Quick Specs Summary
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 16″ IPS 1440p 165Hz |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-13700H (13th Gen Raptor Lake) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 4070 / 4080 |
| RAM Type | DDR5-5600 |
| RAM Slots | 2× SO-DIMM (up to 32GB) |
| SSD Slots | 2× M.2 2280 NVMe Gen4 |
| Charger | 170W barrel + 140W USB-C PD |
| Upgradeability | ★★★★★ |
Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX8 (2023): The Balanced Gaming Champion
The Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX8 (2023) is a 16″ gaming laptop that balances performance, upgradeability, and value. With the Intel i7-13700H and RTX 4070/4080, it delivers solid frame rates in AAA gaming and handles creative workloads with ease.
What sets the Legion 5 Gen 8 apart is its dual charging system — both barrel (170W) and USB-C PD (140W) — making it flexible for different usage scenarios. Combined with dual SSD slots and full RAM expansion, this is one of the most versatile 16″ gaming laptops available.
RAM — Fully Upgradeable
The Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX8 features 2× SO-DIMM slots with DDR5-5600 memory. Maximum capacity is 32GB total (16GB × 2).
The i7-13700H CPU benefits from DDR5’s higher bandwidth — you’ll see smoother frame times compared to older DDR4 machines, especially in CPU-heavy games and streaming scenarios.
Compatible RAM Modules
| Module | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Crucial DDR5-5600 16GB | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | £35 |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR5-5600 16GB | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | £42 |
| Corsair Vengeance DDR5-5600 16GB | DDR5-5600 SODIMM | £45 |
Browse DDR5-5600 modules on Amazon UK
Dual M.2 Storage Options
The Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX8 includes 2× M.2 2280 NVMe Gen4 slots — perfect for OS + games setup, or project separation for creators.
Compatible SSD Drives
| Drive | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung 990 Pro 1TB | 7,100 MB/s | £85 |
| WD Black SN850X 1TB | 7,100 MB/s | £75 |
| Crucial P5 Plus 1TB | 6,600 MB/s | £60 |
Browse Gen4 NVMe drives on Amazon UK
Flexible Charging: Barrel + USB-C PD
The Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX8 is unique in offering dual charging options:
- 170W barrel connector — Primary charger, full power delivery
- 140W USB-C PD — Secondary option, slower charging but travel-friendly
This dual-charger design is excellent for flexibility — use the barrel charger for gaming sessions at home, and the USB-C PD charger for travel and office use.
140W USB-C PD chargers on Amazon UK
Port Selection & Connectivity
The Legion 5 16IRX8 includes:
- 2× USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 1× USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (USB-C PD charging)
- 1× HDMI 2.1
- 1× Ethernet (RJ-45)
- 3.5mm audio jack
Solid connectivity for peripherals, external drives, and wired gaming.
Upgradeability Score
| Component | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | ★★★★★ | Fully upgradeable, 2× SO-DIMM |
| SSD | ★★★★★ | Dual M.2 2280 Gen4 slots |
| Charger | ★★★★★ | Dual options: barrel + USB-C PD |
| Overall | ★★★★★ | Excellent all-around upgradeability |
How to Upgrade
Both RAM and SSD upgrades are straightforward with a Phillips #0 screwdriver. Total time: 10 minutes for complete upgrade.
RAM: Open bottom panel, push retention clips, insert SO-DIMM modules at 45°.
SSD: Locate M.2 slots, unscrew retention screws, slide NVMe drives in at 45°.
Frequently Asked Questions
What RAM does the Lenovo Legion 5 16IRX8 use?
The Legion 5 16IRX8 uses DDR5-5600 in 2× SO-DIMM slots with a maximum of 32GB (16GB × 2).
Does the Legion 5 16IRX8 have multiple SSD slots?
Yes — it has 2× M.2 2280 NVMe Gen4 slots for flexible storage configurations.
Can I use USB-C PD to charge the Legion 5 16IRX8?
Yes — the laptop supports 140W USB-C PD charging in addition to the 170W barrel charger. Both work simultaneously.
What’s the difference between the barrel and USB-C chargers?
The 170W barrel charger is faster for gaming. The 140W USB-C PD charger is slower but more portable — ideal for travel and office use.
Is the Legion 5 16IRX8 good for upgrades?
Excellent — full RAM upgradeability, dual SSD slots, and flexible dual charging make it one of the most upgrade-friendly gaming laptops.
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.
| Product | Why We Recommend It | Amazon UK |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair Vengeance DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Best overall DDR4 upgrade kit | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR4 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 3200MHz | Reliable alternative with tight latency | View on Amazon UK |
| Corsair Vengeance DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Top-rated DDR5 kit for gaming & productivity | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Excellent DDR5 alternative with XMP support | View on Amazon UK |
| Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 2280 | Fastest consumer NVMe — ideal for gaming & editing | View on Amazon UK |
| WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe | Excellent Gen4 speed with heatsink option | View on Amazon UK |
| Crucial P5 Plus 1TB NVMe | Great value Gen4 SSD | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston NV2 1TB NVMe | Budget-friendly with solid reliability | View on Amazon UK |
Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
