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The Gigabyte Aorus 16X is heralded as one of the best-performing gaming laptops, delivering excellent results in both GPU- and CPU-intensive workloads. The gaming frame rates achieved are among the highest available for an RTX 4070, showcasing exceptional optimization for settings that align perfectly with the hardware capabilities. However, the 16X exhibits certain limitations, especially for creators or users who prioritize USB-C charging.
Upon its initial release, the Gigabyte Aorus 16X didn’t offer remarkable value for an RTX 4070-powered laptop. Fortunately, prices have since declined, with discounts often exceeding 10% off the original list price. The Gigabyte Aorus 16X also offers a variant powered by the RTX 4060, starting at $1,400 / £1,500 / AU$2,399 for configurations featuring an i7-13650HX CPU and 16GB of RAM.
The availability of the Gigabyte Aorus 16X varies significantly depending on the region, but it generally offers a reasonable array of configurations. These include Intel CPUs such as the i7-13650, i7-14650, and i9-14900, paired with either the RTX 4060 or 4070 GPU. Memory options extend up to 64GB of RAM, with dual SSDs reaching up to 4TB.
Despite its large 16-inch screen, the Gigabyte Aorus 16X feels more compact than anticipated, thanks to strategic design choices like ultra-slim bezels and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The laptop boasts numerous premium features, including Nvidia Advanced Optimus for seamless GPU switching, G-Sync for smooth gaming, the latest Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v5.4, and an IR webcam supporting Windows Hello for facial recognition logins.
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X is equipped with an exceptionally large 99Wh battery, compared to the more common 80 or 90Wh models found in other gaming laptops. It features upgradeable RAM, typical of all but the thinnest gaming laptops, and dual SSD slots. While the model tested came with two drives, other configurations may only include one, leaving the second slot available for future upgrades.
Additional gamer-focused extras include RGB LED lighting, with an Aorus logo projection at the rear, and clear WASD keycaps. The Aorus 16X’s LCD screen outperforms average standards, delivering 100% sRGB colors and up to 400-nit brightness. The 165Hz refresh rate panel pairs well with the RTX 4060 or 4070 GPU options available.
The Windforce cooling system is excellent at dissipating heat but can be quite noisy at maximum load. Even at lower loads, the cooling system can be noisier than expected if left on higher performance modes, primarily due to the software’s proactive cooling maximization rather than actual high heat loads. After some manual adjustment of fan profiles, the noise level was significantly reduced, and letting the Gigabyte software handle adjustments also proved effective.
The typing experience on the Gigabyte Aorus 16X keyboard is exceptional, primarily due to the deep 1.7mm key travel. Although there is no numpad, the keyboard includes an extra row on the right and better spacing for the arrow keys. The RGB LED color options are decent, and the clear keycaps look stylish without being excessive. The trackpad is oversized and highly responsive, though its central placement means that hands are not aligned to it when typing. A slight shift to the left would have been preferable.
The webcam offers adequate quality for everyday use, with support for Windows Hello facial recognition mitigating the absence of a fingerprint reader. The speakers provide a good range and bass for a laptop, making them suitable for movie watching, though some music genres may not sound as impressive.
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X features a robust selection of ports, including Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, and several high-speed USB A and C ports that support DisplayPort. However, due to the cooling fan setup, the ports are positioned quite far forward on the sides, which can cause cables to encroach on the mousing space, particularly for left-handed users.
Overall, the design of the Gigabyte Aorus 16X blends a well-balanced set of features and hardware without anything excessive or missing key elements.
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X is marketed as an AI gaming laptop by Gigabyte, but it’s important to note that the AI components are primarily the Nvidia GPU rather than a dedicated NPU unit like those found in Snapdragon Elite CPUs or Intel Core Ultra processors. While this doesn’t diminish the laptop’s capability for AI tasks, it is less efficient and currently lacks support for many new Windows CoPilot features.
Gigabyte, like many manufacturers, is capitalizing on the AI trend, using the term to describe everyday software that has little in common with the technologies behind large language models and services like ChatGPT or CoPilot. The Gigabyte AI Nexus, a software solution for creating images from text prompts using Stable Diffusion, is a great feature but feels somewhat forced into the control software rather than being a standalone application.
Beyond the AI hype, the Gigabyte Control software offers extensive control over key functionalities such as power profiles, fan speeds, and RGB LED customization. However, the software layout can be convoluted, and minor stability issues were noted during testing. Despite these minor hiccups, performance remains unaffected once settings are saved. The control system did crash a few times, particularly when changing profiles while plugging or unplugging USB-C or mains power.
