Today we’re taking a look at Gigabyte’s latest flagship laptop, the AORUS 17X AZF. It’s been a few years since sitting behind the wheel of one of these behemoths, so I’m excited to check out the new specs and design changes.
Immediately I noticed a huge weight difference compared to the model I reviewed in 2020. This year’s model weighs in at just 2.8KG while the dimensions are a lot more conservative, with a thickness of 2.18cm, width of 39.6cm and depth of 29.3cm.
Now, let’s delve into the specs.
- Model: AORUS 17X AZF
- Panel: 17.3” 240Hz display with Quad-HD 1440P resolution
- CPU: 13th Gen “Raptor Lake” Intel Core i9 HX Series
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile with 16GB of GDDR6 Memory
- RAM: 32GB DDR5 RAM
- Storage: 2 x 1TB M.2 SSD
- Battery: 99 Watt-hour
On the rear of the laptop you’ll find a HDMI 2.1 port, one mini Display Port, ethernet port and a DC in. On the left is the combined microphone and headphone audio jack, plus 2 USB 3.2 Type-A ports. Then on the right is another USB 3.2 port along with a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port which also supports USB-C charging.
With a chassis structured mostly of milled aluminium, the laptop is durable while not feeling too heavy. It’s actually one of the lightest 17” laptops around.
The textured design and patented glass touchpad give it the premium feel its price tag demands, while the RGB Fusion keyboard, and light bar at the rear, allow the user to create their own customisable lighting style.
It features a 6 row island-style keyboard, with 2mm long key travel and anti-ghosting N-key rollover which supports 80 simultaneous key presses. Through the Gigabyte Control Center you can also customise the colours of each key along with 12 different lighting effects. Effects can also be created for different games which is a nice touch.
As the model number suggests, the AORUS 17X houses a huge 17.3” display. Together with its Quad-HD 1440P resolution and high 240Hz refresh rate, it provides the perfect balance for a smooth and sharp gameplay experience.
It’s not the brightest display I’ve seen but it’s ideal for on-the-go, and you can still connect up to 3 external 4k monitors if you’re looking for more deskspace. It also covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour space, and comes with low blue light and flicker-free certifications. So not only is this great for gamers, but also for creative professionals.
The 17X laptop offers impressive audio performance with two 2.5 watt speakers, providing a rich and immersive sound experience. Gamers will also benefit from the inclusion of DTS Sound Unbound, which allows full immersion through spatial audio, and the application which features DTS Headphone:X, currently supports a database of more than 500+ tuned headphones. This technology enhances audio quality, making every gaming session captivating, along with other entertainment like movies and music.
The AORUS 17X AZF is fitted with a Windforce Infinity cooling system, which has been improved over the previous model and is now 35% more cooling efficient. Underneath, the unit has 4 powerful 12V fans, 2 heat-pipes, vapour chamber and 4 airflow exhausts.
The side vents accommodate 324 cooling fins which are distributed over the exhaust vents. As a result of this updated design approach, I found the 17X to remain cool even under demanding conditions.
The AORUS 17X is armed with a 13th gen Intel Core i9 CPU, and paired with a RTX 4090 Mobile GPU. It’s hard to believe there’s a 4090 inside when they keep making the chassis smaller!
So let’s talk about how well the 17X performed for us. In our testing we played Forza 5, Doom Eternal and Battletoads. Graphically I did not experience any tearing or lag. I also felt that the display looked incredible at the frame rates we continued to push it to.
Of course you will need to tweak the settings of each game to get the most out of the 17X. Overall however, we found that with the laptop set to Gaming mode in the Gigabyte Control Center, and the Fan control set to Power, the games we tested would consistently hit 160-180 FPS at 1440P with no extra tweaking.
CONCLUSION
The 2023 version of the AORUS 17X model showcases subtle design enhancements that undoubtedly enhance the user experience. Personally, I am particularly fond of the relocation of the DC port to the back of the laptop, and I believe the redesign has been executed exceptionally well.
This laptop is not only a high-performance device for gamers, but it also caters to the needs of content creators. If you’re seeking the best of both worlds, I recommend considering the 17X AZF model. Furthermore, the sheer power of this laptop is mind-boggling; I still can’t believe that we’re testing a gaming laptop with a 4090 in such a compact chassis.
After thoroughly testing the 2023 17X model for four weeks, including gaming, everyday use, and video editing, we have thoroughly enjoyed our time with it. From the subtle design improvements to its incredible performance, and more than adequate battery life, this laptop is an outstanding choice for gamers looking to upgrade or anyone in need of a new laptop.
Lover of all things gaming, film and technology from 80’s to now. My background in Marketing & Operations Management has provided me with a strong work ethic and ability to think outside the box.
