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MagyarLenovo ThinkPad P16 laptop review: RTX A2000 now with full power
Earlier this year we reviewed the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 with RTX A2000. Back then, the graphics performance turned out disappointingly low, which led us to advise against this specific configuration. Our second test of Lenovo's workstation showed that the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 can basically be a very powerful laptop, as the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 with RTX A5500 shows a very strong GPU performance.
We were assured by Lenovo that the P16 should also show a better GPU performance with RTX A2000. The suspicion: Something was wrong with our first test device. Lenovo could not replicate the corresponding benchmark results, so we took another look at the ThinkPad P16 with RTX A2000. We focus on the GPU performance, all other information can be found in our detailed first review of this configuration.
Possible competitors in comparison
Rating | Date | Model | Weight | Height | Size | Resolution | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89.3 % | 06/2023 | Lenovo ThinkPad P16 21D6001DMB A2000 Retest i7-12850HX, RTX A2000 Laptop GPU | 3 kg | 30.23 mm | 16.00" | 2560x1600 | |
| 91 % | 02/2023 | Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G1 RTX A5500 i9-12950HX, RTX A5500 Laptop GPU | 3 kg | 30.23 mm | 16.00" | 3840x2400 | |
| 88.2 % | 02/2023 | Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G1 21D6001DMB i7-12850HX, RTX A2000 Laptop GPU | 3 kg | 30.23 mm | 16.00" | 2560x1600 | |
| 88.4 % | 10/2022 | Dell Precision 7670 i7-12850HX, RTX A2000 Laptop GPU | 2.7 kg | 24.7 mm | 16.00" | 3840x2400 | |
| 89.6 % | 01/2023 | Asus ExpertBook B6 Flip B6602FC2 i9-12950HX, RTX A2000 Laptop GPU | 2.8 kg | 27.2 mm | 16.00" | 2560x1600 | |
| 87.8 % | 04/2023 | Lenovo ThinkPad P15v G3 21EM001AGE R7 PRO 6850H, RTX A2000 Laptop GPU | 2.2 kg | 22.7 mm | 15.60" | 3840x2160 |
Performance: Nvidia RTX A2000 now runs significantly faster
The configuration tested here is identical to the first test device: Intel Core i7-12850HX, Nvidia RTX A2000, 16 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD. Information about the other available model variants of the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 can be found in our first review.
Test conditions
Nothing has changed in terms of CPU performance, so we will not go further into processor performance. The situation is different for the GPU, where Lenovo clarified the situation: The graphics chip is not limited to 60 watts, but can consume a maximum of 80 watts. The value of 60 watts only applies with simultaneous CPU and GPU load.
Graphics card
There are many different versions of the Nvidia RTX A2000. Older variants only have 4 GB of RAM, for example, we recently saw one in the ThinkPad P15v G3. The newer models of this GPU, like here in the P16, always come with 8 GB. Even with these newer GPUs, however, the maximum consumption of the GPU can vary greatly: anything is possible in the range of 35 to 95 watts.
In the ThinkPad P16, everything indicated that the graphics chip can consume a maximum of 60 watts and even less under a combined load. However, our test device today runs with a newer driver version, and things look different here: We measured a maximum of 80 watts under pure GPU load. Lenovo's spec sheet mentions 60 watts, but Lenovo confirmed the 80 watts when asked, and we also had the same value confirmed in another sample.
The difference to the first test results is clear: The ThinkPad P16 tested here is about 37% faster in the 3DMark tests than in the first test, and it is even 47% faster in SPECviewperf. There is still a clear gap to the version with RTX A5500, but the difference is significantly smaller. The RTX A2000 variant of the P16 now also scores much better in the gaming tests.
