The Lenovo Legion R45w-30 is a fantastic option for those who want a more reasonably sized super ultrawide without penalizing immersion. It has a less common 45-inch panel but comes with all the goodies you would expect from a premium gaming variant. It is not cheap by any means, but let’s see if it’s a worthy investment for both gaming and productivity.
Lenovo Legion R45w-30 Specifications
- Screen Size: 45 Inches
- Resolution: 5120 x 1440 DQHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 450 cd/m² (500 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 3 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB-C PD 75W x 1, USB 3.2 x 4, RJ45 x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jacks
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 42.91″ x 20.8″ x 13.43”
- Weight: 26.7 lbs
Design and Features
The Lenovo Legion R45w-30 is much simpler than competitors like Samsung’s G9 displays, but it still has distinct elements indicating a Legion variant. The monitor has a matte black finish with a gunmetal garnish on the base. The screen has a bezel-free design but still has inner borders like most modern displays.
The package itself is large and heavy, so partnering with someone to move or carry it is ideal. The panel itself is lying face down inside the box, so you can attach the stand before pulling it out. Assembly is tool-free, and we suggest putting it together before pulling it out since it’s harder to set up once the main body is already out of the box.
Lenovo skimped with the cables since it only includes wires for DisplayPort, USB-A to USB-B, and the power cable for the internal PSU. It is all you will need for use with a PC, but HDMI 2.1 consoles and USB-C laptops will need extra purchases. It’s not a big deal, but premium-priced offerings should include these minor accessories.
The Lenovo Legion R45w-30 is massive and heavy, so an extra set of hands might be handy for setting it up. It weighs in at 26.7 pounds and it’s almost 43 inches wide from end to end, so it is easy to accidentally drop or damage it if you are not careful. You will also need a large desk for it, especially if you want your tower on top of the table as well.
Its build quality is great and comparable with most of the higher-end Lenovo displays we reviewed in recent months. The stand is overbuilt to maximize stability, so wobbling is very minimal, even if you nudge the screen accidentally. The plastic panels are thick and sturdy, plus every bit looks and feels like they were made with extreme precision.
It also comes equipped with a joystick and a complement of shortcut keys at the back for convenience. It’s located at the back near the right side edge of the panel, so you have to lean in a bit to reach it. That’s a minor inconvenience since it is still quicker than using buttons with multiple key presses.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments so you can get a centered view that maximizes the screen’s immersive capabilities. Pivoting wasn’t included since it wouldn’t make sense to use this monitor as a portrait display. You can also use VESA mounts, but we feel that it is unnecessary unless you have a smaller desk.
The new design used on the base, which reminds us of a roofing truss, is certainly much better than the older versions. The middle chord with a gunmetal finish doubles as a phone stand, so you can stow your mobile out of the way and still see it at the same time. Our complaint about it is its massive size, although it is understandable since it holds an equally sizable device as well.
The Lenovo Legion R45w-30’s connectivity layout is comparable to what some prosumer variants like the HP E45c have. You get DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.1 slots, and a 75-watt USB-C port for modern laptops. You also get four USB 3.2 connectors, a 3.5mm jack, and a LAN port for networking with it.
There is also a pair of speakers, but they only have 3 watts of power per channel. They can get loud, but the sound signature isn’t as defined since it’s a simple stereo set. We wish Lenovo included a better pair, but a monitor like this deserves an equally immersive headset.
Display and Performance
The Lenovo Legion R45w-30 boasts a 45-inch super ultrawide VA panel with a 5120 x 1440 DQHD resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a typical output of 450 cd/m2 and a 500 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 3000:1, like most VA monitors. This model is certified for HDR 400, but we all know how limited that is when it comes to HDR performance.
The unique resolution for this monitor is called DQHD or Dual QHD simply because it’s equivalent to two 2560 x 1440 screens put together. Its fantastic for games and productivity since it’s decently sharp, has plenty of room, and it basically envelops your visual senses. It may take more GPU power to run games at 165 FPS, but it is still not going to be as demanding as a 4K screen.
The monitor works well when it’s connected to most devices, although consoles will limit its output towards the center and show the peripheral sides as black bars. PCs and laptops do not have issues, but you might have to configure the resolution during the first setup.
The Lenovo Legion R45w-30 covers 100% sRGB and 88% DCI-P3, so it is decently vibrant in most applications. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.82, so it’s decently accurate out of the box. It was, however, searingly bright, so adjusting the brightness to a more amicable level is essential for your comfort and safety.
Calibrating it with the Calibrite Display Plus reduced the dE average to 0.6, making it comparable with prosumer options. The downside is that you will need to buy the colorimeter, which is expensive by itself. It is not necessary for gaming, but we highly recommend investing in it if you are into color-critical work.
The Lenovo Legion R45w-30’s backlight reached 379 cd/m2 in SDR, but it peaked at 514 cd/m2 when HDR is active. Its contrast reached 3844:1 at 30% brightness, so its capable of deep blacks and convincing dark scenes. However, it is still not capable of true HDR despite these scores since it doesn’t have a refined local dimming backlight.
Panel uniformity for the test sample didn’t have uniformity issues, but it did have some backlight leaks on the top edge of the display. This is common on curved monitors, showing up as clouding near the affected areas. It’s mostly visible in very dark scenes, but do take note that it will vary with every unit made since it is born out of manufacturing tolerances.
The Lenovo Legion R45w-30 has a VA panel, which is known to be slower when it comes to pixel response time. However, it was tuned to be better in this regard, so it wasn’t much of an issue except in highly contrasting sequences, like when a missile streaks through the night sky. It is also harder to notice the trails and persistence since the screen is so expansive.
The Lenovo Legion R45w-30 is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for tear and stutter-free gaming. It is essential to have VRR on both ends since the monitor is quite demanding when it comes to games. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz, so it is very snappy and responsive, like most high-refresh monitors out there.
Thoughts on the Lenovo Legion R45w-30
The Lenovo Legion R45w-30 is a fantastic monitor based on its design and performance. It offers superb immersion and image quality, plus it works great for productivity due to the space it offers and its connectivity. It’s also built better than many competitors with similar form factors.
It doesn’t do so great when it comes to HDR performance since it’s limited by its backlight. Its base is also overdesigned and its expensive, so it might not be for everyone. However, it’s a fantastic buy for gamers and professionals who want a spacious and capable display under $1000.
Pros:
- Excellent Image Quality
- Robust and Elegant Build
- Great Contrast
- FreeSyn and G-Sync Compatible
Cons:
- Price Could Be Lower
- Limited HDR
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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