Tests on the Asus Rog Xbox Ally X handheld gaming PC reveal significant performance improvements when running the Linux-based Bazzite operating system compared to Windows. Content creator Cyber Dopamine demonstrated higher frame rates, greater stability, and faster sleep and wake times in his recent YouTube video. The device can dual-boot between the two systems for flexibility.
In a video published around October 23, 2025, YouTuber Cyber Dopamine tested the Asus Rog Xbox Ally X by installing Bazzite, a custom Linux distribution designed for handheld gaming devices. Bazzite, often described as a faux-SteamOS, quickly resolved early compatibility issues, enabling a seamless experience similar to Valve's Steam Deck. This includes instant game suspension and resumption, which works perfectly on Linux but requires cumbersome steps like fan spin-down and controller reconnection on Windows.
Benchmark results highlight Linux's advantages. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 at 17 watts, Windows averaged 47 frames per second (FPS), while Bazzite reached 62 FPS, an improvement of 11 to 13 frames. For Hogwarts Legacy at the same power level, Windows hit 50 FPS compared to 62 FPS on Bazzite. Across various wattages, including 13W and 35W, Linux maintained consistent or slightly better performance. Frame rates on Windows fluctuated between 39 and 58 FPS, whereas Bazzite delivered steady metrics.
Overall, tests showed an average performance increase of 13.47% across multiple titles, with peaks up to 32% higher FPS on Linux. Stability was notably better, and waking from sleep was faster than the sluggish process on Windows. The Rog Xbox Ally X, priced at $1,000 and already sold out at retailers, supports dual-booting: users hold the volume-up button during startup to choose between Windows—for Game Pass or anti-cheat multiplayer games—and Linux for optimized handheld play. These findings suggest Microsoft's Windows software is holding back the device's potential, despite its hardware performing close to a PlayStation 5 in titles like Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
