GIGABYTE AORUS 17X Review

Choosing a gaming laptop—or just a machine that can handle real work—usually means juggling performance, screen quality, and how much you’re willing to lug around. The AORUS 17X is hard to ignore if you’re after big specs and a sharp QHD display. It’s definitely aimed at folks who want their games to look and run great.

People talk up its speed and graphics muscle a lot. There are some gripes about heat and weight—it’s not exactly a featherweight compared to those thin-and-light laptops. Still, performance and visuals are where this thing shines.

Bottom Line

If you want a laptop that packs a punch and has a killer screen, the AORUS 17X is worth a look.

Check it out here if you’re itching for an upgrade.

Overview: GIGABYTE AORUS 17X Gaming Laptop

The AORUS 17X’s big QHD display and beefy graphics are its calling cards. The design is all about speed and visuals, so it’s clearly built for serious gaming or multitasking.

Cooling is pretty effective, at least according to most users. On the flip side, it’s heavy and battery life isn’t anything to write home about. The sturdy build and loads of ports get some love, but the price and bulk mean it’s not for everyone. It’s mostly for people who’d rather have power than portability.

Exceptional Graphics With NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080

With the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080, the AORUS 17X does a solid job handling modern games and creative apps. Most folks say it runs new releases at high settings with no real lag, so it’s up to the task for demanding graphics work.

That GPU keeps frame rates high, but you’ll notice the fans ramp up when things get intense—some are more sensitive to that than others. The lack of true HDR is a bit of a head-scratcher given the hardware, and a few people are disappointed there. Still, it’s a good blend of power and thermal management, even if it doesn’t tick every box.

Powerful Intel Core i9-13900HX Performance

This laptop’s Intel Core i9-13900HX is all about speed. It chews through heavy workloads and modern games, and people mention it feels smooth for multitasking and everyday stuff.

But yeah, you’ll hear the fans and feel some heat when you push it. If you’re planning marathon sessions, keeping an eye on cooling and noise is probably smart.

Summary Table

Strengths	Considerations
Fast application loads	Can get loud when busy
Handles heavy tasks	Laptop may run warm

So, if you need a laptop that won’t choke on tough apps, the i9-13900HX delivers.

High-Speed DDR5 RAM and Lightning-Fast SSD Storage

Fast boot times and zippy file transfers are a given here. The AORUS 17X’s DDR5 RAM is a nice upgrade over older systems and handles multitasking well. The SSD is quick, so you’re not left waiting for things to load.

Sixteen gigs of RAM is decent for most, but if you’re into heavy editing or want to future-proof, you might want more. Gen4 SSD storage is speedy for games and files, though if you’re working with huge media projects, more space might be on your wishlist. Memory and storage here feel about right for the hardware.

Immersive 17.3″ QHD 240Hz Display

The 17.3-inch QHD screen is sharp and gives you plenty of room to work or play. Thin bezels make it look modern, and it’s easy to get lost in whatever’s on screen.

That 240Hz refresh rate is a treat if you’re into fast games or just hate motion blur. Color coverage is wide, and it’s supposed to be easy on the eyes, but the HDR claims are a bit overblown—some owners say it’s just not there.

Strengths:

• Spacious QHD screen with crisp detail
• High refresh rate—great for gaming

Potential Drawbacks:

• HDR support doesn’t seem to live up to the marketing

Advanced Connectivity And Interface Options

You get modern connections like Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth, so wireless is fast and reliable. There are plenty of USB ports for your gear, though if you need old-school HDMI or Ethernet, you’ll probably need adapters.

Thunderbolt is a plus if you need fast transfers or high-end accessories. No optical drive, though—not shocking these days, but worth mentioning. Managing cables might get messy if you’ve got a lot to plug in.

Dynamic Audio Experience

Audio is handled by DTS Ultra and 2.5W speakers, which is honestly better than a lot of built-in laptop sound. It’s fine for gaming or watching stuff if you don’t want to use headphones.

That said, if you care about deep bass or really immersive sound, you’ll probably want external speakers or a good headset. The built-in mics are standard fare—fine for calls, nothing special. For the best audio, headphones are the way to go.

Build Quality And Design

The build is sturdy, with a matte black finish that doesn’t show fingerprints too much. The chassis looks modern, and the thin bezels help it feel less bulky than some older models. Still, at around 6 pounds, you’ll notice it if you’re carrying it around.

