Linux on ROG Xbox Ally X Delivers Desktop‑Grade Performance on a Handheld
Linux on ROG Xbox Ally X Delivers Desktop‑Grade Performance on a Handheld
Introduction
When ASUS and Microsoft launched the ROG Xbox Ally X, the device was marketed primarily as a Windows‑based handheld gaming PC. Yet, within hours of its release, the community‑driven team at Basite managed to get a full Linux environment up and running. The result is a surprisingly capable handheld that rivals the Steam Deck in flexibility and, in many cases, exceeds its performance.
This article explores the installation process, the user experience under Linux, performance across a range of AAA and indie titles, and the practical battery life you can expect.
Installing Linux on the Ally X
Basite’s Quick‑Start Solution
Basite released a testing branch that supports the Ally X straight out of the box. The steps are straightforward:
- Download the Basite Linux image (a SteamOS‑like distribution).
- Flash the image to a micro‑SD card or internal storage.
- Boot the device and select the Basite entry from the firmware menu.
The team had the controller functional within the same day of launch, demonstrating rapid development cycles. While the official SteamOS image still fails to boot, Basite’s build already provides full access to the handheld’s hardware:
- TDP and GPU frequency control
- Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth
- External monitor output
- Armoury Crate‑style quick menu
User Interface and Controls
Basite replicates the familiar Steam Deck UI, with a few handheld‑specific enhancements:
- Performance overlay accessible via the Armoury Crate button, showing frame rate, power draw, and temperature.
- Handheld‑DAM (Dynamic Adjustment Mode) for instant TDP profile switching:
- Silent – 13 W
- Performance – 17 W
- Turbo – 35 W (up to ~37 W with boost)
- Custom fan curves, RGB control (currently experiencing minor bugs), and controller emulation settings.
- Battery charge limit and energy‑standby mode options for extending unplugged sessions.
The UI is responsive, and the quick‑menu shortcuts allow on‑the‑fly adjustments without leaving a game.
Hardware Overview
The Ally X is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU:
- 8 cores / 16 threads
- Boost clock up to 5 GHz
- Integrated Radeon graphics
- 24 GB of system RAM (16 GB for the CPU, 8 GB allocated to the iGPU)
- 80 Wh battery
The BIOS can be tweaked to allocate more RAM to the iGPU, which the reviewer plans to adjust before intensive testing.
Performance Benchmarks
All tests were run using Basite’s handheld preset with FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) set to Balanced unless noted otherwise. Frame‑generation was enabled for certain titles to push frame rates higher.
Cyberpunk 2077
- 15 W TDP – Comparable to the Steam Deck’s 15 W limit, but the Ally X delivered a smoother experience with an unlocked frame rate.
- 25 W TDP – Approached 60 fps at 1080p.
- 25 W TDP + FSR Frame Generation – Sustained 80 fps average, demonstrating that frame‑gen can compensate for the handheld’s power envelope.
Marvel’s Spider‑Man 2
- 17 W TDP – Low settings with FSR frame‑gen produced a stable >60 fps at 1080p, a notable achievement for an iGPU‑only platform.
The Witcher 3
- 20 W TDP – 1080p medium settings with balanced FSR yielded a playable experience without dynamic resolution scaling.
Mortal Kombat 1
- 1080p medium – Consistent performance with minor dips, largely unnoticeable when the FPS counter is hidden.
Doom: Eternal (Hardcore Test)
- 35 W TDP (Turbo mode) – Ran at 1080p without frame‑gen, proving the handheld can handle demanding titles when pushed to its power ceiling.
Indie Titles (Silk Song)
- 720p quiet mode – Power draw dropped to ~8 W, extending battery life considerably for low‑intensity games.
Battery Life
With the 80 Wh battery, real‑world usage varied by workload:
- Idle / 2D indie gaming – ~8 W draw → **~10 hours (screen brightness at 50 %, 60 Hz refresh).
- AAA gaming at 17 W TDP – ~24 W total draw → ~2.5 hours.
- AAA gaming at 25 W TDP – ~30 W total draw → ~2 hours.
These figures are comparable to, and in some cases exceed, the Steam Deck’s battery performance at similar power levels.
Comparison with Steam Deck
| Feature | ROG Xbox Ally X (Linux) | Steam Deck |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme (8‑core, 5 GHz boost) | Custom AMD APU (4‑core) |
| GPU | Integrated Radeon (dynamic freq up to 2.2 GHz) | AMD RDNA 2‑basedGPU |
| RAM | 24 GB (16 GB CPU, 8 GB iGPU) | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Battery | 80 Wh | 40 Wh |
| TDP Range | 13 W – 35 W (customizable) | 10 W – 15 W (fixed) |
| External Display | Up to 120 Hz, HDR support | 60 Hz, no HDR |
The Ally X’s higher power ceiling and larger battery give it a clear edge in raw performance, while the Steam Deck benefits from a more mature, officially supported SteamOS environment.
Future Outlook
- Official SteamOS support is still pending. Once Valve releases a compatible image, the Ally X could become an even more seamless handheld gaming platform.
- Basite updates are already rolling out improvements to controller support, RGB handling, and performance tweaks.
- BIOS tuning (e.g., increasing iGPU memory allocation) will likely unlock additional headroom for higher‑resolution gaming.
The rapid community response suggests that the Ally X will continue to evolve as a viable Linux handheld.
Conclusion
Installing Linux on the ROG Xbox Ally X is not only feasible on day one, it unlocks a level of performance and flexibility that rivals, and in many scenarios surpasses, the Steam Deck. With customizable TDP profiles, robust hardware specifications, and a growing software ecosystem, the Ally X positions itself as a compelling alternative for handheld gamers who prefer an open‑source environment.
As the community refines Basite and Valve eventually delivers an official SteamOS build, the Ally X is poised to become a flagship device in the emerging handheld‑Linux market.