Question How could i do some upgrades to this prebuilt Lenovo Legion T5 system?

Oct 28, 2024
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Hi! New to this forum so sorry if im missing out on any conventions for posting.

I have a prebuilt Lenovo Legion T5 26AMR5
Model no. 90RC0042MW

This might be compatible parts given on Lenovo webpage, i couldnt confirm because my serial number wasn't detected (i have disassembled the system as of now):
https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/...egion-t5-26amr5/90rc/parts/display/compatible

I think i bought it in 2020-2021 somewhere.

The specs are:
CPU: Ryzen 5 3600
GPU: GeForce RTX 2060 (generic)
MBD: AMD B550 (custom/generic one)

I've already upgraded the RAM from one Samsung generic stick that came with the prebuild to Corsair LPX Vengeance 2x16 gb running on dual channels. It helped, but mostly for multitasking. Ive also switched the SSD from a Samsung generic one to Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe M.2 with 1 TB space for the C: drive.
The fans seem pretty horrible and the PSU is a "HuntKey HK650-15PP" (https://bbs.io-tech.fi/threads/hunt...ahde-lenovon-pakettikoneesta-helsinki.524530/), which ive read mostly negative things about online.
I have a better link for this power supply if needed but i couldnt find it right at this moment.

The problem isn't so much the fan noise, it is actually surprisingly silent even during heavy load (compared to my previous ACER Predator prebuilt which sounds like a jet engine no matter what i do).
I'm mostly afraid that the system will fry any second because of the quality of the components. I could also be paranoid and reading too much into what people think about these manifacturers.

The CPU cooler is some metal thingy with a fan mounted on top of it, link here (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https://www.ipc-computer.eu/lenovo/desktop/legion-desktop-serie/legion-t5-26amr5-90rb/cooler-77200924&psig=AOvVaw09xFoKHNkRcFY-RBoRPcYg&ust=1730298044824000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCLCopNTks4kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE).
So im thinking of switching to another CPU cooler, maybe an Arctic Freeze or Noctua.

On a low budget, how could i upgrade this system to make it cool enough, still relatively silent and run moderate demanding games on slightly higher settings without stuttering (it even stutters at times when i play Hearthstone..)?
The space for a GPU is limited by the case, there's room for maybe 290-300 mm card length (depending on eventual new front case fan size).

My first idea was to upgrade and revamp this system entirely, but the case allows for basically no changes, barely even fitting a new and more efficient CPU cooler. The motherboard also seems to be getting a bit outdated now.
The 3000 gen graphics cards are almost all of them too big for the Lenovo case, and only upgrading to an RTX 3070-Ti could possibly just be a bad value decision.
So based on this, i have decided to make an entirely new build and put some actual money into making a proper build and instead turn this Lenovo prebuild into a slightly better gaming system for my girlfriend to play Hogwarts Legacy and games of similar requirements.

Just for upgrading this system, what fans, new power supply, and new graphics card could i get? Is there any compatibility problems i have to look out for with the motherboard and getting a new cooler, new PSU and new fans?
I was thinking about getting RTX 3070-Ti actually if it would fit, or maybe a Radeon card that is better than the RTX 2060?
RayTracing will not be important, and i've read that maybe Radeon graphics are better value-wise if RayTracing is not of importance. Its supposed to play lower end games and run Photoshop without problems.

Thank you beforehand, and sorry if this post is a bit of a mess.
 
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Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

My first question/query would be, how much restriction do you see within the BIOS? I wouldn't invest into a prebuilt since anything you do drop in terms of upgrades would be better off being put towards a new build. The B550 chipset would be able to able to take advantage of DDR4-3600MHz so some performance is left on the table with a DDR4-3200MHz ram kit, assuming you went with the same specs as the generic stick of ram that came with the prebuilt.

Yes that Huntkey unit is something that isn't reliable. You forgot to mention where you're located, what your preferred site for purchase is and what your budget for the GPU, PSU and fans are. Budget is a relative term, this is why we ask for an amount not an arbitrary/vague comment as budget.

