Lenovo gaming laptop smackdown: amd ryzen 5 or intel i5 in the ideapad gaming 3, which to choose?

At a Glance

Both the Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 variants of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 come with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD.
Both the Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 models of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offer a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.
Ultimately, the Ryzen 5 offers a slight edge in multi-core performance and battery life, while the Intel i5 excels in single-core performance and a more compact design.

When it comes to budget gaming laptops, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 stands out as a formidable contender. Available with both AMD Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 processors, this laptop offers an enticing proposition for gamers seeking a balance between performance and affordability. In this comprehensive comparison, we pit the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Ryzen 5 against its Intel i5 counterpart to determine which processor reigns supreme in the world of budget gaming.

Performance: Battle of the CPUs

At the heart of these laptops lies the clash between AMD’s Ryzen 5 and Intel’s i5 processors. The Ryzen 5 5600H boasts 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel i5-11300H features 4 cores and 8 threads. In synthetic benchmarks, the Ryzen 5 tends to edge out the Intel i5 in multi-core performance, proving its prowess in handling demanding tasks like video editing and rendering. However, the Intel i5 often takes the lead in single-core performance, which is crucial for gaming.

Graphics: The Power of NVIDIA

Both the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 come equipped with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics cards. This mid-range GPU delivers solid performance in most modern games at medium to high settings. However, the Ryzen 5 variant tends to have a slight edge in graphics benchmarks, thanks to its higher core count.

Display: Immersive Visuals

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers a 15.6-inch display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. This high refresh rate ensures smooth and responsive gameplay, especially in fast-paced shooters and racing games. The display also supports Adaptive Sync technology, reducing screen tearing and stuttering.

Storage and Memory: Speed and Capacity

Both the Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 variants of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 come with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD. The SSD provides lightning-fast load times, while the RAM ensures smooth multitasking and gaming performance.

Battery Life: Endurance on the Go

Battery life is often a concern for gaming laptops. However, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 manages to strike a balance between performance and portability. With its 45Wh battery, the Ryzen 5 variant offers slightly longer battery life than the Intel i5 variant, lasting up to 6 hours on a single charge.

Design and Build: Robust and Stylish

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 features a sleek and understated design with a black chassis and red accents. The build quality is solid, with a sturdy construction that can withstand the rigors of gaming sessions.

Connectivity: Stay Connected

Both the Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 models of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offer a comprehensive range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and multiple USB ports.

Which One is Right for You?

The choice between the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize multi-core performance and longer battery life, the Ryzen 5 variant is a great choice. However, if you value single-core performance and a slightly more compact design, the Intel i5 variant may be the better option.

The Verdict: A Close Call

In this close battle, both the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Ryzen 5 and Intel i5 variants prove to be formidable budget gaming laptops. Ultimately, the Ryzen 5 offers a slight edge in multi-core performance and battery life, while the Intel i5 excels in single-core performance and a more compact design. The choice is yours, depending on which aspects you value most in a gaming laptop.