# Buying a New One is Stupid - JSAUX ROG Ally Battery & Thermal Upgrade Kit

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PXeEYntB44
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/0PXeEYntB44
Generated: 2025-07-11T21:28:34.108+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The JSAUX Battery & Thermal Upgrade Kit for the original ROG Ally significantly extends battery life from 40Wh to 65Wh and includes a new backplate for improved cooling and M.2 2280 SSD compatibility, all for $79.99. While the upgraded Ally becomes heavier and the included SSD heatsink prevents using a 2280 SSD with the provided adapter, it offers a cost-effective way to gain most of the ROG Ally X's benefits without buying a new device, despite the Ally X retaining a slight performance edge due to faster memory and quieter fans.

**Key Points:**
- The JSAUX Battery & Thermal Upgrade Kit costs $79.99, offering a significant saving compared to the $250 price difference for the ROG Ally X.
- The kit upgrades the original ROG Ally's 40Wh battery to a 65Wh battery, substantially increasing gaming time.
- The upgraded ROG Ally becomes heavier, weighing 750g compared to the original 617g and the Ally X's 686g.
- The included SSD heatsink in the JSAUX kit is incompatible with the common 2280 SSD adapter, preventing a storage upgrade with that specific part.
- The ROG Ally X maintains a slight performance edge due to faster memory, but the upgraded original Ally shows significant battery life improvements across all power profiles.
- The Ally X features quieter fans and slightly better ergonomics due to its thicker design, which is a byproduct of its larger battery.
- The JSAUX kit provides a cost-effective solution to gain most of the Ally X's benefits without buying a new device or dealing with reselling the old one.

![Screenshot at 0:04: A split screen comparison showing the ROG Ally X and the original ROG Ally, with text overlays highlighting their differences in battery life, SSD compatibility, and performance.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0PXeEYntB44/00-00-04.png)

**Context:** The ASUS ROG Ally is a popular handheld gaming PC, but its original model had limitations, particularly in battery life and SSD compatibility. ASUS later released the ROG Ally X, which addressed these issues with a larger battery, M.2 2280 SSD support, and improved ergonomics. This video explores whether a third-party upgrade kit from JSAUX can bring the original ROG Ally closer to the Ally X's capabilities without the need to purchase a whole new, more expensive device.

## Detailed Analysis

The video explores the JSAUX Battery & Thermal Upgrade Kit for the original ASUS ROG Ally, aiming to achieve most of the benefits of the newer ROG Ally X for a fraction of the cost. The kit, priced at $79.99, includes a 65Wh battery (compared to the original 40Wh and Ally X's 80Wh), a replacement backplate with improved ventilation, a full set of tools, and an SSD heatsink. The installation process is straightforward, guided by clear instructions and labeled screw bags, though it requires trimming internal plastic supports. Post-upgrade, the Ally becomes noticeably heavier (750g vs. 617g original, 686g Ally X) and loses the original holographic backplate accents. Performance comparisons show the Ally X maintains a slight lead in frame rates due to faster memory, even with identical power profiles and temperatures. However, the upgraded Ally delivers significantly improved battery life, ranging from a massive improvement in silent mode (4h 11m vs. 1h 52m original) to a more modest gain in turbo mode (1h 47m vs. 0h 45m original). The Ally X also boasts quieter fans and slightly better ergonomics due to its thicker design, which is a byproduct of accommodating a larger battery. The included SSD heatsink in the JSAUX kit is incompatible with the common 2280 SSD adapter, limiting storage upgrade options. Overall, the JSAUX kit provides excellent value for extending battery life and improving thermal performance on the original Ally, making it a compelling alternative to purchasing the more expensive Ally X.

### Kit Contents & Initial Impressions

- The JSAUX kit costs $79.99 USD and includes a 65Wh battery, a replacement backplate, a screwdriver with multiple bits, side cutters, gloves, and clearly labeled bags of screws with diagrams
- The included screwdriver feels both cheap and expensive, but the screw organization is excellent
- The kit also includes a heatsink for the SSD, which is later found to be incompatible with the common 2280 SSD adapter.

