It looks like ASUS got spanked by AMD after publishing their gungho article accusing AMD for causing their ROG cards to overheat.
ASUS just amended their article to speak in far more respectful tones, with interesting tidbits on who was really to blame for the whole ROG overheating fiasco…
Overheating ASUS ROG RX 5700 Cards : What’s Going On?
The ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 XT and Radeon RX 5700 are two of the more premium and expensive RX 5700 series graphics cards in the market, boasting premium alloy chokes, solid polymer capacitors, triple fans with axial fan blades, and a large and heavy heatsink.
They also feature the ASUS MaxContact Technology, which DOUBLES the cooler’s contact surface with the GPU for maximum thermal transfer.
Despite such an impressive list of premium power and cooling capabilities, users noticed that their expensive ASUS ROG RX 5700 cards keep overheating because the screws mounting the cooler were “loose”.
ASUS finally admitted the problem but blamed AMD for causing it on Valentine’s Day. Remember when lovers used to give each other flowers and chocolates? LOL!
They even created this infamous pressure vs temperature chart to prove that they were not at fault, and users should blame AMD.
With the exception of ASUS fans, that accusation and chart got roundly derided because :
AMD recommendations were for their reference design, not AIB custom designs
ASUS cards based on the AMD reference design did not have overheating problems
custom designs from other brands did not have overheating problems
Looks Like AMD Spanked ASUS For ROG Overheating Fiasco…
Someone in the know just pointed out to us that ASUS quietly removed the chart and changed their article, which was curiously backdated to 15 February.
It really looked like AMD handed ASUS a nice spanking for their absurd accusations, because look at how meek and subservient their new statement looks like :
Initial batches of ROG Strix RX 5700-series graphics cards were torqued to 30-40 PSI based on AMD’s baseline recommendations.
While those guidelines provided leeway to apply more torque, we took a cautious approach because were [sic] dealing with a new 7nm GPU and didn’t want to risk damage to the die.
After receiving user reports regarding temperature issues, we performed extended R&D testing to find the optimal PSI range for our graphics cards without compromising GPU reliability.
Compare that with what they posted earlier :
During the design phase, AMD shares documents with our engineers that outline specifications and tolerances to ensure performance and reliability margins are maintained.
Initial batches of ROG Strix 5700-series graphics cards were built following AMD’s guidelines.
After receiving user reports regarding temperature issues, we performed extended R&D testing to find the optimal PSI range for our graphics cards without compromising GPU reliability.
Who Was Really At Fault For Overheating ROG Cards : AMD or ASUS?
Based on the two new sentences and what they left in the new press release, ASUS basically admitted that :
the AMD “guidelines” they referred to earlier were BASELINE / MINIMUM recommendations
they used the baseline / minimum mounting pressure meant for the reference design, for a custom cooler of their own design, which ironically includes a backplate for higher mounting pressures
they were not aware that their ROG Strix cards would overheat under normal gaming conditions, which would be obvious if they performed either pre-production or post-production tests
they did not perform proper mounting pressure tests for their ROG Strix cards, until users complained about overheating problems
after conducting those tests, they finally discovered that they should have mounted the coolers at 50-60 PSI, instead of 30-40 PSI the cards shipped with.
they started mounting those ROG Strix coolers at the higher pressures from January 2020 onwards
That’s what we can tell from their two press releases. We will leave it to you to decide if AMD was at fault, or ASUS.
It is instructive to note that ASUS, not AMD, will be repairing your ROG cards for FREE!
Check and make sure the ROG Strix card you purchased is one of these models :
ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 XT series
ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 series
90YV0D90-M0NA00 (Universal) 90YV0D90-M0TA00 (Taiwan) 90YV0D90-M0CA00 (China) 90YV0D90-M0IA00 (India) 90YV0D90-MTAA00 (North America) 90YV0D90-M0AA00 (North America) 90YV0D90-M0NB00 (Bulk pack)
90YV0DD0-M0NA00 (Universal) 90YV0DD0-M0TA00 (Taiwan) 90YV0DD0-M0CA00 (China) 90YV0DD0-M0IA00 (India) 90YV0DD0-MTAA00 (North America) 90YV0DD0-M0AA00 (North America) 90YV0DD0-M0NB00 (Bulk pack)
Contact the local ASUS customer support team, and inform them you would like to have your ROG Strix card repaired.
Wait for the replacement screws to arrive – ASUS says the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting the supply of these replacement screws.
Once the screws are available, send your ROG Strix card to the local ASUS customer support team, and they will install those screws with higher mounting pressures.
No, ASUS cards based on AMD reference designs are perfectly fine. And the current slew of ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 / 5700 XT cards now come with properly tightened coolers.
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ASUS blamed AMD for the overheating problems affecting their ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 / 5700 XT cards, and it’s really quite ridiculous.
Find out what’s going on, and why ASUS is WRONG to blame AMD for their overheating ROG cards!
Overheating ROG RX 5700 Cards : Why Is ASUS Blaming AMD?
The ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 XT and Radeon RX 5700 are two of the more premium and expensive RX 5700 series graphics cards in the market.
Instead of using the reference AMD design, both ASUS ROG cards use premium alloy chokes, solid polymer capacitors, triple fans with axial fan blades, and a large 2.7-slot cooler.
They also feature the ASUS MaxContact Technology, which allows ASUS says will DOUBLE the contact surface with the GPU for maximum thermal transfer.
Despite such an impressive list of premium power and cooling capabilities, users noticed that their expensive ASUS ROG RX 5700 cards keep overheating.
ASUS finally admitted on Valentine’s Day 2020, that their cooler (with MaxContact Technology) was not secured tightly enough.
However, ASUS blamed AMD for that mistake, claiming that they recommended a mounting pressure that was much too low.
They actually penned an article, and created this pressure vs temperature chart to prove that they were not at fault, and users should blame AMD.
Why ASUS Cannot Blame AMD For Overheating ROG Cards
The more we analysed this issue, the more we realised how absurd ASUS claims were.
Reason #1 : AMD Recommendations Are For Their Reference Design
We do not have access to AMD’s engineering specifications, but logically, their recommended mounting pressure would be for their reference design only.
Both ASUS ROG Strix cards use a custom 2.7-slot cooler design, with triple fans, and the ASUS MaxContact Technology. They even come with a reinforced frame, presumably to support higher mounting pressures.
So it would not be logical for the brilliant engineers at ASUS to simply use whatever mounting pressure AMD recommended for the reference design.
So it shows clearly that the recommended mounting pressure worked when applied to the AMD reference design.
Reason #3 : ASUS Only Discovered The Right Pressure After Extended Tests
This is a puzzling statement, because it suggests that they shipped their ROG Strix cards without performing enough tests to determine the optimal mounting pressure for their custom cooler.
One would also expect ASUS to perform stress tests on these premium card designs, to make sure they work properly… before they are qualified for production.
While it is possible for any product to have bugs, overheating due to loose screws seem hard to miss…
Reason #4 : Even ASUS TUF Cards Are Overheating!
We should remember that the TUF Gaming versions of both cards also have overheating issues, albeit for a different reason.
Their impressively large coolers were found to lack proper cooling for the memory chips (XT model), or had no cooling at all (non-XT model).
That led to impressive memory temperatures that were far in excess of their rated specifications, and more than enough to boil water while you game.
Fortunately for AMD, ASUS could not blame them for that terrible design decision. But that exposed the sobering fact that ASUS was not above cutting corners in their cards…
This overheating issue does not seem to be a problem with other brands with custom coolers.
And as far as we can tell, reference designs from ASUS and other brands do not have overheating issues.
So it would be interesting to see ASUS explain why only their ROG Strix RX 5700 and ROG Strix RX 5700 XT cards are overheating…
Should We STOP Buying AMD Radeon Cards From ASUS?
No, ASUS cards based on AMD reference designs are perfectly fine. And the current slew of ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 / 5700 XT cards now come with properly tightened coolers.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
The ASUS ROG Strix cards are overheating because their coolers were not screwed tightly enough, so their GPUs were not being cooled properly.
The ASUS TUF Gaming cards are overheating because their coolers either lacked proper cooling for their GDDR6 memory chips, or did NOT provide any cooling at all.
After months of complaints, ASUS finally admitted what users already knew months ago – that the ROG Strix cooler wasn’t properly mounted.
But instead of just admitting and correcting their mistake, ASUS blamed AMD for recommending reference mounting pressures that were way too low.
The good news, for ROG Strix users, is that ASUS will (FINALLY) be providing replacement screws to fix the problem.
ASUS TUF Gaming RX 5700 Cards Are Also Overheating, Remember?
When ASUS refused to send a review sample to awesome guys at Hardware Unboxed, the Internet funded their purchase, and lo behold, they discovered why ASUS was so reticent about sending them a sample!
They discovered that the ASUS TUF Gaming RX 5700 XT card did not have proper cooling for their GDDR6 memory, while the non-XT version had NO COOLING for the memory chips at all!
See that thin piece of metal? That’s what ASUS uses as a heat-spreader for the XT version of their TUF Gaming card. The non-XT version doesn’t even have this!
Even with a heat-spreader, the memory chips on the TUF Gaming Radeon RX 5700 XT were hitting 104°C – far above their maximum operating temperature!
Frankly, we have no idea how these cards actually passed pre-production validation tests. After all, ASUS boasts that they put their TUF Gaming cards through a 144-hour validation program to ensure “rigorous performance and reliability standards“.
Surely, the ASUS engineering team would have noticed during that 144-hour validation program that the memory chips were hot enough to fry eggs?
Overheating ASUS TUF Gaming RX 5700 : New Models, But No Fix!
After this issue was exposed, ASUS came up with new TUF EVO versions, with improved memory cooling.
Unfortunately, they are NOT going to offer users of their TUF Gaming versions a fix or replacement.
Perhaps, with sufficient public pressure, ASUS can be convinced to do the right thing, and replace their badly-designed TUF cooler with the improved TUF EVO cooler.
So it is up to us to REMEMBER, and REMIND EVERYONE, that TUF Gaming Radeon RX 5700 and Radeon RX 5700 XT cards are also overheating, not just their more expensive ROG Strix brethren.
Of course, ASUS cannot blame AMD for overheating memory chips… LOL!
But if their GDDR6 memory supplier needs to take the blame, we hope they will bite the bullet and take the hit, so poor TUF Gaming users do not have to live with memory chips so hot they can boil water…
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ASUS is blaming AMD for the overheating problems affecting their ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 and ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 XT cards!
Find out what’s going on, and whether ASUS was right to blame AMD for the overheating ROG graphics cards!
Overheating ASUS ROG RX 5700 Cards : What’s Going On?
The ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 XT and Radeon RX 5700 are two of the more premium and expensive RX 5700 series graphics cards in the market.
Instead of using the reference AMD design, both ASUS ROG cards use premium alloy chokes, solid polymer capacitors, triple fans with axial fan blades, and a large and heavy heatsink.
They also feature the ASUS MaxContact Technology, which allows for TWICE the contact surface with the GPU for maximum thermal transfer.
Despite such an impressive list of premium power and cooling capabilities, users noticed that their expensive ASUS ROG RX 5700 cards keep overheating.
Some even pointed out that the screws mounting the cooler were “loose”, and that this overheating problem could be resolved by tightening those screws, or adding washers.
Overheating ASUS ROG RX 5700 Cards : ASUS Blames AMD
ASUS offered BIOS updates to fix the issue, but that failed because the problem wasn’t firmware in nature.
They finally folded on 14 February 2020, admitting that their cooler (with MaxContact Technology) was not secured tightly enough.
However, ASUS blamed AMD for that mistake, claiming that AMD recommended a mounting pressure that was much too low.
They actually penned an article, and created this pressure vs temperature chart to prove that they were not at fault, and users should blame AMD.
We’d like to address user concerns related to the thermal performance and cooler mounting pressure we use on ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700-series graphics cards.
During the design phase, AMD shares documents with our engineers that outline specifications and tolerances to ensure performance and reliability margins are maintained. For the Radeon RX 5700 series of GPUs, AMD recommends the following mounting pressure range for coolers:
Initial batches of ROG Strix 5700-series graphics cards were built following AMD’s guidelines. After receiving user reports regarding temperature issues, we performed extended R&D testing to find the optimal PSI range for our graphics cards without compromising GPU reliability.
As a result, all ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700-series graphics cards shipped from January 2020 forward feature new screws that increase cooler mounting pressure to 50-60 PSI, resulting in improved heat transfer from the GPU to the heatsink.
Of course, we are committed to supporting our customers. We would like to offer the same benefits of the new mounting screws to users that have already purchased an ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700-series graphics card. If you already have one of these cards and would like it modified to use the new mounting screws, please contact your nearest ASUS service center starting in March of 2020* and we’ll happily perform the upgrade for you.
