RTX 5060 beats RTX 5070: XMG Apex 17 surprises with unexpectedly strong gaming performance
Benchmark surprise: RTX-5060 laptop beats several RTX-5070 models
In our recent review of the XMG Apex 17, we found that the combination of an RTX 5060 and the high-end AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX delivers exceptional CPU and GPU performance. In fact, the Apex 17 performs so well in our benchmarks that it manages to outperform several gaming laptops equipped with the nominally faster RTX 5070.
This observation specifically applies to systems like the Acer Nitro V 17 and the HP Omen 17z. In our Nitro V 17 review, we noted that the budget-focused gaming laptop appears to prioritize lower noise levels and power efficiency over maximum performance.
RTX 5060 vs RTX 5070: How fast is the XMG Apex 17 really?
Different design priorities aside, the key question is how the Apex 17 truly compares against a broader range of RTX-5070 gaming laptops. To find out, we compared its 3D and gaming performance against the most recent RTX-5070 laptops we tested. Other XMG models were excluded for now and will be covered separately.
In total, we compared the Apex 17 against 16 different RTX-5070 gaming laptops.
Gaming ranking: XMG Apex 17 places ahead of several RTX-5070 laptops
Looking at our overall gaming performance rating, the Apex 17 lands right in the middle of the pack at rank 8. Seven laptops perform better, but nine RTX-5070 laptops rank below it—an impressive result for a system equipped with an RTX 5060.
Ryzen 9 9955HX provides a decisive advantage in CPU-limited games
A closer look at individual games reveals a more nuanced picture. Our performance rating includes both GPU-heavy and CPU-heavy titles. And this is where the Apex 17’s AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX really shines.
The Apex 17 takes first place in CPU-intensive games such as DOTA 2 Reborn and X-Plane 11.11, clearly benefiting from its powerful high-end processor.
In GPU-limited games, RTX 5070 still holds the advantage
These strong CPU results significantly boost the Apex 17’s overall gaming score. However, when focusing exclusively on modern, GPU-bound titles, the picture changes.
In Cyberpunk 2077, for example, the Apex 17 ranks second to last, with only the Gigabyte Gaming A16 performing worse. The same pattern appears in Final Fantasy XV, where RTX-5070 laptops generally maintain a clear performance advantage.
3DMark benchmarks: RTX 5060 comes surprisingly close to RTX-5070 performance
Our 3DMark benchmarks confirm that while the RTX 5060 is highly capable, it rarely surpasses RTX-5070 laptops in pure GPU performance. The Apex 17 again places near the bottom of the RTX-5070 comparison group.
However, the performance gap is typically small—often only in the low single-digit percentage range—which still makes this a notable achievement for an RTX-5060 system.
Conclusion: When the RTX 5060 can compete with RTX 5070—and when it cannot
So, can the XMG Apex 17 truly compete with RTX-5070 gaming laptops? The answer is both yes and no.
When the system can leverage its powerful Ryzen 9 CPU, it can outperform some RTX-5070 competitors. And in 3DMark benchmarks, the GPU performance is surprisingly competitive, with only small differences separating it from RTX-5070 systems.
However, the performance gap becomes more apparent in GPU-heavy games, where RTX-5070 laptops usually maintain the lead.
Performance profiles also play an important role in these comparisons. Not all gaming laptops in our database were tested in their absolute maximum performance mode. If a system offers three performance modes, we typically test using the highest one. If four modes are available, however, we often choose the “Performance” mode instead of the extremely loud “Turbo” mode, which can already be excessively noisy even at idle.
Even so, the overall performance delivered by the CPU and GPU combination in the Apex 17 remains highly impressive—especially considering its GPU class.
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