The Lenovo LOQ 15APH9 is a newer iteration of its predecessor, the 15APH8, which left much to be desired due to only having 8 GB of RAM at a $1,000 price point. However, the LOQ 15APH9 comes with significant upgrades that make it a much more attractive option for budget-conscious gamers. With a newer Ryzen processor, an RTX 4050 with a higher power limit, and a generous 16 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, all for less than $850, this laptop offers excellent value for the price.
The AMD chip powering the Lenovo LOQ 15APH9 is the Ryzen 5 8645HS, an APU with six Zen 4 cores, 12 threads, and a boost clock of 5 GHz. The inclusion of a Radeon 760M integrated GPU with 512 RDNA 3 shaders ensures smooth performance for gaming. Additionally, the RTX 4050 chip with a 105 W TGP limit outperforms its predecessor, delivering faster speeds in most tests and making it a capable choice for 1080p gaming.
While the laptop comes with 16 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, it only has one DIMM installed, which may hinder its performance potential. To fully leverage the Ryzen chip’s capabilities, it is recommended to upgrade to a dual-channel kit. Fortunately, dual 8 GB kits are affordable and easy to install, allowing users to enhance the laptop’s overall performance.
Although the Lenovo LOQ 15APH9 comes with a 512 GB SSD, users may find it insufficient for storing games and other large files. Thankfully, the laptop has two M.2 2280 slots, providing ample opportunity for expansion. Adding a fast 2 TB gaming SSD will not only expand storage capacity but also improve overall system performance.
One area where Lenovo appears to have made compromises to keep costs down is the screen quality. While the 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display with a 144 Hz refresh rate may seem sufficient on paper, previous models have been criticized for being lackluster and unimpressive. However, users have the option to connect an external gaming monitor via the HDMI 2.1 port, mitigating any issues with the built-in display.
At its full price, the Lenovo LOQ 15APH9 may not be the most compelling option in the market. However, at a price point of just under $850, it presents a significant value proposition for budget gamers. The combination of an efficient CPU and GPU make it a suitable choice for 1080p gaming, offering adequate performance for casual gamers and entry-level enthusiasts alike. With room for upgrades and expansion, the Lenovo LOQ 15APH9 is a budget-friendly option worth considering for those in search of a capable gaming laptop without breaking the bank.
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