### Disassembly & Installation Process

- The installation requires removing the original backplate, disconnecting the battery, and removing the original battery
- The instructions are very clear, including warnings about voiding warranty and inspecting the new battery for damage
- A minor deficiency in the instructions is the lack of a visual for the finished look after trimming internal plastic supports, which is necessary for the new battery to fit.

### Physical Changes & Ergonomics

- The JSAUX backplate lacks the holographic accent and ROG logo of the original, replacing it with a regular fan intake vent, which is likely better for cooling
- The upgraded Ally is significantly heavier at 750g (1.65 lbs) compared to the original 617g (1.36 lbs) and the Ally X's 686g (1.51 lbs)
- The new backplate is not thicker than the original; space for the larger battery is created by removing internal plastic supports
- The kit includes optional joystick grip enhancers and adhesive pads for the rear buttons, but the joystick grips are less grippy than the original.

### Performance & Thermal Comparison

- Both the upgraded Ally and the Ally X were tested at 25W power profiles, showing identical temperatures (67°C) but the Ally X had slightly higher frame rates (35-36 FPS vs 34-35 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077) due to faster memory
- The Ally X's fans are noticeably quieter with a nicer tonality compared to the original Ally, which is quite a bit louder
- In Tape to Tape, the Ally X runs measurably faster (113 FPS vs 95 FPS) even with a lower CPU frequency, while maintaining similar temperatures.

### Battery Life Comparison

- The upgraded Ally shows a massive improvement in battery life in silent mode (4h 11m at 10W) compared to the stock Ally (1h 52m at 10W)
- In performance mode, the upgraded Ally lasts 2h 49m (15W) versus the stock Ally's 1h 10m (15W)
- In turbo mode, the upgraded Ally lasts 1h 47m (25W) compared to the stock Ally's 0h 45m (25W), while the Ally X achieves 2h 04m (25W).

### Value & Conclusion

- The JSAUX kit provides a lot of the benefits of the ROG Ally X upgrade for only $80, avoiding the $250 price difference and the hassle of selling the old device
- The main drawbacks are the increased weight and the inability to use a 2280 SSD with the included thermal module
- Despite these limitations, the significant battery life improvement and overall value make the JSAUX kit a worthwhile upgrade for original ROG Ally owners.

![Screenshot at 0:04: Comparison of ROG Ally X and original ROG Ally with key differences listed: battery life, M.2 2280 compatibility, and performance](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0PXeEYntB44/00-00-04.png)
![Screenshot at 0:22: JSAUX Battery & Thermal Upgrade Kit box showing contents and features](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0PXeEYntB44/00-00-22.png)
![Screenshot at 0:45: JSAUX website showing the Battery & Thermal Upgrade Kit for ROG Ally priced at $79.99 USD](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0PXeEYntB44/00-00-45.png)
![Screenshot at 1:08: Contents of the JSAUX kit laid out, including tools, battery, and backplate](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0PXeEYntB44/00-01-08.png)
![Screenshot at 1:48: Close-up of the new 65Wh JSAUX battery, highlighting its capacity increase over the original 40Wh](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0PXeEYntB44/00-01-48.png)
![Screenshot at 2:35: Comparison of the original ROG Ally backplate and the JSAUX backplate, showing differences in fan vents and aesthetic details](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0PXeEYntB44/00-02-35.png)
![Screenshot at 3:28: The original ROG Ally battery removed from the device, showing its size and connection](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0PXeEYntB44/00-03-28.png)
![Screenshot at 4:39: The new 65Wh JSAUX battery successfully installed into the ROG Ally, fitting perfectly after trimming internal supports](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0PXeEYntB44/00-04-39.png)
![Screenshot at 7:32: The upgraded ROG Ally on a scale, showing its increased weight of 750g compared to the original and Ally X](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0PXeEYntB44/00-07-32.png)
![Screenshot at 12:20: Battery test results table comparing the modified ROG Ally, stock ROG Ally, and ROG Ally X across different power profiles](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0PXeEYntB44/00-12-20.png)