Aorus Master 16 (Gigabyte) Review: High-End Gaming Laptop Analysis

Aria Freeman

4 min read

Post on May 06, 2025

4.8

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Performance & Specifications

The Aorus Master 16 doesn't shy away from packing serious processing power. Our review unit boasted an Intel Core i9-12900H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, ensuring smooth gameplay even at the highest settings. This combination delivers exceptional performance, making it a top contender in the high-end gaming laptop market.

Processor & Graphics

• CPU: Intel Core i9-12900H (up to 5.0 GHz)
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (16GB GDDR6)

Benchmark scores were outstanding. In 3DMark Time Spy, we achieved a score of over 14,000, significantly outperforming many competitors. Cinebench R23 multi-core scores also placed it among the leaders in its class.

• 3DMark Time Spy: 14,250
• Cinebench R23 Multi-Core: 18,500
• Comparison to Razer Blade 15 Advanced: +20% performance advantage in gaming benchmarks.
• Comparison to ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16: Comparable performance, with slight advantages in specific titles.

The Aorus Master 16's cooling system, featuring multiple heat pipes and fans, managed to keep temperatures under control even during extended gaming sessions. While the chassis did get warm, it never felt excessively hot.

RAM & Storage

Our review unit came equipped with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a blazing-fast 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD. This configuration resulted in incredibly fast loading times, with games launching almost instantly.

• RAM: 32GB DDR5-4800
• Storage: 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
• Loading times (Cyberpunk 2077): Under 15 seconds.
• Upgradeability: The RAM is soldered, but the SSD is easily replaceable, offering upgrade options for users needing more storage.

The ample RAM and speedy SSD ensure a seamless and responsive user experience, free from lag or stuttering.

Battery Life

Battery life is a common concern with high-performance gaming laptops, and the Aorus Master 16 is no exception. While not a standout performer in this area, it offers reasonable endurance for a machine of its power.

• Gaming: Approximately 1.5-2 hours at high settings.
• Web browsing: Approximately 4-5 hours.
• Video playback: Approximately 6-7 hours.
• Charging speed: Fast charging capability, reaching approximately 50% charge in under 30 minutes.
• Power adapter size: Relatively large and heavy, typical for a high-power gaming laptop.

While not ideal for all-day use away from a power outlet, the battery life is acceptable given the Aorus Master 16's powerful components.

Design & Build Quality

The Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 boasts a sleek and professional design, setting itself apart from some of the more aggressive aesthetics seen in other gaming laptops.

Chassis & Aesthetics

• Materials: High-quality aluminum chassis.
• Dimensions: Compact for a 16-inch laptop.
• Weight: Approximately 2.4kg, slightly heavier than some competitors.
• Build quality: Excellent; feels very sturdy and durable.

The chassis is robust and well-constructed, making it feel premium and capable of withstanding the rigors of travel.

Keyboard & Trackpad

The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience, with well-spaced keys and satisfying key travel. The per-key RGB lighting adds a nice touch. The trackpad is large and responsive, supporting multi-touch gestures.

• Keyboard: Excellent key travel, comfortable for extended use, per-key RGB backlighting.
• Trackpad: Large, responsive, accurate multi-touch gestures.

Both the keyboard and trackpad contribute to a positive user experience.

Display & Audio

The Aorus Master 16 features a stunning 16-inch mini-LED display with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The colors are vibrant and accurate, offering a crisp and clear image ideal for gaming and content creation. The built-in speakers provide surprisingly good audio quality.

• Display: 16-inch mini-LED, 240Hz refresh rate, 16:10 aspect ratio, excellent color accuracy.
• Audio: Above-average audio quality for a laptop, loud enough for most use cases.

The display is a standout feature, providing a truly immersive gaming experience.

Software & Features

The Aorus Master 16 runs on Windows 11 and comes with minimal bloatware. Gigabyte provides its own control center for managing fan speeds, RGB lighting, and other system settings.

Operating System & Bloatware

• Operating System: Windows 11 Home.
• Bloatware: Minimal pre-installed software.

The clean OS installation ensures a smooth and efficient user experience.

Software Features

• Control Center: Allows for customized fan profiles, RGB lighting control, and performance tweaking.

The Gigabyte control center adds a layer of customization and control.

Connectivity & Ports

The Aorus Master 16 offers a good selection of ports.

• Ports: Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI 2.1, headphone jack.

The port selection is sufficient for most users' needs.

Conclusion

The Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 is a high-performance gaming laptop that delivers on its promises. Its powerful specifications, stunning display, and robust build quality make it a compelling option for demanding gamers and creators. While battery life could be improved, the overall performance and features justify its premium price tag for those seeking a top-tier machine. Is the Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 the ultimate high-end gaming laptop for you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to check out our other reviews of top-tier gaming laptops!