The Gigabyte Aorus 17X is a high-end gaming laptop designed for those seeking top-tier performance in a portable package. Boasting a powerful CPU and GPU combination, this 17-inch laptop delivers impressive gaming capabilities. However, its display falls short of expectations.
This review explores the Aorus 17X’s strengths and weaknesses, considering its design, performance, battery life, and overall value.
Performance Prowess: Top-Tier CPU and GPU
The Aorus 17X prioritizes power. Our review unit featured the Intel Core i9-14900HX, a previous-generation Raptor Lake processor exceeding current Meteor Lake hardware in speed, and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, the top mobile GPU currently available. This configuration, paired with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD, ensures exceptional gaming performance. Gigabyte also offers variations with an RTX 4080 for those seeking a more budget-friendly option.
Design and Build: Surprisingly Portable, Questionable Vent Placement
The Aorus 17X features a sleek, all-black metal chassis with a customizable RGB Fusion Light Bar on the back, syncing with the keyboard’s lighting. While the design is generally restrained, the prominent side exhaust vents pose a significant drawback. While effective for cooling, they direct hot air onto the user’s mouse hand, which can be uncomfortable during extended gaming sessions.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Comfortable Typing, Standard Trackpad
The chiclet-style keyboard offers ample key travel (2.0mm according to Gigabyte) and supports up to 80 simultaneous key presses. The inclusion of a number pad is a welcome addition, maximizing the large keyboard deck. While the keyboard itself is excellent, some high-end gaming laptop enthusiasts might prefer a mechanical keyboard, which is not offered on the Aorus 17X. The trackpad, while smooth and responsive, is standard fare and likely won’t replace a dedicated gaming mouse.
Gigabyte Aorus keyboard and trackpad
Display and Speakers: A Disappointing Display, Average Audio
The 17.3-inch, 2560×1440 IPS display with a 240Hz refresh rate initially seems impressive. However, its dimness, peaking at just over 300 nits, significantly detracts from the overall experience. Limited HDR support for video streaming, but not gaming, further compounds this disappointment. At this price point, a brighter display, perhaps even an OLED panel, would be expected. The speakers are adequate but unremarkable, typical of gaming laptops. Headphones or external speakers are recommended for optimal audio.
Gigabyte Aorus 17X
Webcam, Microphone, and Biometrics: Decent Webcam, Subpar Microphone
The 1080p webcam provides acceptable image quality, surpassing the 720p webcams found in some budget laptops. However, the built-in microphone is disappointingly quiet, requiring near-maximum input volume for usability. While external microphones are common among gamers, a better integrated microphone would enhance the overall experience. The IR camera for Windows Hello facial recognition functions reliably in various lighting conditions, though a fingerprint reader option would be appreciated.
Connectivity: Comprehensive Ports, Lacking Wi-Fi 7
The Aorus 17X offers a good selection of ports, including multiple USB Type-A, a Thunderbolt 4/USB4 Type-C port, HDMI 2.1, Mini DisplayPort 1.4, and a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet jack. However, the absence of an SD card reader and only one USB Type-C port are notable omissions. While Wi-Fi 6E is present, the lack of Wi-Fi 7 at this price point and release date feels slightly outdated.
Gigabyte Aorus left side ports
Benchmarks: Confirming Exceptional Performance
Benchmark results confirm the Aorus 17X’s exceptional performance, consistently outperforming competitors with lower-tier hardware. It excels in PCMark 10, Cinebench R20, Handbrake encoding, 3DMark Time Spy, and game-specific benchmarks like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Metro Exodus. While slightly behind the larger Alienware m18 R2 in some tests, the Aorus 17X’s smaller size and lighter weight make it a more portable powerhouse.
Gigabyte Aorus PCMark results
Battery Life: Surprisingly Decent for a Gaming Laptop
The 99 Watt-hour battery, the largest allowed for air travel, provides nearly six hours of video playback in our testing. This is commendable for a high-performance gaming laptop, surpassing the battery life of the larger Alienware m18 R2. While gaming performance is significantly reduced on battery power, the Aorus 17X offers decent usability unplugged for less demanding tasks.
Gigabyte Aorus battery life results
Conclusion: Powerful but Flawed
The Gigabyte Aorus 17X excels in performance, offering top-tier hardware in a relatively portable design. However, its dim display, questionable vent placement, and average speakers detract from its overall appeal. While it provides good value for its internal components, the display is a significant drawback for a laptop at this price. If you prioritize performance above all else, and can find it at a competitive price, the Aorus 17X is worth considering. However, those seeking a more well-rounded premium gaming laptop experience might want to explore alternatives with better displays.
