The handheld console modding scene has reached a new milestone. The specialized channel SlickBuys Mods and Repairs has managed to upgrade the ASUS ROG Ally X from its original 24 GB of RAM to 64 GB, using a complex hardware and firmware modification.
This was not a simple component swap. The mod required deep changes to both the internal hardware and the system software of the device.
A Complex Hardware And Memory Upgrade Process
The process started with a full teardown of the console to remove the motherboard. The modder first removed the factory-installed Micron LPDDR5X 6 GB memory chips, which were hidden under the thermal tape. These chips were replaced with high-density SK hynix memory modules, bringing the total RAM to 64 GB.
The memory bus itself was left unchanged, with only the density of the installed chips being increased. This required very precise soldering work, including reballing the new memory chips before attaching them to the board.
The hardware work was only part of the challenge. To make the system recognize the new memory capacity, the BIOS had to be dumped and edited using a CH341A USB programmer, along with changes to the APCB data.
A key step was adjusting the strap resistors to keep the memory running at the intended speed. Without this, the memory training process could have forced the system to lower frequencies.
In the end, the ROG Ally X boots into Windows correctly, although the memory training phase takes longer than usual. Windows Task Manager confirms that the system detects 64 GB of RAM running at 8000 MT/s.
While the standard 24 GB model rarely shows memory limits in current games, this mod proves what is technically possible. However, it is also a high-risk modification that voids the warranty and could permanently damage the motherboard if anything goes wrong.
