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Verdict: The ASUS ROG Ally X remains one of the strongest Windows gaming handhelds because its 24GB of RAM and 80Wh battery fix the original Ally’s biggest practical weaknesses. It is not a new GPU generation, however. In 2026, its value depends on finding a meaningful discount versus newer ROG Xbox Ally models.
This article focuses on the gaming experience covered in HotHardware’s “A Powerful, Potent PC Gaming Portable” testing page, published in August 2024, and separates those results from the Ally X’s fixed hardware specifications and its 2026 buying position.
What the ROG Ally X actually is
The ROG Ally X (model RC72LA) is a Windows 11 Home handheld built around AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme: eight Zen 4 cores, 16 threads, and integrated RDNA 3 graphics with 12 compute units. ASUS specifies a configurable 9–30W range, 24GB of onboard LPDDR5 memory, an 80Wh battery and a 7-inch 1920×1080 touchscreen running at 120Hz with AMD FreeSync Premium. See the official specifications.
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| Component | Ally X specification |
|---|---|
| CPU/GPU | Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 8C/16T, up to 5.10GHz; RDNA 3, 12 CUs, up to 2.7GHz |
| Memory | 24GB LPDDR5 (12GB × 2), onboard and not upgradeable |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 standard configuration; ASUS also lists a 2TB version |
| Display | 7-inch IPS-level, 1920×1080, 120Hz, 500 nits, 7ms, 100% sRGB, FreeSync Premium |
| Battery | 80Wh, four-cell lithium-ion |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4 (OS-dependent), two USB-C ports, microSD |
| Size and weight | Approximately 28.0 × 11.1 × 2.47–3.69cm; 678g/1.49lb |
The 2280 SSD is replaceable, although opening the chassis carries installation and warranty risks. One USB-C port supports USB 4 and is listed as Thunderbolt 4 compliant; actual dock, display, storage and external-GPU behavior still depends on accessories, cables, firmware and drivers.
#1 Best Overall
- 🚀 AMD RYZEN AI Z2 EXTREME PERFORMANCE: Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme 8-core, 16-thread processor (up to 5.0GHz max turbo) with AMD Radeon Graphics and 24MB smart cache, delivering ultra-smooth performance for AAA gaming, AI workloads, and multitasking.(Japan Version. It can be used in the United States with the included plug adapter, and the system language can be switched to English for normal use.)
- 💾 24GB LPDDR5X RAM & 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD: Equipped with 24GB high-speed LPDDR5X onboard memory and a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loading, and seamless multitasking across demanding applications.
- 🖥️ 7” FHD 120HZ TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY: Experience crisp visuals on a 7-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS-level touchscreen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, responsive touch control, and vivid color reproduction for immersive gameplay.
- ❄️ ERGONOMIC DESIGN & INTELLIGENT COOLING: Designed for comfort during extended gaming sessions, featuring ergonomic grips and ROG’s advanced intelligent cooling system to maintain consistent performance under heavy workloads.
- 🎮 WINDOWS 11 WITH XBOX & PC GAME ECOSYSTEM: Runs on Windows 11, providing full compatibility with Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and other PC platforms—offering a true hybrid experience that blends console-style gaming with PC flexibility.
Why it feels faster than the original Ally
The Ally X retains the original Ally’s processor and graphics architecture, so this is a refinement rather than a generational GPU upgrade. The important change is memory. Integrated graphics share system RAM: on a 16GB handheld, allocating more memory to the GPU leaves less for Windows and the game. With 24GB, the Ally X can reserve more graphics memory without starving the operating system.
That does not create a fixed percentage gain in every title. The benefit depends on the engine, resolution, textures, VRAM allocation and whether a game is CPU-, GPU- or memory-limited. HotHardware saw the largest practical improvements where the original Ally ran into memory pressure. Driver and firmware updates also contributed. The result was often better frame-time consistency and lower-power playability rather than a dramatic increase in peak benchmark FPS.
