Key Takeaways
1. The Asus Xbox ROG Ally performs better on Bazzite 43 (a Linux distribution) than on its default Windows 11 operating system.
2. In tests, Bazzite 43 achieved higher FPS and more stable frame rates in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and DOOM compared to Windows 11.
3. The ROG Ally on Bazzite 43 showed efficient power management, maintaining performance even at lower power limits, while Windows struggled with frame drops.
4. The Steam Deck OLED also outperformed Windows 11 but performed slightly lower than Bazzite 43 at certain power levels.
5. The Phawx highlighted that Linux distributions like Bazzite 43 manage power and performance better than Windows, emphasizing the need for Microsoft to improve Windows for handheld gaming.
According to a recent evaluation by the well-known YouTube channel The Phawx, the newly launched Asus Xbox ROG Ally performs better on Bazzite 43, a SteamOS-like distribution based on Fedora, rather than the default Windows 11 it comes with.
Testing Methodology
In their test, The Phawx team evaluated the ROG Ally, which is the more budget-friendly Xbox-branded handheld, available for $599 on Amazon. They installed Windows 11 first, followed by Bazzite 43, and also compared it to the Steam Deck OLED that runs on SteamOS 3.8.
Game Performance
During the Cyberpunk 2077 test at 720p with the Steam Deck preset, they found that Linux outperformed Windows. On Bazzite 43 with a 20 W power limit, the ROG Ally averaged 38.8 FPS, maintaining stable frame times, with 1% lows at 31 FPS and 0.2% lows at 30 FPS. Even when the power limit was reduced to 15 W, it still got an average of 36.2 FPS, indicating Linux’s efficient power management. In comparison, Windows 11 only managed 32.1 FPS at 20 W and 29.3 FPS at 15 W, with more significant frame drops to 22.7 and 17.7 FPS, respectively.
More Comparisons
The Steam Deck OLED running SteamOS 3.8 at 15 W performed slightly lower than Bazzite 43 yet still outperformed Windows, averaging 34.9 FPS with improved frame stability.
In the DOOM: The Dark Ages test at 720p on low settings, The Phawx evaluated how the game operated on Bazzite 43, SteamOS 3.8, and Windows 11 using the AMD Ryzen Z2 A chip found in the Asus ROG Ally. The results again indicated better performance on Linux. With a 20 W power limit on Bazzite 43, the game averaged 24 FPS, with 1% lows around 21 FPS and 0.2% lows at about 20 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay. When the power limit dropped to 15 W, performance barely shifted, averaging 23.8 FPS, demonstrating Bazzite’s efficient power use.
Performance on Windows
The Steam Deck OLED with SteamOS 3.8 at 15 W yielded similar results, averaging 24.3 FPS, just slightly outperforming Bazzite at that power level. On the other hand, the ROG Ally on Windows 11 was slower, hitting 21.5 FPS at 20 W and 20.8 FPS at 15 W. The 1% lows fell to 17 FPS and the 0.2% lows dropped to 14 FPS, which resulted in more stuttering and inconsistent frame pacing.
The Phawx stated that the main difference between Windows and Linux on devices like the ROG Ally lies in how they manage power, rather than overall performance. In their Celeste test, they demonstrated that the handheld could efficiently adjust its power usage to maintain a smooth 60 FPS while consuming just over 7 watts, without needing any setup.
Conclusion
Conversely, on Windows, they had to manually adjust CPU speeds and power limits to achieve similar results, and even then, it was only about 5% improvement. The Phawx noted that Linux distributions like Bazzite 43 handle power management and performance balancing much more intelligently, while Windows tends to waste energy and provides less consistent frame rates. They emphasized that Microsoft needs to enhance Windows for handheld gaming, as Linux continues to offer a smoother and more efficient user experience right from the start.
Make sure to check out the complete video below for a more detailed examination and explanation from The Phawx.
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