Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023)

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023)

Manufacturer	Lenovo
Product family	IdeaPad
Release date	January 2023 (2023-01)
Introductory price	USD 700 to 800
Discontinued	No
Operating system	Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Home Single Language No operating system
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS AMD Ryzen 5 6600H AMD Ryzen 7 6800H Intel Core i5-12500H
Memory	Up to 16 GB DDR5-4800
Memory slots	Two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, dual-channel capable
Storage	256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Storage slots	Two M.2 slots (one 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4, one 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4)
Removable storage	None
Display	Screen size: 15.6 inch Panel type: IPS Coating: Anti-glare Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (FHD) or 2560 x 1440 (WQHD) Brightness: 250 nits, 300 nits, or 350 nits Color Gamut: 45% NTSC, 100% sRGB Refresh rate: 120 Hz or 165 Hz VRR: AMD FreeSync
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 Laptop 4 GB GDDR6 Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop 4 GB or 6 GB GDDR6 Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop 4 GB GDDR6 Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop 6 GB GDDR6
Sound	Stereo speakers, 2W x2, Nahimic Audio
Camera	HD 720p with privacy shutter
Touchpad	Buttonless Mylar® surface multi-touch touchpad, 75 x 120 mm (2.95 x 4.72 inches)
Connectivity	802.11ac 2x2 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ax 2x2 + Bluetooth 5.1
Dimensions	W: 359.6 millimetres (14.16 in) D: 266.4 millimetres (10.49 in) H: 21.8 millimetres (0.86 in)
Mass	2.32 kilograms (5.1 lb)
Power brick	135W or 170W slim tip (3-pin) AC adapter
Battery	Integrated Li-Polymer 45Wh or 60Wh
Keyboard	White backlit
Chassis	Color: Glacier white, Onyx grey Materials: PC-ABS (top), PC-ABS (bottom)
Number pad	Yes
Fingerprint reader	No
Facial recognition	No
Special features	Privacy shutter on webcam
Website	Lenovo

All statements attributed to reviews are the reviewer's own opinion. Note that these claims were accurate at the time of publication and may be dated when you are reading this article. Read more.

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The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) is a budget-friendly gaming laptop designed to offer a balance between performance and affordability. It is available in Glacier White and Onyx Grey finishes and features a sleek, modern design.

Primary Hardware

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Processor

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) can be configured with the following processors:

• AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS with 6 cores, 12 threads, base frequency of 3.3 GHz, max frequency of 4.55 GHz, 3 MB L2 / 16 MB L3 cache, and AMD Radeon™ 660M Graphics.
• AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS with 8 cores, 16 threads, base frequency of 3.2 GHz, max frequency of 4.75 GHz, 4 MB L2 / 16 MB L3 cache, and AMD Radeon 680M Graphics.
• AMD Ryzen 5 6600H with 6 cores, 12 threads, base frequency of 3.3 GHz, max frequency of 4.5 GHz, 3 MB L2 / 16 MB L3 cache, and AMD Radeon 660M Graphics.
• AMD Ryzen 7 6800H with 8 cores, 16 threads, base frequency of 3.2 GHz, max frequency of 4.7 GHz, 4 MB L2 / 16 MB L3 cache, and AMD Radeon 680M Graphics.
• Intel Core i5-12500H with performance and efficiency cores, averaging 3.9 GHz and 2.8 GHz respectively during gaming tests.

The AMD Ryzen processors are designed to handle demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and multitasking. The Intel Core i5-12500H processor also offers strong performance in productivity tasks, scoring 1,640 in single-core and 7,908 in multi-core benchmarks in Geekbench 5.4.

Reviewers have noted that the AMD Ryzen 5 6600H processor performs below the budget gaming laptop average in every test but still manages to handle demanding tasks and multitasking reasonably well. The Intel Core i5-12500H processor performs well in productivity tasks but falls behind in gaming performance compared to higher-end CPUs.

Benchmarks:

• Geekbench 5.4:
  • Intel Core i5-12500H: Single-core score: 1,640, Multi-core score: 7,908
• HandBrake:
  • AMD Ryzen 5 6600H: 8 minutes and 8 seconds to convert a 12-minute video clip from 4K to 1080p

Graphics

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) offers the following GPU configurations:

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 Laptop GPU with 4 GB GDDR6 memory.
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU with 4 GB or 6 GB GDDR6 memory, Boost Clock 1732 MHz, TGP 85W.
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU with 4 GB GDDR6 memory, Boost Clock 1695 MHz, TGP 85W.
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU with 6 GB GDDR6 memory, Boost Clock 2370 MHz, TGP 85W.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 and RTX 3050 Ti GPUs are designed for gaming and content creation, with the RTX 3050 Ti providing better performance for more demanding games. The RTX 4050 offers the best performance among the available options, suitable for higher resolution gaming.

