The Gigabyte AORUS series represents Gigabyte’s flagship gaming laptops, built for competitive esports and AAA gaming at the highest framerates. The AORUS 16X and 17X models are fully upgradeable workhorses — dual DDR5 SO-DIMM slots, dual M.2 2280 NVMe bays, and 240W USB-C PD charging that supports sustained high-performance gaming and content creation.
The short version: AORUS laptops are built for enthusiasts who want maximum upgradeability. Every component is user-accessible, and the 17X supports up to 96GB DDR5 and 8TB+ of storage. These are gaming laptops that grow with your needs.
AORUS Compatibility Master Table
| Model | RAM Type | Max RAM | RAM Slots | SSD Slots | Max Storage | Charger | Thunderbolt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AORUS 16X (2024) | DDR5 SO-DIMM | 96GB | 2 slots | 2× M.2 2280 | 8TB | 240W USB-C PD | TB4 |
| AORUS 17X (2024) | DDR5 SO-DIMM | 96GB | 2 slots | 2× M.2 2280 | 8TB | 240W USB-C PD | TB4 |
AORUS 16X — Premium Gaming at 16 Inches
The AORUS 16X is Gigabyte’s 16-inch gaming flagship, striking a balance between portability and performance. At 2.1kg, it’s still reasonably portable for a gaming laptop, while the 16-inch 16:10 display (144Hz or 165Hz) provides immersive gaming real estate without the bulk of an 18-inch machine.
Key Specs & Upgrade Potential
- RAM: DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (2 slots, up to 96GB with dual 48GB modules)
- Storage: 2× M.2 2280 NVMe slots (supports Gen 4 and Gen 5, up to 8TB total)
- Charger: 240W USB-C PD
- GPU: RTX 4070–RTX 4090
- Display: 16-inch QHD (2560×1600) 144Hz or 165Hz IPS
- Refresh rate: 144Hz or 165Hz
- PCIe Storage: Gen 4 and Gen 5 supported
Upgrade recommendations: If your AORUS 16X shipped with 16GB DDR5, upgrading to 32GB (2×16GB) immediately is worthwhile for 1440p gaming + multitasking, streaming, or content creation. Many buyers find themselves needing 32GB within 6–12 months. For the ultimate setup, 64GB (2×32GB) is achievable and recommended if you plan to stream at high bitrate or do video editing alongside gaming.
Storage strategy: Keep your original SSD and add a second 2TB or 4TB drive. This gives you fast primary drive for OS and main games, plus a secondary drive for game library expansion. Alternatively, replace both with larger drives for 4TB–8TB total capacity.
AORUS 17X — Desktop Replacement Gaming Beast
The AORUS 17X is the ultimate AORUS configuration — 17-inch ultra-wide display, PCIe Gen 5 storage support, and the highest upgrade potential of any gaming laptop. At 2.4kg, it’s heavier than the 16X but still portable for a machine of this caliber.
Key Specs & Upgrade Potential
- RAM: DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM (2 slots, up to 96GB with dual 48GB modules)
- Storage: 2× M.2 2280 NVMe slots with PCIe Gen 5 support (up to 8TB+ total)
- Charger: 240W USB-C PD
- GPU: RTX 4090 (highest-end configurations)
- Display: 17.3-inch (2560×1600) 144Hz IPS
- PCIe Storage: Gen 5 for blazing-fast SSD performance
Why choose the 17X over 16X? The 17X supports PCIe Gen 5 storage, offering future-proof performance. If you’re upgrading or adding SSDs, Gen 5 drives deliver double the speed of Gen 4 — a noticeable improvement when transferring large video files or managing massive game libraries. Additionally, the 17X ships with higher-tier GPUs (RTX 4090) for sustained high-performance gaming.
Ultimate upgrade path: Start with the factory config, then upgrade to 64GB DDR5 (2×32GB) and dual 2TB Gen 5 NVMe drives within 6–12 months. This delivers 64GB RAM and 4TB storage — effectively a desktop-class gaming machine in laptop form.
Browse DDR5 RAM for AORUS on Amazon
RAM Upgrade Guide
DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM Recommendations
| Capacity | Recommended Product | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16GB | Crucial CT16G56C46S5 | £35–50 | Adding to existing 16GB for 32GB total |
| 32GB | Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 32GB | £70–90 | Dual 32GB for 64GB total (recommended max) |
| 48GB | Samsung M471C6E7JT0-PB0 | £130–160 | Extreme setup: dual 48GB for 96GB |
How Much RAM Do You Need?
- Gaming only (no streaming): 16GB is adequate, 32GB is better for future-proofing
- Gaming + Discord/Twitch open: 24GB minimum, 32GB recommended
- Gaming + streaming to Twitch: 32GB minimum
- Gaming + video editing/3D rendering: 64GB recommended
- Professional creative work + gaming: 96GB (dual 48GB modules)
SSD Upgrade Guide
PCIe Gen 4 vs Gen 5 — What’s the Difference?
Gen 4 (up to 7,000 MB/s): Fast for gaming and general productivity. Game loads happen in under a second. Excellent value for gamers.
Gen 5 (up to 14,000 MB/s): Double the speed of Gen 4. Noticeable when transferring 4K video files, managing large project files, or copying game libraries between drives. Not critical for gaming alone, but excellent for content creators who use the AORUS for both gaming and video editing.