Power modes: Silent, Performance and Turbo
These are power profiles, not guaranteed frame-rate settings. HotHardware measured approximately 13W in Silent, 17W in Performance and 25W on battery or up to 30W plugged in for Turbo. Actual limits vary with Armoury Crate settings, firmware, charger and power delivery.
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|---|---|---|
| Silent | Indies, older games, lighter online titles | Lower performance; demanding games may stutter |
| Performance | Practical default for many games | Moderate heat, fan noise and battery drain |
| Turbo | Heavy AAA games, ray tracing, stable 60fps targets | Highest consumption and shortest battery life |
How games perform
HotHardware’s August 2024 testing found many games comfortable in Performance mode with sensible settings. Cyberpunk 2077 could run around the mid-40fps range in an appropriate configuration. Elden Ring was suitable for a 30fps target at reduced resolution and settings, while games such as Asterigos: Curse of the Stars were less demanding.
Rank #2
- 🖥️ High-Performance 7" Gaming & Productivity Display | 1920x1080 Glare TFT LCD with 120Hz refresh rate delivers ultra-smooth visuals for gaming & streaming; 10-point capacitive multi-touch panel + precision pointing device ensures intuitive control. Powered by Windows 11 Home 64-bit, this black handheld balances portability (11.4"x4.8"x1.1", 1.6 lbs) and immersive play.
- ⚡ Top-Tier AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor | 8-core/16-thread chip paired with integrated AMD Radeon Graphics, 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 onboard memory & 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for lightning-fast load times, seamless multitasking & crisp gaming graphics. Max power consumption of 65W optimizes performance without excessive energy drain.
- 🔋 Long-Lasting Battery & Flexible Power Options | 4-cell 80Wh lithium polymer battery offers up to 13.9hrs of video playback or 22.3hrs of idle use—ideal for all-day gaming marathons or remote work.
- 🎮 Professional Gaming Controls & Smart Features | Full layout with left/right sticks, D-pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, bumpers/triggers, 2 macro buttons & dedicated Xbox/display/library keys for customized gameplay. Built-in accelerometer/gyroscope for motion control; Windows Hello fingerprint recognition ensures secure, one-touch login.
- 🔌 Versatile Connectivity & Complete Accessories Kit | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.4 for lag-free online gaming & device pairing; 2 Type-C ports (USB 4 + USB 3.2 Gen2) support data transfer, video output & PD charging.
Turbo becomes worthwhile for online fighting games that require a dependable 60fps, ray-traced Elden Ring, and Fortnite using demanding DirectX 12 features such as Lumen and Nanite. Conversely, Genshin Impact, Zenless Zone Zero, Champion Shift and older games can be good Silent-mode candidates.
These are dated review observations, not permanent compatibility guarantees. Game patches, shader caches, Windows updates, drivers and Armoury Crate revisions can change results. A sensible starting point is 900p or 720p rendering, an upscaler such as FSR, medium settings, reduced ray tracing and a 30fps or 40fps cap. Native 1080p is useful for desktop clarity and lighter games, but it is often an inefficient target for demanding AAA software.
The 120Hz FreeSync display and controls
The panel’s biggest gaming benefit is variable refresh, not a promise of 120fps. FreeSync helps make fluctuating frame rates look smoother and reduces tearing when a game moves between, for example, 35 and 60fps. The 500-nit, 100% sRGB display is also useful in bright rooms.
ASUS redesigned the chassis with deeper grips, revised face buttons and D-pad, smaller rear M1/M2 buttons and a fingerprint-enabled power button. A central cooling vent and relocated microSD area improve the design; ASUS redesigned the card area after the original Ally’s heat-related failure reports, but no redesign can guarantee that a card will never fail.
Rank #3
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 1TB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
The trade-off is weight. At 678g, the Ally X is heavier than the original Ally and far heavier than a Switch with Joy-Cons. Many users will prefer its grip and button feel, but comfort still depends on hand size, posture, game genre and session length.
Battery life: a major improvement with a hard limit
The 80Wh battery is the Ally X’s defining upgrade. HotHardware measured more than twice the original Ally’s endurance in comparable testing, yet its worst-case demanding-game result was about 101 minutes. Expect several hours from light games, longer runtimes for streaming or video playback, and roughly one to two hours for modern AAA gaming in Turbo, depending on the title and settings.
