Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX9 Gaming Laptop Review: Powerful Performance Meets Portability
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX9 is a powerful gaming laptop that packs a punch with its Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics, and a stunning 16-inch WQXGA 165Hz display. This combination promises smooth gameplay at high resolutions and frame rates, making it a compelling option for serious gamers. But does it deliver on its promise? We put the Legion 5 16IRX9 through its paces to find out.
Key Features
The Legion 5 16IRX9 boasts a compelling feature set designed to elevate your gaming experience. Here are some of the highlights:
- Powerful Processor: The Intel Core i9-14900HX processor provides the horsepower to handle demanding games and other resource-intensive tasks with ease.
- High-End Graphics: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8GB GDDR6 graphics card delivers exceptional visuals and smooth performance in the latest games, even at high settings.
- Immersive Display: The 16-inch WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS display with a 165Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision® technology delivers vibrant visuals and smooth motion for an immersive gaming experience.
- Robust Cooling: The Legion 5 16IRX9 features advanced thermal technology to keep the system cool and stable even under heavy load, ensuring optimal performance during extended gaming sessions.
- Durable Design: The laptop’s durable construction and a comfortable keyboard with 4-zone RGB backlighting provide a satisfying gaming experience.
Performance
The Legion 5 16IRX9 consistently impressed us with its performance. We put it through a variety of benchmarks and real-world gaming tests, and it excelled across the board. Here’s a closer look at its performance:
- Gaming: We tested the Legion 5 16IRX9 with a range of popular games, including Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. It achieved consistently high frame rates at Ultra settings, providing a truly immersive gaming experience.
- Productivity: The powerful processor and ample RAM handled demanding multitasking scenarios with ease. We opened multiple applications, including video editing software, web browsers, and productivity suites, and the Legion 5 16IRX9 handled it all without any lag or hiccups.
- Content Creation: We also tested the Legion 5 16IRX9’s capabilities for content creation tasks, such as video editing and 3D modeling. The powerful processor and dedicated graphics card provided sufficient processing power to handle these tasks efficiently.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the Legion 5 16IRX9’s strengths and areas for improvement:
Pros:
- Exceptional Performance: The combination of the Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and GeForce RTX 4070 graphics delivers top-tier performance for gaming and other demanding tasks.
- Immersive Display: The 165Hz WQXGA display with Dolby Vision® technology provides vibrant visuals and smooth motion for an immersive gaming experience.
- Durable Construction: The laptop’s sturdy design and aluminum chassis offer a sense of durability and quality.
- Comfortable Keyboard: The keyboard provides a satisfying typing experience and features 4-zone RGB backlighting for a personalized touch.
- Good Battery Life: Despite its powerful components, the Legion 5 16IRX9 offers a respectable battery life, making it suitable for occasional use away from a power outlet.
Cons:
- Can Get Loud: The fans can become quite noisy under heavy load, which could be distracting in quieter environments.
- Weighty Design: The Legion 5 16IRX9 is relatively heavy compared to some other gaming laptops, making it less portable for travel.
- High Price: The Legion 5 16IRX9 comes at a premium price point, making it less accessible for budget-conscious gamers.
Final Verdict
The Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX9 is a powerful gaming laptop that excels in performance and delivers an immersive gaming experience. Its combination of a top-of-the-line processor, dedicated graphics, and a stunning display make it a compelling option for serious gamers. However, its weight, noise levels, and price point might be a concern for some. If you’re looking for a high-performance gaming laptop and are willing to pay a premium price for it, the Legion 5 16IRX9 is definitely worth considering.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel® Core™ i9-14900HX, 24C (8P + 16E) / 32T, P-core 2.2 / 5.8GHz, E-core 1.6 / 4.1GHz, 36MB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 8GB GDDR6, Boost Clock 2175MHz, TGP 140W, 321 AI TOPS |
| Chipset | Intel® HM770 Chipset |
| Memory | 16GB (2x 8GB) SO-DIMM DDR5-5600 |
| Memory Slots | Two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, dual-channel capable |
| Max Memory | Up to 64GB DDR5-5600 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe® 4.0×4 NVMe® |
| Storage Support | Up to two drives, 2x M.2 SSD • M.2 2242 SSD up to 1TB • M.2 2280 SSD up to 1TB |
| Storage Slot | Two M.2 2280 PCIe® 4.0 x4 slots |
| Card Reader | microSD Card Reader |
| Optical | None |
| Audio Chip | High Definition (HD) Audio, Realtek® ALC3287 codec |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers, 2W x2, optimized with Nahimic Audio |
| Camera | FHD 1080p with E-shutter |
| Microphone | 2x, Array |
| Battery | Integrated 80Wh |
| Power Adapter | 230W Slim Tip (3-pin) |
| Special Features | AI Chip: LA1 |
| Display | 16″ WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS 350nits Anti-glare, 100% sRGB, 165Hz, Dolby Vision®, G-SYNC®, Low Blue Light |
| Touchscreen | None |
| Color Calibration | Factory Color Calibration |
| Keyboard | 4-Zone RGB Backlit, English (US) |
| Touchpad | Buttonless Mylar® surface multi-touch touchpad, 75 x 120 mm (2.95 x 4.72 inches) |
| Case Color | Luna Grey |
| Surface Treatment | Aluminium Stamping (Anodized with Sandblasting) |
| Case Material | Aluminium (Top), PC-ABS (Bottom) |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 359.7 x 262.3 x 19.7-25.2 mm (14.16 x 10.33 x 0.78-0.99 inches) |
| Weight | Around 2.36 kg (5.2 lbs) |
| Operating System | Windows® 11 Home, English |
| Bundled Software | Office Trial |
| Ethernet | 100/1000M (RJ-45) |
| WLAN + Bluetooth | Wi-Fi® 6E, 802.11ax 2×2 + BT5.2 |
| Standard Ports | 2x USB-A (USB 5Gbps / USB 3.2 Gen 1)1x USB-A (USB 5Gbps / USB 3.2 Gen 1), Always On1x USB-C® (USB 10Gbps / USB 3.2 Gen 2), with Lenovo® PD 140W and DisplayPort™ 1.41x USB-C® (USB 10Gbps / USB 3.2 Gen 2), with DisplayPort™ 1.41x HDMI® 2.1, up to 8K/60Hz1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm)1x Ethernet (RJ-45)1x Card reader1x Power connector |
| Security Chip | Firmware TPM 2.0 Enabled |
| Fingerprint Reader | None |
| Other Security | E-shutter |
| Bundled Accessories | None |
| Green Certifications | ErP Lot 6ErP Lot 26RoHS compliant |
| Other Certifications | TÜV Rheinland® Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution) |