Tag: RTX 5080

  • Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2026: RTX 5070 Ti Powers Most Powerful 14-Inch Laptop

    Key Takeaway

    – ROG Zephyrus G14 2026 (RTX 5070 Ti at 115W) offers gaming performance very close to last year’s RTX 5080 model.
    – Upgraded 12 GB VRAM on RTX 5070 eliminates a key previous downside.
    – RTX 5070 Ti remains faster than the new RTX 5070 12 GB, but rivals will be closer in performance.
    – Price is a major deciding factor: the new G14 is $3199 vs. ~$2500 for the old model.
    – Expect upcoming RTX Spark laptops to be strong competitors in this segment.

    Asus’s New G14: A Performance Leap?

    Last year, Asus developed a more powerful version of the compact ROG Zephyrus G14 with improved cooling for the two GeForce GPUS RTX 5070 Ti as well as GeForce RTX 5080. When we reviewed both models last year, the performance difference was actually not that big, which was also a result of the comparatively low TGP of 110 Watts, so both GPUs could not reach their full potential. Compared to the rivals like the Razer Blade 14 there was a significant performance advantage, because they were limited to the regular GeForce RTX 5070.

    Old Bottlenecks Addressed

    In addition to the lower performance, the smaller VRAM of 8 GB was also an issue. Nvidia recently fixed the VRAM issue with the new 12 GB VRAM version of the RTX 5070 similar to the RTX 5070 Ti. We just reviewed the updated ROG Zephyrus G14 2026 and the combination of the RTX 5070 Ti with a TGP of 115 Watts and the new Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra 9 386H offers excellent results in terms of gaming performance.

    Gaming Performance: Now Even Closer

    The results are even closer to the old RTX 5080 SKU, even though this is certainly a result of numerous driver updates as well. Overall, this means you can easily play any demanding title in the native resolution with highest details, only Raytracing requires DLSS and frame generation. We expect most rivals will get an update with the new RTX 5070 12 GB, so one of the downsides will be eliminated.

    Future Competition and Pricing

    The RTX 5070 Ti will still be faster, but overall, the devices will be closer together and the upcoming RTX Spark laptops will certainly be interesting rivals as well. The price will probably be a deciding factor, because at $3199 it is much more expensive than the old unit (currently around $2500). Considering the current memory crisis and all the improvements we talked about in our comprehensive review, this increase was somewhat expected, but it will be interesting to see how expensive the rivals with the new RTX 5070 12 GB will be.

    • GeForce RTX 5070 Ti: TGP 115 Watts
    • GeForce RTX 5080: Previous high-end option
    • Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra 9 386H
    • Base VRAM: 12 GB for updated RTX 5070
    • Pricing: $3199 for new G14
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    • Asus Global Pricing: New Gaming Mini-PC with RTX 5070 Ti & 5080

      Asus Global Pricing: New Gaming Mini-PC with RTX 5070 Ti & 5080

      Key Takeaway

      – ASUS unveiled ProArt devices with Nvidia RTX Spark processors at Computex 2026.
      – The new ROG NUC 16 replaces the ROG NUC (2025), available globally with RTX 5070 Ti or RTX 5080.
      – All ROG NUC 16 SKUs feature the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and come with 16 GB RAM.
      – The ROG NUC 16 starts at $3,799 in the US for the RTX 5080 model.

      Asus Launches New Gaming Mini-PC at Computex

      Asus has presented multiple devices today at Computex 2026 in Taipei. As we have covered separately, the company has embraced Nvidia’s RTX Spark processors in the ProArt P14, a new ProArt P16 and the ProArt Mini PC. At the same time, Asus has detailed its latest gaming mini-PC globally.

      ROG NUC 16 Details and Specifications

      To recap, the company presented the ROG NUC 16 around two weeks ago in China. For context, the mini-PC is a replacement for the ROG NUC (2025) that we reviewed in November 2025 with a GeForce RTX 5080 laptop GPU. The ROG NUC (2025) also comes in RTX 5060, RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti variants, too.

      Global Pricing and Configurations

      By contrast, Asus has confirmed that the ROG NUC 16 will be available globally with just the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is available in all SKUs, offering a circa 5% performance improvement over the Core Ultra 9 275HX in the ROG NUC (2025). Moreover, Asus plans to only sell SKUs with 16 GB of DDR5-5600 or DDR5-6400 RAM, despite up to 64 GB of RAM being supported.