To determine whether your graphics card is eligible for this free upgrade, please consult the following table of model numbers. For further assistance or information, please contact your local ASUS customer support team.
ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 XT series
ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 series
90YV0D90-M0NA00 (Universal) 90YV0D90-M0TA00 (Taiwan) 90YV0D90-M0CA00 (China) 90YV0D90-M0IA00 (India) 90YV0D90-MTAA00 (North America) 90YV0D90-M0AA00 (North America) 90YV0D90-M0NB00 (Bulk pack)
90YV0DD0-M0NA00 (Universal) 90YV0DD0-M0TA00 (Taiwan) 90YV0DD0-M0CA00 (China) 90YV0DD0-M0IA00 (India) 90YV0DD0-MTAA00 (North America) 90YV0DD0-M0AA00 (North America) 90YV0DD0-M0NB00 (Bulk pack)
We’d like to apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your continued loyalty and trust in ROG.
Overheating ASUS ROG RX 5700 Cards : Was It AMD’s Fault?
Now, we are not in the business of casting aspersions at ASUS’ claims. But let’s consider what they said logically.
AMD Recommended A Mounting Pressure Of 30-40 PSI
We do not have access to AMD’s engineering specifications, but it would be logical that the mounting pressure they recommended in those specifications would be for their reference design.
The ASUS ROG Strix cards use a custom 2.7-slot cooler design, with triple fans, and the ASUS MaxContact Technology. They even come with a reinforced frame, presumably to support higher mounting pressures.
So it would not be logical for the brilliant engineers at ASUS to simply use whatever mounting pressure AMD recommended for the reference design.
Initial ROG Strix Batches Were Built Following AMD Guidelines
It would be really odd for ASUS to apply reference design guidelines to the radically-different design used for the ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 and ROG Strix Radeon RX 5700 XT models…
ASUS Performed Extended Testing To Find The Optimal PSI Range After User Complaints
This is a puzzling statement, because it suggests that they shipped their ROG Strix cards without performing enough tests to determine the optimal PSI range for their custom cooler.
One would also expect ASUS to perform stress tests on these premium card designs, to make sure they work properly… before they are qualified for production.
While it is possible for any product to have bugs, overheating due to loose screws seem hard to miss…
New ASUS ROG Strix Cards Shipped With Higher Mounting Pressure Since January 2020
If the ASUS engineering team were already aware that the mounting pressure was much too low by November or December 2019, why did they wait until 14 February 2020 to announce it?
It is unlikely that they were preparing to distribute replacement mounting screws to their customer support teams worldwide, because they announced that those new mounting screws will NOT be available until sometime in March 2020.
But AMD will be glad to know that they are not being blamed for the delay, just COVID-19. LOL!
Overheating RX 5700 Cards : Are Other Brands Affected?
This overheating issue does not seem to be a problem with other brands with custom coolers.
And as far as we can tell, reference designs from ASUS and other brands do not have overheating issues.
So it would be interesting to see ASUS explain why only their ROG Strix RX 5700 and ROG Strix RX 5700 XT cards are overheating…
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
At CES 2020, NVIDIA and ASUS just announced the world’s first 360Hz G-SYNC display – the ASUS ROG Swift 360! Here are the details!
360Hz G-SYNC Displays
NVIDIA first introduced G-SYNC in 2013. It is a variable refresh rate technology that eliminates tearing by synchronising the display’s refresh rate with the GPU’s actual frame rate.
Since then, they have improved it with new technologies like dynamic overdrive to improve player perception, and custom-tuned firmware for better image quality.
NVIDIA is now introducing 360Hz refresh rates for even faster reaction times – reducing it to less than 3 ms, so esports professionals can enjoy tear-free frames at incredibly low latencies.
ASUS ROG Swift 360 : World’s First 360Hz G-SYNC Display!
ASUS developed the ROG Swift 360 with NVIDIA, targeting it at esports professionals. It features a 24.5-inch panel, with these official features :
Blistering Fast Refresh Rate: 360Hz delivers crystal clear visuals, extremely low system latency for faster reaction times, and the smoothest motion to keep pros on target.
Designed for Esports: Play how the pros do and never miss a critical moment with the highest performance 24.5 inch Full HD display.
Superior Clarity: No distracting tearing, stuttering, flicker, or artifacts with NVIDIA G-SYNC VRR technology.
Quality Certified by NVIDIA: All G-SYNC certified displays undergo a rigorous validation process and are subjected to 300 image quality tests to ensure they deliver consistent quality and maximum performance.
NVIDIA will be using the ASUS ROG Swift 360 running a set of esports demos to demonstrate its improved performance in target acquisition, aiming and perception.
ASUS ROG Swift 360 : Price + Availability
For now, the ASUS ROG Swift 360 is only available for demonstration at the NVIDIA CES 2020 showcase. Price and availability will be revealed later.
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
This release is a slap in the face of those who bought the expensive Elite Edition earlier, and those who claimed that the Tencent Edition was only possible because of Tencent’s sponsorship in China.
ASUS have basically admitted that they can release a much cheaper ROG Phone 2, without sponsorship of any kind… and yes, that the Elite Edition was really just a way for them to make extra money off the foolish and the gullible.
ROG Phone 2 Ultimate = Elite Edition With 1TB Storage
The ROG Phone 2 Ultimate is yet another marketing ploy to pick the pockets of gullible gamers. It is nothing more than the already expensive ROG Phone 2 Elite Edition with 1TB of storage and a higher price tag.
Let’s be honest – how many of you will actually use up 128 GB of storage, much less 512 GB or 1 TB? In fact, many of us are still using laptops with just 256 GB or 512 GB of storage!
So yes, it is colossally STUPID for anyone to buy for gaming. We will show you why…
ROG Phone 2 Specification + Price Comparison
First, let’s take a quick look at what’s different between the ROG Phone 2 STRIX vs Elite vs Ultimate in this table :
Specifications
ROG Phone 2
STRIX Edition
ROG Phone 2
Elite Edition
ROG Phone 2
Ultimate Edition
Display
6.59-inch AMOLED display (1080 x 2340 pixels)
– 108% DCI-P3 colour gamut, 10,000:1 contrast ratio
– up to 120 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms response time
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus
Processor
1 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Gold core (2.96 GHz)
3 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Gold cores (2.42 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
GPU
Qualcomm Adreno 640 (672 MHz)
RAM
8 GB LPDDR4X
12 GB LPDDR4X
Storage
128 GB UFS 3.0
512 GB UFS 3.0
1 TB UFS 3.0
Front Camera
24 MP front camera
Rear Cameras
48 MP main camera, with Sony IMX586 sensor, and f/1.79 lens
13 MP ultra-wide camera, with 125-degree field of view
Why ROG Phone 2 STRIX Is BETTER Than Elite / Ultimate!
Now, let’s show you why the the ROG Phone 2 STRIX is the best option of the three, and why you should NOT pay extra for the Elite or Ultimate Editions!
Performance : They Are ALL EQUALLY FAST
The STRIX, Elite and Ultimate Editions are powered by the SAME Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus mobile platform, as well as the same LPDDR4x RAM.
The Elite and Ultimate Editions come with 12 GB of RAM, while the STRIX Edition only comes with 8 GB of RAM. However, which mobile game do you know needs more than 2 GB of RAM?
In fact, high-end mobile games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 use less than 1.2 GB of RAM!
So all you are getting when you purchase the Elite or Ultimate Edition is the right to brag about how your ROG Phone 2 has 4 GB of additional RAM just sitting there doing nothing.
All three ROG Phone 2 models use fast UFS 3.0 storage. The only difference is how much storage they come with :
ROG Phone 2 STRIX : 128 GB
ROG Phone 2 Elite : 512 GB
ROG Phone 2 Ultimate : 1 TB
Storage may be important for some users, but frankly speaking, 128 GB is plenty of storage for most users.
For gamers, it’s actually A LOT more than they will ever use. Even PUBG Mobile only takes up 1.54 GB of space.
128 GB of storage in the STRIX Edition should be more than enough to let you install 50-80 large games. Oh, you don’t have that many games? See what we mean?
Paying extra for 512 GB of storage in the Elite Edition is really pointless… at least for mobile gamers.
Paying extra for 1 TB of storage in the Ultimate Edition? That’s just plain stupid for mobile gamers.
Connectivity : Practically The Same
The Snapdragon X24 LTE modem supports LTE Cat 20 and WiFi-AD connectivity, but ASUS artificially limited their capabilities slightly to differentiate the three models :
But for all practical purposes, you won’t be able to tell the difference because mobile games are designed to use very little data!
PUBG Mobile, for example, only uses between 15 MB and 50 MB of data for an entire 20-30 minute game. That works out to a MAXIMUM of 1.7 MB per minute, or 28 KB per second.
And how many of you actually have a WiFi-AD router? Most gamers still rely on a WiFi-AC router, which is plenty fast enough.
Charging : ROG Phone 2 Elite / Ultimate
The only clear-cut performance advantage the ROG Phone 2 Elite and Ultimate Editions offer is the 30-watt fast charger.
The ROG Phone 2 STRIX Edition only comes with a 18-watt fast charger, but in case you are wondering – it’s still fast enough to recharge the phone while you game on it.
Bundled “Freebies” : ROG Phone 2 Elite / Ultimate
The Elite and Ultimate Editions come bundled with the AeroActive Cooler II and the Aero Case, while the STRIX Edition comes with just a bumper case.
But guess what – you can purchase the AeroActive Cooler II and Aero Case for the STRIX Edition as separate upgrades! And you can get them both for less than $100.
Price : ROG Phone 2 STRIX Edition
Now, this is the real kicker.
The Elite Edition costs 38~41% more than the STRIX Edition, for no difference in gaming performance!
The Ultimate Edition costs 50% more than the STRIX Edition, for no difference in gaming performance!
Of the three models, the ROG Phone 2 STRIX Edition is the true gamer-centric model.
It focuses on delivering top-notch gaming capabilities with the same 120 Hz display, at a much lower price point than the Elite and Ultimate Editions!
All you are getting with the Elite or Ultimate Edition is a 38% to 50% higher price tag for more storage, a more powerful charger, and the AeroActive Cooler II and Aero Case.
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If you want to buy one for mobile gaming, get the STRIX Edition. Your wallet will thank you!
If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!
After the special ROG Phone II Tencent Edition was launched, ASUS immediately sent out a press release that the Elite Edition would be quite different.
However, after comparing them both (as well as the similar Indian model and the global STRIX model), we can definitely tell you that the ROG Phone II Tencent Edition is A MUCH BETTER DEAL than the ROG Phone II Elite Edition for gamers!
ROG Phone II For India
In India, ASUS prepared a special low-cost ROG Phone II, which is almost exactly like the Tencent Edition.
For all intents and purposes, we consider it to be the ROG Phone II Tencent Edition for India.
The new ROG Phone II STRIX Edition is basically the Tencent Edition, without the Tencent logo.
This release is a slap in the face of those who bought the expensive Elite Edition earlier, and those who claimed that the Tencent Edition was only possible because of Tencent’s sponsorship in China.
ASUS have basically admitted that they can release a much cheaper ROG Phone 2, without sponsorship of any kind… and yes, that the Elite Edition was really just a way for them to make extra money off the foolish and the gullible.
ROG Phone II Specifications : Tencent Edition vs. Elite Edition
First, let’s take a quick look at what’s different between the ROG Phone II Tencent Edition, and the ROG Phone II Elite Edition. For your convenience, we compare their specifications in this table :
Specifications
ROG Phone 2
(Elite)
ROG Phone 2
(Tencent / STRIX)
Display
6.59-inch AMOLED display (1080 x 2340 pixels)
– 108% DCI-P3 colour gamut, 10,000:1 contrast ratio
– up to 120 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms response time
Chassis
Glass Back Cover
Glass + Metal Back Cover
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus
Processor
1 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Gold core (2.96 GHz)
3 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Gold cores (2.42 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
GPU
Qualcomm Adreno 640 (672 MHz)
RAM
12 GB LPDDR4X
8 GB LPDDR4X
Storage
512 GB UFS 3.0
128 GB UFS 3.0
Front Camera
24 MP front camera
Rear Cameras
48 MP main camera, with Sony IMX586 sensor, and f/1.79 lens
13 MP ultra-wide camera, with 125-degree field of view
ROG Phone II Compared : Tencent Edition vs. Elite Edition
Let’s compare both versions in the eyes of ASUS’ target market – mobile gamers.
Performance : They Are Both EQUALLY FAST
Both the Tencent Edition and the Elite Edition of the ROG Phone II are powered by the SAME Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus mobile platform, as well as the same LPDDR4x RAM.
The Elite Edition comes with 12 GB of RAM, while the Tencent Edition only comes with 8 GB of RAM. However, which game do you know needs more than 2 GB of RAM?
In fact, high-end mobile games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 use less than 1.2 GB of RAM!
