Doom: The Dark Ages has finally arrived, and if you're a fan of handheld gaming PCs, you might be eager to see how the Asus ROG Ally X performs with this latest installment. With a minimum playability target of 30 frames per second (fps), and an ideal of 60fps, let's dive into whether this powerful handheld can meet these expectations.
A Note on the Hardware ----------------------The world of PC gaming handhelds is vibrant and diverse, but the Asus ROG Ally X stands out as a leader. Powered by the AMD Z1 Extreme, it boasts an impressive 24GB of system memory, with 16GB dedicated to the GPU. What truly sets it apart, however, is its high-speed memory running at 7,500MHz, offering superior memory bandwidth crucial for the integrated graphics performance.
This makes the ROG Ally X an ideal candidate for testing the demanding Doom: The Dark Ages. As games continue to push the boundaries of system requirements, the Ally X serves as a benchmark for what current handhelds can handle—and a precursor to what we might expect from the next generation of devices later this year.
The Best Handheld Gaming PC### Asus Asus ROG Ally X
7With its doubled battery life and significantly faster memory, the Asus ROG Ally X has positioned itself as the premier handheld gaming PC on the market. Check it out at Best Buy.Can the Asus ROG Ally Handle Doom: The Dark Ages?
Before jumping into the game, ensure your chipset is up to date. Updating on the ROG Ally X is straightforward: navigate to Armoury Crate via the bottom right menu button, click on the cogwheel, and proceed to the Update Center. Look for the AMD Radeon Graphics Driver update or select Check for Updates to find the RC72LA update, then select Update All.
For optimal performance, I conducted tests with the Ally X plugged into an outlet and set to Turbo Operating Mode (30W). Additionally, I maximized the Texture Pool Size in the in-game graphics menu to 4,096 megabytes, taking full advantage of the 24GB of RAM available.
Tests were run without resolution scaling, and while dynamic resolution was tested, results mirrored those at 720p, as the target frame rate remained unattainable, causing dynamic resolution to revert to 720p.
Doom: The Dark Ages ROG Ally X PerformanceUltra Nightmare, 1080p15fpsUltra Nightmare, 720p24fpsNightmare, 1080p16fpsNightmare, 720p24fpsUltra, 1080p16fpsUltra, 720p24fpsHigh, 1080p16fpsHigh, 720p26fpsMedium, 1080p17fpsMedium, 720p30fpsLow, 1080p20fpsLow, 720p35fpsTo gauge performance, I repeatedly played the opening section of the second mission, Hebeth, in Doom: The Dark Ages. This part is particularly demanding due to its intense action and numerous effects.
At 1080p, the performance on the Ally X was disappointing. The Ultra Nightmare preset averaged only 15fps, making it unplayable. Lowering the settings to Nightmare, Ultra, and High barely improved the situation, with averages hovering around 16fps. Medium settings yielded 17fps, while Low settings managed 20fps, but none offered a smooth experience. It's clear that 1080p is not feasible on any graphics preset.
Switching to 720p provided slightly better results, but still fell short of ideal. Ultra Nightmare, Nightmare, and Ultra settings averaged 24fps, while High reached 26fps. These frame rates are barely playable, suitable only for those determined to experience Doom: The Dark Ages on a handheld. It wasn't until dropping to Medium settings at 720p that the game hit a playable 30fps, with Low settings achieving 35fps.
Asus ROG Ally X Isn’t Ready for Doom: The Dark Ages
While I'm a huge fan of handheld gaming PCs and the Asus ROG Ally X, it's evident that the current generation of devices struggles with the demands of Doom: The Dark Ages. Achieving the minimum 30fps is only possible on Medium and Low graphics presets at 720p.
For Steam Deck users, the situation is even more challenging, given its lower specs compared to the Ally X. Expect to play at 800p on Low settings to reach 30fps, a scenario that likely applies to all current handhelds.
However, there's hope on the horizon. The next generation of mobile chipsets, such as the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, expected later this year, could significantly improve performance. Leaks suggest this chipset might power the Asus ROG Ally 2, and there are even rumors of an Xbox-branded model. We'll need to wait and see how these advancements fare with demanding titles like Doom: The Dark Ages.
