iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Start with power, updates, and the performance profile before changing graphics settings. An underpowered USB-C charger can keep the ROG Xbox Ally X20 (ASUS model RC73XA) below its full 35 W operating mode, creating an abrupt FPS ceiling. Then install Windows, BIOS, AMD graphics, Armoury Crate SE, and Xbox updates; test Performance or Turbo on adequate AC power; increase the GPU share of system memory if a game is VRAM-limited; and close overlays and background programs. If only one title fails, repair that title. If every game stutters or crashes, treat the problem as a power, driver, firmware, memory-allocation, or Armoury Crate issue.
This sequence separates causes instead of changing several variables at once, so you can identify the fix that actually solved the problem.
Identify the symptom before changing settings
Use the exact game and reproduce the fault once, then record the conditions. Note the game version, Windows build, BIOS version, AMD graphics-driver version, Armoury Crate SE version, power mode, charger wattage, and whether the failure happens on battery, USB-C power, or both. Also record the exact crash text, such as a GPU-device-removed or out-of-memory message. This information distinguishes a title-specific problem from a system-wide one and gives ASUS support something actionable.
- Stutter with a stable-looking FPS counter: investigate frame pacing, power changes, background activity, and VRAM pressure.
- Low FPS from the first minute: check the charger and operating mode before lowering graphics quality.
- Crashes in one game: verify that game’s files, patches, and graphics settings.
- Crashes in every game: prioritize updates, power, drivers, GPU-memory allocation, and Armoury Crate.
1. Check power and the charger first
Plug the Ally X20 into AC power and open Armoury Crate SE. Look for a low-power warning or an operating-mode restriction. PC Gamer’s 2026 hands-on testing found that an insufficient charger prevented the device from reaching its full 35 W mode. That is the clearest hardware-linked explanation for a sudden, repeatable FPS ceiling while plugged in.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Use a charger that can meet the handheld’s demand
For a desk or travel setup, use a 100 W USB-C Power Delivery charger with a USB-C cable rated for the charger’s output. The recommendation is about supplying sufficient power; it is not a promise that every game will gain FPS. A game that is GPU-limited, thermally limited, or poorly optimized may perform the same after the charger is replaced.
After connecting the charger, wait for Windows and Armoury Crate SE to recognize AC power, then recheck the selected operating mode. If the warning remains, test another known-good 100 W PD charger and cable, inspect the USB-C connector for dirt or damage, and remove an unpowered hub from the charging path.
Compare battery and AC behavior
Run the same save or benchmark for several minutes on battery and then on adequate AC power. A large, repeatable difference points to the power mode or charger. If both runs are equally slow, continue with updates, VRAM, and game settings instead of buying a charger immediately.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
2. Install every system and Armoury Crate update
Xbox’s setup guidance uses two update locations. Complete both, restart when requested, and retest the same game before making another change.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Open Windows Settings, choose Windows Update, select Check for updates, install everything offered, and restart.
- Open Command Center, choose Open Armoury Crate SE, open Update Center, select Check for Updates, and choose Update All.
- Restart again if Armoury Crate SE requests it. Do not launch the game until the restart has completed.
- From the ASUS support channel for the RC73XA, check for current BIOS and AMD graphics packages. Install the package intended for this exact model rather than a driver intended for another ROG Ally generation.
BIOS, Windows, AMD drivers, Armoury Crate SE, and Xbox preview features change frequently. The version numbers shown on your unit may therefore differ from screenshots or older advice. If an update fails, keep the device connected to adequate AC power, reboot, and retry through the official ASUS or Windows path before attempting a manual rollback.
