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| The Legion Pro 5i can now be purchased with Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5070 12GB laptop GPU. |
Lenovo has quietly begun selling an updated configuration of its Legion Pro 5i 16IAX10, and for gamers who have been waiting for a more capable GPU option, this is welcome news. The company first refreshed its 16-inch gaming laptop back in July, introducing new processor options and a beefier graphics card than the previous GeForce RTX 5070 with 8GB of VRAM. Now, that updated model is finally available for purchase in North America—though not without some compromises.
A Step Forward for VRAM, A Step Back for Processing Power
The good news? You can now configure the Legion Pro 5i 16IAX10 with Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU featuring 12GB of VRAM. This addresses a major concern among gamers who felt that 8GB was simply not enough for modern titles, especially at higher resolutions and settings. The extra video memory allows the GPU to stretch its legs and handle more demanding textures and workloads without hitting a wall.
The less exciting news? The highly anticipated Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor that Lenovo teased is still missing in action. Instead, the company is pairing the 12GB RTX 5070 with the Core Ultra 7 251HX—a capable chip, but not the flagship silicon that was originally promised. For now, buyers will have to settle for this combination if they want the upgraded graphics card.
Check out the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 on Lenovo Canada | View on Lenovo US
Pricing and Specifications
Lenovo is currently asking CAD 3,099 in Canada and $2,338 in the United States for this new configuration. According to the company, these prices reflect discounts from the original MSRPs of CAD 4,442 and $3,339, respectively. Whether those "original" prices were ever actually charged is up for debate, but the current asking price is what matters for anyone looking to buy right now.
The rest of the spec sheet is solid for a high-end gaming laptop. You get 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD for storage, and an 80Wh battery that should provide reasonable endurance for a machine of this caliber. The display is a 1600p IPS panel with a 240Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of peak brightness—a combination that should deliver smooth, vibrant visuals whether you are gaming, streaming, or doing creative work.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
In practical terms, this new configuration undercuts existing RTX 5070 Ti options while giving the standard RTX 5070 room to breathe with its full 12GB of VRAM. If you have been holding out for a 12GB graphics card without jumping to the next tier up, this lowers the barrier to entry considerably. The RTX 5070 Ti model is currently listed at $2,999 on Amazon , so the price gap is significant.
That said, it is worth noting that the RTX 5070 Ti still easily outperforms the standard RTX 5070 in benchmark testing, even when both have 12GB of VRAM. The Ti variant simply has more raw horsepower under the hood. For gamers who prioritize maximum frame rates and are willing to spend more, the Ti remains the better choice. But for those who want a balanced mix of performance and value, the 12GB RTX 5070 in the Legion Pro 5i makes a compelling case.
Read our full review of the Legion Pro 5i’s July update here
What This Means for Buyers
Lenovo’s decision to roll out this configuration in North America first makes sense—it is a key market for gaming laptops, and demand for VRAM-rich GPUs has been growing. However, the absence of the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is puzzling. It is possible that Lenovo is saving that chip for a higher-end SKU or that supply constraints are limiting its availability. Either way, buyers who want the absolute best processor will need to wait.
For now, the Legion Pro 5i 16IAX10 with the Core Ultra 7 251HX and 12GB RTX 5070 represents a solid middle-ground option. It offers more VRAM than the base model, a strong display, and a reasonable price tag—especially when compared to RTX 5070 Ti alternatives. If you are in the market for a gaming laptop that can handle modern titles without breaking the bank, this is worth a closer look.
You can also check out our review of the Legion 5 15IAX11 with the RTX 5070 for additional context
The Bottom Line
Lenovo has taken a step in the right direction by offering a 12GB RTX 5070 in the Legion Pro 5i, but the rollout feels incomplete without the promised Core Ultra 9 processor. Gamers who prioritize VRAM over raw CPU power will find this configuration appealing, especially at its current discounted price. Those who want the full package, however, may want to hold out a little longer to see if Lenovo delivers on its original promises.