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 19498 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 49001 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 13587 points | |
| 3DMark Time Spy Score | 6113 points | |
Help | ||
* ... smaller is better
| The Witcher 3 - 1920x1080 Ultra Graphics & Postprocessing (HBAO+) | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G1 RTX A5500 | |
| Asus ExpertBook B6 Flip B6602FC2 | |
| Average of class Workstation (19.6 - 156.5, n=29, last 2 years) | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P16 21D6001DMB A2000 Retest | |
| Dell Precision 7670 | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P15v G3 21EM001AGE | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G1 21D6001DMB | |
| GTA V - 1920x1080 Highest Settings possible AA:4xMSAA + FX AF:16x | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G1 RTX A5500 | |
| Asus ExpertBook B6 Flip B6602FC2 | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P16 21D6001DMB A2000 Retest | |
| Dell Precision 7670 | |
| Average of class Workstation (18.3 - 124.4, n=26, last 2 years) | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P15v G3 21EM001AGE | |
Witcher 3 FPS Chart
| low | med. | high | ultra | QHD | |
| GTA V (2015) | 186.8 | 185.3 | 164.5 | 81.2 | 58.4 |
| The Witcher 3 (2015) | 320 | 204 | 108.6 | 59 | |
| Dota 2 Reborn (2015) | 192.4 | 174.7 | 168.4 | 158 | |
| Final Fantasy XV Benchmark (2018) | 158.2 | 84.7 | 60.3 | 44.2 | |
| X-Plane 11.11 (2018) | 163.3 | 142.3 | 112.5 | ||
| Strange Brigade (2018) | 353 | 154.3 | 120.4 | 103.9 | 75.9 |
| F1 22 (2022) | 195 | 178.2 | 125.4 | 36.2 | 22.6 |
Emissions & energy: Lenovo ThinkPad P16's fan is now much more active
Noise emissions
During our first review of the ThinkPad P16 with RTX A2000, it was noticeable that the fans hardly ran during the Witcher 3 test. This is now significantly different. The active cooling now runs just as loudly in the Witcher 3 test as in the stress test. Also noticeable: The fan also runs much more frequently in idle mode on this device.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 24.7 / 26.2 / 31.2 dB(A) |
| Load |
| 48.3 / 52.7 dB(A) |
 | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min:  , med:  , max:  Earthworks M23R, Arta (15 cm distance) environment noise: 24.7 dB(A) | ||
| Lenovo ThinkPad P16 21D6001DMB A2000 Retest RTX A2000 Laptop GPU, i7-12850HX, Micron 3400 1TB MTFDKBA1T0TFH | Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G1 21D6001DMB RTX A2000 Laptop GPU, i7-12850HX, Micron 3400 1TB MTFDKBA1T0TFH | Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G1 RTX A5500 RTX A5500 Laptop GPU, i9-12950HX, WDC PC SN810 2TB | Dell Precision 7670 RTX A2000 Laptop GPU, i7-12850HX, SK Hynix HFS001TEJ9X115N | Asus ExpertBook B6 Flip B6602FC2 RTX A2000 Laptop GPU, i9-12950HX, Samsung PM9A1 MZVL21T0HCLR | Lenovo ThinkPad P15v G3 21EM001AGE RTX A2000 Laptop GPU, R7 PRO 6850H, SK Hynix PC711 1TB HFS001TDE9X081N | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | 11% | 13% | 9% | -12% | 19% | |
| off / environment * | 24.7 | 23.2 6% | 23.1 6% | 22.7 8% | 26 -5% | 23.2 6% |
| Idle Minimum * | 24.7 | 23.2 6% | 23.1 6% | 22.9 7% | 32.4 -31% | 23.2 6% |
| Idle Average * | 26.2 | 23.2 11% | 23.1 12% | 22.9 13% | 32.4 -24% | 23.2 11% |
| Idle Maximum * | 31.2 | 23.2 26% | 23.1 26% | 24.5 21% | 32.4 -4% | 23.2 26% |
| Load Average * | 48.3 | 47.8 1% | 28.9 40% | 48.7 -1% | 51.9 -7% | 35 28% |
| Witcher 3 ultra * | 52.7 | 34.1 35% | 51.6 2% | 45.2 14% | 37.9 28% | |
| Load Maximum * | 52.7 | 56.3 -7% | 51.4 2% | 52.1 1% | 52.1 1% | 37.5 29% |
* ... smaller is better
Temperature
The new test unit of the ThinkPad P16 runs slightly warmer than the first model, both under load and at idle. The higher temperatures under load in particular are not surprising. After all, the GPU performance turns out higher.