People like the clean look and subtle branding. The keyboard and hinge are solid, but the laptop’s size means it’ll take up more desk or bag space than you might expect. Not ideal if you’re always on the move.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Users rave about gaming performance—the graphics card and Intel chip handle pretty much anything you throw at them, even on high settings.
• The display gets a lot of love for its clarity, refresh rate, and color, so it’s good for both games and creative work.
• Build quality is a highlight—the metal chassis feels tough, and the four-fan cooling setup does a solid job.
• Good variety of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1, so you’ve got options for peripherals and extra screens.
• Some reviewers think the price is fair for the hardware, especially compared to similar machines that cost more.

Feature	Feedback
Gaming Performance	Very strong
Build Quality	Robust, metal chassis
Cooling	Effective four-fan system
Display	Fast, sharp, thin bezels

Cons

• There are a few stories about GPU fan issues popping up after a while, sometimes just after the warranty runs out—not great for peace of mind.
• HDR support is questionable. Some say Windows won’t even recognize the panel as HDR, which is a letdown.
• The included software isn’t everyone’s favorite—control panel UI could use some work, especially for power tweaks.
• Missing a dedicated DisplayPort (though HDMI 2.1 is there), which might matter if you have a specific setup.
• It’s a big, heavy laptop, so not the best pick if you want something portable.

Summary Table: Cons

Potential Drawback	User Feedback
Fan Reliability	Reported failures after months of use
HDR Support	Not detected in Windows by some users
Software/UI	Room for improvement
Port Selection	No mini DisplayPort, only HDMI/Thunderbolt
Portability	Large and heavy for transport

Customer Reviews

People’s experiences are all over the map. Many are happy with the performance, especially the i9 processor and RTX 4080 for high-end gaming. The cooling system gets its fair share of praise, too.

But there’s frustration about the HDR claims—the product page doesn’t always match what you get. A handful of folks have had issues with GPU fans after some use, and the warranty period feels short to some. The metal build gets thumbs up, though a few wish for better power-saving features and a more polished control panel. Overall, it’s averaging 3.9 out of 5 from 28 users.

Frequently Asked Questions

People usually want the real scoop: how does the AORUS 17X actually perform, and where does it shine or fall short? Here are some honest answers to common questions about this model.

What improvements have been made in the cooling system of the latest AORUS 17X model?

GIGABYTE’s latest tweaks focus on keeping things cooler, especially during long gaming sessions. The 4-fan system is supposed to move more air and lower surface temps.

Most say the cooling is solid, but some still complain about fan noise or long-term reliability. If you’re sensitive to noise, it’s something to think about.

How does the AORUS 17X’s performance with an RTX 4090 compare to previous models?

This model actually packs the RTX 4080, which is a nice jump over older RTX 2080Ti versions. You’ll see smoother gameplay on ultra settings for most modern games.

It’s on par with last-gen desktop PCs, beating out older AORUS laptops for both CPU and GPU power. Some say the CPU is so fast it can actually outpace the GPU at times—not a bad problem to have, but worth mentioning.

What is the battery life like on the AORUS 17X, and does it support fast charging?

Battery life? Well, it’s a gaming laptop, so don’t expect miracles. Heavy use drains it fast, and you’ll want to stay plugged in for serious gaming or editing.

Charging speed is pretty standard—no one’s raving about “fast charging,” but it’s not unusually slow either. It’s basically what you’d expect for a machine in this class.

How does the display quality of the AORUS 17X enhance gaming and professional work?

The 17.3-inch panel, thin bezels, and QHD 2560×1440 resolution at 240Hz are real standouts. Motion is smooth, and colors really pop, which is great for both gamers and creative types.

But, HDR is a sticking point—some say Windows doesn’t recognize the panel as HDR, so if you need certified HDR, you might be disappointed.

What are the notable differences between the AORUS 17X AXF-B4US694SP and its predecessors?

• Performance: Faster CPU and GPU, so you get better frame rates and quicker workloads.
• Build: Still mostly metal, which feels durable and looks good.
• Ports: Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6E are new, but no DisplayPort 1.4 (just HDMI).
• Cooling: The multi-fan setup is a step up, aiming for better temps when things heat up.

A few users still mention fan reliability as an issue, so that’s something to keep in mind long-term.

Can the RAM and storage of the AORUS 17X be upgraded post-purchase?

Yep, the DDR5 RAM is generally upgradable, so you can add more later if you want. The Gen4 M.2 SSD is also swappable or expandable.

There aren’t a lot of complaints about upgrade restrictions, but it’s smart to check the docs for slot availability and part compatibility before you dive in. This model’s pretty standard in terms of upgradability, so power users should be happy.

---

If you’re looking for raw gaming power and a standout screen, the AORUS 17X is tough to beat—just know what you’re getting into with the size, weight, and a few quirks.