right, as except for each RAM slots, it additionally options two slots for M.2-2280 SSDs. The WLAN module and battery (screwed in) may also be swapped out.
The black keyboard—together with a devoted numerical keypad and offset arrow keys—is one we already know from different Legion fashions. Its keys have a boost of one.5 mm and in overall, it feels at ease to kind on them. With the exception of gaming, it’s also no drawback to kind longer texts in this keyboard. Our take a look at configuration is fitted with a backlit keyboard which has two brightness settings; you’ll moreover optionally opt for one with coloured 4-zone backlighting.
The clickpad is located relatively to the left and its measurement (12 x 7.5 cm) is very best for standard pointer operation—which additionally works completely high quality. The ground of the pad can also be pressed down which, sadly, is met with a noisy noise. Whilst gaming, maximum customers will succeed in for a gamepad or a mouse anyway. Those can also be hooked up on either side of the software.
Lenovo gives two other matte WQXGA shows with a 2,560 x 1,600 pixel answer. Subsequent to a model with a 165-Hz refresh charge and a 300-nit brightness, you’ll additionally choose a brighter 500-nit variant with a 240-Hz refresh charge. The latter moreover helps HDR and that is the only put in into our take a look at software. Subjectively, the display appears nice; content material appears very sharp, colours are vibrant or even lighter spaces do not seem grainy. Alternatively, you’ll understand some transparent halos when having a look at darkish photographs with the brightness became up.
Our panel completed a most of 528 cd/m² and a median of 500 cd/m², which means its goal has been reached. Its black worth of 0.33 is fine and its most distinction ratio is over 1,500:1. The show’s response speeds are instant and at the similar degree as different IPS competition. All-in-all, the display is well-suited for gaming and its values are higher than the contest. HDR content material may be supported (however HDR must be manually activated by the use of the Home windows settings).
Ex works, the Legion 5i’s show comes pre-calibrated and there are a couple of other colour profiles to be had. We analyzed it the usage of the pro CalMAN device (X-Ceremony i1 Pro2) the usage of the profile “local”. Its depiction is already excellent, as neither grayscale nor colours display DeltaE-2000 deviations above 3. As well as, we did not word a colour tint and a consumer calibration may just also be superfluous. We will have been ready to support depiction high quality via our personal calibration (can also be downloaded without spending a dime additional above), however that is most effective measurable—now not visual. Along with its entire sRGB protection, the panel can hopefully be used to edit pictures or video.
Because of the show’s excessive brightness and matte floor, the Legion 5i 16 can be utilized really well out of doors or in brilliant atmosphere. The IPS’s viewing-angle steadiness is ok, however viewing it from diagonally above results in the image being lightened rather slightly.
Lenovo gives the Legion 5i 16 G9 with 5 other HX processors from Intel, even supposing the 2 weaker variants nonetheless belong to final yr’s thirteenth technology. The flagship can also be fitted with a Core i9-14900HX at very best, and our take a look at pattern options the Core i7-14650HX. To be had graphics playing cards come with the present Nvidia fashions GeForce RTX 4050 Pc, 4060 Pc, and 4070 Pc with a most TGP of 115 watts and a MUX transfer for Complex Optimus graphics switching.
Lenovo gives 3 other efficiency modes throughout the pre-installed Vantage app in addition to a custom designed mode that the consumer can alter broadly (CPU/GPU energy limits, CPU/GPU temperature prohibit, CPU/GPU dynamic spice up). So, you’ll play about with those up to you wish to have. We have now indexed the 3 predefined settings’ respective parameters within the desk beneath (quiet mode, balanced mode and efficiency mode).
We performed the next benchmarks and measurements the usage of efficiency mode, because the software’s gaming efficiency specifically is way upper the usage of this mode. In fact, the fanatics additionally finally end up being louder however even in balanced mode, the fanatics can get very loud whilst gaming and you’ll most probably desire a headset regardless—so you could as properly use efficiency mode. The profiles can also be decided on by the use of the important thing mixture Fn+Q, wherein the coloured standing LED at the energy button presentations what mode is these days in use (purple: efficiency, white: balanced, blue: quiet, crimson: adjusted). All the way through easy on a regular basis duties, you’ll simply use quiet mode whilst incessantly having the ability to revel in an absolutely silent software. In battery use, you’ll’t use efficiency mode.
