Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15ARH7 low-cost Laptop Latest Review

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15ARH7 laptop based on AMD Zen3+ H-series chip costs just $800.

From what we’ve seen, anyone who cares about processor performance in the first place should choose a model based on the more powerful Ryzen 7 5800H.

The IdeaPad Gaming 3 15ARH7 is Lenovo’s range of low-cost gaming laptops that sit a step below the Legion 5 Pro.

The new 2022 model stands out in that it is one of the first based on the fresh AMD Zen3+ Ryzen 5 6600H processor, which replaced the 10th generation Intel chip from its predecessor ( IdeaPad Gaming 3i 2020 ).

Also, an important difference from the previous generation is the case design, which has changed markedly.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15ARH7 is available with Ryzen 5 6600H and Ryzen 7 6800H processors. as well as Nvidia RTX 3050 and 3050 Ti graphics cards (both with 85W TGP).

All laptop configurations come with a 120Hz 1080p IPS display. Our test unit has a Ryzen 5 6600H, an RTX 3050, a 256GB SSD, and 8GB of RAM for $800.

Design and Features

The new design can be described as a simplified version of the  Legion 5, but unlike metal, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 15 uses mainly polycarbonate and plastic as materials for manufacturing.

Visually, the rear part of the case with hot air exhaust grilles has changed the most – due to this, cooling should be improved, but this feature also increased the weight and dimensions of the case.

The strength of the case is at a good level, the base is practically not deformed with great effort, unlike such budget models as MSI GF63 or  HP Pavilion Gaming 15.

The hinges of the lid, frankly speaking, disappointed us, as they do not dampen the vibrations of the screen. Even when the lid is opened to the maximum angle, a crunch of parts is heard, which calls into question the durability of the structure.

Compared to the IdeaPad Gaming 3 2020, 2022 is larger and also 200 grams heavier. It is also thinner than a couple of millimeters, but due to the increase in size, it was not possible to make the case visually thinner.

The increase in dimensions is mainly due to the appearance of a protruding rear with cooling grills, which have long been found in other models of the Legion series.

Equipment

The set of ports is quite good, similar to other models in the class. But the location of the ports is not the most thoughtful – most of them are located at the back, which is why the connectors are hard to reach.

Like all other AMD gaming laptops, there is no Thunderbolt port.

Connection

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15ARH7 has a Realtek RTL8852BE wireless adapter with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 support – this is a budget model, apparently, it was chosen to save money and reduce the final cost of the laptop.

Wireless speeds in our tests are significantly slower than Intel’s Wi-Fi 6-enabled adapters, but the performance itself is at a good level, which is sufficient for the needs of a modern user.

Webcam

The resolution of the webcam is 1 MP, and the picture is muddy and of poor quality. There is a webcam shutter, but there is no additional IR camera to support Windows Hello.

Display

The display’s positive qualities include support for 120Hz and FreeSync adaptive sync. The response time from black to white and from gray to gray is 9 – 10 ms.

For games, the display fits well in terms of minimizing tearing and trailing/blurring.

The main disadvantage of the panel is the limited sRGB color gamut (58%), which makes any work with color impossible.

Apparently, Lenovo is hinting to anyone who needs wider coverage to focus on the more expensive models of the Legion series.

Interestingly enough, a panel with exactly the same hardware ID LEN156FHD is installed in the ThinkBook 15 G4 and IdeaPad 5 15ALC05, but their measured values ​​are very different.

For example, the ThinkBook and IdeaPad 5 screen does not support 120Hz and FreeSync.

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15ARH7 ( IdeaPad Gaming 3 Series )

CPU

AMD Ryzen 5 6600H 6 x 3.3 – 4.5 GHz, 68 W PL2 / Short Burst, 48 W PL1 / Sustained, Rembrandt H (Zen 3+)

Graphics adapter

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU – 4 GB VRAM, Video Prop: 1500 MHz, Memory: 1500 MHz, 85 W TDP, GDDR6, 511.81, Optimus

RAM

8 GB, DDR5, 2400 MHz, 40-39-39-77, Single-Channel

Display

15.60 in. 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pix. 141 PPI, LEN156FHD, IPS, LEN9059, glossy: no, 120 Hz

Motherboard

AMD Promontory/Bixby FCH

Data storage

Lenovo UMIS AM630 RPJTJ256MGE1QDY, 256 GB

The weight

2.354 kg, power adapter: 507 g

Price

800USD

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