The Lenovo Legion Y720-15IKB is a 2017-era gaming laptop built around a seventh-generation Intel quad-core CPU and, in its common gaming configuration, a mobile GeForce GTX 1060 with 6 GB of memory. In 2026 it can still suit older games and less-demanding 1080p play, but whether one is worth buying depends more on its condition, exact configuration, and price than on its original reputation. This guide covers the laptop—not the separate Y720 Cube desktop—and how to identify, assess, and maintain a used unit.
What is the Lenovo Legion Y720?
The Legion Y720-15IKB is Lenovo’s 15-inch gaming laptop from the 2017 generation. Lenovo identifies the laptop in its product overview and support and manuals page. Its machine type is commonly associated with 80VR, but confirm the type and configuration from the bottom label, BIOS, Windows System Information, or Lenovo’s serial-number support lookup before buying parts.
“Y720” can also refer to Lenovo’s Y720 Cube desktop, which has a different chassis and desktop-style components. It is not the laptop covered here; see Lenovo’s Y720 desktop specification for that product.
Lenovo Legion Y720 specifications
The official Y720-15 platform specification documents the following options and limits. Retail configurations varied by country and machine type, so these are not guaranteed to describe every used laptop.
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| Part | Documented specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-7700HQ, four cores/eight threads, 2.8 GHz base and up to 3.8 GHz boost; some configurations used a Core i5-7300HQ, four cores/four threads. |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with 6 GB GDDR5 in the common gaming configuration; Intel HD Graphics 630 integrated graphics. |
| Memory | Two DDR4-2400 SO-DIMM slots; Lenovo’s platform specification lists up to 32 GB. Factory capacity varied. |
| Display | 15.6-inch FHD IPS, 1,920 × 1,080 at 250 nits, or UHD IPS, 3,840 × 2,160 at 300 nits, depending on configuration. |
| Storage | M.2 PCIe SSD and a 2.5-inch, 7 mm SATA drive bay; factory drive combinations varied. |
| Networking | 802.11ac 2×2 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth combo adapter and Gigabit Ethernet. |
| Ports | Three USB 3.0 ports, USB Type-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, and a combined audio jack. Check the exact unit rather than assuming every Type-C feature. |
| Battery and adapter | Four-cell, 60 Wh battery; Lenovo’s product overview lists a 170 W AC adapter. |
| Size and weight | Approximately 380 × 277 × 29 mm and around 3.2 kg (7.05 lb) in Lenovo’s PSREF; tested configurations have weighed somewhat less. |
| Other features | JBL-branded speakers with Dolby Atmos branding; no card reader is listed in the PSREF. Keyboard lighting, camera, operating-system preload, and some other details varied. |
Lenovo’s Y720 datasheet lists up to 16 GB for some original configurations, while the platform specification lists 32 GB as the maximum. Treat 32 GB as a platform upgrade limit, not as a claim that every unit shipped with that amount. Likewise, do not assume every keyboard is RGB or that every laptop has the same display, storage, or camera.
How well does the Y720 game today?
What the GTX 1060 can handle
The mobile GTX 1060 was a capable 1080p gaming GPU when the Y720 launched. In its review of an i7-7700HQ/GTX 1060 unit, Notebookcheck recorded 99.5 fps in BioShock Infinite at 1080p Ultra, 35.5 fps in The Witcher 3 at 1080p Ultra, 66 fps in The Witcher 3 at 1080p High, and 93 fps in Doom at 1080p Ultra. Those are results from specific review hardware and older game versions, not predictions for current releases.
In 2026, the strongest use case is older AAA games, indie titles, esports games, emulation, and other workloads that are not especially demanding. Newer games may run with reduced settings, but results depend on the title, its updates, and the laptop’s condition. The GTX 1060 lacks modern GPU features such as hardware ray tracing, and it is not a practical internal upgrade: a suspected GPU failure should be treated as a potential motherboard-level repair.
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CPU and power limitations
The i7-7700HQ’s four cores and eight threads were suitable for gaming laptops in its generation, but it is now an old mobile processor. The i5-7300HQ has four cores and four threads, making it a weaker choice for CPU-heavy games and multitasking. Historical testing also found substantially lower performance on battery, so judge gaming performance with the appropriate AC adapter connected.
Notebookcheck found the Y720’s heat and noise behavior favorable compared with contemporaries, while noting some performance reduction under load. That launch-era assessment cannot establish the condition of an individual laptop years later: clogged fans, dried thermal compound, damaged heat pipes, or poor heatsink contact can all change temperatures and clock behavior.
Choosing between FHD and UHD
For gaming, the FHD panel is generally the more sensible match for the GTX 1060. The UHD version offers a sharper desktop image, but driving games at 3,840 × 2,160 is much more demanding than at 1,920 × 1,080. Check the screen resolution in the seller’s listing or Windows settings rather than inferring it from the model name.
Rank #3
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Can you upgrade or repair a Legion Y720?
RAM
Lenovo documents two SO-DIMM slots and a platform maximum of 32 GB of DDR4-2400. Check the installed capacity and whether one or both slots are occupied in BIOS, Task Manager, or a hardware-information utility before ordering memory. Some tested configurations used two 8 GB modules, so increasing capacity may mean replacing both rather than adding a third stick. Matched modules are preferable; mixed modules may not run at their highest rated speed.
SSD and hard drive
The laptop has an M.2 PCIe SSD slot and a 2.5-inch SATA bay. Confirm which drives are installed, whether a 2.5-inch caddy and cable are present, and whether the seller has removed either. Replacing a slow or failing hard drive with an SSD is a useful practical upgrade, but verify compatibility and physical fittings for the exact machine type.
