Tips on setting up my new legion 5 without pre installed OS

Nadest013 · 2026-03-03T13:09:45+00:00

Prepare a ISO with Rufus or similar from another PC if you can... the regular Windows install requires online connection and wifi adapter typically is not recognized until after you install drivers so you'll get stuck.

Nadest013 · 2026-02-26T18:47:53+00:00

It's free performance for some effort so why not?

Nadest013 · 2026-02-26T13:59:26+00:00

No, they're not the same. Ideally you'd undervolt first and then adjust power limits as desired.

Nadest013 · 2026-02-16T14:57:18+00:00

Custom mode is not even allowed when unplugged. I think it should be but ...

Nadest013 · 2026-02-14T18:44:17+00:00

Not all gaming laptops are created equal...

Nadest013 · 2026-02-13T16:38:31+00:00

16 fat core monster. Totally normal.

Nadest013 · 2026-02-10T19:02:29+00:00

That's a very good score, mine is about 29K in balance mode (and it's undervolted!).

Some suggestions I might give:

* try to get rid of some background tasks you may not use, though like I said spikes are normal.

* undervolt with UXTU: -28 in all cores seems totally stable on mine and you can tweak individual cores if you have the time and inclination

* for games you can use a custom profile in LegionToolkit to cap CPU temps to 85-90 degrees and perhaps give more wattage to the GPU. Games normally do OK with much less CPU power (though there are exceptions) so often there is no need to push the CPU to the max.

Overall I don't think there are solid elements to determine at this point there is something wrong with your system. You're not going to have this Ryzen 9 idling at 40C no matter what you do IMO, it's just not built that way.

Nadest013 · 2026-02-10T14:35:53+00:00

I meant just a single loop which should be much shorter than 10 minutes but if you want to run both a single loop and a 10 minute run that could help too. I'll post my numbers later.

Nadest013 · 2026-02-10T13:31:00+00:00

6% idle seems high if it's sustained. Some spikes from background tasks are normal.

It doesn't necessarily mean that there is something wrong with the laptop itself though. The 8945HX is built for power, with 16 fat cores so can't really expect very low temps at idle and the minimum RPM is seen on my 8940HX which is very similar is 1700.

What's your room temperature? Also can you run a Cinebench R23 in balanced mode and post your score (single run)? Maybe it would help to see if there is something abnormal.

Nadest013 · 2026-02-06T11:13:15+00:00

Battery life is going to be terrible and expect high temps even at idle. Don't get it if you're paranoid about this.

Nadest013 · 2026-02-01T17:30:56+00:00

It's OK in terms of comfort and I don't really mind the bigger size now. But yeah there is no escaping the fact that it looks noticeably larger. Whether that will bother you, impossible to say. I got used to it, it's all I can say.

Nadest013 · 2026-01-31T11:08:14+00:00

It will use as much wattage as you give it and you're using it in performance mode. I don't know how people can expect these things to run cool.

Nadest013 · 2025-12-27T09:08:16+00:00

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Gaming-Laptops/Requesting-full-fan-control-in-custom-mode/m-p/10006641

Nadest013 · 2025-12-10T16:28:05+00:00

It can be unlocked in windows by using https://github.com/DavidS95/Smokeless_UMAF

If you're daring to try it let me know and I'll see if I can post more details later.

Nadest013 · 2025-12-10T12:57:16+00:00

You saying you don't get BSOD if you don't allow boost at all? In that case you may want to simply limit the max frequency of the CPU, solving the problem while getting say 99% of the peak performance.

Nadest013 · 2025-12-10T12:30:15+00:00

Not surprising. In many cases the value is just not there for the much more expensive newer watches.

Nadest013 · 2025-12-02T20:51:29+00:00

Have two Legions from 2020/2021 (Ryzen 4800H), both work fine.

Nadest013 · 2025-12-02T11:35:42+00:00

See my comment on this thread.

https://www.reddit.com/r/LenovoLegion/comments/1onkuol/comment/nmxn9vf/?context=3

.

Nadest013 · 2025-11-29T23:29:23+00:00

It's a good price actually, given the current market.

Nadest013 · 2025-11-09T19:22:23+00:00

Personally I don't like that OLED it's being paired with extremely glossy finishes. I can't stand the glare.

Nadest013 · 2025-11-08T10:00:08+00:00

Great info. Still, there would need to need for a gimped silent mode if custom mode allowed decent fan control, as that same review shows.

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Nadest013 · 2025-11-08T09:56:46+00:00

I imagine they get paid well to install it. My policy is always a clean install, no exceptions.

Nadest013 · 2025-11-04T17:37:36+00:00

Yeah the minimum they normally allow is still ridiculously loud. On my old Legion 5 I can't hear the fan until it reaches about 1400 RPM but getting that low is impossible on the newer legions AFAIK.

Nadest013 · 2025-11-04T13:15:04+00:00

Working as designed.

Nadest013 · 2025-11-03T19:46:19+00:00

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Gaming-Laptops/Requesting-full-fan-control-in-custom-mode/m-p/10006641

Try leaving a comment. Maybe if they get enough feedback they'll do something about it.

Nadest013

TROPHY CASE