Lab - Adding a second memory module boosts the performance of the Lenovo Legion 5

By Guillaume HenriShare:

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When testing the Lenovo Legion 5, we noticed that this laptop only has one RAM module. The addition of a second enables the dual channel with performance gains of up to 60%.

We got ourselves a Lenovo Legion 5 (15ACH6H) in its most affordable configuration. We were won over by its features: an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor supported by a 130 W GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card. And this, for a floor price of €1,000. The only downside is the lack of a Windows 10 license and a RAM limited to 8 GB.

During application and gaming performance tests, the results obtained were below those delivered by a laptop PC equipped with an 85 W GeForce RTX 3060. It was when disassembling the computer that we noticed that it only embarked a single memory bar and therefore operated in single channel.

There is no need to go into detail on this technical characteristic which is important, since the same mishap had already happened to us in 2019 during the test of the Asus ROG Strix Scar II.

Variable gains depending on the applications...

We therefore installed a second 8 GB RAM module in the Lenovo Legion 5. Enough to increase to 16 GB of RAM in dual channel.

Across all the applications we use to calculate our processor performance index, we noted gains of 2 to 34%. We will retain a 27% reduction in the encoding time of a Full HD video under HandBrake or an 18% reduction in time during compression under WinRAR.

The performance index calculated with 8 GB in single channel is 107, against 117 in dual channel with 16 GB of RAM, i.e. an average gain of 10% in applications (applications or benchmarks offering no gain are not included In the picture).

... But important in games

During the game tests, it was the number of images obtained under Assassin's Creed Valhalla that tipped us off. From 41 fps with 8 GB of RAM, we went to 61 fps with 16 GB in dual channel, a gain of 49%.

Other benefits are particularly striking, especially on Cyberpunk 2077 with raytracing and DLSS activated. The 52% gain (33 fps vs 50 fps) made the game much smoother. The 3DMark GPU score seems to be a good indicator of the gains observed under the various games, with the score jumping by 23%.

If you have acquired or wish to acquire this Lenovo Legion 5 equipped with only 8 GB of RAM, we strongly recommend that you add a second RAM module. The cost is well worth the candle. You will be able to find the complete test of this laptop on our site, starting this weekend.

Passionate about new technologies, especially PCs and their components. This worshiper of test procedures tracks noise and heat using his sound level meter and infrared camera.