Independent tests reveal that the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X gaming handheld achieves higher frame rates and faster sleep resume times when running Bazzite Linux compared to its stock Windows 11 setup. YouTuber Cyber Dopamine's benchmarks highlight up to 32% FPS gains in demanding games at 17-watt power mode. The results suggest Linux offers a more optimized experience for this Windows-based device.
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X, a collaboration between Microsoft and Asus, ships with a customized version of Windows 11 featuring the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) for a console-like interface. However, recent tests by YouTuber Cyber Dopamine demonstrate that installing Bazzite, a Linux distribution optimized for gaming handhelds, yields significant performance improvements.
In 17-watt performance mode, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 averaged 62 FPS on Bazzite, compared to 47 FPS on Windows—a 32% increase. Similarly, Hogwarts Legacy reached 62 FPS on Linux versus 50 FPS on Windows. Gains were more modest at 13-watt low power or 35-watt maximum modes, typically 1-2 FPS higher on Bazzite. The Linux setup also delivered smoother frame rendering, attributed to improved CPU scheduling.
Bazzite, designed for Linux newcomers and enthusiasts, comes pre-installed with Steam, supports HDR and VRR, and includes community tools for responsive gameplay. As Cyber Dopamine noted in testing, it accesses storefronts like Epic, Rockstar, and Ubisoft Connect via Steam's Proton build.
Beyond frame rates, Bazzite reduced sleep resume time to about one second, versus around 30 seconds on Windows, which often prompts for a password. No battery life drawbacks were reported. Since the device functions like a PC, users can dual-boot Windows and Bazzite to switch operating systems as needed, allowing games to run on the best-suited OS.
These findings, while based on limited tests with two titles, indicate untapped potential in the Ally X's hardware. Bazzite developers are addressing features like LED controller support. The experiment echoes past efforts to run Windows on Valve's Steam Deck, highlighting ongoing OS optimization debates in handheld gaming.