Access, battery, and cooling
RAM and storage are not behind convenient external hatches. Notebookcheck reports that internal access requires removing the bottom cover and about 11 Phillips screws; it also notes a conflict between the physical accessibility of components and Lenovo maintenance guidance. Consult the correct service information for the exact unit and consider warranty, regional rules, and damage risks before opening it. Disconnect the internal battery before working inside.
Rank #4
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The original battery is an internal 60 Wh, four-cell pack. After years of use, do not assume it retains its original capacity: check battery health and runtime, and verify any replacement by serial number or machine type. The available documentation does not establish one universal replacement part number or current availability. Cleaning dust and refreshing thermal compound may help an aged laptop, but they are not guaranteed fixes; fan, heat-pipe, heatsink-contact, power-delivery, or motherboard problems can produce similar symptoms.
Drivers, BIOS, and Windows compatibility
Lenovo still exposes Y720 support material, but the Y720-specific packages located for this model are mostly Windows 10 64-bit drivers from 2018. For example, Lenovo’s chipset driver page lists version 10.1.1.45, released May 25, 2018; its Intel VGA driver page lists version 23.20.16.4973.B, released June 26, 2018; and its WLAN package page is also Windows 10-focused. The documented BIOS package, version 4GCN38WW, was released August 10, 2018; use Lenovo’s BIOS package page only after confirming the exact machine type.
Do not assume official Windows 11 support. The documented CPU is a seventh-generation Intel Core processor, and the Lenovo-specific driver evidence is Windows 10-oriented. Windows 11 installation may encounter compatibility checks or missing vendor-specific features. Run Microsoft’s current PC Health Check on the exact laptop and check Device Manager before relying on it as a supported configuration.
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Before reinstalling Windows, record the serial number and machine type and save the available Lenovo network, chipset, graphics, audio, and hotkey-related packages. After installation, use Windows Update, then install needed Lenovo and Intel/NVIDIA drivers, testing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, keyboard lighting, ports, sleep, and the dedicated GPU. Driver order can vary by Windows build and hardware revision. If a newer generic driver breaks a feature, keep the original Lenovo package available for recovery.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to inspect before buying a used Y720
Ask the seller before meeting
- What are the exact CPU, RAM capacity and module layout, storage drives, and screen resolution?
- Can they show the serial number or machine type, BIOS screen, and GTX 1060 in Device Manager?
- Can they provide a battery-health report and confirm the charger wattage?
- Does it charge, stay on under load, and show any screen defects?
Check the hardware in person
- Inspect hinges, case seams, bottom cover, screws, and signs of swelling or deformation.
- Test every key, keyboard lighting, touchpad, webcam, microphone, headphone jack, and display brightness.
- Look for dead pixels, flicker, pressure marks, and serious backlight bleed.
- Test USB, USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, charging, and an external display.
- Listen for rattling or grinding fans at idle and under load; check the charger cable and connector for damage.
Run functional tests
Do more than browse the desktop. Cold boot the laptop, test sleep and wake, check battery charging, inspect SSD health, and run a memory check if time allows. Run a sustained CPU/GPU load or game while plugged in and watch temperatures, clocks, and stability. Immediate throttling, unusually low GPU clocks, artifacts, black screens, sudden shutdowns, fan rattles, or charging interruptions are reasons to walk away or price in repair risk. A short test cannot guarantee long-term reliability, but it can reveal faults a brief desktop demonstration may hide.
Red flags
- The GTX 1060 is absent or intermittently detected, or the laptop crashes under GPU load.
- The battery is swollen, storage health is critical, or the display is damaged.
- The machine only works when a cable is held at an angle, or the seller cannot provide a suitable charger.
- The BIOS is password-locked, screws or cooling parts appear poorly fitted, or the seller makes an unverified Windows 11 compatibility claim.
Is the Lenovo Legion Y720 worth buying in 2026?
| Buyer or use | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Older games, esports, and light 1080p play on a strict budget | Potentially worthwhile if the unit is healthy and priced for its age. |
| Modern demanding AAA gaming | Poor fit; the GTX 1060 and old CPU impose substantial limits. |
| Student prioritizing portability and unplugged runtime | Usually a poor fit: it weighs around 3.2 kg by Lenovo’s PSREF, and battery condition varies. |
| Repair-minded buyer seeking RAM and storage access | Reasonable if prepared for bottom-cover removal and careful part matching. |
| Buyer needing current official platform support | Weak fit given the age of the Lenovo-specific Windows 10 driver packages located. |
| Choosing between a Y720 and a newer RTX laptop at similar cost | Prefer the newer RTX machine if it is in sound condition; compare the full cost, including any Y720 battery, storage, or repair needs. |
There is no dependable current price established here, so a specific dollar threshold would be misleading. Compare local listings for newer used gaming laptops, especially RTX-equipped systems, and factor any required battery, SSD, charger, or repair into the total. Do not use the roughly €1,700 or $1,460 figures reported for configurations in 2017 as present-day value estimates.
The best-balanced Y720 configuration is generally the i7-7700HQ, GTX 1060, 16 GB RAM, and an SSD. An 8 GB model may need a memory upgrade; the i5 is less attractive for CPU-heavy games; a hard-drive-only machine should be priced with an SSD upgrade in mind. A UHD panel is sharper but less suitable for gaming at native resolution. If the price approaches that of a newer laptop with a substantially newer GPU, the Y720’s age and support limitations make it difficult to justify.
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Alternatives by need
- More modern gaming: Compare newer used RTX 20- or 30-series laptops, or current entry-level RTX 4050 laptops, using current local prices and the exact model’s condition.
- More years of gaming headroom: Look at newer Lenovo Legion generations or another recent gaming laptop rather than paying a premium for the Y720’s original high-end configuration.
- Productivity, not gaming: A newer non-gaming laptop with integrated graphics may be lighter and offer better battery life and software support.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