I'm mostly afraid that the system will fry any second because of the quality of the components. I could also be paranoid and reading too much into what people think about these manifacturers.
Prebuilts will come with corners cut since the brand you're buying off of will try and make a profit at the expense. The board that comes with the prebuilt lacks any VRM cooling, which is why it would fail sooner than later.
 
but the case allows for basically no changes, barely even fitting a new and more efficient CPU cooler.
You can change the case, if it limits your upgrade options.
Just for upgrading this system, what fans, new power supply, and new graphics card could i get?
Is there any compatibility problems i have to look out for with the motherboard and getting a new cooler, new PSU and new fans?
Motherboard is standard mATX.
Standard PSU connections, standard fan connectors.
I see no obvious compatibility issues with standard components.
I was thinking about getting RTX 3070-Ti actually if it would fit, or maybe a Radeon card that is better than the RTX 2060?
This depends on your budget. We have no idea, how much you're willing to spend.
 
Thanks for the welcome and the reply.

My first question/query would be, how much restriction do you see within the BIOS? I wouldn't invest into a prebuilt since anything you do drop in terms of upgrades would be better off being put towards a new build.

I'm aware of what BIOS is, but im not well-traversed enough to understand restrictions it poses.
I agree that it's not really worth doing any further investments in the prebuilt, especially buying new components. I just want to make the best out of what little it has left, so my girlfriend can play Hogwarts Legacy.
For the RAM i went with the same specs, but the stock one was only one stick of i think 8 GB RAM. Some Samsung generic one. I changed them to Corsair LPX Vengeance 2x16 GB. And it

You forgot to mention where you're located, what your preferred site for purchase is and what your budget for the GPU, PSU and fans are.

Sorry for not being specific about my location, im in northern Europe. I tried to Google around a bit myself to find a PSU, but as far as i understand, any PSU with ATX PS/2 compatibility should work, as long as it fits into the case and it is not a HuntKey or similar... .

I checked some benchmarks on PSU's but im struggling to understand what everything means, and if it even makes sense to reference when basically scrapping together cheaper parts. Anything non-HuntKey-like, silent yet stable would be great.

Budget is a relative term, this is why we ask for an amount not an arbitrary/vague comment as budget.

Sorry also for not mentioning the budget, i want to try to spend around 300-400 euros (320 to 430 USD) just to polish up this prebuild.
What i would like to change would be the fans, the PSU, the CPU and the CPU cooler, and the GPU - I might've mentioned it before, and i apologize for the repetition.
The GPU seems to cause stuttering when playing any game, even those with lower requirements (Hearthstone for example). Most recently i wanted to play the Silent Hill 2 Remake, but the minimum requirements included RTX 2080, and my card is the RTX 2060.
Prebuilts will come with corners cut since the brand you're buying off of will try and make a profit at the expense. The board that comes with the prebuilt lacks any VRM cooling, which is why it would fail sooner than later.
Yeah, i've learned my lesson from buying prebuilt systems twice (Acer Predator and currently Lenovo Legion T5). They became obsolete too fast. The Predator lasted pretty well, however, for a good 8 years, albeit on mostly medium-high settings in games. Ultra was okay for some games with lower reqs. It was better back then, i guess.

I recently looked up some tutorials on installing SSD's with heatsinks, something i never think i have ever seen before. Heatsinks, that is.
And it made me worried for this system, and kinda surprised it hasn't started to melt yet. The cooling must have been decent, then? I haven't been running the system in "performance mode" too much which supposedly does overclocking, so maybe that was a good idea.
 
You can change the case, if it limits your upgrade options.
Is it worth it? Or would it be better to switch the GPU and see if that helps? Anything that is better than the RTX 2060 and will fit the case would do.

Motherboard is standard mATX.
Standard PSU connections, standard fan connectors.
I see no obvious compatibility issues with standard components.
Okay, then i have understood it right. Thank you!

This depends on your budget. We have no idea, how much you're willing to spend.
Yeah sorry, i forgot to mention my budget. Around 340-430 dollars (300-400 euros) if possible.