Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX9 (2024) — Intel i7-14700HX, DDR5 & Dual SSD Upgrade Guide

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 9 (2024) brings the newest Intel Core i7-14700HX and AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS chips to the mid-range gaming laptop space, paired with RTX 4060/4070 graphics and a sleek redesigned chassis. If you’ve got one on the way or just unboxed it, here’s your complete upgrade and compatibility guide.

RAM Compatibility & Upgrade Guide

The Legion 5 Gen 9 continues the DDR5 platform with 2× DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM slots, supporting up to 32GB total (2×16GB). Both slots are user-accessible from the bottom panel—same procedure as Gen 8, but with slightly improved thermal padding.

Recommended DDR5-5600 upgrades:

• Kingston Fury Beast DDR5-5600 – Best value, guaranteed compatibility
• Corsair DOMINATOR SODIMM DDR5-5600 – Premium option with RGB (if you like aesthetics)
• G.Skill Flare X5 DDR5-5600 – Top-tier timing, enthusiast choice
• Crucial CT48G56C46S5 – OEM alternative, rock-solid

Critical tips:

• Gen 9 ships with 8GB or 16GB base configuration—check your invoice to confirm
• Upgrading to 32GB (2×16GB) is essential for modern gaming at 1440p with high settings
• DDR5-5600 is the sweet spot; don’t overpay for DDR5-6000 (minimal gaming improvement)
• Warranty is not voided—Lenovo officially supports SO-DIMM upgrades

SSD & Storage Compatibility

The Legion 5 Gen 9 features 2× M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen 4 slots, both fully user-upgradeable. Base configs come with a single 512GB drive; slot 2 is typically empty.

Top PCIe Gen 4 SSDs for Gen 9:

Installation walkthrough:

1. Shut down, unplug, and wait 60 seconds for caps to discharge
2. Remove the 5–7 bottom-panel screws (magnetic screwdriver helps)
3. Gently disconnect the battery (1 connector) to avoid accidental shorts
4. Locate M.2 slot 2 (empty slot, labeled on the PCB)
5. Insert the drive at a 30° angle, then press straight down and tighten the retaining screw
6. Reconnect battery, replace panel, boot, and initialize the new drive in Disk Management

Storage optimization: Keep your OS on slot 1; use slot 2 for a dedicated games partition. This separation improves Windows responsiveness and makes it easier to reinstall the OS if needed.

Charger & Power Compatibility

The Legion 5 Gen 9 ships with a 170W Slim Tip barrel charger (standard) or 230W variant on higher-spec configs. Gen 9 also introduces improved USB-C Power Delivery up to 140W on selected configurations—a welcome upgrade from Gen 8’s 100W limit.

Charger breakdown by configuration:

• Ryzen 7 8845HS + RTX 4060: 170W Slim Tip (standard)
• Intel i7-14700HX + RTX 4070: 230W Slim Tip (some configs) or 170W Slim Tip
• USB-C charging: Up to 140W Power Delivery (100% fast charge capable on some configs)

Power delivery comparison:

Buying a replacement charger: If your Slim Tip barrel fails, expect to pay £45–75 for an official Lenovo replacement. Third-party alternatives exist but carry higher failure rates—stick with official or certified options.

Dock & Hub Compatibility

The Legion 5 Gen 9 retains the same port arrangement as Gen 8, with no Thunderbolt (that’s Legion 7 exclusive). Here’s the full connectivity picture:

• USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A: 2 ports (5 Gbps each)
• USB 2.0 Type-A: 2 ports (480 Mbps)
• HDMI 2.1: 1 port (supports 4K@60Hz)
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2: 1 port (10 Gbps, Power Delivery capable)
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• No microSD or full-size SD reader

Best USB-C hubs for Legion 5 Gen 9:

Pairing tip: The Gen 9’s USB-C can deliver 140W in some configs, so a dock supporting high-wattage pass-through is ideal if you want one-cable charging at your desk.

Full Specifications Table

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the real-world gaming performance difference between the RTX 4060 and 4070 in the Gen 9?

The RTX 4070 is roughly 30–40% faster. At 1440p, the 4060 hits 60 FPS on medium-high settings in most AAA games; the 4070 comfortably reaches 100+ FPS on high/ultra. If you plan to game for 3+ years, the 4070 config is worth the premium.

Does the Gen 9 support 140W USB-C charging on all configs?

No. Only Intel i7-14700HX and top AMD Ryzen configs ship with 140W USB-C PD. Ryzen 7 8845HS configs typically max out at 100W via USB-C. Check your BIOS or Lenovo’s product spec sheet for your exact model number.

Is the Legion 5 Gen 9 worth buying over the Gen 8 in 2024?

Yes—the 14th-gen Intel and Ryzen 8000-series chips are noticeably faster, especially in multi-threaded tasks. The redesign is lighter (2.55 kg vs. 2.65 kg), battery life improved, and 500-nit display is sharper outdoors. If you’re buying new, Gen 9 is the better choice. Gen 8 is only better if you find a steep discount.

Can I use a Lenovo Legion 7 charger on the Gen 9 if mine breaks?

If both use the same Slim Tip barrel connector and the Legion 7 charger is 230W+, it will physically fit and charge your Gen 9. However, the Legion 7 charger may deliver more power than Gen 9 is designed to draw safely. Use an official Gen 9 replacement if possible. Mixing higher-wattage chargers occasionally is safe; regular use may void warranty.

Should I upgrade to 32GB RAM immediately or wait and see if I need it?

Gaming alone doesn’t require 32GB; 16GB suffices. However, if you’re streaming, rendering video, or running heavy creative software alongside games, go straight to 32GB. RAM upgrade pricing is stable, so don’t overpay now—upgrade when you actually hit capacity limits (check Task Manager). Most gamers find 16GB plenty in 2024–2025.

Recommended Products

These are the products we recommend based on this guide. All links go to Amazon UK where you can check current prices and availability.

Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Guides

• Lenovo Laptop Upgrades
• Lenovo Thinkpad X Series Upgrade Guide
• Ram Compatibility
• Ssd Compatibility
• Charger Compatibility