We could not determine any throttling in the stress test.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 44 °C / 111 F, compared to the average of 38.1 °C / 101 F, ranging from 22.2 to 69.8 °C for the class Workstation.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 46.8 °C / 116 F, compared to the average of 41.3 °C / 106 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 29 °C / 84 F, compared to the device average of 32 °C / 90 F.
(±) Playing The Witcher 3, the average temperature for the upper side is 33.7 °C / 93 F, compared to the device average of 32 °C / 90 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 31.2 °C / 88.2 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 27.8 °C / 82 F (-3.4 °C / -6.2 F).
| Lenovo ThinkPad P16 21D6001DMB A2000 Retest Intel Core i7-12850HX, NVIDIA RTX A2000 Laptop GPU | Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G1 21D6001DMB Intel Core i7-12850HX, NVIDIA RTX A2000 Laptop GPU | Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G1 RTX A5500 Intel Core i9-12950HX, NVIDIA RTX A5500 Laptop GPU | Dell Precision 7670 Intel Core i7-12850HX, NVIDIA RTX A2000 Laptop GPU | Asus ExpertBook B6 Flip B6602FC2 Intel Core i9-12950HX, NVIDIA RTX A2000 Laptop GPU | Lenovo ThinkPad P15v G3 21EM001AGE AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H, NVIDIA RTX A2000 Laptop GPU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | 13% | -5% | -3% | 0% | 7% | |
| Maximum Upper Side * | 44 | 43.1 2% | 44.8 -2% | 51 -16% | 48.4 -10% | 48.7 -11% |
| Maximum Bottom * | 46.8 | 39.9 15% | 49.8 -6% | 45.8 2% | 52.3 -12% | 50.5 -8% |
| Idle Upper Side * | 31.8 | 26 18% | 30.6 4% | 31.8 -0% | 27.8 13% | 25 21% |
| Idle Bottom * | 33.5 | 27.6 18% | 38.6 -15% | 32.6 3% | 30.3 10% | 25.4 24% |
* ... smaller is better
Power consumption
To confirm our benchmark results, we again took some energy measurements. These are exactly as indicated by the benchmark results: The ThinkPad P16 with the RTX A2000 and the newer driver version shows a much higher consumption under load because the GPU is allowed to consume more. The difference can be seen especially in the Witcher 3 test.
Power consumption Witcher 3 / Stress test
Power consumption external monitor
Pros
Cons
Verdict: Lenovo ThinkPad P16 now runs much faster with RTX A2000
The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 is a very good mobile workstation - that was the conclusion in our first review of the version with the Nvidia RTX A2000 even though we had to admit that the GPU performance was too low. With newer driver versions and a newly installed operating system, we can say that the GPU handbrake has been solved. Although the Nvidia RTX A2000 is still significantly slower than the RTX A5500, which we also tested in the ThinkPad P16 - the expected result is now achieved.
Now the GPU performance is at full speed: The ThinkPad P16 with RTX A2000 is worth a recommendation after all.
The strongest rivals to the ThinkPad P16 that we have already tested are the Dell Precision 7670 and the Asus ExpertBook B6. The other two reviews of the Lenovo ThinkPad P16, which go into more detail about the hardware, can be found at the following links:
Price and availability
The ThinkPad P16 is available on Lenovo's official online shop, with prices starting at $1,639. Otherwise, users can order some variants of the mobile workstation via other resellers such as Amazon US.
Lenovo ThinkPad P16 21D6001DMB A2000 Retest
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06/03/2023 v7
Benjamin Herzig
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Transparency
The present review sample was made available to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or a shop for the purposes of review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review.
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