So I'm planning to upgrade my good old 2021 laptop a Legion 5 with AMD Ryzen 7 4800H Graphics 16GB of RAM and a 1660 Graphics card to this

Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Intel (16") with RTX™ 5080...

But was wondering if you guys know if it can handle larger projects. How well the CPU runs. If it's good for both gaming and music production? I was looking online and it said the pro 7 version is better than 7i as it's bulkier but can handle extensive vsts and larger music projects... but was unable to see a pro 7 version.

Since I'm not the best with tech... what should I be looking out for in terms of performance for a DAW running larger projects and able to play modern releases of games as well... Would the above bolded laptop be enough? I saw the 5090 version is about 1000 dollars more but after doing research the main difference was 64GB of ram and you pay 1k more it didn't seem worthwhile as everything else was the same.

 

what you have to look for is the Single Thread Rating of the CPU

you can compare the numbers on https://www.cpubenchmark.net

you can compare the cpu of the new laptop with your actual or other machines you know

GPU are not so relevant at this moment

The number of physical cores/threads are important, but, look for the Single Thread Rating of the CPU first.

 

A little something to read, your decision is correct, clear buy recommendation!

Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Intel (16") with RTX™ 5080
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/lapt...egion-pro-7i-gen-10-16-inch-intel/len101g0039

Build Your Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 Intel (16") with up to RTX™ 5090
Take 64 GB etc...
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/configurator/cto/index.html?bundleId=83F5CTO1WWUS2

Spoiler: Source: Grok KI

Overview of Your Upgrade
Upgrading from your 2021 Legion 5 (Ryzen 7 4800H, 16GB RAM, GTX 1660) to the Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 with Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5080 is a massive leap. That older setup is solid for its era but struggles with modern games at high settings (e.g., 1080p medium in newer titles) and larger DAW projects due to limited RAM and CPU cores for heavy VST/plugin loads. The Pro 7i Gen 10, released in early 2025, is a high-end 16-inch gaming laptop with specs like a 16" WQXGA OLED display (2560x1600, 240Hz, 500 nits), up to 64GB DDR5 RAM, and 1-2TB NVMe SSD. Base configs start around $2,900, but with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD, it's often $3,200–$3,500.

Yes, this laptop is more than enough for both gaming modern releases (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p ultra with ray tracing >100 FPS via DLSS) and music production with extensive VSTs/large projects. It's overkill for most users but future-proofs you for 3–5 years. Regarding the "Pro 7" (non-i) version you couldn't find: It does exist as the AMD variant (Legion Pro 7 Gen 10 with Ryzen 9 9955HX3D). It's bulkier with better cooling for sustained loads, and it's available on Lenovo's site or retailers like IGN deals (e.g., $2,300 for 32GB/1TB/RTX 5080). I'll break it down below.

CPU Performance: How Well Does It Run?
The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX is a 24-core/24-thread beast (8 performance cores up to 5.4GHz + 16 efficiency cores up to 4.6GHz, 36MB cache). It's designed for sustained high loads, making it excellent for DAW multitasking (e.g., running 50+ tracks with VSTs like Serum or Kontakt without dropouts).

• Benchmarks and Real-World Runs:
  • Cinebench R23 multi-core: ~56,000–57,000 (tops RTX 5080 laptops; 20–30% faster than your Ryzen 7 4800H's ~12,000).
  • Geekbench 6 single-core: ~3,100 (great for plugin responsiveness); multi-core: ~18,000+.
  • In sustained tests (e.g., 30-min load): Averages 3.9–4.3GHz with temps 70–85°C in Performance mode. It throttles minimally (~5–10% from peak) thanks to Lenovo's vapor chamber cooling.
  • Reviews note it's "lightning-fast for content creation" but runs warmer than AMD under prolonged CPU-only tasks (e.g., rendering large audio exports). Use Lenovo Vantage for undervolting/fan curves to keep it under 90°C.

Compared to your old CPU, this handles 4–5x more threads, so expect buttery-smooth operation in DAWs like Ableton, Logic, or FL Studio.

Suitability for Gaming and Music Production
This laptop excels at both—it's a "desktop replacement" hybrid. Here's a quick comparison:



Aspect Your Current Legion 5 (2021) Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (RTX 5080) Notes
Gaming (Modern Titles, 1440p Ultra + RT) 30–60 FPS (e.g., Cyberpunk medium) 100–150+ FPS (e.g., Cyberpunk 150 FPS w/DLSS 3.5) RTX 5080 (16GB GDDR7, 175W TGP) matches desktop RTX 5070; 15–20% faster than RTX 4080. Excellent for AAA like Starfield or Black Myth: Wukong.
Music Production (Large Projects, 50+ Tracks/VSTs) Handles 20–30 tracks; RAM limits bigger sessions 100+ tracks w/ heavy VSTs (e.g., orchestral libs); 32GB+ RAM essential Multi-core CPU + fast SSD load samples in seconds. Low latency via ASIO drivers.
Multitasking Struggles w/ DAW + browser + plugins Seamless (e.g., DAW + streaming + 20 Chrome tabs) 32GB RAM min; upgrade to 64GB if using massive sample packs.
Thermals/Noise Decent, but fans ramp up CPU/GPU 60–80°C gaming; fans audible but not jet-like (use Balanced mode for production) Bulkier chassis helps; AMD Pro 7 version runs 5–10°C cooler.
Battery 4–6 hrs light use 2–4 hrs light; 1 hr gaming Plug in for heavy work—typical for gaming laptops.