      • Processor: Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
      • Graphics: RTX 5070 Ti or RTX 5080
      • Memory: 16 GB DDR5-5600 or DDR5-6400
      • Storage: 1 TB or 2 TB PCIe Gen 4
      • Power adapter: 380 W
      • Weight: 3.12 kg
      • Dimensions: 282.4 x 189.5 x 56.5~117.9 mm

      Pricing and Availability Regions

      Conversely, the ROG NUC 16 will be sold with 1 TB or 2 TB of PCIe Gen 4 storage. Every SKU features a 380 W power adapter too, and weighs 3.12 kg with 282.4 x 189.5 x 56.5~117.9 mm dimensions. So far, the ROG NUC 16 is only being sold in China, where it starts at CNY 29,999 (~$4,433) or CNY 30,999 (~$4,580) for its white model. However, Asus has confirmed that the new gaming mini-PC will cost $3,799 in the US and CAD 5,249 in Canada with an RTX 5080 laptop GPU.


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    • Deal: Lenovo Legion Pro 7 RTX 5080 & Core Ultra 9 30% Off

      Deal: Lenovo Legion Pro 7 RTX 5080 & Core Ultra 9 30% Off

      Key Takeaway

      – Lenovo Legion Pro 7i with RTX 5080 is discounted to $2,499 (saving $1,000 or ~30%).
      – Features Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 2TB SSD, and a 1600p 240Hz OLED display.
      – Excels in CPU/GPU performance, keyboard quality, and HDR brightness (nearly 1,000 nits).
      – Comes with a bulky 400W power supply and runs hot, making it poor for frequent travel.
      – Best for buyers prioritizing high performance and a vibrant OLED over portability.

      After two mentionable gaming laptop deals for both the Legion 5 and Legion Pro 5 OLED, another Lenovo notebook has now been put on sale for a pretty reasonable price considering the ongoing memory shortage, which has resulted in sharply increasing costs for gamers and enthusiasts who are looking to upgrade.

      A Substantial Saving from a New York Retailer

      This time, the reputable electronics retailer B&H Photo Video has discounted the coveted Lenovo Legion Pro 7, which is a full-fleged high-end machine for demanding gamers who are looking to play the latest games like Forza Horizon 6 or 007 First Light at high settings and frame rates.

      To be more precise, the New York City-based online shop has marked down the Legion Pro 7i with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop dGPU with 16GB VRAM to $2,499 including free shipping. Therefore, this sale offers savings of $1,000 or almost 30% compared to the usual price point of $3,499.

      Specifications and Hardware Details

      This model variant also comes with 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 2TB SSD, in addition to the 1600p OLED panel with 240Hz and 100% DCI-P3 colors as well as 500 nits of brightness in SDR mode. Despite the price reduction, prospective buyers should make sure to read our detailed review and YouTube video before spending a lot of money on their new Lenovo gaming laptop. We tested an almost identical RTX 5080 configuration, which means that almost all of our benchmarks apply to this SKU as well.

      Performance Insights and User Considerations

      For instance, we found that the Legion Pro 7 performs very well in terms of CPU and GPU performance, but we also praised the keyboard and the excellent OLED screen, which can hit almost 1,000 nits when playing HDR content or games. Despite these strong suits, we noted that the included 400-watt power supply is very bulky, which means that this 16-inch laptop might not be the best choice for gamers who travel frequently.

      That being said, the massive PSU is certainly needed considering the Legion Pro 7i needs a lot of power and gets quite hot under full load. All things considered, this gaming notebook deal is likely best suited for buyers who prioritize performance over portability and are in the market for a future-proof RTX 5080 machine with a vibrant OLED display.

      • Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.

      Final Note on Availability

      B&H Photo Video is the retailer offering this current deal at the moment and it looks like a solid opportunity for folks needing raw power without breaking the bank too badly.

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      • Steampunk Gaming PC Cools RTX 5080 Without a Fan

        Steampunk Gaming PC Cools RTX 5080 Without a Fan

        Key Takeaway

        – A passive, multi-heat-sink loop can cool a high-end CPU/GPU without a fan, relying on natural convective circulation driven by temperature differences.
        – The system maintains usable performance even under load, though CPU and GPU temps can exceed typically recommended long-term operating levels (e.g., CPU ~90°C, coolant ~55°C).
        – System uses substantial passive hardware (large heat sinks, aluminum plate with thermal pads) and conventional components (Gigabyte Aorus Pro B850, 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD, 600W PSU) without modifying the fans on the rest of the case.

