Gigabyte Laptop Upgrade Guide — AORUS, AERO & G-Series RAM, SSD & More

Gigabyte builds high-performance gaming and creator laptops across three main series: AORUS (gaming), AERO (professional), and G-Series (mainstream gaming). All Gigabyte laptops are exceptionally upgrade-friendly — most feature user-accessible DDR5 SO-DIMM slots and dual M.2 NVMe bays. This guide covers upgrading RAM, SSDs, and chargers across the entire Gigabyte lineup.

The short version: Gigabyte laptops are built by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. Every current model has upgradeable RAM, most have dual storage slots, and they all support Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C docking. Whether you own an AORUS 16X gaming beast or an AERO 16 creator machine, you’ll find clear upgrade paths below.

Gigabyte Laptop Upgrade Compatibility — Quick Reference

AORUS 16X & 17X — Gaming Performance Upgraded

The AORUS 16X and 17X are Gigabyte’s flagship gaming laptops, packed with the latest Intel/AMD processors and RTX GPUs. Both models feature two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 96GB total (2×48GB modules), plus two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for massive storage flexibility.

Key upgrade features:

• Fully upgradeable DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM RAM (up to 96GB)
• Dual M.2 2280 NVMe slots (supports Gen 4 and Gen 5 drives)
• 240W USB-C PD charging (also accepts barrel chargers on some models)
• Thunderbolt 4 on all ports
• 16:10 display aspect ratio (excellent for gaming immersion)

Upgrade recommendations: If your AORUS came with 16GB DDR5, upgrading to 32GB (2×16GB) delivers noticeable improvement in competitive gaming and streaming. For creative professionals using the AORUS as a content creation machine, 64GB (2×32GB) is worth the investment. Storage is easy: add a 2TB or 4TB Gen 5 NVMe drive to your existing SSD for unprecedented game library capacity.

Browse DDR5 RAM for AORUS on Amazon

AORUS Thermal and Performance Tips

AORUS laptops come with aggressive cooling curves from the factory. After upgrading RAM or SSDs, consider updating your BIOS to the latest version for improved thermal optimization. Gigabyte provides easy BIOS updates through their Control Center app.

AERO 16 — Creator’s Powerhouse

The AERO 16 is Gigabyte’s professional-grade laptop, targeting video editors, 3D artists, and engineers. It shares the upgrade-friendly design of the AORUS but optimizes for color accuracy (Pantone-certified display) and professional I/O.

Key specs for upgrading:

• Two DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM slots (up to 96GB)
• Two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots
• 140W USB-C PD charger
• Thunderbolt 4 (2–3 ports depending on generation)
• Optional discrete GPU (RTX 4070–4090) for CUDA acceleration

For creators: The AERO’s real power lies in its combination of CPU performance and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. Upgrading to 64GB DDR5 (2×32GB) is standard for 4K video editing, while adding a secondary 2TB Gen 4 or Gen 5 NVMe SSD creates a fast scratch disk for media operations.

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G6 — Balanced Gaming & Creator Hybrid

The G6 sits between pure gaming and workstation territory. It’s designed for gamers who also edit streams or creators who want to play demanding games without compromise. Like its AORUS siblings, the G6 is fully upgradeable.

Upgrade specs:

• Two DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM slots (up to 64GB)
• Two M.2 2280 NVMe slots (supports Gen 4 and Gen 5)
• 180W USB-C PD charger
• Thunderbolt 4

Sweet spot upgrade path: G6 buyers often start with 16GB DDR5 and find themselves needing 32GB within a year (thanks to increasingly demanding games and multitasking). Upgrading to 32GB (2×16GB) costs under £100 and provides immediate responsiveness gains. Add a second 1TB or 2TB NVMe SSD for under £80 to handle large game libraries and capture files from streaming.

Recommended RAM & SSD Upgrades for Gigabyte

Browse Gigabyte SSD Upgrades on Amazon

Charger Compatibility & Power Management

All current Gigabyte gaming laptops use USB-C PD charging with the following wattages:

• AORUS 16X/17X: 240W USB-C PD (original charger recommended for sustained gaming)
• AERO 16: 140W USB-C PD (sufficient for sustained creative work)
• G6: 180W USB-C PD

Third-party USB-C PD chargers matching or exceeding these wattages will work, but Gigabyte’s original chargers are optimized for thermal profiles. If you frequently game or work away from a desk, invest in a quality third-party 240W USB-C PD charger as a backup.

Docking & Thunderbolt 4 Ecosystem

Every Gigabyte laptop in this guide includes Thunderbolt 4, making them compatible with professional docks and high-speed external storage. For creators and gamers needing multi-monitor setups, Thunderbolt 4 docks deliver:

• Up to 40 Gbps external SSD performance
• Daisy-chaining of multiple Thunderbolt devices
• Single-cable connection for power, video, and data

Popular TB4 docks compatible with all Gigabyte models: Anker Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station, CalDigit TS4, and Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade the RAM in my AORUS 16X to 96GB?

Yes. The AORUS 16X supports two DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM slots that accept 48GB modules (2×48GB = 96GB total). However, 48GB individual modules are expensive and rare. Most users upgrade to 32GB modules (64GB total) for an excellent cost-to-performance ratio.

What’s the difference between PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 SSDs for Gigabyte?

Gen 5 SSDs offer roughly double the read/write speed of Gen 4 (up to 14,000 MB/s vs 7,000 MB/s). For gaming, the practical difference is marginal—both load games in under a second. Gen 5 shines when transferring large video files or working with 8K footage. Budget buyers should stick with Gen 4; creators should consider Gen 5 for their secondary drive.

Can I use my AORUS charger with an AERO laptop?

The AORUS 16X uses 240W while the AERO uses 140W. Technically, a 240W charger is overkill for the AERO (it will simply deliver 140W to the laptop), but it’s safe and won’t damage anything. The reverse (using an AERO charger on an AORUS) is not recommended under gaming load.

Do Gigabyte laptops have accessible RAM and SSD slots?

Yes. All current AORUS, AERO, and G6 models have removable bottom panels. RAM and SSD slots are easily accessible without removing the CPU cooler or motherboard — upgrades take 10–15 minutes with basic tools.

Which Gigabyte laptop is best for upgrading?

The AORUS 17X offers the most potential: 96GB DDR5, dual M.2 slots for 8TB+, and 240W charging for sustained high-performance work. If budget is a factor, the G6 delivers 90% of the AORUS experience at 60–70% of the cost.

Can I access individual Gigabyte model pages?

Yes. For detailed specifications on individual models, visit:

• AORUS 16X specifications
• AORUS 17X specifications
• AERO 16 specifications
• G6 specifications

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.

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Related Guides

• Ram Compatibility
• Ssd Compatibility
• Charger Compatibility
• Dock Compatibility
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