The Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 is the corporate’s newest laptop computer designed for the higher crust of gamers-on-the-go. It involves market along with your selection of an RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 (an RTX 5070 Ti model will likely be accessible later), whereas costs begin at $3,099 and go up from there. Paired with its Intel Core 9 Ultra processor, it gives top-tier efficiency, gamer-friendly appears to be like, and an important show. It’s not the laptop computer to decide on for “skinny and lightweight,” however when you don’t care about that, it has so much to supply.
Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 – Design and Features
The Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 is a flashy laptop computer with loads of RGB and decorations to fit your fancy. Like lots of the 16-inch launch fashions we’ve seen since Nvidia debuted its RTX 50-series laptop computer GPUs final week, it encompasses a 2,560 x 1,600 OLED show with a boxier 16:10 side ratio than a traditional widescreen laptop computer, and loads of horsepower beneath its hood.
And AI, it has that too – and it wastes no time letting you realize it’s there. Within minutes of booting it up for the primary time, a notification was popping up from my “GiMate” assistant, letting me know that I ought to disable the Nvidia graphics card for higher efficiency. AI can also be interwoven with its configuration software program, however extra on that later.
The laptop computer is on the market in two configurations for now, separated by your selection of an RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 and about $1,200. Both variations include the next specs, other than the 5090 model which provides a second NVMe SSD for 2TB of complete storage (you’ll be able to add a second drive to the 5080 variant by yourself when you’re tech-inclined):
Display: 2560 x 1600 (16:10), OLED, 500-nits
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (Mobile)
VRAM: 16GB
Memory: 32GB LPDDR5 – 8000 MT/s
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Connectivity: WiFi 7, 1G Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.4
Ports: 2 x Type-A assist USB3.2 Gen2, 1 x Type-C with Thunderbolt 5 (USB4, DisplayPort 2.1, and PD 3.0), 1 x Type-C with Thunderbolt 4 (USB4, DisplayPort 1.4 and PD 3.0), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD (UHS-II), 1 x Audio Combo Jack
Audio: 4 x built-in audio system, Dolby Atmos with Smart Amp, built-in microphone
Webcam: 1080p, Windows Hello Support
Battery: 99wHr
Dimensions (LxWxH): 14.05 x 10 x 0.9 x 1.14 inches
Weight: 5.51 kilos
Both fashions are costly, however that goes with the territory on the subject of flagship gaming laptops proper after a brand new launch. The RTX 5080 model I obtained to check prices $3,099. The RTX 5090 model will set you again $4,299. There’s additionally a bigger Aorus Master 18 model of every that swaps the OLED display screen for mini-LED and contains 2TB of storage by default. The RTX 5090 model there additionally bumps complete system reminiscence as much as 64GB, which actually isn’t dangerous for less than $100 greater than the 16-inch model ($4,399). The Aorus Master 18 with the RTX 5080 is a little more marked up at $3,299, however at this sort of value, an additional hundo most likely isn’t going to be the massive decision-maker.
The Aorus Master is definitely designed to catch your eye and tempt a purchase order in different methods. It’s an RGB showcase with an illuminated falcon emblem on the lid, a wraparound 3D mild bar, and even a small RGB projector that beams Aorus branding down onto your desk. The keyboard can also be RGB, nevertheless it’s not per-key, which is disappointing at this value. Instead, it’s damaged into three zones and contains seven translucent keys that embody WASD in addition to Q, E, and R, with vivid mild passthrough. Even with out per-key customization, it’s greater than a bit of showy.
Everything however the lid is constructed from plastic. Functionally, it doesn’t make an enormous distinction, although an aluminum body can be much better matched to its excessive value (and would assist dissipate warmth on the identical time) and would have made it really feel a bit extra premium. The lid could be very good, nevertheless, and has a ripple sample making a wave sample throughout its floor. It’s microtextured with such high-quality element that you could solely see it when it catches the sunshine simply so and feels easy to the contact.
In reality, I first realized it wasn’t bead-blasted purely from sound. It jogs my memory of the zip you get while you drag your nail throughout an old-school holographic Trapper Keeper. This high quality makes it impervious to fingerprints in regular use, which instantly provides it a one-up on regular steel lids which are likely to look grungy after a handful of makes use of.
The laptop computer isn’t skinny and it’s not mild. Unlike the Razer Blade 16 which checks off each of these bins whereas toting an RTX 5090, the Aorus Master is way more to expectation, measuring 0.9 inches at its thinnest and 1.14 inches on the thickest. It additionally weighs 5.5 kilos. Compare that to the Blade 16’s 0.69-inch entrance lip and 4.7 pound weight: it doesn’t seem to be a lot on paper, nevertheless it’s instantly noticeable. Those small dimensional modifications make the distinction between “wow, that is surprisingly skinny and lightweight” and “yup, that’s positively a gaming laptop computer.”
That additional house has its advantages, although. The Aorus Master gives each upgradeable reminiscence and storage. There are two reminiscence slots, permitting you to extend its capability as much as 64GB or swap out to a set with quicker clock speeds. There are two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, so you’ll be able to add additional storage while not having to reinstall Windows and drivers to get operating once more. Only the pre-populated slot helps PCI-e 5.0, nevertheless, so that you’ll be restricted to PCI-e Gen 4 for something you’d like so as to add with out formatting.