Reviewers have noted that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU struggles to hit the 60fps mark expected by gamers, making it less suitable for high-end gaming. The RTX 3050 Ti provides decent gaming performance at 1080p but falls behind competitors with higher-end GPUs.

Benchmarks:

• 3DMark Time Spy:
  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050: ~3,500 points
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider:
  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti: ~49 fps
• Far Cry 6:
  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti: ~21 fps
• Grand Theft Auto V:
  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti: ~61 fps

Memory

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) supports dual-channel memory and comes with the following configurations:

• 8 GB DDR5-4800 RAM
• 16 GB DDR5-4800 RAM

The memory is adequate for multitasking and demanding applications, though the 8 GB configuration may limit performance in more intensive tasks. Reviewers have noted that upgrading to dual-channel RAM is recommended for better performance.

Benchmarks:

• PCMark 10: Evaluates overall system performance.

Storage

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) offers the following storage options:

• 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
• 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
• 1 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD

The storage is user-replaceable, and the SSD offers fast read and write speeds. However, the 256 GB configuration is considered too small for modern gaming needs, limiting the number of games that can be installed.

Benchmarks:

• PCMark 10 Full System Drive test: Assesses load time and throughput of the storage.
• 25GB file copy test: ~687 MBps

Input Devices

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Keyboard

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) offers a full-size keyboard with white backlighting and a numeric keypad. The keyboard is comfortable for typing and gaming, with good feedback and responsiveness.

Reviewers have noted that the keyboard is suitable for gaming and typing, though it lacks advanced features like RGB lighting. The typing feel is more like a tablet's keyboard cover than an actual laptop, making it less comfortable for extended use.

Touchpad

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) features a buttonless Mylar® surface multi-touch touchpad measuring 75 x 120 mm (2.95 x 4.72 inches). The touchpad is responsive and supports gestures and two-finger scrolling effectively.

Reviewers have noted that the touchpad glides and taps smoothly but has a chintzy click, which may detract from the overall user experience.

Webcam

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) comes with a 720p HD webcam with a privacy shutter. The webcam supports basic video conferencing but is not suitable for high-quality video calls or streaming.

Reviewers have noted that the webcam captures slightly dim, blurry images, which is typical for budget laptops.

Microphone

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) includes a dual-microphone array. Reviewers have not provided specific evaluations of the microphone quality.

Output Devices

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Display

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) features a 15.6-inch IPS display with the following configurations:

• FHD (1920x1080), 250 nits, 45% NTSC, 120 Hz, AMD FreeSync
• FHD (1920x1080), 300 nits, 100% sRGB, 165 Hz, AMD FreeSync
• WQHD (2560x1440), 350 nits, 100% sRGB, 165 Hz

The display offers good brightness and color reproduction, though the 250 nits configuration is considered dim and has poor color fidelity and contrast. The higher brightness configurations provide better visuals for gaming and media consumption.

Reviewers have noted that the display struggles with brightness and clarity, making it less suitable for gaming and media consumption. The colors appear washed out and fail to pop, and the display managed an average of 262 nits in brightness tests.

Benchmarks:

• Brightness: ~262 nits
• Color Gamut: ~42.3% sRGB

Audio

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) comes with stereo speakers, 2W x2, and Nahimic Audio. The speakers are located near the palm rest and provide clear and crisp sound quality.

Reviewers have noted that the audio is surprisingly clear and pleasant, though it could be a little louder. The speakers handle music and game audio well, but may struggle with very loud volumes.

Connectivity

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WiFi

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) offers the following Wi-Fi options:

• 802.11ac 2x2 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.0
• Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ax 2x2 + Bluetooth 5.1

Reviewers have noted that the Wi-Fi 6 option provides modern connectivity options, ensuring fast and reliable internet access.

Bluetooth

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) includes Bluetooth 5.0 or Bluetooth 5.1, depending on the Wi-Fi module selected.

SD Card Reader

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) does not include an SD card reader.

USB

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) is equipped with the following USB ports:

• 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1
• 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.4)
• 1x USB 2.0
• 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm)
• 1x Ethernet (RJ-45)
• 1x Power connector

Reviewers have noted that the port selection is adequate for peripherals, though it lacks a Thunderbolt port.

