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| XMG Apex 17 (M25) with Crysis game on its display |
Can a gaming laptop be simultaneously the fastest in its class and one of the loudest? If you're the new XMG Apex 17, the answer is a resounding yes—and that paradox defines everything about this fascinating machine.
In synthetic 3D performance, based on our 3DMark benchmarks, the Apex 17 outperforms every other RTX 5060 laptop we've tested. Its advantage becomes even more apparent in real gaming, where the high-end AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX plays a major role. Thanks to this powerful processor, the Apex 17 stands completely unmatched in CPU performance within its class—a "giant killer" that sometimes even outpaces restricted RTX 5070 laptops.
The Performance Bargain: Speed Has a Voice
Achieving this level of performance requires an equally capable cooling system—and unfortunately, powerful cooling still often means high noise levels. While the laptop stays remarkably cool under load, it also becomes one of the loudest RTX-5060 laptops in its class when running in Performance mode. We're talking about fan noise that hits 55 decibels during demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077.
This creates a classic dilemma: do you accept the roar for maximum frames, or dial things back for peace and quiet? XMG anticipated this question by offering two additional preset profiles: Entertainment and Silent. We tested these modes extensively to determine exactly how much performance you sacrifice in exchange for lower noise levels—specifically, how much speed you give up to gain a quieter experience.
Testing the Modes: What You Gain and Lose
We evaluated the different profiles using Cinebench R15 Multi Core, Fire Strike Graphics, and Cyberpunk 2077. In Cinebench, CPU performance dropped by about 15 percent in Entertainment mode. Even so, the resulting score of 4,921 points (down from 5,739) still matches the level of the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX found in systems like the Lenovo Legion 7.
For a deeper dive into the laptop's specifications, design, and full gaming benchmarks, check out our complete XMG Apex 17 review with configuration options and pricing.
Graphics and Gaming: Small Sacrifice, Big Quiet
In the Fire Strike Graphics test, performance declined by roughly 10 percent in Entertainment mode. Even with that reduction, the Apex 17 remained faster than competitors such as the Tulpar T6, Alienware 16 Aurora, and MSI Cyborg 17. However, models like the Omen 16 and Legion 7 gained a slight advantage in this quieter mode.
Gaming results showed a similar pattern. In Cyberpunk 2077, average frame rates dropped from 84.4 FPS to 74.4 FPS—a decrease of about 12 percent. This particular benchmark was never the Apex 17's strongest area, and it already ranked mid-pack behind the Legion 7 in Performance mode. In Entertainment mode, it still outperformed the MSI Cyborg 17, though other competitors pulled slightly ahead.
The Acoustic Payoff: Where Entertainment Mode Shines
Despite the moderate performance drop, the noise reduction is substantial. Fan noise decreases from around 55 dB to just 40.5–43.5 dB, making the system subjectively about two and a half times quieter. In other games—especially CPU-heavy titles—the laptop remains just as quiet while still benefiting from the strong Ryzen 9 processor, which helps maintain excellent performance.
Here's how the three modes stack up head-to-head:
| Performance Mode | Cinebench R15 Multi | Fire Strike Graphics | Cyberpunk 2077 FHD Ultra (fps) | Fan Noise Cyberpunk (dB) | Power Consumption Cyberpunk (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5,739 | 33,011 | 84.4 | 55.05 | 220 |
| Entertainment | 4,921 | 29,792 | 74.4 | 40.5 - 43.5 | 170 |
| Quiet | 1,227 | 23,364 | 34.9 | 29 | 100 |
| Battery (Performance) | 2,759 | 2,578 | 30 | 23.5 - 33.5 | — |
The 17-Inch Experience: Beyond Raw Numbers
The Apex 17 isn't just about internal performance. The 17.3-inch QHD display running at 240Hz is a visual treat, hitting the sweet spot for the RTX 5060—sharp enough for immersive gaming without being as demanding as 4K. The matte finish reduces glare during long sessions, and color coverage is wide enough for content consumption and even light creative work.
XMG has also kept the design refreshingly understated. No aggressive gamer styling here—just a clean, professional look with a sturdy metal lid (though yes, it's a fingerprint magnet) and high-quality plastics elsewhere. Upgradability remains a strong point, with two accessible SO-DIMM slots and two M.2 PCIe 4.0 slots for storage.
The Missing Pieces
Of course, no laptop is perfect. The Apex 17 lacks USB4, Thunderbolt, and an SD card reader—notable omissions in 2026 that limit external storage speeds to 10 Gb/s. The keyboard, while functional, has relatively shallow travel that may not please everyone. And in Performance mode, you absolutely will want a gaming headset.
Conclusion: One of the Most Powerful—and Loudest—in Its Class
The Apex 17 is one of the most powerful RTX-5060 gaming laptops available, but it's also quite loud in Performance mode. Switching to Entertainment mode makes the system roughly 60 percent quieter, while 3D and gaming performance drops by only 10 to 12 percent. Even in this quieter profile, the Apex 17 remains highly competitive and delivers an excellent balance between performance and acoustics.
This is a laptop for users who prioritize raw frame rates above all else, but appreciate having the option to quiet things down when the situation calls for it. If you game with headphones anyway, the Performance mode's noise becomes irrelevant—and you'll be getting some of the best RTX 5060 performance money can buy.
For configuration options, current pricing, and to see how it stacks against competitors like the Legion 7 and MSI Cyborg 17, read our full XMG Apex 17 review with detailed benchmarks.
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| Performance profiles in the Control Center of the Apex 17 |