Unleashing Power: A Deep Dive into the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i (Gen 8)

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Quick Overview

In comparison to its larger counterpart, the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i, the 5i model is a more compact, budget-friendly pre-built system that starts at $1,149. This gaming desktop is ideal for those seeking a setup that can handle 1080p gaming quietly and has room for future upgrades.

The base setup includes an Intel Core i5, Nvidia RTX 4060, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Gamers aiming to experience the latest AAA titles at mid to high settings in 1080p such as Black Myth: Wukong or competitive gamers seeking high frame rates for titles like Valorant should certainly take note. Every component from CPU to GPU, as well as storage or RAM, can be customized with more powerful options—at an additional cost—to meet your requirements.

Apart from its performance specifications, the Legion Tower 5i boasts several additional features that allow it to differentiate itself from the stiff competition. Cooling is managed by multiple 150w fans coupled with a VRM heatsink, which prevents the machine from overheating. Similar to the 7i, this rig operates quietly, even under strenuous tasks.

The front panel logo and fans of Lenovo are equipped with ARGB lighting, giving users individual control over each LED. This adds a touch of style to the desktop, although it is less flamboyant than the i7 model, which had lighting on both the GPU and CPU. Lastly, the Legion Tower 5i is equipped with Nahimic 3D audio for virtual surround sound.

All features, including performance, lighting, and Nahimic audio, can be managed via Lenovo’s Vantage application, which is pre-installed. To top it off, a keyboard and mouse are included in the package.

The design of the Legion 5i retains some drawbacks of its larger cousin, the 7i. While the mesh bezel on the front facilitates adequate airflow, maintenance could prove to be a hassle due to the lack of dust filter capabilities.

Moreover, there are numerous ports available except for a single USB-C, which may pose a concern for users. In an era where USB-C has become the standard for many mobile gadgets, mice, keyboards, and headsets, this implies that users might need to acquire adaptors or a hub.

If these issues are not deal-breakers compared to the gaming experience, the Legion Tower 5i deserves consideration. Its performance in 1080p is commendable, featuring a well-ventilated design that operates quietly, along with upgradeability options that prospective buyers will value.

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Cost and Availability

• What is the price? Starting from $1,149 / £1,080 / AU $1,799
• When can you buy it? Currently available
• Where to purchase? Obtainable in the US, UK, and Australia

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is currently accessible in the U.S., UK, and Australia, beginning at a price of $1,149 / £1,080 / AU $1,799. Potential customers can acquire the pre-built gaming desktop through Lenovo’s online portal or several retail channels according to the region.

In the U.S., there are five configuration options available priced from the earlier mentioned entry point up to $2,399. This premium configuration includes an Intel Core i7 14700F, Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

Consumers in the UK can choose from only one customizable option that ranges from £1,080 to £2,187. At the lower price point, users get an Core i7 14700F, Nvidia RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The higher £2,187 configuration includes an Intel i9, Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super, 64GB RAM, and a 2TB SSD.

There are four buildable configurations available in Australia, ranging between AU $1,799 and AU $5,359. The budget option features an Intel i5, Nvidia RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The top-tier configuration includes an Intel i7, Nvidia RTX 4070 Super, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and an additional 2TB HDD for storage.

Rating: 4 / 5

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: Specifications

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i : Aesthetic

• Spacious enough for later enhancements
• Equipped with ARGB illumination
• Dust maintenance could pose a challenge

The mesh front grille showcasing the Legion emblem with ARGB illumination creates a pleasing impression suitable for both an office environment and a gaming setup. The entirely black color scheme integrates seamlessly with the lighting, while the mesh design provides an element of boldness.

As mentioned earlier, only the fans and the Legion emblem are illuminated, unlike the 7i, which includes lighting for the CPU and GPU as well. Even though the mesh front appears striking, it does come with the drawback of maintenance. Cleaning every crevice may be a bit tedious as dust builds up over time. Fortunately, the case is spacious enough to allow for future enhancements in the CPU, GPU, and storage areas.

Numerous ports can be found on the Legion Tower 5i, comprising of 8 USB-A ports varying in power delivery capacities alongside traditional audio and ethernet jacks. These are distributed between the top panel and the back, featuring two USB-A ports and singular connections for headphones and microphone. It is disappointing that there’s only one individual USB-C, which, at this stage, feels a bit odd. A multitude of accessories including controllers, VR headsets, mice, keyboards, and headsets utilize USB-C, in addition to most contemporary mobile devices.

For prospective purchasers who possess devices that necessitate USB-C, some adapters or hubs will be essential. One certainty is that the bundled keyboard and mouse in the package won’t satisfy serious gamers as they are lacking the features of even the most economical gaming-focused input devices. Nonetheless, individuals who are newcomers to PC gaming may find some use at the outset before transitioning to better options.

Design: 3.5 / 5

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i : Performance

• 1080p performance is excellent
• Remains quiet even under load

One of the initial games I tested on the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i was Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2. Although the limited 8GB of VRAM on the RTX 4060 hindered playing the game at maximum settings, it appeared impressive at mid-to-low settings and consistently achieved 60 frames per second at 1080p resolution. This was consistent with other games that were played with high graphical fidelity on the gaming PC.

Cyberpunk 2077 at Ultra settings yielded 82 fps and dropped to the mid-60s when utilizing mid ray tracing settings. Engaging with the highly demanding Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 secured around 30 fps on mid to low settings as well.

There are additional methods to enhance performance from the Legion 5i as well. The foremost is via Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology which deploys artificial intelligence to elevate resolutions. This serves as an excellent means to achieve 1440p resolution.without the concern of frame drops. Another method is through the Lenovo Vantage software which enables some overclocking for CPU and GPU efficiency.

On the esports front, gaming at suggested settings at 1080p yielded impressive outcomes as well. For instance, playing Valorant under those parameters pushed us into the 200+ frame rate territory. I encountered similar outcomes with other games including Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone. Titles that sit in between visual quality and competitive play, like Forza Motorsport, could operate on suggested settings at 60 fps.

Regarding everyday computing activities, the Legion Tower 5i is efficient where necessary, from utilizing Google Chrome to music streaming platforms like Tidal. Creators will be pleased to learn that Adobe Suite applications such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro perform admirably for media that remains within the 1080p scope. However, attempting to edit intricate 4K video in Premiere Pro may result in some challenges concerning laggy performance.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I purchase the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i?

Purchase it if…

Avoid it if…

Also Consider

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Methodology for Testing the Lenovo Legion 5i

• Tested over the course of a week and some additional days
• Games played encompass Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2, Black Myth: Wukong, and Forza Motorsport (2023)
• General computing exercises involving Google Chrome and Adobe Creative Suite

I dedicated over a week working with the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i, testing it across a variety of tasks. During work hours, I performed routine computing using Google Chrome, managing multiple tabs for applications like Asana, Google Docs, and Hootsuite. For content creation, I utilized Adobe Premiere and Photoshop to generate graphics and produce short-form social media videos.

To assess its high frame rate proficiency, I engaged in fast-paced games like Valorant and Fortnite. Pushing the system further, I examined graphics-heavy titles such as Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and Black Myth: Wukong. Additionally, I also played Forza Motorsport (2023) and Starfield to evaluate how the Legion Tower 5i manages a range of gaming experiences and visual effectiveness.

Over the past several years, I have been covering monitors along with various PC components for TechRadar. Beyond gaming, I have also been skilled in Adobe Suite for over a decade.

First reviewed October 2024