Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX Display Refresh Rate Fix Windows 11

The display on your Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX is running at 60Hz instead of the native 165Hz maximum – games appear less smooth than expected, Windows animations feel sluggish, or the refresh rate setting shows only 60Hz in Display Settings. Setting the correct refresh rate in Windows restores 165Hz gaming performance on the Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD.

This guide covers display refresh rate settings, AMD Radeon driver updates, and Lenovo Vantage display configuration for the Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX in Windows 11.

“Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD was at 60Hz default. Windows always defaults to 60Hz even on 165Hz displays. Went to Advanced display settings and changed to 165Hz. Gaming smoothness improved dramatically. Should be changed from day one on any gaming laptop.” – Azrael, esports player from Subang Jaya

Why Display Is at 60Hz Instead of 165Hz

Windows 11 defaults to 60Hz as the refresh rate on all displays including those capable of much higher rates. This is a conservative default chosen for broad compatibility across all monitor types. The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD 165Hz display requires the user to manually select 165Hz in Display Settings after initial Windows setup or after Windows Update which can reset the refresh rate to 60Hz. Additionally, when battery saving features are active, Lenovo Vantage may automatically reduce refresh rate to 60Hz to extend battery life – this appears as the display being stuck at 60Hz when only battery power is active.

• Windows default refresh rate set to 60Hz – requires manual change to 165Hz in Display Settings
• Lenovo Vantage battery save mode reducing refresh rate to 60Hz on battery power
• AMD Radeon driver not listing 165Hz as available option – needs driver update
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) running below 165Hz ceiling during low-FPS content

Fix 1 – Set 165Hz in Windows Display Settings

Go to Settings – System – Display – scroll down to Related settings – Advanced display. Click Choose a refresh rate dropdown. Select 165 Hz from the list. If only 60Hz appears, check that the display cable is connected correctly (for external monitors) or that AMD Radeon driver is current for the built-in panel. After selecting 165Hz, the screen refreshes at the new rate immediately and Windows asks to keep changes. Click Keep Changes within 15 seconds. Desktop animations and cursor movement immediately feel smoother at 165Hz compared to 60Hz. Also open AMD Radeon Software – Display to confirm the active refresh rate shows 165Hz in the current display statistics on the Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD.

Fix 2 – Update AMD Radeon Driver via Lenovo Vantage

Open Lenovo Vantage and install AMD Radeon driver updates from System Update. Restart. If the 165Hz option was not visible in Windows Display Settings before the update, check again after the AMD driver update and restart. The Lenovo-qualified AMD Radeon driver for the Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX (Dragon Range) includes the correct display mode database entry for the built-in 2560×1600 165Hz panel, enabling Windows to list 165Hz as a selectable refresh rate. Generic AMD Radeon drivers from amd.com may not contain the specific panel EDID override needed for Lenovo’s OEM display configuration on the Legion Slim 7 Gen 8.

Configure Lenovo Vantage Display Settings

Open Lenovo Vantage – My Device Preferences – Display. Look for Refresh rate or Smart screen refresh options. If Lenovo Vantage shows a Battery saving – Reduce refresh rate when on battery option, ensure it is toggled off if you prefer 165Hz on battery as well. Lenovo Vantage battery-optimized display profiles can override the Windows refresh rate setting when the laptop unplugs from AC power, causing apparent refresh rate drops during battery use that disappear on AC. Disabling the Lenovo battery display optimization in Vantage gives full manual control over refresh rate regardless of power source on the Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX.

Fix 3 – Enable AMD FreeSync Premium

Open AMD Radeon Software – Display. Enable AMD FreeSync Premium (the Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 display is FreeSync Premium certified). With FreeSync enabled, the display variable refresh rate matches the GPU frame output between the FreeSync range (typically 48-165Hz) rather than fixed at exactly 165Hz. Below the FreeSync range floor (48Hz), the display locks to 165Hz for fixed-rate output. AMD FreeSync Premium eliminates screen tearing and reduces stutter at frame rates below 165Hz, improving the visual experience across all frame rate ranges without requiring perfectly consistent 165Hz frame output in every game scene on the Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD platform.

Fix 4 – In-Game Refresh Rate Setting

Some games override the Windows display refresh rate with their own settings. In game display options, find Refresh Rate or Vertical Sync settings. Set in-game refresh rate to 165Hz or highest available. Disable V-Sync if targeting above 60 FPS since V-Sync caps frame rate to display refresh and adds input lag. Enable AMD FreeSync instead of traditional V-Sync for tear-free display at variable frame rates. Confirm in-game FPS counter (AMD Radeon overlay, FRAPS, or MSI Afterburner) shows frames above 60 to confirm the game is not being limited by CPU or GPU bottleneck rather than the display refresh rate setting on the Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set 165Hz on Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX?

Settings – System – Display – Advanced display – Choose a refresh rate – select 165Hz. AMD Radeon driver update from Lenovo Vantage if 165Hz option not visible. Lenovo Vantage battery display settings off for persistent 165Hz on battery.

Why is Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD stuck at 60Hz?

Windows default is 60Hz on all displays. Manual change required: Advanced display settings – 165Hz. Or Lenovo Vantage battery save reduced refresh rate – disable in Vantage display settings.

Does Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX have 165Hz display?

Yes – 2560×1600 165Hz IPS with FreeSync Premium. AMD RDNA 3 integrated and NVIDIA discrete GPU both support the 165Hz VRR range for variable frame rate gaming.

Will 165Hz drain battery faster on Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD?

Yes – 165Hz uses approximately 15-20 percent more panel power than 60Hz. Lenovo Vantage can auto-switch to 60Hz on battery. FreeSync Variable Refresh Rate reduces panel power when FPS is below 165Hz range.

Conclusion

Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX stuck at 60Hz in Windows 11 is resolved by manually selecting 165Hz in Settings – System – Display – Advanced display refresh rate dropdown. AMD Radeon driver update from Lenovo Vantage ensures the built-in 165Hz panel mode appears as a selectable option in Windows. Lenovo Vantage display battery optimization disable prevents automatic refresh rate reduction when unplugged. AMD FreeSync Premium enable provides variable refresh rate between 48-165Hz for tear-free gaming across all achievable frame rates on the Legion Slim 7 Gen 8 AMD 2560×1600 gaming display.