3. Select the right operating mode for the test
Silent and other low-wattage modes reduce fan noise and battery drain by giving the processor and GPU less power. That trade-off can look like stuttering or a hard FPS cap. For troubleshooting, connect an adequate charger, select Performance, and then test Turbo if Performance does not provide enough headroom. Let the device warm up for several minutes before judging frame pacing.
| Mode choice | Best use | Expected trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Silent or low-wattage | Light games, menus, streaming, and longest battery life | Lower sustained performance and potentially less stable FPS in demanding games |
| Performance | General plugged-in play and a baseline troubleshooting test | More fan noise and battery use than Silent |
| Turbo | Demanding games when connected to a charger that permits full power | Highest heat, fan noise, and power consumption; the X20 can expose up to a 35 W operating mode when power conditions allow |
Use Xbox Default Game Profiles when a supported title has one. Xbox initially described profiles for 40 games that balance FPS and power automatically. In Xbox’s Hollow Knight: Silksong example, a Default Game Profile could add nearly one hour of battery life versus Performance mode while maintaining smooth 120 FPS gameplay. That is a game-specific, manufacturer-reported example, not a universal battery or FPS result.
4. Relieve VRAM pressure by changing the GPU-memory allocation
The Ally X20 uses shared system memory. A VRAM-heavy game can stutter, refuse to launch, or report that insufficient video memory is available even when Windows shows plenty of total RAM. ASUS specifically advises allocating more of the Ally’s shared memory to VRAM in that situation.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Change Memory Assigned to GPU
- Open Armoury Crate SE.
- Open Settings, then Performance (called Operating Mode in some software versions).
- Open GPU Settings.
- Change Memory Assigned to GPU from Auto to a larger fixed value appropriate for the game.
- Save the setting and reboot the Ally X20. The change does not take effect fully until Windows restarts.
Start with Auto if most games work, because a fixed allocation can reduce the memory available to Windows or another title. Use a fixed allocation when a known VRAM-heavy game repeatedly stutters or will not launch, then retest. Change only this setting, reboot, and test; that makes it clear whether memory allocation helped.
5. Remove background interference
Close browsers, launchers that are not needed for the current game, chat clients, recording tools, RGB utilities, and third-party overlays while troubleshooting. Overlay hooks and background downloads can create intermittent frame-time spikes even when average FPS looks acceptable.
The Xbox full-screen handheld experience is designed to minimize background activity and defer non-essential tasks so more resources remain available to gameplay. Use it, or manually close nonessential processes, then repeat the same in-game route. Re-enable one overlay at a time after the game is stable; the first overlay that brings the stutter back is the likely conflict.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →6. Isolate the game and lower settings methodically
Do not change resolution, ray tracing, upscaling, frame generation, driver versions, and VRAM allocation simultaneously. Test one title at a time so each result is meaningful.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
- Launch one affected game with the current profile and note whether the issue appears in menus, shader compilation, or gameplay.
- Lower resolution or the main graphics preset one step and retest the same scene.
- Disable ray tracing, which can consume substantial GPU headroom, and retest.
- If available, enable the game’s supported upscaling or frame-generation option and check frame pacing rather than only the headline FPS number.
- Verify the game’s files and install every available patch in its launcher when only that title crashes.
- Restore settings one change at a time after stability returns.
There is no universal FPS target for the X20. Results depend on the title, resolution, preset, power mode, driver, and support for upscaling or frame generation. A lower but consistent frame rate can feel better than a higher number with repeated frame-time spikes.
Why a game can crash or show a GPU error
Only one game crashes
Check that game’s updates and file integrity first. Remove an extreme graphics preset, ray tracing, or an unusually high texture setting, then retry. A title-specific crash is more likely to be caused by corrupted files, an incompatible patch, or that game’s memory demand than by a failing handheld.