So all you are getting when you purchase the Elite Edition is the right to brag how your ROG Phone II has 4 GB of additional RAM just sitting there doing nothing.
Both the Tencent Edition and the Elite Edition of the ROG Phone II use fast UFS 3.0 storage.
However, the Elite Edition comes with 512 GB of storage, while the Tencent Edition only comes with 128 GB.
Storage may be important for some users, but frankly speaking, 128 GB is plenty of storage for most users.
For gamers, it’s actually A LOT more than they will ever use. Even PUBG Mobile only takes up 1.54 GB of space.
128 GB of storage in the Tencent Edition should be more than enough to let you install 50-80 large games. Oh, you don’t have that many games? See what we mean?
Paying extra for 512 GB of storage in the Elite Edition is just pointless… at least for mobile gamers.
Connectivity : Practically The Same
To differentiate the two versions, ASUS slightly crippled the connectivity capabilities of the ROG Phone II Tencent Edition, limiting it to LTE Cat16 (1 Gbps DL, 150 Mbps UL) and WiFi-AC.
The ROG Phone II Elite Edition, on the other hand, boasts LTE Cat18 (1.2 Gbps DL, 211 Mbps UL) and WiFi-AD capabilities.
But for all practical purposes, you won’t be able to tell the difference because mobile games are designed to use very little data!
PUBG Mobile, for example, only uses between 15 MB and 50 MB of data for an entire 20-30 minute game. That works out to a MAXIMUM of 1.7 MB per minute, or 28 KB per second.
And how many of you actually have a WiFi-AD router? Most gamers still rely on a WiFi-AC router, which is plenty fast enough.
Charging : ROG Phone II Elite Edition
The only clear-cut performance advantage the ROG Phone II Elite Edition offers is the 30-watt fast charger. The Tencent Edition only comes with a 18-watt fast charger.
Bundled “Freebies” : ROG Phone II Elite Edition
The Elite Edition comes bundled with the AeroActive Cooler II and the Aero Case, while the Tencent Edition comes with just a bumper case.
But guess what – you can purchase the AeroActive Cooler II and Aero Case for the Tencent Edition as separate upgrades! And you can get them both for less than $100.
ASUS also took pains to share with us that the Elite Edition comes with a premium six prism box, while the Tencent Edition comes with only a square box.
Uh, okay… how is that important? Does ASUS expect us to play with the box, or with the ROG Phone II?
Price : ROG Phone II Tencent Edition
Now, this is the real kicker. The Elite Edition costs 38~41% more than the Tencent Edition for no difference in gaming performance!
Frankly speaking, the ROG Phone II Tencent Edition is the true gamer-centric model.
It focuses on delivering top-notch gaming capabilities with the same 120 Hz display, at a much lower price point than the Global Edition!
All you are getting with the Elite Edition is a 38% to 41% higher price tag for a larger storage capacity, a more powerful charger, and the AeroActive Cooler II and Aero Case bundled… and yes, it comes in a fancy six prism box.
If you want to buy one for mobile gaming, get the Tencent Edition. Your wallet will thank you.
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Worried that gamers are swarming for the highly-affordable ROG Phone 2 Tencent Edition, ASUS urgently touted the advantages of the delayed ROG Phone 2 Global Edition.
Let’s compare the specifications of the ROG Phone 2 Tencent Edition against the ROG Phone 2 Global Edition model!
ROG Phone 2 – Super Fast Phone, Super Slow Rollout
ASUS launched the ROG Phone last year, calling it the world’s first smartphone designed for mobile gaming. Unfortunately, they squandered that advantage with an ultra-slow rollout in a fast-moving industry.
More nimble, new competitors like Black Shark not only introduced their own gaming smartphones, they literally surged past them.
Of course, the ROG Phone 2 boasts a 120 Hz display, with a 1 ms response time that totally crushes the likes of Black Shark 2 and Black Shark 2 PRO, and should guarantee silky-smooth gameplay, albeit at the expense of battery life.
That’s why ASUS gave it a massive 6,000 mAh battery – so it will last for quite a few rounds. The downside? It weighs almost a quarter of a kilo and is almost a full cm thick.
Of course, Black Shark has publicly pooh-poohed the usefulness of a 120 Hz display in this recent Q&A session :
Instead of a higher refresh rate, they opted to use DC dimming to reduce eyestrain, and an integrated DSP with MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation) capabilities to eliminate unwanted judder and blur.
There is also the issue of ASUS quietly setting the ROG Phone 2 to use a 60Hz refresh rate instead, to improve battery life.
However, ASUS did NOT want anyone to think or talk about the Tencent Edition because it is MUCH CHEAPER, and is a darn better deal than the Global Edition that they only introduced in October 2019.
They urged their media friends to talk up the ROG Phone 2 Global Edition instead. But in our honest opinion, the Tencent version is a better deal for gamers. Here’s why!
In case you are wondering, the Snapdragon 855 Plus is just a speed-binned version of the regular Snapdragon 855. They are virtually identical.
The only differences are the clock speeds of two parts in the Snapdragon 855 Plus :
its single high-performance Kryo 485 Gold core is clocked at 2.96 GHz, instead of 2.84 GHz.
its Adreno 640 GPU is clocked at 672 MHz, instead of 585 MHz.
In other words, its advantage in mobile gaming is a 4% increase in the short boost performance of the CPU, and a 14.9% increase in peak GPU performance.
ROG Phone 2 Global vs Tencent : Price + Availability
ASUS finally released the Global Edition (now renamed Elite Edition) in the US and India in September 2019, with other countries like Malaysia receiving a limited number in mid-October 2019.
Based on the US, European and Chinese launch prices of $899, €899 and RMB 5,999, it is a whopping 23% more expensive than the Black Shark 2 PRO – an extra RM 700 / ~US$240 / ~£136 / ~A$249!
The ROG Phone 2 Tencent Edition is much cheaper, of course. Its RMB 3,499 retail price in China translates into approximately RM 2,059 / ~US$499 / ~£399 / ~A$724!
That is 80% off the cost of the Global Edition, and 31% cheaper than the Black Shark 2 PRO!
In the beginning, it was only available officially in China and India… and while you can purchase one off the grey market, you would not receive any warranty or even OTA updates for them.
But the good news is ASUS has finally released the STRIX Edition, which is basically the global version of the Tencent Edition.
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Now that both the ASUS ROG Phone 2 and Black Shark 2 PRO are out and competing with each other, the question mobile gamers are asking – which is the better gaming smartphone?
In this article, we will compare both the ROG Phone 2 and the Black Shark 2 PRO, and see which is the better gaming device!
Gaming Smartphones?
Both the Black Shark 2 PRO and ASUS ROG Phone 2 claim to be gaming smartphones. What’s the difference between these two “gaming” smartphones and “regular” smartphones?
While ALL smartphones can handle games pretty well, especially if they are flagship devices, gaming smartphones claim to offer an edge to serious mobile gamers, like :
really fast CPU and GPU, with high-speed memory and storage
better cooling system to sustain gaming performance
large display with a high refresh rate, or low latency, or both
better wireless connectivity to ensure no lag during gameplay
large battery for longer gameplay
better audio for more enjoyable gameplay
special controls or buttons, or gamepad add-ons
Of course, many flagship-class smartphones already offer many of those features, which is why some argue that gaming-specific smartphones are merely a way for some brands to carve a niche to survive in the ultra-competitive smartphone market.
But we digress… let’s compare the two top gaming smartphones that are coming, or will soon come to a store near you – the Black Shark 2 PRO (MY | SG | AU | UK) and the ASUS ROG Phone 2 (MY | SG | US | UK | AU).
ASUS ROG Phone 2 vs Black Shark 2 PRO Specifications
Let’s start with a quick comparison of their key specifications.
6.59-inch AMOLED display
– 1080 x 2340 pixels
– 108% DCI-P3 colour gamut
– up to 120 Hz refresh rate
System Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus
Processor
1 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Gold core (2.96 GHz)
3 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Gold cores (2.42 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
GPU
Qualcomm Adreno 640 (672 MHz)
RAM
8 GB / 12 GB LPDDR4X
Storage
128 GB / 256 GB UFS 3.0
512 GB / 1 TB UFS 3.0
Front Camera
20 MP with f/2.0 aperture
24 MP front camera
Rear Cameras
48 MP Sony IMX586 sensor, with f/1.75 aperture 12 MP telephoto camera, with f/2.2 aperture
48 MP Sony IMX586 sensor, with f/1.79 aperture 13 MP ultra-wide camera, with 125-degree field of view
Connectivity
4G : LTE Cat18 – 211 Mbps UL, 1.2 Gbps DL
WiFi : 802.11ac, 4×4 MIMO
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
4G : LTE Cat18 – 211 Mbps UL, 1.2 Gbps DL
WiFi : 802.11ad, 4×4 MIMO
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
Special Sensors
ForceTouch Sensors
Ultrasonic AirTrigger
Fingerprint Sensor
Yes, In-Display Optical Sensor
Audio
Dual front-facing speakers
Dual front-facing speakers + DTS:X Ultra
Battery
4,000 mAh battery
6,000 mAh battery
Charger
27 watt fast charger
30 watt fast charger
Dimensions
75.0 mm wide 163.6 mm tall 8.77 mm thick
77.6 mm wide 170.99 mm tall 9.78 mm thick
Weight
205 g
240 g
ASUS ROG Phone 2 vs Black Shark 2 PRO
Although there are quite a few more differences between the two models, we are going to focus mainly on the gaming and mobility aspects in this comparison.
The ROG Phone 2 comes with twice as much storage as the Black Shark 2 PRO. However, 256 GB is more than what most gamers will ever use – even PUBG Mobile takes up only 1.54 GB of space!
Honestly, paying extra for 512 GB of storage or even 1 TB is just pointless for gamers. But we will give the advantage to the ROG Phone 2 (MY | SG | US | UK | AU), if only for the bragging rights.
Cooling : Black Shark 2 PRO
The Black Shark 2 PRO (MY | SG | AU | UK) features a Mille-Feuille full area liquid cooling system that, according to them, is far superior to that of the ROG Phone 2 (MY | SG | US | UK | AU).
However, Black Shark has publicly pooh-poohed the usefulness of a 120 Hz display in this recent Q&A session :
Instead of a higher refresh rate, they opted to use DC dimming to reduce eyestrain, and an integrated DSP with MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation) capabilities to eliminate unwanted judder and blur. So we think this counts as a tie.
Do note too that a 120 Hz refresh rate uses up significantly more power, which is why ASUS actually set it to 60 Hz by default!
Black Shark also focused on reducing the latency of the touch screen display, with 240 Hz report rate even with three fingers. This is, arguably, far more important for competitive gaming than a 120 Hz display.
The ROG Phone 2, on the other hand, boasts a 6,000 mAh battery that is 50% larger than the Black Shark 2 PRO‘s battery. This means you will get to play longer on the ROG Phone 2 (MY | SG | US | UK | AU).
Portability : Black Shark 2 PRO
This may not be important to everyone, but if you want to be able to carry your gaming smartphone in your pocket, the Black Shark 2 PRO (MY | SG | AU | UK) is both smaller and lighter than the ROG Phone 2.
Availability : Black Shark 2 PRO
This may not seem important, until you decide you want to buy one.
ASUS has always had a reputation for a slow roll-out, and that hasn’t changed with the ROG Phone 2 – even after it was launched, quantities were limited.
Price : Black Shark 2 PRO
Here is a quick comparison table to show the price difference between the two models :
Frankly speaking, you can game without any issue on any decent smartphone these days. But if you are a serious or professional gamer, a gaming smartphone could give you the competitive edge you need.
But between the two models, we personally prefer the Black Shark 2 PRO (MY | SG | AU | UK) for these reasons :
its better cooling system will maintain gaming performance, while keeping the chassis cooler to touch
a low latency touch display is arguably more important for gaming, than a high refresh rate display
even though the ROG Phone 2 has a larger battery, the 120 Hz display significantly limits its battery life
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Unlike the Radeon RX 5700 and RX 5700 XT cards, the new AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT does not have a reference design – it is available only as custom-designed cards from AMD’s partners.
Here is a quick primer on the first slew of Radeon RX 5500 XT cards from ASRock, ASUS, GIGABYTE, MSI, PowerColor, Sapphire and XFX!
AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT : The First Cards
If you want to skip ahead to the first twenty two RX 5500 XT cards, click on these links.
The AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT is basically the desktop version of the Radeon RX 5500M, using the same GPU with 6.4 billion transistors fabricated on the 7 nm process technology.
This Navi GPU has 22 Compute Units with 1408 stream processors and a 128-bit memory interface. The only difference is the Radeon RX 5500 XT has higher clock speeds and TDP, with up to 8 GB of GDDR6 memory.
The AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT designed to deliver 1080p gaming at 60+ fps for AAA titles, and 90+ fps for esport games.
