Aorus X9 DT (i9-8950HK, GTX 1080, FHD) Laptop Review

Although the case seems identical, the notebook differs significantly from its lookalike predecessor. Previously equipped with a quad-core CPU the 2018 model now features a six-core processor for additional multi-thread performance. On the other hand, 3D performance has decreased on average as Gigabyte bid farewell to the SLI setup due to its various downsides such as enormous power consumption, micro-stuttering, dependence on driver support, etc. Instead, the X9 features a single GPU, which truth be told we are not particularly saddened by.

Overall brightness distribution was decent, and we did not notice any pronounced clouding. All things considered, the only display on a par with the Aorus X9 DT was the MSI GT75VR’s. The predecessor’s panel was significantly worse, save for its higher maximum brightness.

Let's start with some screenshots.

All previously reviewed Coffee Lake systems suffered from a massive drop in maximum turbo boost after a few seconds of sustained load. Even the Core i7-8750H’s clock frequency dropped by several hundred MHz (see for example the Aero 15X or the Asus ROG Zephyrus M GM501). This means that maximum performance was lower than it could have been in theory. On the contrary, the Aorus X9 DT was the first hexa-core CPU that did not show this behavior and thus was capable of fully utilizing its turbo-boost potential.

Accordingly, our review unit practically wiped the floor with its Kaby Lake based quad-core competitors. Even the i7-7820HK-equipped overclocked to 4.3 GHz laptops Asus ROG Chimera G703 and Acer Predator 17 X did not stand a chance against the X9 DT and were between 50 and 60% slower in Cinebench R15’s multi-thread benchmark.

Despite the fact that some users will certainly bemoan the loss of the X9’s SLI setup, we personally consider the single GPU setup a distinct advantage due to the aforementioned restrictions and limitations of dual GPU setups. Instead of the predecessor’s two GTX 1070 chips Gigabyte has now chosen a single GTX 1080 running at 1,582 MHz.

Like the CPU, the GPU can also be overclocked in 25 MHz steps. Out of the box, our review unit was set to level 2 and thus running at 1,632 MHz. Just like Intel’s Core CPUs, Nvidia’s Pascal GPUs are capable of dynamic overclocking based on ambient factors and independent of additional overclocking by the manufacturer.

Consequently, our review unit’s GeForce GTX 1080 ran with a very respectable average GPU boost frequency of 1,823 MHz (determined by running the Unigine Heaven 4.0 Benchmark as well as “The Witcher 3”). It was thus on a par with the likes of Acer (Predator 17X) and Asus (ROG Chimera G703).

Our review unit held its own during our sustained load tests as well, and frequencies remained fairly consistent in both our CineBench R15 loop (30 minutes multi-thread) and our “Witcher 3” load test (60 minutes at FHD/Ultra).

Due to the display’s resolution if just 1,920x1,080, it is virtually impossible to bring the GeForce GTX 1080 to its knees. All tested games ran smoothly at their respective maximum settings. Many games even managed more than 60 FPS rendering the 144 Hz panel a useful investment. Playing games on an external WQHD display (2,560x1,440) was also a very smooth experience with the Aorus X9 DT. UHD displays (3,840x2,160) can be too much, though.

Despite the fact that hexa-core CPUs do not tend to have a measurable influence on gaming performance, the X9 DT’s frame rates were significantly higher than on other GTX 1080 laptops. The most likely cause is the Core i9-8950HK’s high clock speeds with performance levels akin to desktop CPUs. Games that are not too limited by the GPU reach their respective CPU limit later and manage to squeeze out some extra FPS along the way. Overclocking the GPU obviously also helps.

Due to a lack of throttling both chips got very hot under maximum load with up to 91 °C (~196 °F) and 85 °C (~185 °F) for CPU and GPU, respectively.