When the Asus Rog Ally first dropped last year, it was immediately pitted against the Steam Deck, but it wasn’t the Steam Deck killer that many anticipated. Fast forward to this year, and Asus has rolled out an upgraded version of the Ally, known as the Rog Ally X, and it’s safe to say that it’s come back with a vengeance. Packed with major improvements, it begs the question: Can this new version finally compete with, or even outperform, the Steam Deck?
Today, I’m diving into a comparison of both devices under two different operating systems—Windows and Steam OS (Bazzite)—along with the Steam Deck OLED version. From the epic battle of games like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Black Myth Wukong, I’ll take a closer look at how they perform across each console and OS. The burning question remains: is the Asus Rog Ally X truly an improvement worth considering, or has it only seen incremental changes?
The New Asus Rog Ally X: What’s Changed?
Let’s start with what Asus has changed with the Rog Ally X. For starters, the device has had a bit of a facelift, with a slick new black finish that’s a lot more practical than the original white. The Ally X’s design tweaks aren’t just cosmetic; there have been functional improvements as well. Button placement has been adjusted to be more ergonomic, and the notorious issue with the back buttons being too sensitive has been addressed—no more accidental presses ruining your gaming session.
One of the biggest issues with the original Rog Ally was the battery life, which was woefully inadequate. The original Ally packed a 40Wh battery, but the Ally X has nearly doubled that with a beefy 80Wh battery. This upgrade alone gives the device a significant advantage over its predecessor and even makes it a strong contender in the portable console market. With battery life being one of the top concerns for gamers on the go, this upgrade cannot be overstated.
Additionally, there have been improvements under the hood. The RAM has been increased to 24GB (from 16GB), and the device now utilizes a faster memory speed, making it more capable of handling larger games and multitasking. Asus has even fixed the notorious overheating issues, with a quieter, more efficient cooling system that keeps the device running smoothly, even under heavy load.
The Dual OS Setup: Windows vs. Bazzite
One of the unique features of the Rog Ally X is its ability to run both Windows and a Linux-based operating system called Bazzite, which is a community-developed variant of Steam OS. While Windows has been the go-to for many PC gamers, Steam OS offers a more streamlined gaming experience, specifically designed for gaming with fewer background processes eating up resources.
Switching between these operating systems is easy enough. You can boot up into either Windows or Bazzite at startup, allowing you to tailor your gaming experience depending on what you’re looking to play. Windows is still great for accessing broader PC applications, while Bazzite provides a more console-like experience, especially if you’re used to the Steam Deck interface.
Boot times between Bazzite and Steam Deck’s Steam OS are comparable, but Bazzite does have a slight edge, loading faster in most cases. The added benefit of having both systems available on the Rog Ally X allows for more flexibility and performance optimization, especially for games like Black Myth Wukong, which we’ll get into shortly.
Game Performance: How Does the Asus Rog Ally X Stack Up?
Let’s talk games. I tested Black Myth Wukong, Cyberpunk 2077, and Hogwarts Legacy on both the Asus Rog Ally X and the Steam Deck across both Windows and Bazzite (for the Asus) and Steam OS (for the Steam Deck).
Black Myth Wukong Performance
Running Black Myth Wukong on the Asus Rog Ally X was a smooth experience. On 15 watts, 1080p under Bazzite, the game ran around 50 FPS, and bumping it up to 30 watts kept it between 60 and 70 FPS. Switching over to Windows at 25 watts and the same settings, I noticed a slight dip, with the game running closer to 60 FPS. Still, for a game as visually demanding as Black Myth Wukong, these numbers are impressive for a portable device.
On the Steam Deck OLED, the game struggled to keep up, hitting around 30-40 FPS on similar settings. The Steam Deck’s hardware, while solid, just doesn’t quite match up to the improved specs of the Rog Ally X. Even on Steam OS, the Deck fell short in terms of frame rates and overall smoothness. So in the case of Black Myth Wukong, the Rog Ally X clearly outshined the Steam Deck.
