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Updated January 12, 2024·
When choosing between the Lenovo Legion 5 15" and the MSI GP66 Leopard, consider the following tradeoffs. The Lenovo Legion 5 offers better screen resolution, which means sharper images and text, making it better for detail-oriented tasks like photo editing or enjoying high-definition movies. It also uses a more recent AMD processor and has a superior Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card, which gives it an edge in newer games and more demanding applications, including 3D modeling or machine learning tasks. However, the MSI GP66 Leopard, despite having an older Intel processor and Nvidia RTX 3080 graphics card, is still powerful and capable of handling demanding games and applications, though you may trade off some graphical performance. In terms of portability, both laptops are similar in weight, but the Lenovo may offer slightly better battery performance. The MSI, on the other hand, has been on the market for longer, which sometimes translates to better community support or known reliability. If budget is a primary concern and you're seeking good performance for a variety of tasks, the Lenovo could be a more cost-effective choice. If you prefer a tried and tested model and are okay with slightly older specs, the MSI could be a solid option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Lenovo Legion 5 15"
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the MSI GP66 Leopard
- Very good overall build quality
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.0
7.5
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
350.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" has a better screen than the MSI GP66 Leopard for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Lenovo Legion 5 and MSI GP66 Leopard both offer screens with good resolution and adequate brightness, ensuring a clear and vivid display for everyday tasks. When it comes to engineering and design, the color accuracy and range fall short of the ideal, affecting professionals who rely on precise color representation for their work. However, for Gaming and 3D applications, both laptops lack the high refresh rates that are crucial for a smooth visual experience, which can be a significant drawback for enthusiasts and professionals in those fields.
Cost
$999
$1,400
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" has a price of $999 and the MSI GP66 Leopard costs $1,400.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.5
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
350.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
362.0 nits
4.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
5.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.8/10
The MSI GP66 Leopard and Lenovo Legion 5 15" are both good for general use.
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" and MSI GP66 Leopard are equipped with substantial RAM and powerful CPUs which enable efficient multitasking and quick application responses, making both good for general use. Both have quality IPS screens with a high refresh rate providing clear and smooth visuals, but the Lenovo offers a higher resolution for sharper images, while the MSI provides better gaming graphics with a stronger GPU and maintains better heat management during heavy use.
Gaming and AI
7.9
7.8
9.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" and MSI GP66 Leopard are both good for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" has a high-end Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a 165Hz screen refresh rate for smooth visuals, making it well-suited for gaming and 3D applications. The MSI GP66 Leopard, while it has a powerful Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU for graphic-intensive tasks, offers a slightly lower screen refresh rate of 144Hz, but both have sufficient screen quality and CPU capability to handle demanding tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.2
7.9
8.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
9.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo Legion 5 15" to be very good for engineering and design, while the MSI GP66 Leopard is good.
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" with its AMD Ryzen 7 processor and RTX 4060 graphics card is preferred for engineering and design because it offers superior screen quality with a higher resolution and refresh rate, which is crucial for detailed graphics work. On the other hand, the MSI GP66 Leopard, despite its powerful RTX 3080 GPU, has a lower-resolution screen, but compensates with an efficient cooling system as indicated by its higher score in heat management, which could be important if you're frequently engaging in long, intensive work sessions.
Content Creation
7.4
7.4
8.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" and MSI GP66 Leopard are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
7.3
7.2
8.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" and MSI GP66 Leopard are both good for software development.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Battery
4.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Lenovo Legion 5 15" has 4 hours of battery life. The MSI GP66 Leopard has 5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Fair
Fair
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
5.3 lbs
WEIGHT
5.2 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The MSI GP66 Leopard and Lenovo Legion 5 15" both have only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.6
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers MSI GP66 Leopard to have very good build quality, while the Lenovo Legion 5 15" has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Lenovo Legion 5 15" and the MSI GP66 Leopard compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo Legion 5 15" | MSI GP66 Leopard |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$999 | $1,400 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | May 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.3'' x 0.95'' | 14.1'' x 10.5'' x 0.92'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.3 lbs | 5.25 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.13" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.33" | 10.51" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS | Intel i7-11800H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 60 Wh | 65 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 350 nits | 362 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Lenovo Legion 5 15"
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NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | September 2021
"The Lenovo Legion 5 15 is an affordable gaming laptop with a lot of power. The new AMD processor Ryzen 7 5800H offers plenty of performance and it is also very efficient. The combination with the fast 130W version of the GeForce RTX 3060 ensures high gaming performance. We also like the fast 165 Hz display with the 1080p resolution. The automatic graphics switching causes some problems with stutters, which are very annoying. If you do not need long battery runtimes, you should definitely deactivate the hybrid graphics mode in Lenovo's Vantage app. The Legion 5 15 is never silent."
MSI GP66 Leopard
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Christian Hintze | December 2021
"The MSI GP66 Leopard is a good budget high-performance gamer. The MSI also does a lot right outside of the pure performance despite it's low price. For example, the adaptive cooling system really surprised us positively, even in Extreme Performance Mode. And the display is not a budget panel either, but at least outshines the competition in terms of brightness. Of course, you also have to accept a few compromises in this price category. These include the Leopard's poor battery runtimes and the less than optimal build quality, which is also noticeable in the more complicated maintenance."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo Legion 5 15" or the MSI GP66 Leopard
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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