Undoubtedly Lenovo IdeaCentre is an amazing line of desktop series as all the versions are competitive and have something unique to offer. Today, we bring you the Lenovo IdeaCentre 5i gaming desktop, a truly exceptional powerhouse within the budget. In this review, we have covered everything, including the specs, comparison, and our personal opinion. With that being said, let’s jump straight into the review.
Lenovo IdeaCentre 5i Gaming Desktop Review
Lenovo’s IdeaCentre 5i Gaming Desktop is a budget-friendly powerhouse that offers impressive specs and gaming performance. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive into its features and how it compares to other desktops.
One standout feature is the 65W CPU cooler, which keeps the desktop running 5° cooler and provides a quieter performance with 50% better airflow.
The desktop boasts a 12th Gen Intel Core processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 3060, or 3070 graphics card. With up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM, it offers great value starting at just $899.
We conducted gaming tests, and while it performed well for its price, there are some drawbacks. Updating Lenovo drivers for components like Wi-Fi may require effort, and it lacks an SD card for studio work. However, it excels at smooth online game streaming.
In conclusion, the Lenovo IdeaCentre 5i is an ideal choice for budget gamers, beginners in particular. It’s not a multipurpose desktop but shines in gaming performance. For those looking for a capable gaming desktop under $1000, this is an excellent option available at Lenovo’s official store and various e-commerce sites.
What’s Different in IdeaCentre 5i Gaming Desktop?
We know that temperature plays a crucial role in the performance of any desktop and cool environment is always preferred. IdeaCentre 5i is equipped with a 65W (more wattage than previous versions) CPU cooler that makes everything 5° cooler. Perhaps the performance is quieter with a 50% better airflow.
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Desktop Specifications
| Brand | Lenovo |
| Series | IdeaCentre gaming 5i |
| Item model number | 90T00005US |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Item Weight | 18.52 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 11.97 x 6.69 x 14.8 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11.97 x 6.69 x 14.8 inches |
| Color | Raven Black |
| Processor Brand | Intel |
| Number of Processors | 1 |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR4 SDRAM |
| Flash Memory Size | 512 GB |
| Hard Drive Interface | Solid State |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Metal battery is required. (included) |
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Processor | 2.5 GHz core_i5 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 3200 MHz |
| Hard Drive | SSD |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Nvidia Ge Force Rtx 3050 |
| Chipset Brand | NVIDIA |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Graphics Card Ram Size | 8 MB |
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth, 802.11ax |
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 4 |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 3 |
Lenovo IdeaCentre 5i Comparison with Other Desktops
| Feature | Lenovo IdeaCentre 5i (2022) | Dell XPS Desktop | Skytech Blaze 3.0 |
| Processor | 12th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 | 12th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 | AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 |
| Graphics card | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 3060, or 3070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 3060, or 3070 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 3060, or 3070 |
| Memory | Up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM | Up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM | Up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM |
| Storage | Up to 1TB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD | Up to 2TB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD | Up to 2TB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home or Pro | Windows 11 Home or Pro | Windows 11 Home or Pro |
| Price | Starting at $899 | Starting at $999 | Starting at $999 |
| Case | Standard | Premium | Premium |
| Cooling | Air | Air | 240mm AIO Liquid Cooling |
| Power supply | 500W | 500W | 750W |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Additional Features | Smart power, cool under pressure, sleek design | Thunderbolt port 4, built-in SD card reader | 240mm AIO liquid cooling, tempered glass side panel |
Although different desktops are useful for different purposes here, IdeaCentre 5i is clearly the winner. The cost-to-benefit ratio is relatively high because it offers the powerful 12th Gen Intel Core processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 3060, or 3070 graphics card. It all comes with a DDR4 RAM of up to 64GB with a price starting from $899.
Our Opinion
Gamers assemble! Let’s talk about the real deal, performance. To analyze this, we carried out the tests and recorded the data for several video games. Let’s jump into it.
| Game | FPS Avg | Max FPS | GPUT (GPU Temperature) | CPUT (CPU Temperature) | WattU (both CPU and GPU used) |
| Cyberpunk | 40 | 41 | 67c | 77c | 223 |
| Forza 5 Motor | 71 | 86 | 65c | 76c | 244 |
| Elden Ring | 60 | 60 | 69c | 79c | 210 |
| Fortnite | 70 | 146 | 73c | 78c | 287 |
| Rainbow Six Seige | 232 | 320 | 66c | 77c | 285 |
The gaming experience is well and good concerning its price, but we face some drawbacks as well. Firstly, you’ll have to do the hard work of updating Lenovo drivers of each of the components like chipset, Wi-Fi, etc., which you can do by visiting the Lenovo website. However, if you want assistance, then you can contact Lenovo support. Also, if you work in a studio strictly for Photoshop and video editing purposes, then it might not be the one for you because the SD card is not there. Moreover, streaming video games online is smooth with no frame drop issues. We recommend that this desktop is best for beginners, not for intermediate and expert gamers.
Conclusion… preferable choice for budget gamers
Lenovo IdeaCentre 5i is the preferable choice for budget gamers as the modern games run decently on this desktop. Also, it’s not multipurpose and works well for gaming only. But the best thing about this desktop is that it is one of the best gaming desktops within the $1000 range which is ideal for beginners. You can buy Lenovo IdeaCentre 5i by visiting Lenovo’s official store or by the link below.
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Commonly Asked About Lenovo IdeaCentre 5i Gaming Desktop
Is Lenovo IdeaCentre gaming 5 good for gaming?
Absolutely! The IdeaCentre Gaming 5i packs powerful specs and optimized cooling for top-tier gaming performance, making it a gaming enthusiast’s dream machine.
Is the Lenovo IdeaCentre a good computer?
While Lenovo’s design might not turn heads, the IdeaCentre AIO 5i offers a snappy 27-inch display, earning it our Editors’ Choice for midrange all-in-one desktops.
Is Lenovo a good brand for gaming desktops?
Lenovo’s Legion 5i is an excellent budget gaming PC, delivering smooth 1080p performance without breaking the bank.
Is Lenovo IdeaCentre 5i upgradable?
Yes, you can easily upgrade the RAM in the IdeaCentre 5i Desktop, allowing you to boost it up to 32GB DDR4-2933MHz for improved performance.
Which Lenovo PC is best for gaming?
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 15 (2023) stands out as the top Lenovo gaming laptop, featuring powerful AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-series GPUs for exceptional gaming experiences.
Is Lenovo IdeaCentre all in one good for gaming?
The IdeaCentre AIO 3i can handle basic browser gaming and streaming tasks, but it’s not designed for high-end gaming with demanding graphics.
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