Review this advice on the X1 Extreme Gen 2, still apply today?

I'm thinking of getting an X1 Extreme Gen 2 as an all-purpose laptop that covers work and some moderate gaming. I love everything about the machine I read, but there are a few issues I've seen over several reviews and forums. I want to compile them here and see if there are still relevant and if there are solutions and work arounds. I have seen the following issues:

• CPU idle at high-temperatures (around 60C) - Generally the recommendation is to run benchmarks and assess CPU resting temperature. If around 60°C to 65°C then consider repasting the CPU and GPU.
• Consider undervolting the CPU to get more power out of it before thermal throttling kick-in.
• Also use throttlestop to have the CPU go past 80°C (although maybe a software fix from Lenovo addressed this already?)

Are these recommendations generally accepted and still warranted?

I think the thing that concerns me most this review where they mentioned the really poor core speeds due to thermals, would any of the fixes above address this? and/or, am I being worried about something that will have little impact on my overall experience?
I'm planning to get the i7 version as it seems you don't really get value from the i9 version due to thermal limits. I still wonder if i5 gives better overall performance but can't find any data on this specifically as reviews are focused on the i9 variants.

In terms of workload:
Primarily productivity apps, some larger than average spreadsheets daily. Multiple tabs in browsers most of the day. Gaming wise, I'm talking GTA V and Monster Hunter, a bunch of 2d platformers and I've seen videos of this laptop handling all of these well.

 

Why? You read the review. There are obviously some severe throttling problems. Why would you want to spend top dollar for an under performing laptop?

Companies get away with building laptops like this because consumers do not do their research. You have done your research. It is totally negative but you are still thinking about jumping in head first. That makes no sense.

If you look at the HWiNFO screenshots in that review, the long term turbo power limit is being reduced to 15 Watts. That is truly pathetic.



You are paying for a top of the line 8 core processor that is going to perform like a bargain bin 15W netbook. If you think ThrottleStop is going to save you from this disaster, it probably won't. Some laptops are using throttling schemes that ThrottleStop cannot fix. A high performance CPU that is being limited to 15W by Lenovo is no longer a high performance CPU. Would you buy a race horse if it only had one broken leg? I hope not.

Based on that one review, I would turn around and run in the opposite direction.

 

I have have the Gen 1 and Gen 2. It can handle some gaming and CPU intensive processes but it is a slim profile and will have its limitations. It serves about 90% of my use including the portability.