Xbox Ally BIOS Update 316 and 318 Tested Performance and Stability Results

Consistent BIOS updates improve system stability while maintaining similar gaming performance across both Xbox Ally devices.

Hardware by Shinji Okazaki on Mar 19, 2026

Xbox Ally devices, such as the Ally X and the white one, have received new BIOS updates. These updates have been coming in regularly, almost every month since the debut, especially for the Ally X. There are no new drivers posted on the support pages yet, especially for the GPU. However, upgrades are expected as things continue to improve.

Ally X goes from BIOS 315 to 316, which alters the SPL settings for manual or fixed modes and adds new features for BTLE audio. The white Xbox Ally goes from BIOS 317 to 318. The main goals are to improve the machine's performance and make extreme standby more stable.

Xbox Ally, BIOS Update 316 and 318, Tested Performance and Stability Results, NoobFeed

How to Install the BIOS Update

The way you update both devices stays the same. Even if you check the update center, the BIOS update might not show up in Armory Crate. If that happens, you have to either download from the support page or use MyASUS.

We can access MyASUS, go to system updates, and find the BIOS update there. It is vital to plug the device in before moving on. The system downloads the update and prompts you to restart once you confirm. The installation starts once the computer restarts. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes and involves several restarts and black displays. Do not stop this process.

You will do the same things on both devices, and when you're done, the Ally X will run BIOS 316 and the white Ally will run BIOS 318.

Testing Performance in Cyberpunk

After the update, Cyberpunk was used to test performance and make sure everything was stable. With low to medium settings and FSR performance mode on the white Xbox Ally at 20W in 1080p, the results are still close to what they were before. There is a small drop at 1080p, but it is still small and changes a little from run to run.

At 720p with balanced FSR, performance is almost identical across all tests, averaging about 48 fps. The upgrade doesn't add or remove anything obvious, and the system generally stays stable.

Xbox Ally, BIOS Update 316 and 318, Tested Performance and Stability Results, NoobFeed

Observations about Ally X's Performance

Similar tests were done on the Ally X. At 25W, performance remains the same, with results around 66 fps, the same as before. There are a few changes during benchmarks, but nothing major.

At 17W, the performance drops a little compared to earlier runs, but it's still very little. The system continues to work well, with no significant changes in clock speeds or stability issues.

Final Thoughts

The modifications don't change how well the program works that much. There are minor changes in some situations, such as 1080p on the white Ally and 17W performance on the Ally X. Still, these differences are small and could change with future updates.

We still see ongoing software support, and more enhancements are on the way, including a GPU driver update. There are plans for new capabilities, such as upscaling in preview, which shows that these devices will continue to be developed and improved.

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