It additionally permits Gigabyte to go full-on with its different parts. This machine is packing an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU with a full, 175-watt RTX 5080 (or different 50-series GPU). The processor is quick, topping out at 5.4GHz to maximise in-game fps and gives 24 cores (eight P-Cores and 16 E-Cores) cores for nice multitasking efficiency and workload effectivity. It’s sufficient to make you marvel why Gigabyte solely outfitted the laptop computer with 5,600 MHz reminiscence when increased speeds would appear like the higher match. The Razer Blade 16 makes use of 8,000MHz reminiscence, for instance, and better reminiscence speeds can immediately translate into excessive fps.
To hold this {hardware} cool, Gigabyte has opted for a twin fan resolution with densely packed, 158-fin followers. These are available in new housing that is alleged to channel airflow higher and likewise scale back their general noise. It’s nonetheless a gaming laptop computer, nevertheless, which suggests you need to plan on listening to these followers fairly prominently while you’re operating video games. For net searching and productiveness use, it encompasses a 0dB mode that depends on passive cooling when the parts aren’t producing as a lot warmth. Like the Razer Blade 16, it options a big vapor chamber that covers greater than 50% of the motherboard for improved efficiency general.
The keyboard and trackpad are each first rate. The keys have a beneficiant quantity of journey at 1.7mm and good tactility to keep away from typos. I did not discover them to be particularly mushy, however have skilled crisp typing experiences, such because the one on the Lenovo Legion 9i. Still, it will get the job executed in a really acquainted 75% structure that balances productiveness and gaming efficiency.
The trackpad can also be high-quality. It measures simply over 5 inches by 4 inches and has a pleasant glide when swiping your finger throughout it. The built-in buttons work effectively, although I did discover that left and proper clicks might get a bit of confused the additional up the trackpad you tried to make them. This is one thing that you simply get used to over time and is a part of the method of studying a laptop computer. But taken collectively, the enter expertise is nice however not notably particular in any approach.
If you are planning on utilizing the laptop computer for work or taking on-line lessons, you’ll be able to relaxation assured that it comes with a built-in 1080p webcam. In correct lighting situations, it might look first rate and gives a crisp, if barely over-sharpened picture. If you have got a vivid window behind you or are taking conferences in low lighting, it struggles to stability lighting and noise/grain within the picture. There is not any privateness shade, so you’ll have to manually flip it on and off if that is one thing you search for.
Audio high quality is fairly typical for a gaming laptop computer. It makes use of 4 audio system complete and so they did an excellent job of getting loud sufficient to play video games on, however their tiny dimension prevented them from sounding full for explosions or the bass register in music. You can use them if you must, however an excellent gaming headset goes to be the higher selection for audio high quality.
The Aorus Master 16 sports activities a 99WHr battery, which is the biggest that can be utilized in a laptop computer presently. In our Procyon Office Battery Life check, it was in a position to run for seven hours and 49 minutes. With Advanced Optimus, Nvidia’s system for routinely swapping between the RTX 5080 and the built-in GPU, it meant that the check ran in its entirety with out the full-powered graphics card turning on. When really enjoying video games, I averaged round two hours relying on how demanding the sport was. RTX 50-series GPUs actually appear to be coming into their very own for gaming on battery.
Finally, for connectivity, it gives a good array of ports to attach completely different peripherals and equipment. On the left facet, it has a gigabit ethernet port, a full dimension HDMI 2.1, a USB 3.2 Type-A port, and a USB Type-C port able to each charging and video, in addition to a devoted charging port for its included energy vivid. On the best is one other USB Type-A and Type-C, an audio combo jack, and a microSD card reader. Size has its advantages.
Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 – GiMate Software
In what’s certain to be a development this 12 months, the Aorus Master 16 encompasses a software program suite that is built-in with AI. It gives all the traditional performance, together with setting your efficiency modes and fan settings, in addition to customizing the laptop computer’s RGB. For conferences, there are AI readability enhancements in addition to variations of the Windows Studio setting to blur your background and add synthetic eye-tracking, in addition to a privacy-enhancing characteristic that may flip off your display screen while you’ve stepped away.
The most necessary characteristic that it gives is that it might intelligently management the efficiency of your system based mostly on what you are doing. When you load a recreation, it is good sufficient to know to make use of the RTX 5080 as a substitute of the processor’s built-in graphics chip, after which to modify that again over while you’re executed to save lots of on battery life. There’s additionally a chatbot that you could have interaction with to get insights into your system, modify settings, and converse with on troubleshooting, studying extra about what settings do inside Windows, and extra. It’s basically an area model of ChatGPT that is aware of concerning the specifics of your system.
While all of that is cool, it’s all fairly base degree. Automatic efficiency switching is a pleasant characteristic, however when you’ve gamed on a laptop computer earlier than, you already know to modify to its excessive efficiency mode. That the AI can detect an enormous workload additionally isn’t all that spectacular, and swapping modes when it does isn’t one thing that requires “AI.” The chatbot may be enjoyable, however until you’re moist behind the ears on the subject of Windows gaming, it actually appears like extra of a novelty.