Recommended SSDs by Use Case
| Use Case | Recommended SSD | Capacity | Gen | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaming only | Crucial P5 Plus | 1–2TB | Gen 4 | £45–100 |
| Gaming + streaming | Samsung 990 EVO | 2TB | Gen 4 | £80–100 |
| Gaming + video editing | Samsung 990 Pro | 2TB | Gen 5 | £120–150 |
| Professional creator | WD Black SN850X | 4TB | Gen 5 | £250–300 |
Common AORUS Upgrade Paths
Path 1: Competitive Esports Gamer (£100–150)
Start: 16GB DDR5 + 512GB Gen 4 SSD
Upgrade to: 32GB DDR5 + 1TB Gen 4 SSD
Total cost: £100–150
Result: Smooth 1440p 165Hz gaming with room for 10–15 AAA titles on the drive
Path 2: Content Creator (£200–300)
Start: 32GB DDR5 + 1TB Gen 4 SSD
Upgrade to: 64GB DDR5 + dual 2TB Gen 5 SSDs
Total cost: £200–300
Result: Simultaneous gaming and 4K video editing with 4TB total storage
Path 3: Ultimate Setup (£400+)
Start: 16GB DDR5 + 512GB SSD
Upgrade to: 96GB DDR5 (dual 48GB) + dual 4TB Gen 5 SSDs
Total cost: £400+
Result: Professional-grade laptop that handles gaming, streaming, video editing, and 3D rendering without compromise
Charger & Power Management
Both AORUS 16X and 17X use 240W USB-C Power Delivery charging. This is among the highest USB-C PD wattages available, enabling sustained high-performance gaming without throttling.
Third-party chargers that work:
- Anker 737 240W: Native 240W USB-C PD, excellent build quality
- Ugreen 200W GaN: 200W USB-C PD (adequate for sustained gaming, full performance may dip slightly)
- Lenovo Legion 240W (if compatible): 240W barrel/USB-C hybrid
For the best experience, the original Gigabyte charger is optimized for thermal profiles. If you need a backup or travel charger, a 200W+ USB-C PD charger ensures full performance.
Thunderbolt 4 Docking & Peripherals
Both AORUS models include Thunderbolt 4, enabling:
- Multi-monitor setups via TB4 dock (up to 3–4 monitors at high refresh rates)
- External Thunderbolt SSDs for ultra-fast project storage (40 Gbps)
- High-speed peripherals (audio interfaces, capture cards)
Popular TB4 docks compatible with AORUS: CalDigit TS4, Anker Thunderbolt 4 Hub, Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Universal Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade the RAM in my AORUS to 96GB?
Yes, but it’s expensive. The AORUS 16X and 17X both support dual 48GB DDR5 modules (96GB total). However, 48GB individual modules cost £130–160 each — the entire 96GB upgrade costs £300+. Most users opt for 64GB (2×32GB) for a better cost-to-performance ratio.
What SSD should I buy for my AORUS 17X?
The 17X supports PCIe Gen 5. If buying Gen 5 drives, Samsung 990 Pro (2TB) and WD Black SN850X (2TB) are excellent. If sticking with Gen 4 for cost savings, Samsung 990 EVO and Crucial P5 Plus are proven performers. Match the capacity to your game library — 2TB is practical for most gamers, 4TB is for content creators.
Is the AORUS 16X or 17X better for streaming?
Both are equally capable for streaming thanks to the RTX 4070+ GPUs and 240W charger. The 17X’s larger screen and Gen 5 SSD support make it slightly better for content creators who mix gaming and video editing. For pure gaming + streaming, the 16X is sufficient and more portable.
Can I use the AORUS charger with other Gigabyte laptops?
The AORUS 240W charger can power any Gigabyte laptop in the lineup (AERO 16, G6, etc.), but using a lower-wattage charger (e.g., AERO’s 140W) with the AORUS may cause performance throttling under sustained gaming. Always use the charger designed for your specific model for optimal thermals.
How often should I upgrade my AORUS?
The AORUS is built to last 4–5 years with strategic upgrades. After 1–2 years of heavy gaming, upgrading RAM (if you started with 16GB) and adding a second SSD can feel like a new laptop. After 4–5 years, battery replacement and thermal paste refresh are worthwhile to extend lifespan.
Recommended Products
These are the products we recommend based on this guide. All links go to Amazon UK where you can check current prices and availability.
| Product | Why We Recommend It | Amazon UK |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair Vengeance DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Top-rated DDR5 kit for gaming & productivity | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB (2×16GB) 5600MHz | Excellent DDR5 alternative with XMP support | View on Amazon UK |
| Crucial DDR5 SO-DIMM 16GB 5600MHz | Affordable single-stick DDR5 | View on Amazon UK |
| G.Skill Ripjaws DDR5 SO-DIMM 32GB 5600MHz | High performance DDR5 for enthusiasts | View on Amazon UK |
| Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 2280 | Fastest consumer NVMe — ideal for gaming & editing | View on Amazon UK |
| WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe | Excellent Gen4 speed with heatsink option | View on Amazon UK |
| Crucial P5 Plus 1TB NVMe | Great value Gen4 SSD | View on Amazon UK |
| Kingston NV2 1TB NVMe | Budget-friendly with solid reliability | View on Amazon UK |
Prices and availability may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