        Fans are often an annoying part of a gaming PC due to the noise they make, but can hardly be avoided with powerful and correspondingly energy-hungry hardware. Billet Labs, a British manufacturer of high-quality components for PC water cooling systems, shows a modding project in the video embedded below, in which an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 ($1,299 on Amazon) are cooled entirely without a fan.

        Cooling Concept and Setup

        The project uses three heat sinks, which are connected to each other by a passive water cooling system. The heat sinks measure 40 x 20 cm, 28 x 14 cm and 24 x 12 cm. Without a pump, the cooling liquid only circulates due to the temperature differences between the liquid that has direct contact with the CPU or GPU, and the liquid in the heat sinks. This setup aims to passively transfer heat through conduction and convection aided by the natural buoyancy of the warm liquid.

        Hardware Configuration

        Billet Labs uses a Gigabyte Aorus Pro B850 mainboard, 32 GB RAM, a 2 TB SSD and a 600 watt power supply unit for this PC, which is not modified and is therefore cooled with a fan. The mainboard is mounted on an 8 millimeter thick aluminum plate with thick thermal pads to help distribute the heat. The choice of components is framed as a balance between performance and minimal active cooling, leveraging passive flow dynamics instead of fans.

        Performance Observations

        Even without a fan, the PC works surprisingly well in many scenarios. In idle, the coolant remains relatively cool with a temperature of 28 °C. If the processor is fully utilized using Cinebench, the coolant heats up to 39 °C after half an hour and the CPU even reaches 90 °C, but performance does not drop. If the GPU is also used, for example in Cyberpunk 2077, the coolant reaches temperatures of over 55 °C – the performance remains stable, but the temperatures are higher than recommended for long-term operation.


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      • Asus 16-Inch Gaming Laptop With 64GB RAM North America

        Asus 16-Inch Gaming Laptop With 64GB RAM North America

        Key Takeaway

        – US launch: ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 starts at $3,699 with Core Ultra 9 386H, RTX 5070 Ti, 32 GB RAM and 1 TB; upgrading to 64 GB RAM raises price to $4,799 with no other changes.
        – US high-end pricing for other GU606 configurations has not yet been disclosed.
        – Canada top-tier pricing: RTX 5080 with 64 GB RAM and 2 TB is CAD 6,999 (~$5,099); RTX 5090 with the same RAM is CAD 7,699 (~$5,610); RTX 5090-powered models aren’t being sold in Canada at publication.
        – Canada offers RTX 5060, 5070, 5070 Ti, and 5080 variants (pricing published in CAD).

        Asus has quietly started selling the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) in North America as a replacement for the 2025 models we have already reviewed (curr. $2,799 on Amazon). For context, the company unveiled its new 16 inch laptop in January during CES 2026. However, it waited until the end of March before confirming how much the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 would cost in the UK.

        US market timing

        Now, it has followed suit by revealing the prices of two SKUs that will be avialble in the US. Currently, Asus states that the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 will start at $3,699 with an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. Inexplicably, configuring the laptop with 64 GB of RAM increases its price to $4,799 while making no other changes.

        For the time being, Asus has not confirmed how much high-tier models will cost in the US. The company charges CAD 6,999 (~$5,099) for a GeForce RTX 5080 with 64 GB of RAM and 2 TB of storage, though. Meanwhile, the ROG Zephyrus G16 (2026) GU606 runs to CAD 7,699 (~$5,610) with a GeForce RTX 5090 and the same amount of RAM.

        Canadian pricing snapshot

        Asus is not selling any GeForce RTX 5090-powered models in Canada at the time of publication. Conversely, GeForce RTX 5060, GeForce RTX 5070, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, and GeForce RTX 5080 models are available. Asus has priced these variants as follows in Canada:

        Asus Canada & Asus US

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      • ROG Zephyrus G14: Asus 14in gaming laptop in NA without RTX 5080

        ROG Zephyrus G14: Asus 14in gaming laptop in NA without RTX 5080

        Key Takeaway

        – GU405 (Intel Panther Lake) is now available in North America; GA403 (AMD) hasn’t shown up yet; US price for GU405 is $3,599.
        – No GeForce RTX 5080 variants listed in North America; UK pricing shows RTX 5080 at about 19% more than the RTX 5070 Ti-based version.
        – ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) supports up to 2 TB of storage; exact pricing for higher-storage configurations is not disclosed.
        – Canada has its own SKU lineup and rollout notes, with GA403 still not observed in NA.

