Alienware Aurora 16 vs 16X: Which One Deserves Your Money?
September 15, 2025
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Alienware 16 & 16X Aurora
Summary
While they look nearly identical, their performance and overall value couldn’t be more different. Here’s our breakdown after testing both.
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CPU & GPU Performance
The Aurora 16X comes with Intel’s new Core Ultra 9 275HX, offering strong single and multi-core performance on par with other high-end gaming laptops. By contrast, the Aurora 16 uses Intel’s Core 7 240H—a rehashed two-year-old chip that runs hot and lags behind modern alternatives.
Both laptops max out at an RTX 5070, but competitors at this price often include a 5070 Ti, which delivers a noticeable boost. The 16X holds its own in gaming benchmarks, while the 16 trails badly, especially with its weaker RTX 5060.
Gaming Experience
In titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Final Fantasy XIV, the 16X performs well, even beating some similarly spec'd rivals. However, its limited 8GB VRAM makes demanding games like Monster Hunter Wilds struggle at Ultra settings. The standard Aurora 16 fares worse, with inconsistent frame pacing and low 1% lows.
Display & Build
Despite sharing a similar chassis, the displays separate these two machines. The 16X features a bright 500+ nit, 240Hz panel with near-complete DCI-P3 coverage, while the 16 has a dimmer 360-nit, 120Hz screen with poor color accuracy and even ghosting. Both are solidly built but heavier than competitors like the Strix G16 or Legion Pro 5i.
Battery & Thermals
The surprise winner in battery life is the Aurora 16, lasting up to 10 hours in video playback, which is among the best we’ve seen in a gaming laptop. The 16X, while more powerful, only manages about 6 hours. Thermals and fan noise are average on both, though the 16X can get particularly loud under load.
Verdict
Between the two, the Aurora 16X is the clear winner—it offers a modern CPU, a far better display, and competitive performance. The regular Aurora 16, on the other hand, feels outdated and overpriced, only redeeming itself with excellent battery life.
That said, before buying either, you should consider alternatives like the Asus Strix G16 or Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, which often come with better cooling and even RTX 5070 Ti options for a similar price.
Recommendation:
- Get the Aurora 16X if you’re set on Alienware in this budget range.
- Skip the Aurora 16 unless you find it under $1,000.