Here’s all you need to know about Lenovo LOQ Tower 17 gaming PC
Lenovo creates some of the greatest gaming laptops, but it’s not always easy to translate what works well into an excellent desktop computer. The Lenovo LOQ Tower 17 is a budget-friendly device and an excellent choice. Its performance isn’t astounding, but even with the basic configuration, it is capable of performing contemporary gaming tasks with ease. Overall, this is a good bundle, but if you’re willing to hunt, you could find better deals from more well-known manufacturers like iBuyPower and CyberPowerPC.
Price and availability
Lenovo and stores like Best Buy and Newegg offer the Lenovo LOQ Tower 17 for a broad price. However, not all configurations are offered everywhere, and it doesn’t appear that higher-end setups with Nvidia RTX 40-series graphics cards are currently for sale.
For instance, the setup we are reviewing costs $900 and can only be found at Best Buy. It has a 500W PSU, an Intel Core i5-13400F, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
Design – Sleek compact case
Lenovo made just enough changes to the design to make it aesthetically pleasing without being overly garish. The chassis is primarily black, with a pattern going down the front to add some character. A gentle blue light strip is positioned directly in the center of the design, adding subtle contrast without being overpowering.
With a capacity of 17 liters, the case is pretty modest and may fit on a desk. For more precise measurements, the PC measures 14.8 inches in height, 11.97 inches in depth, and 6.69 inches in width.
Ports can be hit or miss:
Both USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Type-A and Type-C ports are located on the front I/O panel. Additionally, there is a combination audio jack and a USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) Type-A connection. It makes logical to have quicker ports on the front since that’s where you’ll probably put in peripherals like portable storage, which are in dire need of speed. All four of the USB Type-A connectors on the case’s back, however, only support USB 2.0.
The motherboard has an audio line-out connector in addition to a 2.5Gbps RJ45 Ethernet port. Additionally, there are HDMI and VGA connectors; however, as they are covered by the box, you should utilize the GPU’s ports.
Hardware and internal design
The internal design of the Lenovo LOQ Tower 17 isn’t very elegant, but you do have some upgrading choices. With two UDIMM slots for RAM, dual-channel memory is an option making adjustments isn’t the most pleasant. You also have the option to add extra bulk storage because the case comes with two 3.5-inch drive bays. In certain configurations, HDD storage is included in addition to SSD storage.
Accessories: A very basic mouse and keyboard
The Lenovo Calliope USB Keyboard and Mouse are an extremely basic set of accessories that come with the Lenovo LOQ Tower 17. These look and feel quite plain, and there’s no indication that they’re gaming gear.
The mouse has a straightforward three-button layout and an awkward scroll wheel. Although these accessories are designed for individuals who truly have no other alternatives, it does the job.
Performance:
The machine is quite capable. While the 10-core Intel Core i5-13400F and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 may not be enough to handle the most demanding games at ultra settings, this PC is ideal for those on a tight budget. (Remember that this is the RTX 3050 OEM version, so its clock rates and CUDA core count are a little bit lower.)
The Lenovo LOQ Tower 17: Is it worth the purchase?
The Lenovo LOQ Tower 17 is a great option if you want to start gaming on a budget. If you’re prepared to lower some settings, it can run modern games well. It’s also a classy PC that runs quietly even under heavier workloads. It does the job effectively, but it won’t blow your mind.
The issue is that companies like iBuyPower and CyberPowerPC are fierce competitors. Some of these setups can provide you with a more powerful GPU or more storage for the same price or slightly more. Additionally, they frequently employ more readily available components, which facilitates updating. However, the Lenovo LOQ Tower 17 is still a fantastic choice and superior to competitors like HP’s Victus series if you want to go with a well-known brand and versions that are a little bit simpler to obtain.