Display Outputs

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) includes the following display outputs:

• 1x HDMI 2.0
• 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.4)

The HDMI port supports up to 4K@60Hz output, providing flexibility for various connectivity options.

Case

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The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) features a plastic chassis with an Onyx Grey or Glacier White finish. The laptop is lightweight and compact, with dimensions of 359.6 millimetres (14.16 in) x 266.4 millimetres (10.49 in) x 21.8 millimetres (0.86 in) and a weight starting at 2.32 kilograms (5.1 lb).

The design is simple and functional, though the case has considerable flex if you grasp the screen corners. The overall build quality is solid but not the lightest option available.

Maintenance

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The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) is designed to be user-serviceable to some extent. The bottom panel is secured by screws, making it relatively easy to open. However, the panel is tightly attached and can be difficult to pry open without breaking the clips.

Upgradeable components:

• M.2 SSD (user-replaceable)
• RAM (user-replaceable)

The RAM slots are accessible, allowing for potential upgrades to 16GB. The M.2 SSD is replaceable, but only shorter 42 mm SSDs are supported due to space constraints.

Cooling System

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The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) features a cooling system designed to manage heat effectively during gaming and other demanding tasks. The cooling system includesdual fans and heat pipes to dissipate heat efficiently. The cooling system is designed to keep surface temperatures manageable even under heavy load.

Heat

Reviewers have noted that the cooling system is effective, keeping the keyboard center and touchpad relatively cool during use. However, the bottom of the laptop can get quite warm, making it uncomfortable to use on the lap during intense gaming sessions.

Benchmarks:

• Maximum keyboard center temperature: ~36.2 °C (97.16 °F)
• Maximum bottom temperature: ~45.8 °C (114.44 °F)

Noise

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) is praised for its relatively quiet operation. The laptop is effectively silent during light tasks, and even under load, the fan noise is not overly distracting. However, the fan noise can become noticeable during intense gaming sessions.

Benchmarks:

• Idle: ~24.7 dB(A)
• Load: ~52 dB(A)

Energy Management

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Power Consumption

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) ships with either a 135W or 170W slim tip (3-pin) AC adapter. The laptop is efficient in its power usage, but it has specific charging requirements, making it picky about chargers. It requires 100-watt or higher chargers for proper charging.

Benchmarks:

• Idle: ~9.1 / 12.6 / 27.4 W
• Load: ~63.5 / 135.3 W

Battery Life

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) comes with either a 45Wh or 60Wh Li-Polymer battery. The battery supports Rapid Charge Boost, allowing for 2 hours of runtime with a 15-minute charge. Reviewers have noted that the battery life is decent for a gaming laptop, with around six to seven hours of light use.

Benchmarks:

• WiFi Websurfing: ~6h 49min
• Video Playback: ~9h 40min
• Gaming: ~4h 03min

Biometrics

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The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) does not support fingerprint recognition or facial recognition. Users will need to type passwords instead of using Windows Hello, which may be inconvenient for some.

Software

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The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) ships with Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 Home Single Language, or no operating system, depending on the configuration. The laptop comes with several preinstalled Lenovo apps and software.

Preinstalled Software

• Lenovo Vantage: Acts as the primary control center for system vitals, cooling modes, networking optimization, and performance tuning services.
• Lenovo Hotkeys
• Nahimic Audio App
• McAfee antivirus trial
• Office Trial
• Standard Windows 11 bloatware including Adobe Express, Spotify, and Disney Plus.

Linux Support

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) has limited Linux support. Specific evaluations of Linux compatibility have not been provided by reviewers.

Accessories & Warranty

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The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) comes with a 135W or 170W slim tip (3-pin) AC power adapter and paperwork. The laptop includes a one-year limited manufacturer warranty if purchased in the US.

Reviews Summary

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Overall Sentiment

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2023) is considered a solid budget gaming laptop, offering a good balance of features for its price. It is praised for its solid build, sleek design, and decent gaming performance. However, it has some drawbacks, such as a lackluster screen, poor keyboard, and limited storage capacity.

Problems Summary

• Lackluster screen with poor brightness and color fidelity.
• Poor keyboard with a tablet-like typing feel.
• Limited storage capacity, especially in the 256 GB configuration.
• No fingerprint reader or facial recognition.
• Considerable flex in the case, especially at the screen corners.
• Limited upgradeability due to space constraints for SSDs.

Links

• PCMag Review
• Tom's Hardware Review
• LaptopMag Review