In other words, “longer battery life” is accurate; “all-day AAA gaming” is not. Performance and Silent modes, frame caps and lower resolutions are the tools that turn the larger battery into useful travel endurance.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Windows handheld strengths and friction
Windows 11 gives the Ally X broad access to Steam, Xbox/Game Pass, Epic, GOG, Battle.net and other launchers, plus anti-cheat systems that may not work on Linux-based alternatives. Connected to a USB-C dock, monitor, keyboard, mouse, Ethernet and external storage, it can serve as a compact general-purpose PC.
Rank #4
- [Superior Display] 7" IPS FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz Touchscreen Display; Wi-Fi 6E MT7922, Bluetooth 5.4, No Fingerprint
- [Powerful Performance] 2nd Gen Ryzen Z2 A 2.80GHz Processor (upto 3.8 GHz, 4MB Cache, 4-Cores, 8-Threads, ); AMD Radeon shared Integrated Graphics
- [High Speed and Multitasking] 16GB OnBoard RAM; 65W PSU, Type-C Power-In, 4-Cell 60 WHr Battery; White Color
- [Enormous Storage] 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD; 2 USB 3.2 Type-C, Micro SD Reader, Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, Windows 11 Home-64, 1 Year Manufacturer warranty from GreatPriceTech (Professionally upgraded by GreatPriceTech)
- [Includes] Dockztorm 11-in-1 RGB Docking Station for ROG Xbox Ally/ROG Ally X/ROG Ally, it combines 10 physical ports with RGB lighting: HDMI, RJ45, USB-C host, USB-C 10Gbps, USB-A ports, PD input, plus SD/TF slots—built to expand your ROG Ally setup for gaming, networking, and accessories
The cost is handheld friction: launcher scaling, controller focus, on-screen keyboard behavior, update interruptions, shader-compilation stutter, sleep/resume inconsistencies and Armoury Crate profiles that may need checking. It is competent for everyday work, but the small screen, integrated GPU and handheld cooling envelope do not make it a replacement for every laptop or desktop workload.
Ally X versus alternatives
- Steam Deck OLED: Better for users who mainly play Steam titles, indies and older games and want a console-like SteamOS interface and OLED contrast. The Ally X is generally the stronger choice for demanding Windows games and non-Steam launchers.
- Lenovo Legion Go: Offers a larger display and detachable-controller design, but also more bulk. Choose based on ergonomics and screen preference rather than assuming one is universally faster.
- ROG Xbox Ally X: ASUS lists this newer 2025 model at $999.99 in the US product family. It brings a newer platform and ROG Xbox interface, but the older Ally X’s 80Wh battery, mature Windows compatibility and lower street price may still win.
2026 buying advice
During the August 2026 research pass, ASUS’s US support/store page showed a $799.99 price signal for the 2024 Ally X. That is a US-listed reference, not a guaranteed current price in every country or retailer. Compare the actual sale price with the newer ROG Xbox Ally X before buying.
Buy the Ally X when you need broad Windows compatibility, play modern AAA games, value VRR and a large battery, or can find it substantially below newer hardware. Prefer Steam Deck OLED when simplicity and SteamOS matter more than maximum Windows compatibility. Consider the newer ROG Xbox Ally X when its price is close, you want current-generation hardware and software support, and independent testing confirms that its platform advantages matter to your games.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsBudget for a protective case, suitable 65W USB-C charger, dock, storage and cables if you want a complete travel or desktop setup. ASUS lists an ROG Ally travel case at $39.99, but check exact model fit: accessories for the original Ally may not fit the Ally X.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The ROG Ally X is still an excellent Windows-first handheld when its 24GB memory, 80Wh battery and VRR display solve your priorities. Its weakness in 2026 is age, not capability. Buy it at a clear discount; at near-new-model pricing, compare the newer ROG Xbox Ally X and choose based on real battery tests, software needs and game compatibility.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