To reduce costs, AMD opted to use a PCI Express 4.0 x8 interface, instead of the PCIe 4.0 x16 interface. But if paired with a PCIe 4.0 chipset, it will deliver the same bandwidth as PCIe 3.0 x16.
In this table, we compare its reference specifications against its more powerful brethren – the RX 5700 and RX 5700 XT.
Again, please note that the RX 5500 XT is only available from AMD partners as custom cards, and could have different specifications.
Specifications
Radeon RX
5700 XT
Radeon RX
5700
Radeon RX
5500 XT
Transistors
10.3 billion
10.3 billion
6.4 billion
Fab Process
7 nm
7 nm
7 nm
Die Size
251 mm²
251 mm²
158 mm²
Total Graphics Power
225 W
185 W
130 W
Stream Processors
2560
2340
1408
Base Clock
1605 MHz
1465 MHz
1607 MHz
Game Clock
1755 MHz
1625 MHz
1717 MHz
Boost Clock
1905 MHz
1725 MHz
1845 MHz
TMUs
160
144
88
Max. Texture Rate
304.8 GT/s
248.4 GT/s
162.4 GT/s
ROPs
64
64
32
Max. Pixel Rate
121.9 GP/s
110.4 GP/s
59.0 GP/s
Memory Size
8 GB
8 GB
4 GB / 8 GB
Memory Type
GDDR6
GDDR6
GDDR6
Bus Width
256-bit
256-bit
128-bit
Bandwidth
448 GB/s
448 GB/s
224 GB/s
PCIe Interface
PCIe 4.0 x16
PCIe 4.0 x16
PCIe 4.0 x8
ASRock RX 5500 XT Challenger D 4G OC
This is an overclocked 4 GB variant with a dual fan cooler, a 78 MHz higher base clock and a 20 MHz higher game clock :
Base Clock : 1685 MHz
Game Clock : 1737 MHz
Boost Clock : 1845 MHz
GDDR6 Memory Clock : 1750 MHz (14 Gbps)
Display Ports : 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0b
Polychrome SYNC
Dual Fan Design + Stylish Metal Backplate
0dB Silent Cooling
ASRock Tweak
ASRock RX 5500 XT Phantom Gaming D 8G OC
This is the 8 GB version of the Challenger card above, and comes with the same dual fan cooler, a 78 MHz higher base clock and a 20 MHz higher game clock :
Base Clock : 1685 MHz
Game Clock : 1737 MHz
Boost Clock : 1845 MHz
GDDR6 Memory Clock : 1750 MHz (14 Gbps)
Display Ports : 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0b
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ASUS ROG Strix Radeon RX 5500 XT
This is an overclocked 8 GB variant with a dual-fan cooler, and 20 MHz higher game and boost clocks.
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MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Mech 4G
This is a stock 4 GB variant, with a dual-fan cooler, and reference clock speeds
TORX Fan 3.0 with Dispersion Fan Blades
RGB Mystic Light + Afterburner OC Utility
Boost Clock : up to 1845 MHz
Game Clock : 1717 MHz
Base Clock : 1607 MHz
GDDR6 Memory Clock : 1750 MHz (14 Gbps)
Display Ports : 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0b
MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Mech 8G
This is a stock 8 GB variant, with a dual-fan cooler, and reference clock speeds
TORX Fan 3.0 with Dispersion Fan Blades
RGB Mystic Light + Afterburner OC Utility
Boost Clock : up to 1845 MHz
Game Clock : 1717 MHz
Base Clock : 1607 MHz
GDDR6 Memory Clock : 1750 MHz (14 Gbps)
Display Ports : 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0b
MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Mech 4G OC
This is an overclocked 4 GB variant, with a dual-fan cooler, 40 MHz higher base clock and 16 MHz higher game clock.
TORX Fan 3.0 with Dispersion Fan Blades
RGB Mystic Light + Afterburner OC Utility
Boost Clock : up to 1845 MHz
Game Clock : 1733 MHz (Reference card is 1717 MHz)
Base Clock : 1647 MHz (Reference card is 1607 MHz)
GDDR6 Memory Clock : 1750 MHz (14 Gbps)
Display Ports : 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0b
MSI Radeon RX 5500 XT Mech 8G OC
This is an overclocked 8 GB variant, with a dual-fan cooler, 40 MHz higher base clock and 16 MHz higher game clock.
TORX Fan 3.0 with Dispersion Fan Blades
RGB Mystic Light + Afterburner OC Utility
Boost Clock : up to 1845 MHz
Game Clock : 1733 MHz (Reference card is 1717 MHz)
Base Clock : 1647 MHz (Reference card is 1607 MHz)
GDDR6 Memory Clock : 1750 MHz (14 Gbps)
Display Ports : 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0b
Price + Availability (Accurate as of 16 December 2019)
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PowerColor Radeon RX 5500 XT
This is a stock 4 GB variant, with a single-fan cooler, and reference clock speeds
Boost Clock : up to 1845 MHz
Game Clock : 1717 MHz
Base Clock : 1607 MHz
GDDR6 Memory Clock : 1750 MHz (14 Gbps)
Display Ports : 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0b, 1 x SL DVI-D
PowerColor Red Dragon RX 5500 XT
This is an overclocked 8 GB variant, with a dual-fan cooler, a 78 MHz higher base clock and a 20 MHz higher game clock :
Boost Clock : up to 1845 MHz
Game Clock : 1737 MHz (Reference card is 1717 MHz)
Base Clock : 1685 MHz (Reference card is 1607 MHz)
GDDR6 Memory Clock : 1750 MHz (14 Gbps)
Display Ports : 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0b, 1 x SL DVI-D
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In addition, ASUS will also introduce the far more expensive Global Edition to cater to the richer segment of the Indian population.
It comes with 12 GB of memory (which is pointless), instead of “just” 8 GB
It comes with 512 GB of storage, instead of 128 GB
It comes with faster LTE and Wi-Fi speeds (also pretty pointless)
It comes with a 30 W fast charger, instead of an 18 W fast charger
It comes with an AeroActive Cooler II, which is basically a bolt-on fan
Now, here’s the kicker – this model costs 58% more than the 8 GB + 128 GB model.
The ROG Phone 2 (12 GB + 512 GB) is priced at ₹59,999 / ~US$849 / ~£689 / ~A$1,259 / ~RM 3,559
Again, we would like to point out that, for gamers, the Tencent Edition and similar variants are definitely A MUCH BETTER DEAL than the high-end / Global Edition ROG Phone 2.
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ASUS just launched the ROG Mothership, a portable desktop gaming computer with features borrowed from gaming desktops and gaming laptops.
Find out if the ASUS ROG Mothership is a good replacement for mobile gamers, or just a solution looking for a problem…
ASUS ROG Mothership (GZ700GX) Key Features
ASUS appears to believe there is a market for portable desktop gaming. Specifically gamers who want to enjoy desktop gaming, and are willing to lug a man-portable system on their holidays and trips.
So the ROG Mothership is designed with desktop gaming components, in a form factor that looks like a laptop but heavy enough you would be a fool to use it on an actual lap…
Desktop Gaming Performance
The ROG Mothership is powered by desktop-grade gaming components like the Intel Core i9-9980HK, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080, and up to 64 GB of DDR4-2666 memory.
The Intel Core i9-9980HK is factory-overclocked to 4.7 GHz, while the GeForce RTX 2080 GPU is boosted up to 1880 MHz with a 200 watt TDP, with its GDDR6 memory clocked at 7.2 GHz.
Desktop-Class Cooling
To keep all that cool, it has FOUR heatsinks, which ASUS proudly tells us has a total of 375 fins, and 8 heat pipes. INSANE.
Triple SSD Storage
The ROG Mothership also comes with three 512 GB SSDs for storage, all combined in RAID 0 for a crazy-fast transfer rate of 8.7 GB/s.
Of course, three drives in RAID 0 triples the risk of losing all of your data… but who wants to keep your data safe forever, right?
ROG Mothership Quad Speakers
The ROG Mothership comes with four front speakers. They are powered by a Hi-Res Audio-certified ESS Sabre HiFi DAC that delivers up to 24-bit audio, at 192 kHz.
Man-Portable, Not Mobile
The ROG Mothership boasts an aluminium unibody design, with a detachable keyboard. It even looks like a laptop.
However, it’s chunky at almost 3 cm thick… and more importantly, freaking heavy at 4.8 kg. This is why they are calling it a portable gaming computer, not a gaming laptop.
Dual Power Adaptors
The ROG Mothership requires A LOT of power. That’s why it comes with not one, but TWO, chunky 280 watt power adaptors.
We hope ASUS will consider bundling the Mothership with a suitcase to make it easier to transport the system on trips.
17.3-inch Full HD IPS display
– 144 Hz, 3 ms, 100% sRGB, G-SYNC or
17.3-inch 4K UHD IPS display
– 100% Adobe RGB, G-SYNC
Keyboard
Detachable keyboard with backlit chiclet keys
– N-key rollover
– Per-key RGB lighting + AuraSync support
– 2.5 mm travel distance, 0.3 mm keycap curve
Audio
4 x 4W speakers with Smart AMP technology
Array microphone
I/O Ports
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C / Thunderbolt 3
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C with DisplayPort 1.4
3 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type A
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type A with USB charger
1 x HDMI 2.0
1 x 3.5 mm headphone and microphone combo jack
1 x 3.5 mm microphone jack
1 x RJ-45 jack
1 x SD card reader
1 x Kensington lock
Connectivity
Intel Wi-Fi 6 with Gig+ performance (802.11ax)
Bluetooth 5.0
Power
6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery (76 Whr)
280 W power adaptor x 2
Dimensions
410 mm wide
320 mm deep
29.9 mm thick
Weight
4.8 kg
ASUS ROG Mothership (GZ700GX) Price + Availability
The ASUS ROG Mothership (GZ700GX) has an official price of RM 26,999 / ~$6,508 / ~£5,133 / ~€5,728 for this configuration :
Core i9-9980HK, 64GB DDR4, GeForce RTX 2080, 3 x 512GB SSDs, 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display (144 Hz), Windows 10 Home
Instead of a suitcase though, ASUS is bundling the ROG Mothership with an ROG Backpack, an ROG Gladius mouse, and an ROG headset, with a 2-year global warranty.
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The S in the new ASUS ROG Zephyrus S (GX531) probably stands for Slim, because it is the world’s SLIMMEST gaming laptop!
We were amongst the first in the world to get some hands-on time before its official demonstration at Gamescon 2018. In fact, ASUS flew us all the way to their top-secret ROG headquarters in Taipei to check it out in person!
So here is our hands-on video, and the key features of the ROG Zephyrus S gaming laptop, as well as its price and specifications!
Updated @ 2018-12-17 : Added the official prices and purchase links.
Updated @ 2018-09-05 : Added the exclusive tech briefing video, and a specification comparison of the GX531GS and GX531GM variants.
Originally posted @ 2018-08-17
Introducing The ASUS ROG Zephyrus S (GX531) Gaming Laptop
At 15.75 mm at its thickest point, the new Zephyrus S (GX531) is 12% slimmer than the original Zephyrus (GX501). It’s equipped with the Intel Corei7-8750H CPU and up to NVIDIAGeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q graphics.
It boasts a 15.6-inch display with super-narrow bezels, a 144 Hz refresh rate and 3 ms response time, – all packed into a 14.2-inch chassis. The all-metal chassis meets military-grade durability standards, with a premium finish.
It also comes with the proprietary Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) — a design and engineering hallmark of the Zephyrus series.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus S (GX531) Price + Availability
The ASUS ROG GX531 is available for purchase at authorised ASUS dealers with a recommended retail price of RM 7,999 / ~US$ 1,918 / ~£1,519.
Here are some direct purchase links (prices accurate as of 17 December 2018) :
The ASUS Zephyrus S (US | UK | MY) uses a mix of aluminum and magnesium alloys in the construction of its chassis. It is so tough, it meets military-grade durability standards for jolts and vibration.
Each lid is machined from a solid block of aluminium, using a precise CNC-milling process that takes five tooling stages and nearly 72 minutes to carve out all the intricate details. This creates a lid that is extremely rigid, yet slim.
It also boasts the unique and distinctive Zephyrus air intake. Scissor-door hinges keep a low profile, until the laptop is opened. The act of opening the lid lifts the rear and exposes the Zephyrus air intake for improved cooling performance.
Narrow-bezel display
Narrow bezels allow the 15.6-inch display to be squeezed into a 14.2-inch chassis. This reduces its footprint, while creating a more immersive gaming experience.
The 120 Hz display panel on the original Zephyrus has been upgraded to a 144 Hz AHVA panel in the Zephyrus S (US | UK | MY), while the response time was reduced to only 3 ms. It now covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut, with wide viewing angles.
