Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Review (2023)

Are you a gaming enthusiast looking for a budget-friendly gaming laptop?

Maybe you’re a student or a young professional searching for a machine that won’t break the bank but can still run most games at nice settings. If that is the case, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 might be a great idea.

In this article, we’ll review the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3. We’ll also go over the pros and cons of the laptop and see how it fares head-to-head with its main competitors. 

Intrigued? Then let’s explore. 

Watch our Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Review

This YouTube review was created by the Not Just Laptops team. The specs may slightly differ from the laptop in the article.

Specs and Upgradability of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

In terms of specs, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers a ton of variety. It doesn’t matter if you’re an Intel or an AMD fan since you get to choose from both chipsets. Across my tests, these CPUs performed quite well for the price and easily tackled the AAA titles.

As for graphics, the latest models are powered by strong, mid-tier NVIDIA’s RTX 30 series GPUs (up to 3060). But there are older versions with the lower-end GTX cards too. So the choice here boils down to the games you play: if you’re into the newest games, I’d recommend RTX 3050 or 3060.

What about RAM and storage? You can choose from different options, with 8GB RAM and 256GB as the base configuration. The good news is that both the RAM and storage can be upgraded – and I’d definitely throw in at least another 8GB. 

Here is a quick tip on that note. If you get the base model with single-channel RAM, the best upgrade would be an additional memory stick. The performance boost is tremendous, especially with games that benefit from dual-channel RAM. 

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 | Photo by Bence Fagyal

Gaming Performance of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

You’re probably most interested in how the IdeaPad Gaming 3 performs with games. Considering the price point of the laptop, it is actually pretty impressive. Obviously, you’ll have to lower the settings here and there, but overall it will run most games at playable FPS. 

If you’re playing games like Minecraft, League of Legends, World of Warcraft and similar, the Lenovo is more than enough: it offers snappy gameplay and an enjoyable overall experience.

What about the demanding AAA titles? I won’t go into specific FPS numbers because those depend on many factors (like configuration, the game’s requirements, and the settings). But rest assured that the laptop will run games like the Elder Ring, RDR 2, and GTA V at satisfactory FPS. 

Bear in mind that the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is not as good as its bigger bro — the Legion 5. The Legion 5 models have better screens, more efficient thermals, and better overall performance. Understandably, they also cost more. 

Because of its powerful hardware, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 fits the bill for both general tasks and heavy-duty workloads like 3D modeling and photo editing.

If you want to see how the IdeaPad Gaming 3 stacks up against the Acer Predator Helios 300, check out our Youtube review of these two gaming machines.

Screen, Keyboard, and Touchpad of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

In terms of screen size and features, there are several options. The base model comes with a full HD 15.6” screen and a 120Hz refresh rate. I actually liked it a lot for gaming, but I’d still recommend getting the more expensive one with the 165Hz refresh rate panel. It works much smoother with the RTX 30 GPUs and provides better color accuracy. 

There is also a 16” WQHD version, but I’d say this is overkill since you’ll hardly be able to take advantage of the higher resolution with the laptop’s mid-range GPU.  

You also get to choose the keyboard. Depending on your personal taste, you can either get the single-zone keyboard with white backlighting or the 4-zone RGB option. Regardless of the backlighting, I find the Lenovo keyboards to be among the best on the market. 

As for the trackpad, there is really not much to say. It’s not the best one, but it’s not bad either. And if you’re a gamer, you’ll be using a mouse anyway. 

Cooling System and Heating Issues of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

The IdeaPad Gaming 3 has a decent cooling system. This isn’t too big of a surprise, since lower-end hardware components consume less power. So I wouldn’t worry too much about high temperatures with this machine. But the fans do get a bit noisy under heavy workloads.

When I say noisy, I don’t mean Predator-Triton-level noisy. It’s more like short bursts of intense cooling that, luckily, only last a couple of minutes.

The IdeaPad Gaming 3 has a decent cooling system

Design and Weight

The IdeaPad Gaming 3 is one of the least gaming-looking devices out there. It has a clean and simple design and comes in two color variants (Lenovo calls them the iridescent Chameleon Blue and Onyx Black). Both designs stand out and look very elegant – my fav is the blue one simply because you don’t see it very often.

The whole chassis is made out of plastic which feels quite sturdy and durable. This is especially important when you consider the high temp during gaming sessions, so good job on that, Lenovo. 

So if you’re looking for a laptop that doesn’t scream gamer in a classroom or office, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a good choice for all you gaming aficionados gone undercover in a more formal environment.

Webcam and Speakers

The laptop has a 720p webcam on top of the screen with a physical shutter included. The video quality is not the best, but considering the price point, it is not that bad either. Just your average webcam.

The speakers and mic are fairly good for conference calls, but since they lack bass, I wouldn’t use them for gaming and music. So for the best gaming experience, I’d suggest getting a nice set of gaming headphones. 

Port Selection

Here is a list of all the ports you get with the IdeaPad Gaming 3: 

• 2x USB 3.2 Type-A ports
• 3.5mm audio jack 
• HDMI 2.1 port 
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• Type-C Thunderbolt 4 port (not available with all configurations) 

The laptop has all the ports that a student or a business professional might need. Whether you need to do some fast file transfers or connect to an external monitor, you’re set with this device. 

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Port Selection | Photo by Bence Fagyal

Battery Life and Portability of the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

If you need to use your laptop on the go, battery life may be a concern. Normally you’d get around 5-ish hours on a single charge, though I did get 6-7 hours with lighter tasks. This might work for students, but if you’re pulling an 8-hour work shift, I’d bring a charger.

What about portability? Well, 15-inch gaming devices are usually not thin and light, and the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is the same. It weighs around 5 lbs, depending on the model (add another pound or two with the cables and the power brick). It’s not the worst out there, but it’s also not that lightweight, especially if you’re lugging your laptop around campus.

So if portability is important to you, and you are happy with some light gaming, maybe check out the Asus VivoBook models instead. They are famous for exceptional portability and high productivity features. 

Conclusion

All things considered, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is probably one of the best budget gaming devices you can get. Due to its powerful CPU/GPU combo, it is also great for multitasking and productivity. 

Its eye-catching, minimalistic design, strong specs, durable chassis, and excellent port selection make a compelling case for buying. I believe it’s a great fit for students and business professionals who also like to play video games on the side. 

And now over to you. Would you get the IdeaPad Gaming 3, and why? Let us know in the comment section below. 

If you’d like to explore more options, there are other affordable gaming laptops you could check out. Or maybe you’re curious about the IdeaPad Gaming 3’s arch-nemesis and want to know how Acer Nitro 5 did in gaming tests.