Lenovo IdeaCentre gaming 5i 2022, Core i5-12400, 16GB, 1TB HDD + 512GB SSD, RTX 3060, Raven Black

The IdeaCentre Gaming 5i delivers good 1080p gaming performance and solid value, but the power supply issue is a real concern. The RTX 3060 and dual storage are the highlights. Buy it if you're comfortable with a potential PSU swap, skip it if you want reliability out of the box.

The i5-12400 sits right at the 50th percentile for CPUs in our database, so it's about average for this class. The RTX 3060 lands in the 73rd percentile, which is solid for 1080p gaming and handles esports titles without breaking a sweat. The 16GB of DDR4 is a bit underwhelming at the 32nd percentile, and the port selection at the 36th percentile is mediocre. Storage is a bright spot at the 80th percentile thanks to that dual-drive setup. The real performance killer is the power supply issue. When the GPU gets throttled into low-power mode, you're leaving frames on the table, and that's not something a spec sheet will tell you.

Against the HP OMEN GT16-0364 and MSI Aegis ZS2, the IdeaCentre 5i holds its own on paper but falls behind on reliability. The OMEN and Aegis both tend to ship with more robust power delivery and better cooling out of the box. The Dell Aurora ACT1250 is a step up in build quality but usually costs more. The CLX SET is a different beast entirely, aimed at enthusiasts who want customization. The Mac Studio M3 Ultra isn't really a gaming machine, so it's not a fair fight. For pure gaming performance per dollar, the Lenovo is competitive, but the power supply issue is a real differentiator, and not in a good way.

Value is where this machine gets interesting. The user sentiment score of 75/100 and a 4.2-star average from 31 reviews suggest most buyers feel they got their money's worth. The storage setup and RTX 3060 give you a lot of hardware for the price, and the included mouse, keyboard, and three months of Xbox Game Pass sweeten the deal. But the power supply concerns cast a shadow. If you're comfortable swapping in a beefier PSU down the line, this could be a bargain. If you want something that just works without tinkering, the risk might not be worth the savings.

The Lenovo IdeaCentre Gaming 5i is a mid-tower that tries to split the difference between a budget gaming rig and a sensible home office machine. You get a 12th Gen Intel i5-12400, an RTX 3060 with 12GB of VRAM, 16GB of DDR4, and a storage combo of a 512GB SSD plus a 1TB HDD. That's a reasonable spec sheet for 1080p gaming and everyday work, especially if you catch it on sale.

But there's a catch. Several owners report the power supply doesn't deliver enough juice, which forces the GPU into low-power mode. One reviewer even had a graphics card fry. That's a serious reliability flag on a machine that otherwise looks like a solid value play.

Skip this if you want a machine that works flawlessly out of the box with zero tinkering. The power supply issue is a known problem, and if you're not comfortable opening up the case to swap components, you're gambling. Also skip it if you need lots of ports, the selection here is mediocre at best.

This is a solid entry-level gaming PC for someone who wants to play at 1080p without spending a fortune. It's also a decent home office machine thanks to the storage setup and quiet operation under normal use. But you need to go in with eyes open about the power supply. If you're willing to upgrade the PSU or you get a unit that doesn't have the issue, you'll be happy. If you want a zero-risk purchase, keep looking.