We problem all methods’ graphics with a quintet of animations or gaming simulations from UL’s 3DMark check suite. The primary pair, Wild Life (1440p) and Wild Life Excessive (4K), makes use of the Vulkan graphics API to measure GPU speeds. The second, Metal Nomad’s common and Mild subtests, focuses on APIs extra generally used for recreation growth to evaluate gaming geometry and particle results. Final, we flip to 3DMark Photo voltaic Bay to measure ray tracing efficiency.
Our real-world gaming testing relies on the in-game benchmarks for Name of Responsibility: Trendy Warfare 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and F1 2024. These three video games—all benchmarked on the system’s full HD (1080p or 1200p native) decision—signify aggressive shooters, open-world video games, and simulation video games, respectively. If the display helps a better decision, we rerun the exams on the QHD equal of 1440p or 1600p. Every recreation is run at two units of graphics settings per decision, for as much as 4 runs complete on every recreation.
We run the Name of Responsibility benchmark on the Minimal graphics preset—aimed toward maximizing body charges to check show refresh charges—and once more on the Excessive preset. Our Cyberpunk 2077 check settings goal to push PCs to the restrict, so we run it on the Extremely graphics preset and once more on the all-out Ray Tracing Overdrive preset with out DLSS or FSR. Lastly, F1 2924 represents our DLSS effectiveness (or FSR on AMD methods) check, demonstrating a GPU’s aptitude when used with frame-boosting upscaling applied sciences (right here, Nvidia’s DLSS throughout the board).
As soon as once more, the Legion 9i stored aggressive with the gang, even surpassing the RTX 5090-based Alienware Space-51 in Name of Responsibility. Nevertheless, Nvidia’s Optimus GPU-switching instrument was a bit troublesome; with it activate, we famous poor body charges throughout testing. (We recorded these correct outcomes solely as soon as it was deactivated.) On Lenovo laptops, turning off the instrument requires accessing the LegionSpace app, clicking the dGPU button, after which restarting the PC. This mode might save power, however actually, it is only a ache to cope with. After that, the video games ran as anticipated. Word additionally that the Legion 9i’s followers turned considerably louder throughout these high-intensity benchmarks.
In anecdotal testing, the Legion 9i hit 174 frames per second (fps) in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K decision in Ray Tracing Overdrive with DLSS upscaling and body technology activated. The GPU nonetheless can’t prime out the show’s refresh price at peak settings, however that’s a formidable displaying regardless. Switching to 1200p decision at 440Hz provides you extra respiratory room. Working Cyberpunk 2077 at this decision, with the identical settings because the 4K check, produced 277fps. Not unhealthy, contemplating this is among the beastliest video games on the market.
