The desktop gaming PC market is going crazy. But this time, it’s not about the price—it’s about an unusual configuration from Lenovo. The manufacturer has unveiled the specifications for the LOQ Tower 17IRH11, a 17-liter system designed for the European market, which is expected to go on sale starting in November 2026. The listed starting price for this model is 999 euros, although the exact component combinations for this price have yet to be confirmed.
The technical standout feature of this machine is its choice of processors. Contrary to standard practices for desktop PCs, the LOQ Tower features processors officially classified as mobile by Intel. These are processors from the Core 200H series, specifically the Core 5 205H and the Core 7 230H. According to the technical specifications, the Core 7 230H has 10 cores and 16 threads, with a boost frequency reaching 5.2 GHz. The Core 5 205H, meanwhile, offers 8 cores and 12 threads, clocking up to 4.8 GHz. The more sarcastic among us might say that the term “LOQ” is quite fitting…
A hybrid architecture with desktop GPUs
Despite the use of mobile processors, the system’s graphics component is not mobile. Lenovo specifies in its announcements that the integrated graphics cards are desktop models. The lineup includes the GeForce RTX 3050 with 6 GB of GDDR6, the RTX 5050 with 8 GB of GDDR6, the RTX 5060 with 8 GB of GDDR7, and the RTX 5060 Ti with 8 GB of GDDR7. The latter, the RTX 5060 Ti, is explicitly identified as a desktop graphics card in the company’s PSREF database.
This hybrid approach also extends to RAM management. The 17-liter chassis does not support standard DIMM modules but uses SODIMM slots, which are typical in laptops. The maximum allowed configuration is 32 GB of DDR5 memory running at 5,200 MT/s, spread across two slots. However, the system retains the expansion capabilities of a traditional desktop PC, with a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for the graphics card, a PCIe 3.0 x1 slot, two M.2 slots for SSDs, and a dedicated space for a user-installed 3.5-inch hard drive.
A choice made to lower prices?
The technical details provided by Lenovo confirm this unique architecture. The LOQ Tower 17IRH11 model measures 170 × 280 × 370 mm and weighs approximately 6.08 kg. It is equipped with a power supply capable of delivering up to 500 watts with 92% efficiency. The system features the Intel RPL-H GT0 chipset and runs on Windows 11. Available ports include USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Gen 1 connections, as well as an HDMI 2.1 TMDS output.
In terms of wireless connectivity, the PC supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.4. Audio is powered by Nahimic Audio for Gamers with 5.1-channel surround sound. Lenovo has not yet announced a specific price for the U.S. market and simply states that prices will vary by region. In Europe, the launch is set for November 2026 with an estimated starting price of 999 euros. No confirmation has been provided regarding the exact combination of processor and graphics card corresponding to this entry-level price.