ROG Xbox Alliance X vs ROG Alliance X - Is the Upgrade Worth It
ROG Xbox Alliance X vs ROG Alliance X - Is the Upgrade Worth It
Introduction
The handheld gaming market has been buzzing since ASUS released its ROG Alliance X. Now the company has introduced a refreshed version, the ROG Xbox Alliance X, built around a new AMD processor. In this article we break down the design changes, internal hardware, benchmark results, and battery life to answer the question: Is the upgrade really worth it?
Design and Ergonomics
- Form factor – Both devices share the same 7‑inch 1080p IPS display with a 120 Hz VRR panel and an 80 Wh battery. The Xbox‑branded model adds a pair of contoured side handles, turning the handheld into something that feels more like a traditional controller.
- Comfort – The added handles give the ROG Xbox Alliance X a clear edge in hand‑feel, especially during long sessions. The original ROG Alliance X is still comfortable, but the new shape reduces finger fatigue and offers a more secure grip.
If ergonomics are a priority, the Xbox version is the clear winner.
Hardware Specifications
| Feature | ROG Alliance X (Z1 Extreme) | ROG Xbox Alliance X (Z2 AI Extreme) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Architecture | Zen 4 (Ryzen Z1 Extreme) | Zen 5 (Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme) |
| Cores / Threads | 8 Cores / 16 Threads | 8 Cores / 16 Threads (3 Zen 5 + 5 Zen 5C) |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | 2.0 GHz (all cores) |
| Boost Clock | Up to 5.1 GHz | Zen 5 up to 5.0 GHz, Zen 5C up to 3.3 GHz |
| GPU | RDNA 3, 12 CU, up to 2.9 GHz | RDNA 3.5, 16 CU, up to 2.9 GHz |
| RAM | 24 GB LPDDR5 @ 7,500 MT/s | 24 GB LPDDR5 @ 8,000 MT/s |
| NPU | – | Integrated Neural Processing Unit |
| Battery | 80 Wh | 80 Wh |
| Display | 7” IPS, 1080p, 120 Hz VRR | Same |
The biggest internal upgrades are the shift to Zen 5 cores, a larger GPU with 16 compute units, faster memory, and the addition of an NPU for AI‑related tasks.
Synthetic Benchmark Performance
CPU – Geekbench 6
- Single‑core (17 W TDP): 1,795 (Z1) vs 2,657 (Z2) – a 48 % uplift.
- Multi‑core (17 W TDP): 9,384 (Z2) vs ~8,200 (estimated for Z1) – roughly 14 % improvement.
- Single‑core (25 W TDP): 2,379 (Z1) vs 2,784 (Z2).
- Multi‑core (25 W TDP): 9,384 (Z2) vs 8,900 (Z1) – a modest gain.
The Z2 AI Extreme consistently outperforms the older chip, especially at lower power envelopes.
GPU – Geekbench OpenCL
- Score (25 W): 27.87 (Z1) vs 36.92 (Z2) – a 32 % increase.
3DMark Tests
- Steel Nomad (25 W): 485 (4.86 fps) vs 568 (5.69 fps).
- Time Spy (17 W): 2,539 vs 3,298 – a 30 % jump.
- Time Spy (25 W): 3,664, with the Z2 capable of reaching 4,000+ points at a 35 W TDP.
These synthetic scores confirm that the new iGPU and faster memory deliver a noticeable uplift, particularly when the chip is limited to a lower power budget.
Real‑World Game Benchmarks
All tests were run at the device’s native 1080p resolution with the Steam Deck preset (or comparable settings) and at both 25 W and 17 W TDP profiles.
| Game | TDP | Z1 FPS | Z2 FPS | % Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Deck preset | 25 W | 42.66 | 46.73 | +9 % |
| 17 W | 32 | 39 | +22 % | |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider (low) | 25 W | 59 | 62 | +5 % |
| 17 W | 44 | 57 | +30 % | |
| Forza Horizon 5 (medium) | 25 W | 76 | 84 | +11 % |
| 17 W | 62 | 78 | +26 % | |
| Black Myth: Wukong (60 % scale, FSR) | 25 W | 44 | 53 | +20 % |
| 17 W | 33 | 42 | +27 % | |
| Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (balanced) | 25 W | 30 | 31 | +3 % |
The most noticeable improvements appear in titles that are GPU‑bound, where the extra compute units and faster RAM translate into smoother frame rates. CPU‑heavy or poorly optimized games show smaller gains.
Battery Life
Both handhelds ship with an 80 Wh battery. Power draw measurements (screen at 50 % brightness, RGB off) show:
- Light indie game: ~6.3 W (original) vs ~6.1 W (Xbox) – virtually identical.
- AAA gaming at 17 W TDP: total system draw ≈ 26 W → ~3 hours of play.
- AAA gaming at 25 W TDP: total system draw ≈ 32 W → ~2.5 hours.
Because the Z2 AI Extreme can deliver Z1‑level performance at a lower power setting (e.g., 15 W vs 17 W), users can achieve slightly longer sessions when they prioritize battery life over raw performance.
Verdict: Should You Upgrade?
- Performance – The ROG Xbox Alliance X provides a 10‑20 % uplift at 25 W and a 19‑30 % uplift at 17 W in real‑world gaming. The gains are most evident in GPU‑intensive titles.
- Ergonomics – The added side handles make the Xbox model more comfortable for extended play, a clear advantage for anyone who games for hours on end.
- Battery – Similar endurance overall, with the possibility of marginally better life when running the newer chip at a lower TDP.
- Generational leap – While the hardware improvements are solid, the jump isn’t as dramatic as many expected. For owners of the original ROG Alliance X, the upgrade is not essential unless the ergonomic enhancements or the modest performance bump are compelling reasons.
Bottom line: If you value a more comfortable grip and want a modest frame‑rate increase—especially at lower power settings—the ROG Xbox Alliance X is a worthwhile upgrade. However, for users satisfied with the performance of their current ROG Alliance X, waiting for future driver optimizations or a more substantial hardware revision may be the smarter move.
All benchmark figures are taken from the creator’s testing at 17 W and 25 W TDP profiles, using the native 1080p display and standard game presets.