But we knew this was going to occur. AI is the development of the second and I count on most massive laptop computer manufacturers will comply with go well with with programs of their very own. Use it when you like or ignore it when you don’t, each are viable choices.
Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 – Performance
The Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 is in a category the place efficiency is rightfully king, and whether or not or not it’s going to earn your {dollars} goes to rely so much on what you’re coming from, what you’re hoping to attain, and the way a lot you need to spend.
Before sharing efficiency numbers, it is price mentioning once more that we have just lately upgraded our testing methodology to raised assess new applied sciences, rendering strategies, and the efficiency calls for of present video games. Because of this, a lot of our prior testing information doesn’t align and we’ll be increase our information set over time. For this evaluation, I’ll be evaluating it to the Razer Blade 16 within the efficiency charts, however I used to be additionally in a position to do some testing with an RTX 4080 laptop computer on mortgage to comment upon within the textual content.
All of our assessments are carried out at most settings. Upscaling is regularly used and is ready to Quality at 1080p and Balanced at 1440p (or 1200p and 1600p on this case). These settings are additionally included within the charts.
Beginning with artificial assessments, we are able to see that the Aorus Master 16 performs fairly effectively in comparison with the Razer Blade 16, although it’s operating an RTX 5080 as a substitute of an RTX 5090. Between the 2 programs, the Razer Blade is operating an AMD Ryzen CPU, whereas the Aorus Master 16 is operating an Intel Core Ultra CPU. This accounts for a few of the variations right here. However, it is also price remembering that the Razer Blade 16 is energy capped at 160 watts and regularly would not attain that restrict, whereas the Aorus Master 16 can dynamically increase to the total 175 watt score of the RTX 5080, pulling in increased efficiency.
What I discover much more fascinating is that in anecdotal testing towards my end-of-last-gen Falcon Northwest DRX RTX 4080 system, the outcomes are nearly all shut sufficient that you could chalk it as much as margin of error. It’s price noting that the DRX system has a distinct processor, so the comparability isn’t precisely apples to apples. Still, the 40-series impresses. That doesn’t take away from the comparative efficiency of the 5080 versus the 5090, nevertheless, particularly taking a look at that Night Raid rating and its efficiency in real-world video games.
Gaming benchmarks are simply as revealing. Here we are able to see that at 1200p, the Aorus Master 16 outperforms the Razer Blade 16 with its power-capped RTX 5090. That’s surprising. At the identical time, after I ran a few of these assessments towards the Falcon Northwest DRX, the 2 went backwards and forwards providing very comparable efficiency in these video games and past. The Blade 16 nonetheless pulls out some wins in a wider number of playtests, averaging 62 fps in Black Myth: Wukong whereas the others hovered nearer to 50, however there’s a severe worth consideration right here.
Now, an necessary caveat does should be given relating to the Razer Blade 16. It deliberately trades efficiency for portability, so it’s competing with a handicap. If you don’t care about it being as skinny and lightweight as attainable, one other RTX 5090 laptop computer could very effectively be a better option. I’ll be testing precisely that within the weeks to come back.
Another necessary consideration is fan noise. A loud laptop computer can draw undesirable consideration and the Aorus Master 16, sadly, falls into that camp. Essentially, anytime you’re gaming, its followers will likely be operating full throttle, and it’s loud sufficient to disturb a companion attempting to look at a present within the room with you. I definitely wouldn’t play video games in a library with it until I might transfer effectively away from different folks. Compared to the Blade 16, it’s a lot louder, which illustrates the competing visions for these merchandise held between Razer and Gigabyte.
Here’s the factor: Nvidia hasn’t been shy about tying the 50-series to its AI capabilities versus pure native rendering efficiency. Though the RTX 5080 performs disappointingly near the RTX 4080, this disappears while you’re enjoying a recreation that helps multi-frame technology. While “pretend frames” have change into a little bit of a meme, the actual fact is that when it really works, it is fairly superb and dramatically improves efficiency. This varies recreation to recreation based mostly upon how effectively it handles latency. Alan Wake 2, for instance, tends to really feel a bit extra laggy at increased multiplier settings whereas Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t. With this know-how and others, like neural shaders, coming to future video games, there’s an argument to be made about shopping for into these future applied sciences. But, you’re shopping for on a promise whereas Nvidia and recreation builders work so as to add assist to new and current video games.
When it involves dwelling with the laptop computer every day, it provided snappy efficiency for absolutely anything I threw at it, together with picture and video enhancing. I are likely to favor a laptop computer that is considerably lighter since I carry the laptop computer all through my complete day; nevertheless, when you’re already used to carrying a gaming laptop computer, this may not really feel very completely different. But, I might extremely encourage anybody contemplating this to buy a separate GaN charger for anytime you do not plan to play video games. Its charging brick is massive and heavy, and carried with the laptop computer brings the full weight to greater than seven kilos. It was sufficient to depart me with a sore shoulder on the finish of the day.