        Over a month has passed since Asus released the ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) in Europe. Now available in places like the UK, this year’s ROG Zephyrus G14 can be purchased with AMD Gorgon Point or Intel Panther Lake processors. For reference, Asus distinguishes these with GA403 and GU405 model numbers, respectively.

        North American release

        Now, Asus has released the GU405 in North America. Currently, we cannot find any references to the GA403, which effectively replaces last year’s Ryzen 9 270 and GeForce RTX 5060-based model (curr. $1,859). For context, this model is Asus’ cheaper alternative to the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370-based models we reviewed last year. As it stands, Asus is selling the following SKUs in Canada:

        Pricing snapshot

        Also, Asus has confirmed that the latter will reach the US for $3,599. The company clarifies that the ROG Zephyrus G14 (2026) should be available with up to 2 TB of storage too, although pricing remains unknown for now. Surprisingly, Asus has not yet listed any GeForce RTX 5080 variants in North America. For reference, the company charges 19% more for the GeForce RTX 5080 in the UK compared to a RTX 5070 Ti-backe version.


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      • Crimson Desert IGN Score Disappoints Fans Amid $70 Price Tag

        Crimson Desert IGN Score Disappoints Fans Amid $70 Price Tag

        Key Takeaways

        1. Mixed Reviews: Crimson Desert has a Metacritic score of 78, but IGN’s review-in-progress gave it a 6/10, highlighting issues like poor writing and confusing puzzles.

        2. High Expectations: Fans were hoping for a Game of the Year contender, but many express disappointment due to gameplay mechanics being overloaded with systems.

        3. Development Background: Pearl Abyss spent almost six years developing the game, transitioning it from an MMO prequel to a standalone single-player experience.

        4. Technical Performance: While the game has shown stable performance on high-end PCs, it faces criticism for its steep difficulty curve and complex mechanics.

        5. Community Frustrations: Players on forums like r/PS5 express dissatisfaction with gameplay systems, feeling that technical aspects were prioritized over fundamental conveniences.

        The review embargo for Crimson Desert has been lifted today, and the feedback is quite mixed, to say the least. The game has received a score of 78 on Metacritic (you can read more about it here), but the IGN review-in-progress has sparked a wide range of opinions from the gaming community. Many fans were hoping this title would be a strong contender for Game of the Year, but the 6/10 rating points to issues like poor writing and confusing puzzles that detract from the overall experience. This has led to some intense debates on Reddit, as frustration arises from the disparity between its high-end performance and a gameplay loop that some players find to be “overloaded with too many systems.”

        Key Information and Specs

        Pearl Abyss dedicated almost six years to creating Crimson Desert, transitioning it from an MMO prequel to a standalone single-player adventure. Recently, a Korean streamer named G-tie leaked information about the game’s expansive nature, which has caught the attention of millions online. Fans have been comparing it to Red Dead Redemption 2. There are also several reports of stable performance on powerful PC setups, such as the RTX 5080 (currently priced at $1,500 on Amazon). However, these leaks also highlight a steep difficulty curve and the need to manage the main character Kliff’s skills effectively. Official reviews are echoing these concerns, along with apprehensions that the BlackSpace Engine is perhaps overshadowing the actual game design.

        Community Reactions and Feedback

        Looking at the general feelings expressed by users on the r/PS5 subreddit, it seems that while Crimson Desert offers cinematic character swaps, it falls short in fundamental conveniences like storage for settlements. Some players argue that the developers prioritized technical aspects for marketing purposes, which has led to player frustrations. When a game garners 400,000 pre-orders just based on visuals, it’s no surprise that dissatisfaction concerning gameplay systems creates a divide within the player community. The game is undoubtedly impressive, but it appears to be struggling under the burden of its own complex mechanics. Regarding the storyline, IGN even remarked:

        This world is full of fun stuff to do, but the stories within it are consistently bad.

