Which Legion 5 Pro Model is Better with Identical Pricing: 2021 vs 2022
Introduction
When considering the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 2021 and Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 2022 with the same price, it's essential to evaluate various factors to determine which model better suits your needs. This comprehensive guide will explore the differences in performance, features, and thermal management to help you make an informed decision.
Performance Analysis
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Legion 5 Pro 2021: Equipped with the Ryzen 7 5800H, this CPU is based on the Zen 3 architecture and offers strong performance.
Legion 5 Pro 2022: The 2022 model comes with an Ryzen 7 6800H, which is based on the newer Zen 3 architecture providing better performance and efficiency.
While both CPUs are powerful, the Ryzen 7 6800H offers a slight edge due to its newer architecture and improved efficiency.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Legion 5 Pro 2021: Features the RTX 3070 8GB GPU, which is highly capable for gaming and professional work.
Legion 5 Pro 2022: Equipped with the RTX 3060 6GB GPU, which is still powerful but not as robust as the RTX 3070.
Bottom line: If you prioritize gaming performance, the Legion 5 Pro 2021 is the better choice. However, if the loading times are a concern, the Legion 5 Pro 2022 with its improved thermal management could be more suitable.
Memory
Legion 5 Pro 2021: Offers 32GB DDR4 memory, providing ample capacity for multitasking and demanding applications.
Legion 5 Pro 2022: Comes with 16GB DDR5 memory, which is faster but less in capacity.
While DDR5 is faster, 32GB of RAM is more advantageous for both gaming and professional work that requires extensive multitasking. If your workload demands more RAM, the 2021 model is the preferable choice.
Storage
Legion 5 Pro 2021: Features 1TB PCIe 3.0 storage, providing ample space for operating systems, games, and applications.
Legion 5 Pro 2022: The 2022 model comes with 1TB PCIe 4.0 storage, which offers faster data transfer speeds and potentially quicker load times.
Although PCIe 4.0 is faster, its benefits might not be noticeable in everyday tasks, especially for gaming and daily use.
Cooling System
Legion 5 Pro 2021: Utilizes the ColdFront 3.0 cooling system, which provides effective thermal management.
Legion 5 Pro 2022: The 2022 model introduces ColdFront 4.0, which offers enhanced thermal management capabilities, leading to improved performance under load.
Better thermal management can result in more consistent performance and reduced heating, making the 2022 model more suitable for long-term intensive use.
Conclusion
Gaming Performance
The Legion 5 Pro 2021 is likely the better choice for hardcore gamers due to its superior GPU (RTX 3070) and higher RAM capacity (32GB).
Overall Performance and Future-Proofing
The Legion 5 Pro 2022 may be more attractive for users prioritizing CPU performance, future-proofing, and improved thermal management. The newer CPU (Ryzen 7 6800H), faster storage (PCIe 4.0), and enhanced thermal management (ColdFront 4.0) make it a solid option for both gaming and professional work.
Recommendations
If your primary use case is gaming, the Legion 5 Pro 2021 is recommended due to its superior GPU and RAM. If you prioritize CPU performance, future-proofing, and potentially better thermal management, the Legion 5 Pro 2022 is the better option.
The final decision depends on your specific needs and the tasks you intend to perform with the laptop.