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The introduction of a hexa-core processor has done wonders for the latest Aero 15X, showing itself in the numbers for the Geekbench and Cinebench tests. In the real world, if you’re using a laptop with a 7th-generation Intel processor inside, you might not notice a major difference in performance here computing-wise.
Here’s how the Gigabyte Aero 15X performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark Sky Diver: 19,051; Fire Strike: 12,075; Time Spy: 4,772
Cinebench CPU: 1,165 points; Graphics: 60 fps
Geekbench 4 Single-Core: 4,827; Multi-Core: 18,871
PCMark 8: 3,094 points
PCMark 8 Battery Life: 6 hours and 27 minutes
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 7 hours and 5 minutes
Total War: Warhammer II (1080p, Low): 116 fps; (1080p, Ultra): 54 fps
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War (1080p, Low): 122 fps; (1080p, Ultra): 70 fps
However, if you often render video or image media through an editing or creation tool, you’ll likely notice a sizable uptick in speed when exporting or encoding those finished projects.
On the gaming front, we see the hexa-core processor give performance in Total War: Warhammer II a little boost, being focused on rendering multiple characters at once with their own AI profiles. In games reliant almost purely on graphics processing, you’re going to see less of a spike, as nothing has changed there.
Of course, in housing nearly all of the same components, the MSI GS65 Stealth produced quite similar numbers. In short, more processor cores will only mean stronger performance in almost all areas, though those improvements will be more visible in some areas than others.
Battery life
The Gigabyte Aero 15X continues to be among the longest lasting gaming laptops we’ve tested, coming in at nearly six and a half hours in the PCMark 8 battery test. This is nearly double the lasting power of the MSI laptop in the same test.
As for local video playback, the Aero 15X lasted a seemingly impossible 7 hours and 5 minutes, that’s Ultrabook territory from a gaming laptop. Only the previous Razer Blade surpassed it by 25 minutes – though, that was a mere Full HD laptop.
Gigabyte may promise up to 10 hours of battery, but the final result is impressive enough. With battery life like this, you can truly use the Aero 15X as both a gaming laptop (when plugged in) and a general use laptop when on the go. That alone makes for a compelling value proposition.
Features and software
The Aero 15X doesn’t have that many unique hardware features to mention beyond a versatile Thunderbolt 3 port for ultra-fast data transfer. Though, when used with the included HDMI 2.0 and mini DisplayPort 1.4 ports, this laptop can power up to three 4K displays. Talk about a desktop replacement.
As for software, the included Smart Manager software offers lots of fine tuned control over key components, like cooling fans and power management settings. This, in tandem with the dual-fan Supra Cool cooling system, helps the system keep the heat off when the fans are kicked into ‘Gaming Mode.’ Finally the Gigabyte Fusion app manages the RGB backlighting across the keyboard with several profile options.
Final verdict
The Gigabyte Aero 15X is an excellent gaming laptop with proper media work chops as well, but it’s also a bit of a mixed bag in terms of value. Whether you should buy this gem will seriously depend upon your personal needs.
If you’re looking for the most affordable Max-Q GTX 1070 gaming laptop, you’ve found it – and it plays just as well as the pricier ones. However, that low price means a display that’s half as fast as its rivals and a disappointing touchpad.
In short, the Aero 15X is a fine high-end gaming laptop if you’re willing to overlook cut corners in places that won’t completely sour your experience.