Cyberpunk 2077 Performance
Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most resource-hungry games out there, and both the Rog Ally X and the Steam Deck faced a challenge here. On the Ally X, running on Windows with a 25-watt setting and 1080p, I saw frame rates between 40 and 45 FPS. Bazzite produced similar numbers, but what stood out was how smooth the experience felt under the Linux-based system—there was no stuttering, which I occasionally noticed under Windows.
The Steam Deck OLED didn’t fare as well, capping out at 30 FPS and dropping to the low 20s during more demanding scenes. It’s clear that the Ally X’s beefier specs give it an edge here, especially when you’re playing a game like Cyberpunk 2077, which demands every bit of power a portable device can muster.
Hogwarts Legacy Performance
Finally, I put Hogwarts Legacy through its paces. Under Windows, the Ally X once again held its own, delivering a steady 40-45 FPS at 1080p on low to medium settings. Bazzite offered slightly better stability, though frame rates remained similar. The Steam Deck OLED, in contrast, was locked at around 30-35 FPS, struggling to hit higher numbers without sacrificing visual quality.
Battery Life and Heat Management
Battery life on the Ally X was another pleasant surprise. On a 15-watt setting, I was able to get around 3 hours of playtime on demanding titles like Black Myth Wukong and Cyberpunk 2077. On a 30-watt setting, the battery life naturally took a hit, giving me about 1.5 hours, but this is still a marked improvement over the original Ally. The Steam Deck, on the other hand, struggled to hit the 2-hour mark on similar wattage settings.
In terms of heat management, the Rog Ally X also excels. Even at 30 watts, the device never got uncomfortably hot, and the fan noise remained relatively quiet—much quieter than the Steam Deck, which can get pretty loud under heavy load.
Key Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Asus Rog Ally X | Steam Deck OLED |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Dual OS (Windows 11, Bazzite/Steam OS) | Steam OS |
| Display | 1080p, Black Model, 7″ Display | 1280×800 OLED, 7″ Display |
| Battery Life | Up to 3 hours (15 watts) \| 1.5 hours (30 watts) | 1.5 – 2 hours (depending on load) |
| Battery Capacity | 80Wh (improved from 40Wh in original model) | 40Wh |
| RAM | 24GB (faster memory, improved multitasking) | 16GB |
| Performance – Black Myth Wukong | 50-70 FPS on Bazzite (1080p, 15-30W) | 30-40 FPS on Steam OS (720p, 15W) |
| Performance – Cyberpunk 2077 | 40-45 FPS on Windows \| 40-45 FPS on Bazzite (1080p) | 30-35 FPS (720p) |
| Performance – Hogwarts Legacy | 40-45 FPS (1080p) | 30-35 FPS (720p) |
| Heat Management | Quieter and better-cooled at high wattages | Louder fans under heavy load |
| Price Consideration | Higher cost (though depends on region) | More affordable overall |
| OS Boot Time | Bazzite loads faster than Steam OS | Slightly slower on Steam OS |
| Game Compatibility | Windows allows broader game access | Steam OS optimized for Steam library |
| Ports | Dual USB-C Ports (USB 4 support) | Single USB-C Port |
| Overall Size/Weight | Similar in weight, slightly slimmer | Slightly bulkier but with OLED screen |
| Customization | Dual OS flexibility, more adaptable settings | Streamlined Steam OS for gaming |
| Fan Noise | Quieter overall | Noticeably louder under load |
Final Verdict: Is the Asus Rog Ally X a Worthy Steam Deck Rival?
The Asus Rog Ally X delivers on nearly every front. The improvements in battery life, performance, and build quality make it a serious contender in the portable gaming space. Games run smoother on the Ally X compared to the Steam Deck, and the dual OS setup offers flexibility that the Steam Deck can’t match.
While the Steam Deck OLED is still a fantastic device, especially for those who prioritize Steam integration and don’t need the extra power, the Rog Ally X offers a superior experience for gamers who want to push their portable device to the limit.
So, is the Rog Ally X the Steam Deck killer it set out to be? In many ways, yes. If you’ve got the budget for it, this is a device that won’t disappoint.