Lenovo has given the Legion 5i 16’s AI Engine+ its personal LA1 AI chip which can also be activated along with balanced mode. It supposedly robotically acknowledges video games and optimizes the computer’s efficiency, wherein the temperatures and fan noise emissions can build up. Normally, alternatively, this is not truly the rest new and a equivalent serve as may just already be noticed on previous fashions, the place enjoying video games brought about an automated transfer to efficiency mode. Alternatively, we did not understand any distinction in comparison to balanced mode when the usage of this new AI Engine+, and the software’s efficiency used to be incessantly the similar and even worse than in efficiency mode.
The brand new Core i7-14650HX is the successor to the previous Core i7-13700HX, providing the similar core configuration (8x efficiency + 8x potency) with relatively upper clock charges (as much as 5.2 GHz)—however in the case of its normal structure, not anything has modified. Throughout the Legion 5i 16, the brand new HX CPU consumes 140 watts for a brief time frame, sooner than balancing out at 100 watts. The ensuing efficiency is very good, resulting in an good thing about 10 % over the previous 13700HX. The AMD fashions additionally did noticeably worse. All the way through the single-core exams, the Legion got here out on most sensible, too. In battery use, its energy intake is proscribed to 50 watts, which is why its multi-core efficiency dropped by means of about 40 % (CB R23 Multi: 14,202 issues).
Additional CPU benchmarks can also be present in our tech phase.
Unsurprisingly, the brand new Legion 5i 16 is an excessively fast-reacting software and all inputs are carried out with out hesitation. The device simply hangs in short when booting up video games, however that is to do with the Complex Optimus graphics switching. You’ll steer clear of this by means of activating customary Optimus switching, however then you aren’t getting the most efficient efficiency. All the way through the take a look at, we by no means had any problems with our take a look at software (crashes and so forth).
In our standardized latency take a look at (browsing the internet, 4K YouTube playback, CPU load), the take a look at software with the present BIOS model confirmed some boundaries when the usage of real-time audio packages.
As already discussed, the Legion has two SSD slots and our take a look at software is fitted with the 1-TB model of the Samsung PM9A1 (OEM model of the 980 Professional), leaving customers 888 GB loose to make use of after first beginning up the computer. The PCIe-4.0 SSD’s efficiency is excellent basically however below everlasting load, it does not stay strong. In on a regular basis use, this mustn’t motive any boundaries however an extra cooler (or warmth sink) may just’ve solved this factor. Additional SSD benchmarks can also be discovered right here.
Throughout the take a look at software, Lenovo has put in the present Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Pc with a TGP of 115 watts—you’ll in truth even overclock the GPU by the use of the Vantage app. All the way through our take a look at, its most clock charge used to be 2,430 MHz. Complex Optimus by the use of a MUX transfer is supported and this labored reliably right through our take a look at, however you’ll additionally totally deactivate the processor’s iGPU.
The RTX 4060 Pc did truly properly within the benchmarks, most effective shedding out to either one of the RTX-4070 fashions—even supposing, the adaptation to the HP Victus is not giant in any respect. The GPU’s efficiency stays utterly strong below everlasting load however in battery use, the GPU is most effective allowed to eat 50 watts. This results in a efficiency lack of simply over 30 %. Additional GPU benchmarks can also be discovered right here.
In overall, the computer’s gaming efficiency is excellent and on the higher finish for an RTX 4060 Pc. All present video games can also be run easily in QHD and with most main points—even difficult video games equivalent to Cyberpunk 2077 or Trendy Battle 3. Best raytracing would possibly lead to a few problems and it might be smart to make use of upscaling era like DLSS. As well as, its gaming efficiency stays totally strong, even all over longer periods. Additional gaming benchmarks can also be discovered right here.
Either one of the Legion 5i 16’s fanatics have a large number of paintings to do and if you do not use quiet mode, they’re going to incessantly spin right through easy duties. Underneath excessive load, the software will get very loud at 55 dB(A) however to be fair, the just about 50 dB(A) we measured the usage of balanced mode is just too loud to play video games correctly with out a headset. So, relying at the recreation, it would make sense to test the efficiency in quiet mode, as its 35 dB(A) is much more at ease. We did not word another digital noises coming from our take a look at software.
