Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 SteamOS Performance Tests
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 handheld operating system versatility was recently put to the test by YouTube creator ETA Prime, who installed SteamOS onto the device to evaluate frame rates and power efficiency running AAA titles, notebookcheck.com reported. Equipped with the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and shipping with Windows 11 out of the box, the hardware achieves strong results under alternative software configurations.
Frame Rates in AAA Games at 28 Watts
Running Forza Horizon 6 at 1080p resolution with medium graphic settings and a thermal design power (TDP) of 28 watts, the handheld reaches significantly more than 50 frames per second without using FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). Activating upscaling pushes performance past 60 frames per second, while applying FSR at identical frame rates lowers power consumption to extend battery life. Similarly, testing Red Dead Redemption 2 at 1080p with medium graphics, a 28-watt TDP, and balanced FSR yields frame rates above 50 frames per second.
Heavier hardware demands in The Witcher 3 Remastered require adjustments to maintain high performance. ETA Prime raised the TDP to 30 watts to clear 60 frames per second at 1080p using the Steam Deck graphic profile. Lowering the resolution to 720p drops the necessary TDP down to 17 watts while preserving the same frame rate.
Battery Life Comparisons With Windows 11
Power longevity under SteamOS matches baseline measurements recorded under Windows 11. Basic 2D and indie titles running at 6 to 8 watts yield up to eight hours of use. High-end AAA games running at a 17-watt performance setting last roughly three hours, whereas running the same games at a 25-watt turbo setting reduces battery life to two hours and 20 minutes.
These figures closely match notebookcheck.com testing data for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. That testing recorded two hours and 13 minutes in turbo mode, three hours and 12 minutes in performance mode, and six to seven hours in silent mode, confirming that switching to SteamOS does not extend overall operational runtimes.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20
What processor powers the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20?
The handheld relies on the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor for its core compute and graphics performance.
Which operating system comes preinstalled on the device?
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 ships with Microsoft Windows 11 installed by default from the factory.
How does changing resolution affect power draw in The Witcher 3 Remastered?
Dropping the resolution from 1080p to 720p allows the device to reduce its TDP to 17 watts while maintaining a 60 frames per second output.