Every game crashes
Return to the fast triage sequence: adequate charger, Windows and Armoury Crate updates, current BIOS and AMD graphics software, a Performance or Turbo test on AC power, and a VRAM allocation check. If the problem began immediately after a driver change, use an ASUS-provided package or documented recovery path rather than an unverified registry edit or community rollback.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Capture or Xbox Game Bar errors
Separate a capture failure from a game-rendering failure. If the game itself is stable but Xbox Game Bar recording fails, follow Microsoft’s Game Bar troubleshooting guidance and the ASUS support route for the RC73XA. Do not treat a recording error as proof that the GPU is defective.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Display settings and frame pacing
The X20’s variable-refresh display covers 30–120 Hz in PC Gamer’s 2026 testing. The reviewer reported that it handled changing frame rates with little visible stutter. Variable refresh can synchronize the panel to changing output and improve perceived smoothness, but it cannot create missing GPU performance. Sustained low FPS still requires a suitable power profile, lower settings, or a game-specific fix.
If motion feels uneven, compare the same scene with and without a frame-rate cap supported by the game. Keep the test consistent, and judge regularity of frame delivery rather than the highest instantaneous counter value. A display operating inside its variable-refresh range may look smooth even when the average FPS is modest; below that range, stutter can become more apparent.
Thermals: what the available measurement means
PC Gamer measured a maximum CPU temperature of 79 °C during its X20 testing. That is a reported test result, not a guaranteed limit for every room temperature, game, BIOS, or fan curve. A warm chassis and louder fans during Turbo are expected trade-offs for higher sustained power. If performance drops only after extended play, compare the first five minutes with the next 20 minutes and note whether the operating mode changes. Keep air intakes and exhaust clear and avoid soft surfaces that block ventilation.
When a dock or eGPU is worth considering
ASUS documents USB4 expansion and third-party eGPU compatibility for the ROG Ally X and ROG Xbox Ally X. An appropriate dock or eGPU can provide more graphics headroom at a desk, but it adds cost, cables, enclosure requirements, and compatibility variables. It is an expansion choice, not the first remedy for a charger warning, outdated driver, or incorrect VRAM setting.
| Approach | Portability | Graphics headroom | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal GPU | Highest; no extra hardware | Limited to the Ally X20’s integrated hardware and shared memory | Power mode, VRAM allocation, drivers, and game settings |
| USB4 dock | Good for a fixed desk; adds a cable and dock | Primarily expands ports and display connectivity | USB4 support, power delivery, cable quality, and display outputs |
| USB4 eGPU | Lowest portability; enclosure and external GPU required | Substantially more potential graphics headroom | GPU enclosure compatibility, drivers, power supply, and the specific game’s external-GPU behavior |
Choose an eGPU only after the handheld is stable internally. Otherwise, the extra hardware can hide the original driver or power problem instead of solving it.
A practical decision tree
- FPS is capped only when plugged in: inspect the charger wattage and Armoury Crate warning; retest with a 100 W USB-C PD charger.
- FPS improves after switching from Silent: keep the appropriate Performance or Turbo profile for that game and accept the related noise and battery trade-off.
- A VRAM error appears or one demanding title stutters: increase Memory Assigned to GPU, reboot, and test that title again.
- Every title began failing after an update: reinstall the current ASUS BIOS or AMD package through the official support path and confirm Armoury Crate is current.
- Only one title fails: verify files, install its patch, lower its settings, and avoid system-wide changes.
- Motion looks uneven despite adequate FPS: inspect frame pacing, overlays, frame caps, and whether output is inside the 30–120 Hz variable-refresh range.
- The internal system is stable but desk gaming needs more performance: investigate a compatible USB4 dock or eGPU.
What to send ASUS support if the problem remains
Provide the model identifier RC73XA, exact game and crash text, Windows build, BIOS version, AMD graphics-driver version, Armoury Crate SE version, selected operating mode, charger wattage, and whether the fault occurs on battery or AC. Include the steps that reproduce it and which of the isolated tests changed the behavior. This is more useful than reporting only that the device is slow or crashes.
Do not assume that a registry tweak, unofficial driver rollback, or a setting copied from another Ally model is safe for the X20. Use ASUS-provided software and documented recovery procedures first.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