        If you’re relying on reviews and happen to be someone who pre-ordered Crimson Desert, prepare yourself for a challenging learning curve and possibly frustrating control schemes. While PC performance has been reported as stable, we’ve also seen console footage. However, before you commit to the full price of $69.99, it might be wise to hold out for additional reviews and benchmarks—we’ll be analyzing and testing the game very soon as well.

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      • Glowing Crimson Desert Review: Stable Performance, High Difficulty

        Glowing Crimson Desert Review: Stable Performance, High Difficulty

        Key Takeaways

        1. Time Commitment: Completing the main story requires a significant time investment, with players spending around 10 hours daily and potentially skipping many bosses.

        2. Learning Curve: The combat system has a challenging learning curve, necessitating trial and error, and certain areas of the open world are more difficult.

        3. Inventory Management: Managing inventory is easier than expected; completing side quests can increase loot space.

        4. Character Switching: Players can switch between multiple playable characters, similar to GTA 5, allowing for strategic combat against different foes.

        5. Console Performance Uncertainty: There are doubts about console performance, as only PC review codes were provided, but PC performance appears stable with high frame rates.

        With the review embargo for Crimson Desert lifting on March 18th, fresh impressions are starting to come in. A Korean streamer who has completed the vast open-world game shared some insights that haven’t been widely discussed. He also shed light on how Pearl Abyss has optimized the game’s performance for PC users (spoilers ahead).

        Time Commitment for Players

        For those looking to wrap up the main story, a significant time investment is necessary. The YouTuber mentioned that he dedicated about 10 hours daily to exploring Pywel, while skipping approximately 50% of the bosses. He compared the game’s size to that of Red Dead Redemption 2, which he invested around 600 hours into.

        Learning Curve and Combat System

        Even with some challenges avoided, players may face a difficult learning curve. An earlier leaked review of Crimson Desert highlighted that the combat system requires a bit of trial and error. Certain areas in the open world are also more challenging than others. It seems that enhancing Kliff’s abilities and stats will be crucial for surviving in the game.

        Inventory Management Made Easy

        On a positive note, managing inventories might not be as tough as some players worried it would be. The YouTuber disclosed that by finishing side quests, players can gain extra space for loot collection.

        While one main character leads the Crimson Desert narrative, there are other playable characters as well. Similar to GTA 5, players can experience cinematic shifts when switching between these characters. This allows gamers to select different fighters who are better suited to overcoming specific foes.

        Uncertainty in Console Performance

        There are speculations that Pearl Abyss only provided review codes for PC versions, leaving console performance for PS5 and Xbox in question. Nonetheless, the streamer indicated that with an RTX 5080, the frame rates were consistent at 1440p. While this might not sound too remarkable, he had the particularly demanding cinematic mode enabled.

        Because of the embargo, the Korean streamer could not share extensive details about the story. Nevertheless, without forecasting a Metacritic score for Crimson Desert, he described it as the “game of his life.” A comparison was made to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which is celebrated for its captivating 3D world.

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      • NZXT Launches H2 Mini PC with Nvidia RTX 5080 and CPU Options

        NZXT Launches H2 Mini PC with Nvidia RTX 5080 and CPU Options

        Key Takeaways

        1. NZXT has launched the H2 Flow, a compact mini-ITX case supporting up to a 280mm radiator and a 331mm graphics card.
        2. A prebuilt gaming PC is available, featuring the Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU with options for either Intel or AMD processors.
        3. The Intel setup uses the Core Ultra 9 285K with a Gigabyte Z890I Aorus Ultra motherboard, while the AMD option includes the Ryzen 7 9800X3D on a Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro.
        4. Both configurations come with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, 2TB NVMe storage, and are capable of running AAA games smoothly at 1440p and over 60FPS at 4K.
        5. The H2 Flow case is priced at $149.99 and is available globally, while the prebuilt mini PC is exclusive to the US with a launch MSRP of $3,499.

        NZXT has unveiled the H2 Flow, a compact mini-ITX case that supports a radiator of up to 280mm and a graphics card as long as 331mm. For anyone looking to create a small form factor gaming mini PC with this case, the company is currently offering a well-equipped prebuilt system for a short period.

        Prebuilt Gaming Setup

        The prebuilt gaming PC features the desktop Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU (PNY Epic-X, currently priced at $1,399 on Amazon), and NZXT gives buyers the choice of pairing it with either an Intel or AMD processor. Specifically, one option includes the Core Ultra 9 285K, and for this setup, NZXT utilizes the Gigabyte Z890I Aorus Ultra motherboard.

