– Graphics 2 Xe3 iGPU is very slow, with only 16 shader units.
– Performance falls between the Radeon 840M and 820M, both sluggish by today’s standards.
– Only suitable for older or undemanding games like Dota 2.
– Overwhelmed by newer games, even at 1080p with minimum settings.
– Occasional gamers should avoid devices with the Graphics 2 Xe3.
Initial Impressions of Lenovo’s IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1 14
We recently got our first look at the weakest iGPU from the Panther Lake series, the Graphics 2 Xe3, using the Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1 14. The word “slow” is unfortunately quite apt in this instance, as we were very disappointed and almost shocked by its performance. The specifications, boasting only 16 shader units, already bode ill for any modern workload beyond basic browsing.
Performance Comparisons and Gaming Tests
While the superior Graphics 4 Xe3, equiped with a full 32 shader units, at least manages to reach the level of the Radeon 860M, the Graphics 2 Xe3 falls somewhere between the Radeon 840M and Radeon 820M, which are also very sluggish by today’s demanding standards. Our gaming tests clearly demonstrated that the iGPU’s capabilities are only sufficient for older or undemanding titles like Dota 2.
Recommendations for Potential Buyers
With newer games, the chip is often massively overwhelmed, even when running at a resolution of only 1920 x 1080 with minimum detail settings turned all the way down. Therefore, all occasional gamers should steer clear of devices that feature the Graphics 2 Xe3, as it simply cannot deliver the needed frame rates for a smooth playing experience in any current generation titles.