Doom: The Dark Ages has finally arrived, and if you're a fan of handheld gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X, you’re probably curious whether it can run this highly anticipated title. For the purposes of this test, I’ve set 30 frames per second as the minimum acceptable frame rate for smooth gameplay, though hitting 60fps would be ideal—even if it’s unlikely given the game's demanding nature.
The previous installment, *Doom Eternal*, ran surprisingly well on the Asus ROG Ally, but don’t expect similar performance from *The Dark Ages*. This new entry pushes hardware much harder, making expectations based on its predecessor unrealistic.
A Note on the Hardware
Today’s PC gaming handhelds vary widely in specs, but the Asus ROG Ally X currently leads the pack. While it shares the AMD Z1 Extreme processor with several other handhelds, it distinguishes itself with an impressive 24GB of system memory—16GB of which is dedicated to the GPU by default. More importantly, this RAM runs at 7,500MHz, significantly increasing memory bandwidth, which is crucial for the Z1 Extreme’s integrated graphics performance.
Because of these enhancements, the ROG Ally X represents the best possible scenario for testing *Doom: The Dark Ages*. If it struggles here, less powerful handhelds likely won't stand a chance until next-gen models arrive later this year.
Asus ROG Ally X
With double the battery life and faster memory, the Asus ROG Ally X has established itself as the top handheld gaming PC available today. [See it at Best Buy]
Can the Asus ROG Ally Handle Doom: The Dark Ages?
Before starting, make sure your system is up to date. Updating the chipset on the ROG Ally X is simple: open Armoury Crate via the bottom right menu button, tap the cogwheel icon at the top, and navigate to Update Center. There, check for the latest AMD Radeon Graphics Driver update. If it doesn’t appear immediately, click "Check for Updates." Once the RC72LA version becomes available, select “Update All” to proceed.
For benchmarking, I tested the device while plugged into power using Turbo Operating Mode (30W) to maximize performance. I also increased the Texture Pool Size in-game to the maximum allowed value of 4,096MB (default is 2,048MB). Given that the ROG Ally X has 24GB RAM (with 16GB usable), this was well within safe limits even under Ultra Nightmare settings.
All tests were conducted with resolution scaling turned off. I also tested dynamic resolution, but since results mirrored those at 720p across all presets, they are not included. The target frame rate proved unattainable regardless of setting, so dynamic resolution defaulted to 720p automatically.
| Graphics Preset / Resolution | FPS |
|---|---|
| Ultra Nightmare, 1080p | 15fps |
| Ultra Nightmare, 720p | 24fps |
| Nightmare, 1080p | 16fps |
| Nightmare, 720p | 24fps |
| Ultra, 1080p | 16fps |
| Ultra, 720p | 24fps |
| High, 1080p | 16fps |
| High, 720p | 26fps |
| Medium, 1080p | 17fps |
| Medium, 720p | 30fps |
| Low, 1080p | 20fps |
| Low, 720p | 35fps |
For consistency, each test was run using the opening section of the second mission, Hebeth, which features intense visual effects and particle systems that push hardware to the limit. The results were eye-opening.
At 1080p, performance was nearly unplayable. Even on Ultra Nightmare, the average frame rate barely reached 15fps, with little improvement when lowering settings—Nightmare, Ultra, and High all averaged 16fps. Medium offered a slight bump to 17fps, while Low managed 20fps. In short, 1080p is not viable no matter what graphics preset you choose.
Performance improved slightly at 720p, though still far from optimal. Ultra Nightmare, Nightmare, and Ultra maintained a steady 24fps, while High climbed to 26fps. These results may be tolerable in a pinch, but true playability only begins at Medium or Low settings. At Medium, the Ally X hit a consistent 30fps, and at Low, it reached 35fps—finally crossing into playable territory.
Asus ROG Ally X Isn’t Ready for Doom: The Dark Ages
I’m a huge advocate for handheld gaming PCs and especially fond of the Asus ROG Ally X, but in this case, the hardware simply isn’t strong enough. Saying the Ally X struggles with *Doom: The Dark Ages* would be putting it lightly. Achieving 30fps requires dropping to Medium or Low settings at 720p—and even then, it’s pushing the limit.
Steam Deck users will find even fewer options, as its specs fall short of the Ally X’s. If the Asus model can barely keep up, Valve’s device won’t fare any better. You’ll likely need to drop to 800p and Low graphics just to scrape together 30fps—if that.
Still, there’s hope on the horizon. As next-generation mobile chipsets begin to roll out, including the rumored AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, we may see real improvements. This processor is expected to power upcoming devices such as the Asus ROG Ally 2, and early leaks even suggest a potential Xbox-branded model. Until then, patience is key—especially for fans eager to experience titles like *Doom: The Dark Ages* on the go.