        AMD Option

        On the other hand, the AMD configuration comes with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which is built on a Gigabyte B850I Aorus Pro. Both setups are equipped with 32GB of DDR5 RAM operating at 5200MHz, along with 2TB of NVMe storage. A Lian Li SP850G power supply unit drives the components, while the CPU is cooled using the Kraken Elite 240 Liquid Cooler.

        These Intel and AMD setups are highly capable of running AAA games smoothly at 1440p, and with some adjustments, you can achieve over 60FPS at 4K resolution too. However, be aware that the prebuilt NZXT H2 gaming mini PC is available exclusively in the US, with both options having a launch MSRP of $3,499.

        H2 Flow Availability

        If you’re only interested in the H2 Flow mini-ITX case, it is available worldwide for $149.99. For further insight into the chassis, you can check out the video linked below.

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      • Lenovo ThinkPad T16g Gen 3: Thunderbolt 5 & OLED, RTX 5080

        Lenovo ThinkPad T16g Gen 3: Thunderbolt 5 & OLED, RTX 5080

        Key Takeaways

        1. Lenovo introduced two versions of its large mobile workstation: ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 with professional RTX PRO GPUs and ThinkPad T16g Gen 3 with consumer GeForce GPUs.

        2. The ThinkPad T16g Gen 3 features a slimmer design, reduced weight, optional 5G connectivity, and a high-quality matte OLED touchscreen.

        3. Performance is limited due to a maximum power input of 180 Watts, affecting CPU stability and restricting GPU performance to 105 Watts.

        4. The cooling system is insufficient, leading to high noise levels of up to 57 dB(A), making it the loudest in its comparison group.

        5. Overall, the ThinkPad T16g Gen 3 has mixed reviews, with feature-rich offerings overshadowed by performance and cooling concerns.

        Lenovo has made significant updates to its large mobile workstation this year, now presenting two distinct versions. The ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 comes with professional RTX PRO GPUs from Nvidia, while the nearly identical ThinkPad T16g Gen 3 features consumer GeForce GPUs. We recently examined the ThinkPad T16g Gen 3, which includes the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, the mobile GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop, and a matte tandem OLED touchscreen, but our thoughts are somewhat mixed.

        Design and Features

        The latest model is slightly slimmer than its predecessor, and Lenovo has managed to reduce the weight by nearly 500 grams. Along with the smaller 180W power adapter, the overall travel weight is noticeably decreased. This mobile workstation boasts all the features one could desire, including optional 5G connectivity. It also provides two Thunderbolt 5 ports and excellent maintenance options (4x SO-DIMM, 3x SSD). The matte OLED touchscreen with 120 Hz delivers very nice image quality, despite the image appearing a tad grainy.

        Performance Concerns

        When it comes to performance, this large workstation is somewhat underwhelming, mainly due to the cooling design and limitations from the power adapter. Lenovo opted to remove the familiar SlimTip charging port in favor of USB-C entirely. However, the power input is capped at just 180 Watts, which clearly impacts the performance limits of the components.

        The pure CU performance is decent during short load scenarios, as the processor can draw up to 160 Watts, but it falls to around 110 Watts after 30 seconds and further drops to merely 65-90 Watts after an additional 50 seconds. This indicates that CPU performance is far from stable. The GPU, a robust RTX 5080, has its maximum TGP restricted to just 105 Watts, making it the slowest version we’ve tested thus far. Even the RTX 4000 (which was based on the 4080) from the previous ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 running at 130 Watts offered nearly identical performance.

        Noise Levels and Conclusion

        When both components are stressed simultaneously, the GPU remains at 105 Watts, while the processor is reduced to a mere 25 Watts. The overall system consumption stays around 170 Watts, indicating an artificial limit. You might assume that the fans would be relatively quiet due to the lower performance, but that’s not the case. In fact, the ThinkPad T16g Gen 3 reaches up to 57 dB(A), making it the loudest device in our comparison group. It appears that the weight reduction primarily impacted the cooling system.

        In conclusion, we have mixed feelings regarding the new ThinkPad T16g Gen 3 and its sibling, the ThinkPad P16 Gen 3, which share similar limitations. While these mobile workstations are packed with features, those in need of consistent and high performance may find themselves disappointed. For more detailed insights, please refer to our comprehensive review of the new ThinkPad T16g Gen 3.

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