• Gaming: The RTX 5080 shines in 2025 titles, hitting 100+ FPS at native 1440p with ray tracing and frame gen. It's "the fastest RTX 5080 laptop tested" per PC Gamer, with stable clocks (2.2–2.3GHz). No issues with modern releases.
• Music Production: For DAWs and large projects, prioritize:
  • RAM: 32GB minimum (handles 50–100 tracks + VSTs); 64GB for orchestral/extensive sessions (e.g., EastWest libs). Your research is spot-on—the 5090 config's extra 32GB RAM justifies the $1k only if you need it now; otherwise, upgrade later (user-accessible slots).
  • CPU Cores/Clock: 24 cores crush multi-threaded tasks like mixing/rendering. Low single-core latency for real-time VSTs.
  • Storage: 1TB+ NVMe SSD for quick project loads; add external SSD for samples.
  • Other: Quiet fans in Balanced mode (key for recording); Thunderbolt 4 for audio interfaces. It's listed in 2025 "best for DAW" roundups (e.g., MusicRadar) for handling "heavy plugin loads without lag."

It's versatile: Game at night, produce during the day without compromises.

Pro 7 vs. Pro 7i: Why the Confusion and Which for You?
You nailed it—the "Pro 7" (AMD) is bulkier (thicker chassis, larger vents) for better sustained cooling/loads, ideal for "extensive VSTs and larger projects" as you read. The "i" denotes Intel. Both share the same RTX 5080 GPU, display, and ports, but:



Feature Legion Pro 7i (Intel, Your Pick) Legion Pro 7 (AMD)
CPU Core Ultra 9 275HX (24C/24T, up to 5.4GHz) Ryzen 9 9955HX3D (16C/32T, up to 5.7GHz, 3D V-Cache)
Strengths Better single-core for VST responsiveness; strong in mixed workloads Superior multi-core/gaming (tops Intel by 10–20% in Cinebench); cooler (5–10°C less) for long sessions
For Production Excellent; handles large DAWs but warmer under export Better for bulkier projects (more threads, efficiency); quieter fans
For Gaming 100–140 FPS avg. 110–160 FPS (X3D cache boosts CPU-bound games)
Build/Price Slimmer (6 lbs); $3,200 base Bulkier (6.4 lbs); $2,300–$3,000 (often cheaper deals)
Availability Widely stocked (Amazon, Best Buy, Lenovo) Exists but less common; check Lenovo/IGN for Gen 10

• Why you couldn't find Pro 7: Lenovo pushes the Intel "i" version more in the US; AMD is targeted at gamers. Search "Legion Pro 7 Gen 10 AMD" to see it.
• Recommendation: Go Pro 7 (AMD) if large music projects are priority #1—its cooling/threading edges out for "extensive VSTs" without thermal throttling. Otherwise, the 7i is fine (and what you were eyeing). Both outperform your old laptop by 3–4x.

What to Look Out For: Performance Tips for DAW + Gaming
Since you're not super tech-savvy, focus on these when buying/configuring:

1. RAM: Start at 32GB (dual-channel DDR5-6400); upgrade to 64GB if projects exceed 50 tracks/samples >50GB. Avoid 16GB—it's insufficient now.
2. Storage: 1TB min; get 2TB for DAW libraries. SSD speed (PCIe 4.0+) ensures <5s project loads.
3. Audio Setup: Use an external interface (e.g., Focusrite Scarlett via USB-C) for low-latency monitoring. Enable ASIO in your DAW.
4. Cooling/Thermals: Test in Lenovo Vantage—Balanced for production (quiet), Performance for gaming. Use a cooling pad for 2+ hr sessions.
5. Software Optimization: Update NVIDIA drivers for RTX features (helps VST rendering). In DAW, freeze tracks/bounce audio to ease CPU load.
6. Ports/Expandability: Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, 3x USB-A—great for peripherals. RAM/SSD slots are user-upgradable.
7. 5090 Version: Skip unless you need 24GB VRAM for 4K gaming or massive GPU-accelerated plugins (e.g., iZotope). The extra RAM is the real value, but $1k is steep—add it yourself for $200.

Final Verdict: Is the Pro 7i Enough?
Absolutely—it's a powerhouse that'll crush your current setup for gaming (ultra settings, high FPS) and production (large projects w/ dozens of VSTs). If budget allows, snag the AMD Pro 7 for that extra thermal headroom you read about. Check Lenovo's site or Amazon for deals (e.g., 32GB configs under $3k). If portability matters more, consider slimmer options like Razer Blade 16, but they'll cost more and run hotter. Happy upgrading—your workflow's about to level up! If you share your DAW (e.g., Ableton) or budget, I can refine this.