Proprietary AAS cooling
Cooling an ultra-thin gaming laptop is a difficult engineering feat. ASUS and ROG thermal engineers came up with a solution they call Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) which debuted in the original Zephyrus.
When the lid of the laptop is lifted, a special vent opens underneath the chassis to let the laptop draw in more cool air. Similarly, the Zephyrus S (US | UK | MY) has an AAS intake of 5 mm across the entire back of the chassis to improve airflow by 22% compared to traditional designs. Additional airflow is provided through the keyboard, while the keyboard’s forward layout creates more room for the AAS cooling system.
The Zephyrus S (US | UK | MY) boasts five heat pipes that pull heat away from the CPU, the GPU, and the VRM circuitry that feeds them power. The CPU and GPU are connected to both shared and dedicated heatsinks to ensure efficient cooling for any workload, and the power components stay under 80 °C to improve long-term reliability. Thermal energy is channeled along the pipes to four heatsinks and exhaust vents at the rear corners, twice as many as in the first Zephyrus.
Self-Cleaning Fans
Keeping the heatsinks free of dust and debris is key to preserving cooling performance over the long-term. To achieve that, the ROG engineering team added self-cleaning fans to eject particles through anti-dust tunnels. This prevents accumulation of dust and particles on the fins to ensure consistent cooling and improve long-term stability.
12V AeroAccelerator Fans
The Zephyrus S (US | UK | MY) comes with dual 12V AeroAccerator fans, which boasts 83 blades each – 17% more blades than the fans in the original Zephyrus. Airflow is also improved by the fan’s shaped aluminum shroud, which has curved edges and raised guides to help channel more air into the blades.
Aura Sync RGB lighting
Integrated RGB lighting lets gamers customize the Zephyrus S (US | UK | MY) to their preference, or to match the mood of the game being played. Four independent zones illuminate the keyboard, and additional LEDs create a subtle glow inside the AAS vent.
Improved keyboard
[adrotate group=”2″]
The keyboard-forward layout not only improves its cooling capability, it also allows for a more comfortable desktop-like typing position. Overstroke technology fires earlier in the key travel for quicker responsiveness, and the longer post-actuation distance maximizes the 1.2 mm key travel to improve the overall typing feel.
The switches are rated for 20 million presses, so they can withstand heavy use, and N-key rollover ensures each press registers precisely regardless of how many keys are mashed at once.
Improved audio
The Zephyrus S (US | UK | MY) includes an upgraded sound system. Dual front-facing speakers embedded in the hinge cover are powered by smart-amplifier technology that keeps the speakers within thermal and excursion limits, so volume can reach higher limits without distorting the output or damaging the cones.
Sonic Studio III adds virtual surround-sound for deeper immersion with stereo headsets, and it features a new APO injection capability that extends speaker virtualization to a wider range of gear, including standard analog headphones along with USB headsets, external DACs, and VR devices.
Storage and connectivity
Its Intel Core i7-8750H CPU is backed by fast DDR4-2666 memory and NVMestorage, while 802.11ac Wave 2 Wi-Fi connects to compatible wireless networks at greater-than-gigabit speeds.
It comes with USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-Cand full-size HDMI 2.0 ports, for fast transfers and to support up to two desktop monitors and big-screen TVs.
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ASUS ROG Zephyrus S (GX531) Specifications
ASUS is offering two variants – the GX531GS and the GX531GM. Here are their specifications :
Specifications
ASUS Zephyrus S
(GS Variant)
ASUS Zephyrus S
(GM Variant)
Model
GX531GS
GX531GM
Display
15.6-inch Full HD IPS display
- 1920x1080 pixels with 100% sRGB colour gamut
- 144 Hz refresh rate, 3 ms response time
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Option : Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
2 x 2 watt speakers with smart amplifier technology
Array microphone
Keyboard
Backlit Chiclet Keyboard with marked WASD keys
- N-key rollover and 1.2 mm key travel
- 4-zone RGB lighting with Aura Sync support
I/O Ports
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C
1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A
2 x USB 2.0 Type-A
1 x HDMI 2.0
1 x 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo jack
1 x Kensington Lock
Power
230 W power adaptor
180 W power adaptor
Dimensions
360 mm wide
268 mm deep
14.95 to 15.75 mm thick
Weight
2.1 kg
Where To Buy?
The ASUS ROG GX531 is available for purchase at authorised ASUS dealers with a recommended retail price of RM 7,999 / ~US$ 1,918 / ~£1,519.
Here are some direct purchase links (prices accurate as of 17 December 2018) :
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ASUS just revealed the long-awaited ROG Phone – arguably the world’s first smartphone designed specifically for mobile gaming.
Here is everything you need to know about the ROG Phone – the official tech briefing, its key features and specifications… and its price list and pre-order deals!
The ASUS ROG Phone Revealed!
Powered by specially speed-binned 2.96 GHz QualcommSnapdragon845 SoCs, the new ROG Phone boasts a unique GameCool vapor-chamber cooling system, with a detachable AeroActive Cooler for an extra cooling boost. This ensures that the ROG Phone can sustain hours of non-stop mobile gaming without burning your fingers!
It also boasts a top-of-the-line AMOLED display with a blazing 90 Hz refresh rate and a 1 ms response time to ensure a blur-free gaming experience. On top of that, it is capable of delivering HDR visuals with a very wide colour gamut which is in excess of DCI-P3!
The ROG Phone includes gaming-centric features like unique side-mounted ports, and the enhanced, ultra-responsive game controls — including two programmable ultrasonic AirTriggers and advanced force-feedback haptics.
For greater gaming enjoyment, ASUS also create a range of expansion accessories :
the TwinView Dock for dual-screen handheld mode;
the Mobile Desktop Dock for desktop-style gaming; and
the Gamevice controller with WiGig Dock using 60 GHz Wi-Fi for big-screen gaming.
ASUS ROG Phone Specifications
Specifications
ASUS ROG Phone
Display
6.0-inch AMOLED display
- 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 aspect ratio
- 550 nits brightness, 108.6% DCI-P2 colour gamut
- 90 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms response time
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Operating System
Android Oreo 8.1
Platform
Specially-binned Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Processor
8 x Qualcomm Kyro 385 cores (2.96 GHz)
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno 630
Memory
8 GB LPDDR4X memory
Storage
128 GB or 512 GB internal flash storage (UFS 2.1)
NO microSD card slot
Front Camera
8 MP sensor with f/2.0 lens
Main Rear Camera
12 MP Sony IMX363 sensor with f/1.7 lens
- 4-axis, 4-stops optical image stabilisation (OIS)
- Dual Pixel with PDAF capability
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ASUS ROG Phone Key Features
Here is a summary of the ROG Phone’s key features, as explained by ASUS (with most of the marketing hyperbole edited out) :
Gaming Performance
ROG Phone runs on a specially-selected octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip that is speed-binned for maximum performance — delivering sustained clock speeds of up to 2.96 GHz. It is paired with 8 GB of RAM and either 128 GB or 512 GB of fast UFS 2.1 flash storage.
To prevent thermal throttling, the ROG Phone features an exclusive GameCool cooling system that uses a highly-efficient 3D vapor-chamber with a 16X-larger surface area for heat dissipation. It is paired with a copper heat spreader and carbon cooling pads on the circuit board for maximum cooling performance.
It also comes with a detachable external AeroActive Cooler for an extra cooling boost when the going gets really tough.
The ROG Phone also comes with a special X Mode. A single tap frees up all background RAM and dedicates it to your game, optimizes game-data processing performance, and maximizes the efficiency of the AeroActive Cooler. X Mode also prevents RAM-eating and battery-sapping app activity, based on a customizable list of apps.
90 Hz AMOLED Display
The ROG Phone features a large 6-inch AMOLED display with a 90 Hz refresh rate and a 1 ms pixel response time for blur-free gaming. It also boasts a wide 108.6% DCI-P3 color gamut, with high-dynamic-range (HDR) capability and a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. To protect your investment, this AMOLED display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6.
Gaming Controls
The ROG Phone is designed to give gamers total control and a more console-like experience, with three unique ultrasonic AirTrigger touch sensors.
Two of these AirTrigger sensors are optimized as left / right triggers at the top of the display for landscape-mode gaming (the third is designed for use in portrait mode), and they’re fully programmable to activate any available on-screen action: aiming, firing, inventory selection.
Gamers can now free up two extra fingers to control gameplay, giving them the edge over their thumb-bound rivals. AirTriggers use ultrasonic technology, so they only need a feather-light touch — just 20 grams compared to rival touch-sensitive controls that need up to 4X the force. An advanced haptic actuator provides a powerful force-feedback system for a more immersive gameplay.
Charging Convenience
Charging a smartphone while playing can make gaming impossibly awkward. It has an optimised layout for landscape-mode gaming. There’s an additional side-mounted custom USB-C connector that supports direct charging, HDMI output, gigabit LAN and headphones.
And when the AeroActive Cooler is deployed, it provides a side-mounted USB-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack for unhindered gameplay. The side connector’s also used for the exclusive expansion modules, including the Mobile Desktop Dock and TwinView Dock.
ASUS Aura RGB Lighting
This is ASUS’ first smartphone to feature their proprietary ASUS Aura RGB lighting. Its illuminated rear ROG logo can display a whole rainbow of lighting schemes: static, breathing, strobing or color cycling. Lighting effects can be triggered with phone events such as incoming calls, notifications and more.
Gaming Audio
It has two front-facing speakers that are driven by individual smart amplifiers to maximize volume and minimize distortion. It is powered by an audio engine that supports 24-bit/192Khz Hi-Res Audio playback. DTS Headphone:Xprovides theater-quality virtual surround-sound over headphones, and there’s support for high-definition audio via Bluetooth.
Long-Lasting Battery
Powering all that is a high-capacity 4,000 mAh battery. The bundled power adapter supports ASUS HyperCharge, a direct-charge technology that delivers more power (up to 20 W) for shorter, safer charge times. It also lets the ROG Phone stay cooler when it’s charging.
ASUS ROG Phone Accessories
TwinView Dock
The TwinView Dock turns it into a dual-screen console for the ultimate gaming and live-streaming experience. It has a 6-inch AMOLED (2160 x 1080) auxiliary screen that’s great for split-screen live-streaming, extended game display or group communication.
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It also packs a front-facing quad-speaker system, two extra physical trigger buttons, dual-haptic force-feedback engine, an enhanced cooling system and a high-capacity 6000 mAh extended battery pack.
Mobile Desktop Dock
The Mobile Desktop Dock allows gamers to connect ROG Phone to an external 4K UHD monitor, mouse and keyboard. ROG Phone can be used as an auxiliary display, hooked up to a wired gigabit LAN and drive a 5.1-channel surround-sound system via the SP/DIF output.
Gamevice + WiGig Dock
With the Gamevice controller and the WiGig Dock — using 60GHz 802.11ad Wi-Fi — it morphs into a portable console with a full inventory of physical gaming controls and ultra-low-latency wireless display connectivity.
It packs dual analog joysticks, left and right fire triggers and bumpers, a D-pad, along with A,B,X,Y and L3, R3 buttons.
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We were recently invited to an exclusive ASUS gaming monitor showcase. ASUS literally went ALL OUT to show as many gaming monitors as they could! Check out the 2018 ASUS Gaming Monitor line-up, and see what they offer gamers this year!
The 2018 ASUS Gaming Monitor All Out Showcase
There are so many ASUS gaming monitor models, which can get really confusing. So we let Eric Lim, the Senior Country Product Manager of ASUS Malaysia, highlight the key features of the various models in the ASUS gaming monitor showcase!
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NVIDIA has been talking about the G-SYNC HDR technology for more than a year now. But now, they are finally ready to deliver the promise with actual G-SYNC HDR monitors! So here is a refresher’s course on NVIDIA G-SYNC HDR!
NVIDIA G-SYNC HDR Explained
NVIDIA G-SYNC HDR adds HDR (High Dynamic Range) capability to G-SYNC, which is a variable refresh rate technology that delivers smooth, tear-free gaming experience, when used with an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card.
Higher Brightness
NVIDIA G-SYNC HDR displays will have greatly increased brightness, with the ability to express deep saturated colours at a high brightness level. They will have the ability to produce at least 1000 nits of peak brightness, with support for the HDR10 format.
Greater Contrast
NVIDIA G-SYNC HDR displays will have a full array direct backlight, with at least 384 local dimming zones. This allows them to product contrast ratios of over 10,000:1. Traditional LCD panels with a global dimming backlight, in contrast, can only deliver contrast ratios of 1000:1 to 2000:1.
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Wider Colour Gamut
The traditional sRGB colour space covers only about 35% of the colours the human eye can perceive. Hence, NVIDIA G-SYNC HDR displays will support the DCI-P3 colour space that offers 26% greater coverage of the visual spectrum than sRGB.