Thankfully, the Gigabyte Aorus 16X is free from bloatware, such as pre-installed software like McAfee, which some manufacturers include to earn revenue if users sign up for paid plans. The Gigabyte team has also ensured that Microsoft’s own bloatware is kept to a minimum, resulting in a clean setup and user experience.
In terms of performance, the Gigabyte Aorus 16X stands out among similarly priced laptops using the RTX 4070. Although gaming results don’t vary significantly for the same GPU thermal design power (TGP) and similar CPU/RAM specs, subtle differences in CPU and GPU power profiles and other design choices can lead to consistent differences. The Gigabyte engineers have optimized the Aorus 16X for the settings gamers typically use, making it a standout performer in this regard.
For instance, in Cyberpunk 2077, gaming at the native 2560 x 1600 resolution with lower ray-tracing quality on an RTX 4070 yields around 70fps, or 90fps with DLSS frame generation enabled, offering a fantastic overall experience. Alternatively, at a 1080p resolution with low ray-tracing settings, around 95fps is achievable, and with some tweaking, 150+ fps with DLSS frame generation turned on. The 16X consistently delivers the best results among the RTX 4070 laptops tested, even if only by a few percent, which is commendable.
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X also excels in optimizing its Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU for typical laptop usage. It slightly outperforms the Acer Predator Helios 18, which also features a 14900HX CPU, in GeekBench 6 CPU performance, despite the Acer running the CPU at higher wattage levels and having a more powerful cooling system.
One of the standout features of the Gigabyte Aorus 16X is its ability to maintain cooler temperatures compared to other gaming laptops. The keyboard, for instance, stays about 20% cooler than the RTX 4070 Lenovo Legion 5i (Gen 9) during gaming, remaining under 30ºC / 86ºF. The trackpad measures a comfortable 23ºC / 73.4ºF, and the hottest spot on the underside reaches 32.1ºC / 89.8ºF. However, the laptop can be quite loud at full load, which might not be ideal for shared spaces, although it is likely unnoticeable to those wearing a gaming headset.
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X performs admirably on battery power. The laptop reduces CPU power from over 100W to a maximum of 55W, which is still sufficient to ensure applications run smoothly and performance remains reasonable. Battery life is also excellent, though this is discussed in more detail below.
One area where the Gigabyte Aorus 16X’s power profiles reveal a weakness is in the 100W USB-C power option. Advertised as the “ultimate platform for gamers and creators,” gaming laptops like the Aorus 16X often double as powerful workstations. For those who need to be productive on the go, carrying a large power brick can be cumbersome, making USB-C charging (via wall charger, dock, or power bank) much more appealing.
However, the Aorus 16X struggles here. When using USB-C, the laptop restricts maximum performance to very low levels and rarely uses more than 30W out of the 100W available. Even simple web browsing can become laggy when using USB-C charging, forcing users to rely on the power brick or operate on battery. Gigabyte HQ confirmed this is not a bug but a result of the challenges of using USB-C charging on a powerful laptop. This raises the question of whether such performance loss is unavoidable with power-hungry hardware on limited USB-C power or if better performance should be expected.
In conclusion, the Gigabyte Aorus 16X stands out as a top-performing gaming laptop, particularly for its GPU and CPU capabilities. It delivers excellent gaming frame rates and is well-optimized for the hardware, making it a leading choice for gamers. The design is compact yet feature-rich, with premium elements like a large battery, advanced cooling system, high-quality LCD screen, and extensive port selection.
Despite minor drawbacks such as noise levels at maximum load and limited performance when using USB-C charging, the Aorus 16X excels in overall performance, software functionality, and thermal management. Its competitive pricing, especially with recent discounts, enhances its value, making it a compelling option for both gamers and creators seeking a powerful and versatile laptop.
Highlight the GPU, CPU options, RAM, storage capabilities, display specifications, and special gaming features like RGB lighting and advanced cooling systems.
Discuss gaming performance metrics such as frame rates, graphics settings, and overall gaming experience with the RTX 4070 or RTX 4060 GPU.
Evaluate its performance in CPU-heavy tasks, color accuracy of the display, and its usability for professional applications.
Cover aspects such as build materials, portability, keyboard and trackpad quality, and overall aesthetics.
Provide insights into battery performance during gaming, productivity tasks, and general usage scenarios.
