Lenovo M720Q Slim PC: Testing the Limits of a Mini Gaming PC
Mini PCs have become increasingly popular for their compact design and versatility, but how well can they perform when pushed to the edge? I recently set out to test the Lenovo M720Q Slim PC—an affordable and compact system rumored to be a surprisingly capable mini gaming PC. Here’s the journey of my testing, modifications, and results.
Initial Impressions: A Hot Start
Right out of the box, the Lenovo M720Q impressed me with its size and potential. However, during initial tests, the Southbridge chipset temperatures skyrocketed to nearly 100°C under load. Without even adding a GPU, I realized cooling would be a major challenge.
To start addressing this issue, I added a simple heat sink to the chipset. This brought temperatures down to around 90°C, but I knew more work was needed if I wanted to maintain long-term stability, especially once a GPU was installed.
Thermal Tweaks and Modifications
My next step was to focus on cooling improvements for both the CPU and VRM components. Here's what I did:
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Reworked Thermal Interfaces:
- Removed the CPU cooler.
- Reapplied thermal grease to the CPU.
- Thermal pads were added to the VRM components near the CPU.
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Southbridge Cooling Stack:
- Using thermal tape, a 1.2mm copper shim, and another thermal pad, I built a cooling "sandwich" for the Southbridge chipset.
- This reduced temperatures to 88°C under load—an improvement, but still not ideal.
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Exploring Alternatives:
- Lenovo offers an optional heat diffuser for the Southbridge chipset, but it conflicts with the installation of a full-size 2280 NVMe drive (which was pre-installed). I opted to stick with my custom solution for now.
Customizing for Airflow
Cooling improvements weren’t just limited to the internal components. The stock M720Q case design lacks proper airflow, so I sought out an innovative solution: a 3D-printed top panel with fan cutouts.
Using my Bambu Labs X1 Carbon, I printed a replacement cover in PETG, along with a GPU bracket and vertical stand. The new panel significantly improved airflow, especially for the GPU and CPU areas.
You can find the design here: 3D Printable Cover on Thingiverse.
Adding a GPU
Once the modifications were complete, it was time to install the XFX Low Profile AMD RX 6400 GPU. The GPU installation required a riser card adapter, but the process went smoothly, and the system powered on without issues.
With the GPU installed, further tests showed the following temperature improvements:
- Southbridge chipset: Dropped from 98°C to around 84°C under moderate load.
- VRM: Dropped from 96°C to 74°C.
- CPU: Held steady at 67°C during stress tests.
However, under more intense 3DMark benchmarks, the chipset temperatures crept back up to 96°C, and the GPU reached 81°C. Still, these results represented a significant improvement over the stock configuration.
Gaming Performance
With hardware testing complete, I moved on to gaming. Using a resolution of 1900x1200, I tested the M720Q with games like Insurgency: Sandstorm, The Finals, and BattleBit. Here’s how it performed:
- Graphics Settings: Medium to low, with reflections, tessellation, and anisotropic filtering off.
- FPS: Ranged between 30–50 FPS, with occasional spikes above 50 FPS.
- Overall Experience: Playable, though not mind-blowing. The system handled games better than I expected for its size and specs.
Even with these optimizations, the Southbridge chipset hit 103°C during extended gaming sessions. I plan to revisit my cooling setup to see if decoupling the southbridge from the GPU can yield better results.
Conclusion: A Capable (but Limited) Mini PC
While the Lenovo M720Q Slim PC isn’t going to compete with high-end gaming rigs, it has proven itself capable of handling casual gaming with the right modifications. It also serves as a fantastic home lab system for those looking to experiment with small-scale projects.
For those interested in a portable gaming or travel PC, the M720Q is worth considering—provided you’re ready to invest time in cooling upgrades and manage your expectations for performance. I’ll continue testing and tweaking this little powerhouse, but for now, it’s earned a spot as a fun, compact system to tinker with.
What’s next? Maybe I will track some drums or explore other creative applications. Stay tuned for updates!
Let me know what you think, or reach out if you have questions about this build. If you’re local to the Vancouver, WA area, Pacific Northwest Computers can help with custom builds and upgrades like this one. Contact us at www.pacificnwcomputers.com or call 360-624-7379.