A couple of spots at the Legion already get noticeably heat in idle mode however in flip, its low floor temperatures below load stunned us. Even right through the tension take a look at, we most effective measured simply over 40 °C at the most sensible and at the backside of the bottom unit, we famous simply over 43 °C. Those are excellent effects and there aren’t any restrictions relating to dealing with the software.
Along with the usage of efficiency mode, we additionally ran the tension take a look at the usage of balanced mode and feature put in combination the leads to the next diagram. In each profiles, you’ll see how a lot the processor’s intake fluctuates, however the GPU stays consistent and that is the place the transparent distinction between the 2 profiles can also be noticed. In efficiency mode, the GPU operates at 115 watts and in balanced mode we measured simply over 60 watts.
The 2 stereo audio system (2 watts every) most effective ship a median sound enough for some movies and background song. Alternatively, you will not get pleasure from the audio system when enjoying video games anyway, because the fanatics are too loud.
We famous no main surprises when it got here to the software’s intake and measured a most of round 20 watts in idle mode—that is applicable given its massive show and excessive brightness. All the way through the tension take a look at, its most intake used to be in short ~247 watts, however this then in an instant levelled off at 230 watts. Because of this, the 230-watt energy provide will likely be at its prohibit when you use efficiency mode. In balanced mode, the computer’s intake evened out at round 180 watts.
The Legion 5i 16 has an 80-Wh battery which is the smallest capability inside our comparability box. In flip, its effects are not in truth too unhealthy and at 150 cd/m² (61 % of our take a look at software’s complete brightness), a video ran for round 9.5 hours and our WLAN take a look at lasted for roughly 7.5 hours (~5.5 hours at most brightness). Underneath load, the computer already faucets out after 46 mins and an HDR video used to be most effective performed again for 2:14 hours at most brightness. With 240 Hz decided on, our WLAN take a look at runtimes sank to 5:27 hours (150 cd/m²) and 4:33 hours (complete brightness).
A complete price takes 106 mins with the software switched on, wherein 80 % is reached after about 60 mins. Throughout the Vantage app, you even have an choice referred to as “categorical charging” which ends up in the primary 60 % being charged sooner. One complete price most effective takes 69 mins the usage of this mode (80 % after 31 mins).
All-in-all, the brand new Lenovo Legion 5i 16 made an excellent influence right through our take a look at. Lenovo has focused on crucial options, providing instant elements together with a very good 240-Hz IPS show which already depicts colours correctly immediately out of the field and makes do with out PWM. Its gaming efficiency is excellent and you’ll run present video games on the best resolutions and settings—you simply may not get round DLSS upscaling relating to ray tracing. The brand new Raptor-Lake-HX processor is in no way a miracle of potency, however its efficiency is just right.
On the similar time, the computer’s cooling unit assures that its efficiency can also be made use of always. Moreover, we appreciated the unfold in the entire more than a few power profiles, and Lenovo offers customers a lot of customization choices relating to the CPU and GPU’s settings. Whilst enjoying video games, the software stays strangely cool however in flip, either one of the fanatics get lovely loud, which means a headset is slightly of a must have for gaming periods.
Nice efficiency and an excellent 240-Hz show: Lenovo’s Legion 5i 16 is a quick mid-range gamer which puts efficiency at the vanguard. Alternatively, its AI purposes are only a gimmick up to now.
Lenovo’s new AI Engine+, which is meant to support gaming efficiency with the assistance of an AI chip, did not paintings right through our take a look at. It can be progressed via an replace however in the meanwhile, you could wish to turn on the handbook efficiency mode. There are a couple of issues which make it transparent that Lenovo has stored some cash, because the computer does not characteristic Thunderbolt or a 2.5-GBit/s Ethernet port.
At US$1,610, the brand new Legion 5i 16 isn’t any discount and for this value, you’ll already get fashions that includes the RTX 4070 Pc (particularly laptops from 2023), however even on this case, you can not steer clear of having to be sure show compromises.
The brand new Lenovo Legion 5i 16IRX G9 can also be bought without delay from Lenovo’s web page for US$1,609.99.
Allow 48h for review and removal.