High Refresh Rate
NVIDIA G-SYNC HDR displays will support a high refresh rate using DisplayPort 1.4 with the High.Bit Rate 3 (HBR3) link. They will have the ability to display 4K at 144 Hz, instead of the usual 60 Hz for traditional 4K monitors.
The First G-SYNC HDR Displays
At the NVIDIA Computex 2018 press conference, and the follow-up GeForce tech briefing, NVIDIA showed off the first two G-SYNC HDR displays. They are both 27″ displays with what appears to be the same panel and key specifications. They both have a full array direct backlight, with 384 local dimming zones.
Acer Predator X27
The Acer Predator X27 (Price Check) is a 27″ 4K HDR display with a 144 Hz IPS panel, with a GTG (grey-to-grey) response time of 4 ms. It has a launch price of US$ 1,999.
ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ
The ASUS ROG Swift PG27UQ is a very similar 27″ 4K HDR display with a 144 Hz IPS panel, with a GTG (grey-to-grey) response time of 4 ms. It has a 1000 nits peak brightness level, and a HDR contrast ratio of up to 50,000:1.
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ASUS just refreshed their entire range of gaming laptops with the new 8th Gen Intel Core processors, codenamed Coffee Lake, and added two new gaming laptop models. Here is everything you need to know about the ASUS Coffee Lake gaming laptops!
The ASUS Coffee Lake Gaming Laptops
ASUS ROG Product Manager Louis Lu gave us a thorough briefing on the key features of the ASUS Coffee Lake gaming laptops, as well as their specifications and prices. He also compared them to the competition from MSI, Lenovo, Acer and Dell.
Intel Coffee Lake Processors
The new ASUS Coffee Lake gaming laptops all come with the new 8th Gen Intel Core processors. Codenamed Coffee Lake, they offer up to 6 processor cores, with 10% better performance than the 7th Gen Core (Kaby Lake) processors, and 30% better performance than the 6th Gen (Skylake) Core processors.
12V Fans
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The new ASUS Coffee Lake gaming laptops feature 12V fans, which spin 20% faster than regular 5V fans. The new fans also have 59 blades, up from just 37 blades. This allows them to deliver 42.5% more airflow, with 92% higher air pressure.
Anti-Dust Cooling System
The fans in the ASUS Coffee Lake gaming laptops feature an exclusive Anti-Dust Cooling System. It basically harnesses the centrifugal force of the fans to shunt dust and debris into an “anti-dust tunnel”. This reduces the amount of dust clogging the heatsinks.
This helps to maintain the performance of the CPU and GPU coolers over time. Keeping the heatsinks clean will also help to reduce fan noise, since the fans don’t need to work harder.
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ASUS Coffee Lake Gaming Laptop Specifications, Price & Availability
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April 3, 2018 — ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced that its latest gaming system – the ROG Zephyrus M (GM501) gaming laptop. They also announced the refreshed ROG Zephyrus (GX501GI), ROG G703, ROG Strix SCAR Edition, and ROG Strix Hero Edition gaming laptops – all powered by the new 8th Generation Intel Core processors.
ROG Zephyrus M (GM501)
ROG Zephyrus M is the world’s slimmest gaming laptop powered by an 8th Generation Intel Core CPU and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (Max-P) graphics. It is also the first such laptop to feature an IPS-level display with a 144 Hz refresh rate and ultra-responsive 3 ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time.
The patented ROG Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) and 12-volt anti-dust fans ensure its high-performance CPU and GPU stay cool during marathon gaming sessions. The ROG Zephyrus M also features exclusive software that allows users to switch GPU modes according to the task at hand.
2018 Refreshed ROG Gaming Laptops
ROG Zephyrus (GX501GI)
ROG Zephyrus is the world’s slimmest gaming laptop powered by the latest 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (Max-Q) graphics. The 15.6-inch Zephyrus features an ultraslim profile and incorporates the ROG-exclusive Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) — a specially designed cooling system that also includes Anti-Dust Cooling and Fan Overboost technologies. It has an IPS-level panel with a 144 Hz refresh rate, 3 ms response time, 100% sRGB color gamut and
NVIDIA G-SYNC support.
ROG G703
ROG G703 is powered by a factory-overclocked 8th Generation Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics for unrivaled gaming prowess. It has a 17.3-inch FHD IPS-level display with a 144 Hz refresh rate, 3 ms GTG response time, NVIDIA G-SYNC technology, and anti-glare coating. Its HyperDrive Extreme storage uses RAID 0 SSDs to achieve speeds of up to 8700 MB/s.
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ROG Strix GL703 SCAR Edition
ROG Strix SCAR Edition is powered by up to the latest 8th Generation Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce 10-Series graphics, and features an IPS-level display with a 144 Hz refresh rate, 3 ms response time, and NVIDIA G-SYNC support.
Strix SCAR Edition also has a desktop-style keyboard with Aura Sync, N-key rollover, and fast-actuating keys. It features the patented Anti-Dust Cooling (ADC) system that expels harmful dust particles and dirt from the system to improve stability and durability.
ROG Strix GL503 Hero Edition
ROG Strix Hero Edition is powered by up to the latest 8th Generation Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce 10-Series graphics, and features a 120 Hz display with wide-view technology and a 130% sRGB color gamut.
Strix SCAR Edition also has a desktop-style keyboard with Aura Sync, N-key rollover, and a 20-million-key-press lifespan. It features the patented Anti-Dust Cooling (ADC) system that expels harmful dust particles and dirt from the system to improve stability and durability.
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ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced that ROG Strix Flare, a versatile RGB mechanical gaming keyboard that improves upon a well-established formula with exceptional performance and unrivalled personalization features, is now available in select markets.
ASUS ROG Strix Flare Mechanical Keyboard
The ASUS ROG Strix Flare is currently offered with four different Cherry MX RGB switch types — red, blue, brown and black —to deliver the precise mechanical feel and responsiveness demanded by gamers. The keyboard also features 100% anti-ghosting technology with N-key rollover to ensure all keystrokes are registered reliably, no matter how many keys are pressed simultaneously.
Unrivalled personalization
ROG Strix Flare lets gamers experience a new level of personalization with a customizable illuminated badge that can be inserted directly into the keyboard. Gamers can keep the pre-installed ROG logo badge or design their own insignia on the provided blank insert and see it flare up with Aura RGB lighting. The badge can be easily customized using paint or printed stickers, or gamers can seek professional printing or laser etching for a premium touch.
Individually backlit keys are housed in a dual-textured case displaying the signature ROG slash design, and a row of LEDs under both sides of the case creates a vibrant underglow that extends the customizable lighting beyond the keyboard.
Powered by Aura Sync, ROG Strix Flare puts the entire color spectrum and a range of dynamic lighting effects at gamers’ command, enabling them to create a unique color scheme. All onboard lighting can be synchronized with the extensive portfolio of Aura Sync-enabled devices for a truly immersive gaming environment.
Designed for convenience and comfort
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While most gaming keyboards place media controls on the upper-right, ROG Strix Flare features its dedicated media keys and a smooth-scrolling volume wheel positioned on the upper left. This gives gamers instant access with their keyboard hand, eliminating the need to take their finger off the trigger to make adjustments mid-game.
The keyboard also features a handy USB passthrough port for conveniently connecting other devices and a detachable soft-touch wrist rest for extra comfort.
New ROG Armoury II configuration utility
ROG Strix Flare comes with ROG Armoury II, an enhanced, driver-based version of ROG’s peripheral configuration utility that offers improved controls while using less system resources. ROG Armoury II enables gamers to create profiles, customize colors and lighting effects, map keys, record macros, and even track hardware stats during gameplay for data analysis.
ASUS ROG Strix Flare Price
The ASUS ROG Strix Flare is currently priced at $179.99.
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Pack your bags and prepare to cheer your heart out, it’s ROG Masters season and the Grand Finals are ready to pack a punch this December. After forty gruelling Regional Qualifiers and four intense Regional Finals, the top six teams in both Dota 2 and CS:GO from China, EMEA, APAC and the Americas will be heading to Kuala Lumpur for the ROG Masters 2017 Grand Finals!
The ROG Masters 2017 Grand Finals
On the December 9th – 10th 2017, Kuala Lumpur will once again host the ROG Masters 2017 Grand Finals at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Esport fans will have a chance to see six teams per game duke it out in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre for their share of the remaining US$470,000 prize pool. It will be tough, it will be intense, but most importantly, it will be a spectacle worth the watch!
Starting with a group stage on December 7th-8th for both Dota 2 and CS:GO, teams will be broken into two groups of three with games streamed online. The top two teams per group will then move on to a single elimination Playoff taking place in the KLCC on December 9th-10th!
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Group Stage December 7-8 (not open to public)
Playoffs December 9-10 (free entry)
Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC)
The ROG Master 2017 Featured Teams
Dota 2 : CDEC, Team Empire, Penta Sports, WG Unity, Execration, Optic Gaming
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Yes (With Intel HD Graphics), with up to 1 GB of shared memory
HDMI 1.4b, DVI-D and DisplayPort 1.2 ports
HDMI Max. Resolution : 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz
DVI-D Max. Resolution : 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
DisplayPort Max. resolution : 4096 x 2304 @ 60 Hz
Multi-GPU Support
Supports 2-way NVIDIA SLI and 3-way AMD CrossFireX
Expansion Slots
2 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots (x16 or dual x8)
1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot (x4)
4 x PCI Express 3.0 x1 slots
Storage Options
1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 (SATA & PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)
1 x M.2 Socket 3, with M key, type 2242/2260/2280 (PCIE 3.0 x 4 mode)
6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Intel Optane Memory Ready
Networking
Intel I219V LAN
- with Anti-surge LANGuard and ROG GameFirst Technology
Audio Capability
ROG SupremeFX S1220A 8-channel audio codec
- Dual Headphone Amplifiers
- Impedance sense for front and rear headphone outputs
- Supports Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
- High quality 120 dB SNR stereo playback output and 113 dB SNR recording input
- SupremeFX Shielding Technology
- Supports up to 32-Bit / 192kHz playback
USB Ports
Intel Z370 Chipset
- 6 x USB 3.0 port(s) (4 at back panel, blue, 2 at mid-board)
- 6 x USB 2.0 port(s)
ASMedia USB 3.1 Gen 2 controller :
- 2 x USB 3.1 ports (Type-A + USB Type-CTM, Support 3A power output)
ROG Exclusive Features
ROG RAMCache II
ROG CPU-Z
ROG CloneDrive
Overwolf
GameFirst IV
ROG Aura Sync
- Aura Lighting Control
- Aura RGB Strip Headers
Special Features
OC Design with ASUS PRO Clock Technology
- Full BCLK range for extreme overclocking performance
5-Way Optimization by Dual Intelligent Processors 5
- Whole system optimization with a single click! 5-Way Optimization tuning key perfectly consolidates TPU, EPU, DIGI+ Power Control, Fan Xpert 4, and Turbo App together, providing better CPU performance, efficient power saving, precise digital power control, whole system cooling and even tailor your own app usages.
TPU
- Auto Tuning, TurboV, GPU Boost
- Fan Xpert 4 featuring Fan Auto Tuning function and multiple thermistors
Gamer's Guardian:
- DRAM Overcurrent Protection
- Stainless Steel Back I/O
- Highly Durable Components
- DIGI+ VRM
- SafeSlot
ASUS Exclusive Features :
- AI Suite 3
- Ai Charger
- ESD Guards
ASUS EZ DIY :
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 3
- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
ASUS Q-Design :
- ASUS Q-Shield
- ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
- ASUS Q-Slot
- ASUS Q-DIMM
Gaming Aesthetics :
- 3D printing friendly
- AURA-RGB Lighting
Performance Optimization :
- DIGI + VRM
Turbo APP
Back I/O Ports
1 x DVI-D
1 x DisplayPort
1 x HDMI
1 x LAN (RJ45) ports
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A + USB Type-CTM
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (blue)
2 x USB 2.0
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
5 x Audio jacks
Internal I/O Ports
1 x AAFP connector
2 x RGB Headers
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 connectors support additional 4 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (SATA mode & X4 PCIE mode)
1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (PCIE mode only)
6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
1 x M.2_FAN connector
1 x CPU Fan connector
1 x CPU OPT Fan connector
2 x Chassis Fan connectors
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector
1 x System panel (Chassis intrusion header is inbuilt)
1 x CPU OV
1 x Clear CMOS jumper
1 x 5-pin EXT_FAN (Extension Fan) connector
1 x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header
1 x 14-1 pin TPM connector
1 x COM port header
1 x T_Sensor Connector
1 x AIO PUMP Header
3 x 3D Mount screw ports
Accessories
User's manual
ASUS Q-Shield
1 x ASUS Fan Holder
4 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
1 x M.2 Screw Package
1 x CPU installation tool
1 x Supporting DVD
1 x Strix door hanger
1 x SLI HB BRIDGE(2-WAY-M)
1 x ROG Strix stickers
1 x Cable ties pack(s)
1 x Extension Cable for RGB strips (80 cm)
1 x Extension cable for Addressable LED
1 x Thermistor cable(s)
1 x 3D printing mount package
BIOS
128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 3.0, ACPI 6.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 3, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Last Modified log, F12 PrintScreen, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information.
