Quick Answer

The ROG Ally X (~R16,000–R18,000 at Evetech) is South Africa's most powerful mainstream handheld gaming PC — AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, 24 GB LPDDR5, 1 TB NVMe, 80 Wh battery. Roodepoort buyers receive delivery in 1–2 business days. At its 7-inch 1080p 120 Hz display, expect 50–80 fps at Medium settings in AAA games, and 90–120 fps in esports titles at Low settings.

Performance Benchmarks: What to Expect per Game Type

  • Competitive FPS (CS2, Valorant at Low 1080p): 100–140 fps — more than enough for smooth 120 Hz play.
  • AAA single-player (Hogwarts Legacy at Medium 1080p): 55–70 fps — playable and visually strong at native.
  • Cyberpunk 2077 (FSR 3.0 Quality, Medium 800p): 60–75 fps — the recommended preset for smooth open-world traversal.
  • Emulation (PS2, Wii, GameCube): Near-native at 480p–1080p upscale; PS3/Wii U varies per title.

The Ryzen Z1 Extreme's 12 RDNA 3 iGPU CUs are the key differentiator — significantly faster than the base Z1 (4 CUs) in the original Ally.

Battery Life and Power Modes in SA Use

The Ally X's 80 Wh battery roughly doubles real-world gaming time over the original Ally's 40 Wh. In 25 W gaming mode (recommended for most titles) you get 2–3 hours. In 15 W efficiency mode, 3.5–4 hours on lighter titles and emulation. Charging via 65 W USB-C takes about 90 minutes for a full charge. Roodepoort buyers using the Ally X on a UPS-free home setup will appreciate the improved battery headroom versus the original model.

Why Roodepoort Buyers Should Consider the Ally X

Roodepoort's mix of suburban homes and gaming cafes makes the Ally X a flexible device — usable as a primary gaming platform at home on a TV dock (sold separately, R800–R1,200), and as a portable when commuting or visiting friends. The Windows 11 platform means full access to all PC games including Xbox Game Pass titles, which as of mid-2025 includes many AAA games at no extra per-title cost.

FAQ

Does the ROG Ally X need a dock to connect to a monitor or TV?

Yes — the Ally X's USB-C/Thunderbolt port supports video output, but you need a compatible USB-C hub or dock with HDMI out to connect to a TV or monitor. The ASUS ROG Gaming Charger Dock (~R800–R1,200 at Evetech) is the official accessory; third-party USB-C to HDMI adapters also work at lower cost. When docked, the Ally X runs at higher TDP (up to 30 W) for improved performance.

Is the ROG Ally X compatible with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate?

Yes — it runs Windows 11 natively, so the Xbox app and Game Pass are fully supported. Game Pass Ultimate includes cloud gaming, which on the Ally X means you can stream even the most GPU-demanding titles over a stable home Wi-Fi or Rain 5G mobile connection without taxing the Ally X's own GPU at all.

How does the Ally X handle heat in South Africa's warm climate?

The Ally X uses dual fans and a vapour chamber cooling solution designed for sustained 25–30 W operation. In rooms above 30°C, the fans ramp to their highest speed (audible at ~45 dB). Using Performance mode in an air-conditioned room is recommended for extended sessions. Battery charging in Performance mode simultaneously adds to thermal load — connect to a cool, well-ventilated desk area rather than using it on a couch or bed.

TIP

ROG Armoury Crate app and set a custom 20 W power profile for everyday gaming — it extends battery life to 3+ hours versus the default 25 W preset while keeping fps above 60 in most titles.