ROG Ally and Ally X Beginner Guide (2025) — Simple Setup, Best Settings, and Tips for New Owners
If you just picked up a ROG Ally or the newer ROG Ally X, this guide is meant to make your first few days as simple as possible. A lot of beginners setting up a ROG Ally and Ally X get overwhelmed with Windows, Armoury Crate, TDP settings, and figuring out which games run well. The good news is: you don’t need to know everything right away. You just need a few core settings, a simple routine, and an idea of what matters and what doesn’t.
This guide is based on community-tested recommendations, official ASUS documentation, and common tips shared by new Ally users. Let’s break everything down step-by-step.
Table of Contents
What Makes the ROG Ally and Ally X Different From a Regular Handheld?
The Ally is basically a Windows gaming PC packed inside a Switch-sized device. This gives you a lot of flexibility—Steam, Game Pass, GOG, emulators—but it also means things can feel a little more “PC-like” compared to something like the Nintendo Switch.
Here’s what beginners should know:
- You control performance using power modes
- Games run through Windows
- You’ll mainly use Armoury Crate SE to switch modes, launch games, or adjust controls
- Settings matter more than on a console
You don’t need to be technical—just follow the steps in this guide and you’ll be fine.
ROG Ally vs. Ally X — What’s Actually Different?
A lot of people ask if the Ally X is worth it. The easiest way to explain the difference is to focus on real-world results:
Ally X improvements (simplified):
- Bigger battery → generally 2–3 hours of gaming instead of ~1–1.5
- More RAM → helps heavy games load smoother
- Better thermals → cooler device, less fan noise
- Improved controls and grips → feels more solid to hold
- Internal layout update → more reliable microSD slot, improved durability
Ally (original model) strengths:
- More affordable
- Same performance at the same wattage
- Same software experience
- Still very capable with light/mid gaming
If you’re buying new: the Ally X is the better long-term pick.
If you already own the original Ally: you’re still fine—this guide applies equally to both models.
What To Do Before Installing Your First Game
Most beginners skip these steps and run into issues later. To keep things simple, here’s a short checklist:
Day 1 Setup Checklist
✔ Install all Windows updates (Settings → Windows Update)
✔ Open Armoury Crate SE and install firmware/driver updates
✔ Connect to a 5GHz WiFi network
✔ Sign into your game launchers (Steam, Xbox, Epic, etc.)
✔ Set your default install location (internal SSD is fastest)
✔ Calibrate your sticks (Armoury Crate → Controller tab)
✔ Lower screen brightness to save battery
✔ Turn on Game Mode in Windows
You don’t need to configure everything right away. Just get these basics done first.
Understanding the Ally’s Power Modes (Simple Explanation)
You’ll see three main power profiles:
Silent Mode — low fan noise, best for 2D/indie games
- Lowest power use
- Best battery life
- Not great for heavy games
Performance Mode — best for everyday gaming
- Balanced performance
- Still decent battery
- Works well for most games at 15W–20W
Turbo Mode — max performance (plugged in)
- Highest power and heat
- Best for AAA games
- Drains battery fast if unplugged
Most Ally users spend 90% of their time in Performance Mode.
Beginners don’t need to tweak this too much.
TDP Explained (Beginner Version)
TDP is basically “how much power the Ally gives your games.” Higher = more performance but worse battery.
Here’s a super simple cheat sheet:
TDP Cheat Sheet
- 10–12W → best battery, light games
- 15–20W → recommended for most titles
- 25W+ → heavy AAA games, plugged in
You can change this inside Armoury Crate SE or per-game.
Best Beginner Settings (You Only Need These)
These are community-recommended defaults that work well for most people:
System Settings
- Game Mode: ON
- Xbox Game Bar: OFF (saves battery)
- HDR: ON except for games where it causes issues
- WiFi Power Saving: OFF
- Display refresh rate: 120Hz (switch to 60Hz when saving battery)
Armoury Crate SE
- Power Mode: Performance
- GPU: Default
- Fan Profile: Default
- Controller Mode: Auto
- RGB Effects: Low or Off (saves battery)
You don’t need to touch advanced fan curves or custom profiles unless you want to.
Game Settings: Quick Presets for Beginners
These are commonly recommended settings new users use for smoother gameplay. They’re meant to remove the trial-and-error guesswork.
Popular Games
Baldur’s Gate 3
- 20–25W
- Medium settings
- FSR Quality
- 1080p or 900p
Apex Legends
- 15–20W
- FSR On
- 900p
- All low + textures medium
Elden Ring
- 20W
- Medium settings
- 720p or 900p
Fortnite
- 15W
- Performance Mode (in-game)
- 1080p
Starfield
- 25–30W
- Low settings
- FSR On
- 720p recommended
You don’t need perfect visuals on a handheld. Focus on smoothness first.
Simple Optimizations That Actually Matter
You’ll see tons of “performance tweak” videos, but beginners only need a few core improvements:
✔ Turn down background apps
Chrome, Discord, and launchers all drain battery.
✔ Lower in-game resolution
720p looks fine on a handheld-sized screen.
✔ Keep it cool
Using Performance Mode with good airflow avoids thermal throttling.
✔ Install games on the SSD, not the SD card
Loading is faster and freezing is less common.
✔ Use FSR or in-game upscaling
This boosts framerate without noticeable quality loss.
You don’t need complicated tweaks to get good performance.
Recommended Accessories Based on Your Use-Case
Instead of listing random items, here’s a simple breakdown:
If you travel a lot
- Slim protective sleeve
- Screen protector
- USB-C PD charger
If you dock to a TV or monitor
- USB-C dock with DisplayPort or HDMI
- Bluetooth controller
- Longer USB-C cable
If you play for long sessions
- Grip case
- Cooling stand
- Rear button covers (optional, comfort-based)
If you plan on storing a large library
- 1TB or 2TB M.2 SSD
- A2-rated SD card (for light games only)
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
These are problems new users run into frequently:
❌ Installing heavy games on SD instead of SSD
❌ Leaving refresh rate at 120Hz while trying to save battery
❌ Using Turbo Mode unplugged (kills battery fast)
❌ Forgetting to disable overlays like Game Bar
❌ Installing too many launchers
❌ Expecting console-like simplicity
❌ Playing AAA games on Silent Mode
Avoid these and your experience will be much smoother.
Troubleshooting Tips (Beginner Friendly)
My Ally feels hot.
Use Performance Mode instead of Turbo, and make sure the vents aren’t blocked.
My game stutters a lot.
Lower resolution to 720p and turn on FSR.
Battery drains fast.
Lower brightness, switch to 60Hz, and cap wattage around 12–15W.
SD card games crash.
Move the game to the internal SSD.
Mini FAQ for New Ally Owners
Does the Ally overheat?
Not usually, but Turbo Mode can run warm. Performance Mode is most balanced.
Can I play offline?
Yes, but some launchers need an initial sign-in.
Do I need the official ROG dock?
No. Any quality USB-C dock with DisplayPort/HDMI works well.
Is the Ally X worth upgrading to?
Most users say yes for the battery upgrade alone, but the original Ally still performs well.
Can I use mods?
Yes, it’s Windows—just apply them carefully.
Final Thoughts & Advice
The ROG Ally and Ally X can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’re coming from something simple like a Switch. But once you learn the basics—how to switch modes, how TDP works, and how to adjust a few settings—you’ll get a smooth experience. You don’t have to use every feature or tweak every menu. Just start simple and grow into the device.