Manageability
WfM2.0, DMI3.0, WOL by PME, PXE
Form Factor
ATX
Size
30.5 cm x 24.4 cm / 12 inch x 9.6 inch
Unboxing The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming
Let’s take a quick look at the ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) motherboard’s box and unbox it.
Inside the box, you should find the following items :
One ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming motherboard
One ASUS ROG CPU installation tool
One set of user manual, driver DVD and documentation
One set of ROG Strix stickers and door hanger[adrotate group=”2″]
One ASUS Q-Shield (I/O shield)
One SLI HD Bridge card (2-way)
One extension cable for RGB LED strips (80 cm)
One extension cable for addressable LED strips
One thermistor cable
One ASUS fan holder
Four SATA 6 Gb/s cables
One pack of cable ties
One pack of M.2 screws
One pack of 3D mounting screws
Now, let’s go take a closer look at the motherboard, and check out its key features!
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The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming Up Close
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) is a full-sized ATX motherboard, built around the new Intel Z370 chipset. This is their premium model for the mainstream enthusiast / gamers market. Hence, it boasts premium features like Aura Sync RGB lighting, SafeSlot reinforcement, and SupremeFX audio.
CPU Power & Overclockability
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) boasts the ASUS Pro Clock technology for greater overclocking capabilities. It combines a dedicated base clock generator, the ASUS DIGI+ VRM design and the ASUS TurboV processing unit.
The base clock generator is designed for the 8th Generation Intel Core processors, extending the base clock frequency up to 432 MHz. The ASUS TurboV processing unit (TPU), on the other hand, delivers enhanced voltage and base clock overclocking controls.
Finally, the ASUS DIGI+ VRM design features a 8+2 digital architecture that is designed to increase overclockability, while reducing electromagnetic interference with minimal power loss. Although high quality (and expensive) analog PWM exists, digital PWM allows for more accurate control of the power frequency and modulation.
The MOSFETs and inductors are kept cool by large aluminium alloy heatsinks, which help to increase reliability and longevity of the VRM. Just in case you plan to operate this in extreme climates, the inductors and capacitors are rated to work within an extended temperature range of -55 ℃ and 105 ℃.
To support CPU coolers with two fans, the ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) has two CPU fan headers placed behind the DIMM slots.
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There is even an optional fan holder, with its own fan header, that can be installed to help increase air circulation, or to blow away fumes while using LN2 (liquid nitrogen) cooling.
If you’re planning to use an AIO water cooler, you will be glad to know that there is even a dedicated PWM / DC header for your AIO pump fan.
If there are any enthusiast-grade features that we regret were not included in this motherboard, it would be the Power and Reset buttons, or an debugging LED display.
DDR4 Memory Slots
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) has four DDR4 DIMM slots. The Intel Z370 chipset only supports DDR4 memory up to 2666 MHz, but the Z370-F Gaming allows for overclocked memory clock speeds of up to 4000 MHz, with all four slots populated.
To achieve such high headroom for overclocking, ASUS used their OptiMem design. This combines the optimal routing of memory traces and vias through the optimal PCB layer, and the T-Topology layout which ensures “time-aligned signalling” by balancing trace lengths between the memory slots.
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PCI Express Slots
The ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) motherboard has seven PCI Express slots – three full-sized PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots, and four smaller PCI Express 3.0 x1 slots.
The first two PCI Express x16 slots are sheet metal reinforced – what ASUS calls SafeSlot. They greatly increase the rigidity of the PCI Express slots, allowing them to support heavy graphics cards. The third PCI Express slot lacks this SafeSlot reinforcement.
The top-most PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot (PCIE_x16/x8_1) operates at full x16 speed with a single card.
If you have two graphics cards, you will need to install them in the first and second PCIe x16 slots; and they will both run at x8 speed. The third PCIe x16 slot only runs at x4 speed.
Dual PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 Sockets
The ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) motherboard has two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 sockets. They support M.2 solid state drives, with lengths of 42 mm, 60 mm or 80 mm. The third PCI Express x16 slot (which runs at x4 speed) can be used to add a third SSD. You can run them in RAID 0, 1, 5 or 10.
Due to space constraints, only one of the M.2 sockets have a heatsink (seen in the PCI Express picture). The second M.2 socket (seen in the picture above) is “naked”, although you can always install a DIMM cooler to help keep both the memory modules and this drive cool.
Limited SATA Ports
The ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) has six standard SATA 6Gb/s ports. There are no SATA Express ports. But what’s really problematic is the stacked side-facing design. They may prove to be troublesome to access in tight cases. If only ASUS made a few vertical in orientation.
Do note that the first M.2 socket (M.2_1) uses the SATA_1 port, if you opt to use it in the SATA mode. In addition, the second M.2 socket (M.2_2) uses both the SATA_5 and SATA_6 ports.
What this basically means is you have limited support for SATA drives with the ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming. It’s not the end of the world, but don’t expect to run two M.2 SSDs with six SATA drives. That’s not happening.
ASUS SupremeFX Audio
The ASUS SupremeFX audio technology is a combination of five components :
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the ASUS SupremeFX S1220A codec (now with a low-dropout regulator)
a shield for the SupremeFX chip – preserves the integrity of audio signals
dual op amplifiers – one op amp adds voltage gain, while the second works as a buffer, to drive 32-600 Ω headphones
premium Nichicon audio capacitors – produces warmer, more natural sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity
audio line shielding – blocks electromagnetic interference from the motherboard and add-on devices, for cleaner audio
ASUS claims that the SupremeFX audio technology delivers 113 dB signal-to-noise ratio on the line-in input, and 120 dB on the line-out output.
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Back I/O Ports
The ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) did not have quite as many back I/O ports as we hoped for. It has three different display ports (DVI-D, DisplayPort and HDMI) that can all be active simultaneously when used with an Intel processor with HD Graphics.
To the left are two USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports – the red Type A port, and the smaller Type C port below it. To the right are two USB 2.0 ports, two blue USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports with the Intel I219V LAN port. Finally, we have the five audio ports and the optical S/PDIF out port.
ASUS used a stainless steel I/O panel that was chromium-plated for corrosion-resistance. The ports are also shielded with a cover that prevents static damage. This is useful if you plan to use this motherboard outside of a chassis. When installed in a chassis, that job is fulfilled by the I/O shield (also included) that is installed into the chassis.
ASUS Aura Sync
As its name suggests, the ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) is designed to appeal to gamers. Hence, it supports the ASUS Aura Sync technology, which allows you to control and sync the RGB LED lighting on the motherboard and other ASUS Aura Sync-compatible devices. You can change their colours in unison, or set dynamic modes to change the illumination effects across all devices.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) also comes with a pair of onboard 5050 RGB headers, and an addressable RGB header. They can be connected to compatible lighting strips, fans, coolers and PC cases.
The addressable RGB header supports WS2812B addressable RGB LED strips (5V/Data/Ground), with a max power rating of 3A (5V) and a max of 60 LEDs.
The Aura RGB-strip header supports 5050 RGB LED strips with a max power rating of 3A (12V). For maximum brightness, strip length should not exceed 3 meters.
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3D Printing Support
The ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) has dedicated 3D mount holes cut into the motherboard. This allows you to easily mount your 3D-printed parts using the same screws for the M.2 drives. ASUS even provides three downloadable 3D printable files for a cable cover, custom nameplate and an M.2 fan holder.
ROG RAMCache II
The ROG RAMCache II is a disk caching software that copies the most frequently-used data from your drives into a portion of your system memory. This allows the cached data to be accessed very quickly. This version introduces support for NVMe devices, in addition to standard SATA drives.
It is simple enough to use – just set how much system memory you want to allocate as the disk cache. RAMCache II will automatically cache all of your attached storage devices, according to your usage patterns. Of course, Microsoft Windows already has its own disk cache that dynamically uses free system memory and releases it whenever your apps need more memory.
Now, it is possible that RAMCache II uses better, faster caching algorithms, but it cannot dynamically release the allocated memory. So you best use it only if you have a lot of spare memory.
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Our Verdict & Award
ASUS has decades of experience designing and building excellent motherboards, and that is evident in the ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check). It melds the key overclocking features ASUS is well-known for, with the bling factor that gamers and modders love so much.
Hardware enthusiasts will like the enhanced CPU overclocking features that include a base clock frequency of up to 432 MHz, and the combination of a digital VRM design and the ASUS TurboV processing unit. Impressively, the ASUS OptiMem design allows the possibility of overclocking the DDR4 memory modules to 4000 MHz, with all four slots populated!
The ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) also comes with support for a variety of cooling options. You can use an air cooler with dual fans, or an AIO water cooler. ASUS even provides an optional fan holder in case you want to try liquid nitrogen cooling!
Gamers and modders, on the other hand, will love the inclusion of the ASUS Aura Sync technology, with two RGB headers as well as an addressable LED header. Let’s not forget the support for 3D printed parts. That gives them a lot more flexibility in modding and adding bling to their system.
Audiophiles will also appreciate the ASUS SupremeFX audio technology. Not only does it improve the signal-to-noise ratio on both input and output, it has dual headphone amplifiers that can drive a wide variety of headphones with its impedance range of 32 to 600 ohms.
The inclusion of two M.2 sockets is nice, but do note that using them may disable up to three SATA ports. That’s not a big deal if you only intend to run two SSDs and a hard disk drive or two. Also limited are the back USB ports – there are only six of them on the rear I/O panel, and two are USB 2.0.
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There are also no onboard Power and Reset buttons, or a debugging LED display. Of course, these enthusiast-grade features are only useful to those who intend to use this motherboard without a PC case. It’s just odd because the motherboard seems to be targeted at those who want to use LN2 cooling…
That oddity aside, the Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) is a solid Intel Z370 motherboard that offers a nice blend of overclocking and modding features that will really appeal to gamers who enjoy overclocking and/or modding. It is also affordably priced at US$ 194.99.
For those reasons, we think the ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming (Price Check) deserves our Reviewer’s Choice Award. Great job, ASUS!
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November 2, 2017 – ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced new price cuts on their NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards. Get the full details on their GeForce price cuts here!
You may notice that we just confirmed with Bryan Del Rizzo that NVIDIA was not dropping the price of any GeForce graphics cards to make way for the new GeForce GTX 1070 Ti. These GeForce price cuts by ROG are just a coincidence. A happy coincidence, but a coincidence nonetheless.
The ASUS ROG GeForce Price Cuts
ASUS ROG announced that six GeForce 10 series graphics cards are getting their prices adjusted. They are the ROG Poseidon GTX1080Ti-P11-Gaming, the ROG Strix GTX1080Ti-O11G-Gaming, the Strix GTX1070-O8G-Gaming, the Dual-GTX 1070-O8G, the Strix GTX 1060-O6G-Gaming and the Strix GTX1060 DC2O6G.
For your convenience, we created this table that summarises their key features and new prices. You can also check for the current US prices.
ASUS ROG GeForce 10 Series Models
Key Features
New Price
(Malaysia)
US Price
ROG-POSEIDON-GTX1080TI-P11G-GAMING
1733 MHz boost clock
DirectCU hybrid water cooler
ASUS Aura Sync
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October 26, 2017 — ASUS today announced their ROG Strix GTX 1070 Ti Series, an all-new lineup of gaming graphics cards powered by the latest NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti GPU.
The new models include the high-performance ASUS ROG STRIX-GTX1070TI-A8G-GAMING with ASUS Aura Sync illumination for ultimate gaming power and personalization.
The ASUS ROG Strix GTX 1070 Ti A8G Gaming
The ROG Strix GTX 1070 Ti A8G Gaming is engineered with advanced cooling and reliability features to deliver ultrafast performance, plus Aura Sync illumination for the ultimate in PC personalization.
The ROG Strix GTX 1070 Ti is available in two different configurations – boosted clock speeds of 1721 MHz in OC mode for the Standard Edition, and 1759 MHz for the Advanced Edition offer gamers great flexibility, as well as performance that’s up to 3.75% better than reference in full 4K UHD resolution in top games like Doom.
The ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 Ti is equipped with MaxContact, an industry-first GPU-cooling technology featuring an enhanced copper heat-spreader that provides a 10X-flatter surface for up to 2X more contact area with the GPU versus traditional heat-spreaders, resulting in improved thermal transfer. The graphics cards are also constructed with a 2.5-slot width, providing 40% more heatsink surface area for heat dissipation compared to previous two-slot designs — delivering dramatically cooler and quieter performance.
The ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 Ti features a patented 0dB wing-blade fan design, and three distinct fans, delivering maximized air flow and 105%-greater static pressure over the heatsink. The innovative 0dB technology stops the fan completely when the GPU temperature remains below a set level, for light gaming sessions in total silence. The fans are also IP5X-certified dust resistant for improved reliability. The card benefits from FanConnect II, a set of hybrid-controlled fan headers, and a comprehensive set of tuning options via GPU Tweak II to optimize system cooling even further.
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The ROG Strix GeForce GTX 1070 Ti includes ASUS Aura Sync RGB LED-synchronization technology that enables complete gaming system personalization. It also features a VR-friendly design with two HDMI ports, allowing gamers to keep a VR headset connected to their system for immersive, virtual-reality gaming.
All ASUS graphics cards are produced using Auto-Extreme technology — an industry-first 100%-automated production process — and are built of premium Super Alloy Power II components that enhance efficiency, reduce power loss, decrease component buzzing under load, and lower thermal temperatures for unsurpassed quality and reliability.
They also include GPU Tweak II for intuitive performance tweaking. With one click, the Gaming Booster function maximizes system performance by removing redundant processes and allocating all available resources automatically.
The ASUS ROG Strix GTX 1070 Ti A8G Gaming Price & Availability
The ASUS ROG Strix GTX 1070 Ti A8G Gaming is available right now at the MSRP of RM 2,649 / ~US$ 629.
In the United States, it is available for $499.99.
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Intel have officially launched the 8th Generation Intel Core processors (codenamed Coffee Lake)! In this article, we will share with you details, videos, pictures and specifications of the 11 new ASUS Z370 motherboards you can pair with your Intel Coffee Lake processor of choice! Which of these ASUS Z370 motherboards will fit your requirements? Read on and find out!
Everything You Need To Know About The ASUS Z370 Motherboards
We will go into the details of the individual ASUS Z370 motherboards, including their specifications. Here are their direct links :
But first, let’s take a look at the presentations on the ASUS Z370 motherboards and a special overclocking demonstration by Coolice!
Updated @ 2017-10-06 : Added the ASUS Z370 motherboard prices and availability. Various minor changes.
Originally posted @ 2017-09-29
The New ASUS Z370 Coffee Lake Motherboards Revealed!
At an exclusive regional shindig, ASUS gave us the lowdown on their upcoming Z370 motherboards. Let’s start with the ROG Z370 Gaming series of motherboards.
Then ASUS revealed the new TUF Gaming series for casual gamers, and the ASUS Prime Z370-A motherboard.
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Watch Coolice Overclock The Core i7-8700K To 6.6 GHz!
ASUS also brought overclocker Coolice to showcase the overclockability of the 8th Generation Intel Core processor. He paired the Intel Core i7-8700K with the new ASUS Maximus X Apex Z370 motherboard and used liquid nitrogen cooling, to achieve a clock speed of 6.6 GHz!
Now, let’s take a look at the details and specifications of the new ASUS Z370 motherboards!
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The ASUS ROG Z370 Motherboards
The ASUS ROG family of Z370 motherboards is divided into the ROG Maximus series, and the ROG Strix series. The ROG Maximus motherboards offer the best features and performance for gamers and enthusiasts, while the ROG Strix motherboards offer key ROG features at more affordable price points.
Here are the specifications of the ASUS ROG Z370 motherboards :
Specifications
Maximus X Apex
Maximus X Hero
Strix Z370-E Gaming
Strix Z370-F Gaming
Strix Z370-H Gaming
Strix Z370-G Gaming
Strix Z370-I Gaming
Form Factor
EATX
ATX
ATX
ATX
ATX
microATX
Mini ATX
Memory Slots
2 X DDR4
(4266+ OC)
4 x DDR4
(4133+ OC)
4 x DDR4
(4000 OC)
4 x DDR4
(4000 OC)
4 x DDR4
(3866 OC)
4 x DDR4
(4000 OC)
4 x DDR4
(4333+ OC)
Multi GPU Support
2-way SLI
4-way CrossFire
2-way SLI
3-way CrossFire
2-way SLI
3-way CrossFire
2-way SLI
3-way CrossFire
2-way SLI
2-way CrossFire
2-way SLI
2-way CrossFire
NA
PCIe Slots
4 x PCIe x16
2 x PCIe x1
3 x PCIe x16
3 x PCIe x1
3 x PCIe x16
4 x PCIe x1
3 x PCIe x16
4 x PCIe x1
3 x PCIe x16
3 x PCIe x1
2 x PCIe x16
2 x PCIe x1
1 x PCIe x16
M.2 Slots
2 x NVMe x4
2 x NVMe x4
2 x NVMe x4
2 x NVMe x4
2 x NVMe x4
2 x PCIe x4
2 x NVMe x4
SATA Ports
4
6
6
6
6
6
4
LAN Ports
Aquantia 5 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
Intel 1 Gigabit
WiFi
NA
802.11ac
802.11ac
NA
NA
802.11ac
802.11ac
Audio
SupremeFX S1220A
SupremeFX S1220
ESS Sabre ES9203P
SupremeFX S1220A
SupremeFX S1220A
SupremeFX S1220A
SupremeFX S1220A
SupremeFX S1220A
USB 3.1 Gen2
1 x Type C
1 x Type A
1 x front header
1 x Type C
1 x Type A
1 x Front
1 x Type C
1 x Type A
1 x Type C
1 x Type A
2 x Type A
2 x Type A
1 x front header
Aura Sync Headers
4 Strip
2 Strip
1 Address
2 Strip
1 Address
2 Strip
1 Address
NA
NA
1 Address
The ASUS ROG Maximus X Apex Motherboard
This is the motherboard Coolice used to overclock the Intel Core i7-8700K to 6.6 GHz. That’s because the ROG Maximus is designed for extreme overclocking. It boasts special operating modes for liquid nitrogen cooling, and even a special fan bracket for the IO heatsink to let overclockers blow away LN2 vapour!
To ensure greater overclockability of the memory modules, the Maximus X Apex uses only two DDR4 memory slots. With the traces slightly more direct with only one slot per memory channel, the memory modules can be overclocked to 4200 MHz and beyond.
2 x pump headers
5 x fan headers
3 x full-speed fan headers
4 x thermal sensor headers
1 x flow header
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The ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero Motherboard
The ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero is designed to support both liquid and air coolers, as well as AIO coolers and standalone pumps, with headers for monitoring liquid temperatures and flow. It is also compatible with the ASUS Fan Extension Card, which adds headers for more fans and temperature probes.
Catering to audiophiles, the Maximus X Hero pairs the SupremeFX codec with an ESS Sabre DAC for greater range and an exceptional 120 dB SNR. It also boasts an integrated I/O shield for easier installation and a cleaner look.
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The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-E Gaming & Z370-F Gaming
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-E Gaming and Z370-F Gaming are almost identical. They both have two PCIe x16 slots with SafeSlot reinforcement, and four DDR4-4000 memory slots. They also have dual M.2 slots – both cooled by a large M.2 heatsink that reduces operating temperatures by up to 15°C.
The only real difference is their colour schemes. The Z370-E has integrated WiFi and a gleaming silver finish on its heatsinks and I/O shroud, while the Z370-F has no WiFi capabilities and subtle charcoal shades.
IO shield, 2 x strip headers, 1 x addressable header
IO shield, 2 x strip headers, 1 x addressable header
Cooling
1 x AIO header
5 x fan headers
1 x thermal sensor header
1 x AIO header
5 x fan headers
1 x thermal sensor header
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-H Gaming
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-H Gaming is an entry-level ROG motherboard with all the essential features. It has dual PCIe x16 slots with SafeSlot protection, and support for 2-way SLI and CrossFire, as well as dual NVMe slots. The Strix Z370-H Gaming has four fan headers, with one AIO cooler header. It only lacks sensor grouping and GPU temperature detection.
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-G Gaming is a microATX motherboard with two PCIe x16 slots with SafeSlot protection. It even supports 2-way SLI and CrossFire, but cannot fit larger 2.5 slots cards like the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. There are two M.2 slots, but one of them is located under the second PCIe slot.
1 x pump header
4 x fan headers
1 x thermal sensor header
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-I Gaming
The ASUS ROG Strix Z370-I Gaming is a mini ITX motherboard that is capable of overclocking the memory to DDR4-4333 or better. It also has two M.2 SSD slots, but only one has a heatsink to keep it cool. The usual trimmings are there – SafeSlot protection, 802.11ac WiFi, SupremeFX audio and Fan Xpert 4 capability.
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The ASUS Prime & TUF Gaming Z370 Motherboards
The ASUS Prime motherboards are targeted at enthusiasts who don’t need gamer-oriented design or features. The new ASUS TUF Gaming series offers entry-level gaming motherboards.
The ASUS Prime Z370-A Motherboard
The ASUS Prime Z370-A motherboard has all of the key features like dual PCI Express slots with SafeSlot protection, two M.2 slots with integrated heatsink. There is even a dedicated mount for a fan bracket with a fan header if you are inclined to cool the M.2 SSDs with a fan.
1 x AIO header
5 x fan headers
1 x thermal sensor header
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The ASUS Prime Z370-P Motherboard
The ASUS Prime Z370-P motherboard is targeted at budget-minded system builders. It has two PCIe x16 slots, but does not support SLI or CrossFire. It has two M.2 slots, which are without any cooling, but placed away from the hot spots. This is the most affordable ASUS Z370 motherboard in the current line-up.
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The ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming Motherboard
The ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming has three PCIe x16 slots, which supports 2-way SLI or 3-way CrossFire. However, the third slot is limited to two PCIe lanes, so a 3-way CrossFire is not a good idea. It has two M.2 slots, that supports the longer 110 mm drives.
The ASUS TUF Z370-Plus Gaming is a more affordable version of the TUF Z370-Pro. It lacks SLI support, but it supports 2-way CrossFire. That said, the second PCIe x16 slot only has four lanes of bandwidth to the Z370 chipset. It also supports two M.2 SSDs, with the lower one cooled by a heatsink.
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Together with the ROG Zephyrus gaming laptop, and the ROG GT51 gaming desktop, ASUS also launched the first ever ROG Strix desktop – the new ROG Strix GD30 gaming desktop. What’s new or special about the ROG Strix GD30? Let’s find out!
The ROG Strix GD30 Gaming Desktop Revealed!
Let’s start with a presentation on the new ROG Strix GD30 by Louis Lu (ASUS Product Manager).
And here is a quick look at the new ROG Strix GD30 gaming desktop up close.
Easy Customisation
The ROG Strix GD30 has a black and white sci-fi and cyberpunk-inspired design that Star Wars fans will appreciate. But what it offers over other gaming desktops is the ability to detach the two front panels, and rearrange them to create 6 different styles.
A matching white LED strip bisects the two panels, while the transparent side panel has an iron honeycomb screen. That’s not just aesthetically pleasing, it also reduces EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) from the system.
The detachable panels can be painted, of course, and ASUS provides a 2D layout so you can design and plan your decals. If that’s not enough, ASUS even offers a 3D source file for a miniature GD30 that you can build using a 3D printer.
Powerful Gaming Options
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The ROG Strix GD30 comes in multiple configurations, with the top model featuring a 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7700 CPU, 32 GB of DDR4 memory, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card with 8 GB of memory.
Great Connectivity Options
Connect all the peripherals you want with four USB 2.0 ports and seven USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports. One of the USB 3.1 ports has a reversible Type-C connector that provides up to 15W of power for fast-charging devices.
For easy access, there are two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.1 ports, a memory card reader, and both microphone and headphone jacks located at the top of the front panel alongside the power and reset buttons.
Price & Availability
The ROG Strix GD30 (GD30CI) gaming desktop is now available with the following specifications for a launch price of RM 7,499 / ~US$ 1,789, inclusive of the 6% GST.
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The Iron Man-inspired ASUS ROG GT51 gaming desktop was first revealed last year, winning the 2016 CES Innovation Award, as well as the iF Design Award. Now ASUS reveals the newly-updated 2017 ROG GT51 gaming desktop! Check out what’s new!
The 2017 ASUS ROG GT51 Gaming Desktop Revealed!
Let’s start with a presentation on the 2017 ROG GT51 by Louis Lu (ASUS Product Manager).
And here is a quick look at the 2017 ASUS ROG GT51 gaming desktop up close. The exterior looks exactly the same as the 2016 model – it’s the internals that have been changed.
Full Core CPU Overclocking
The 2017 ROG GT51 is powered by a 7th Generation Intel Core i7 processor that ASUS has aged for 40 hours, and overclocked by 14%. With their Turbo Gear feature, you can enable full-core overclocking without having to reboot the system. The ASUS Hydro Overclocking System ensures rock-solid stability during overclocking.
Awesome Graphics
The 2017 ROG GT51 supports up to two NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X graphics cards in SLI to deliver smooth, stutter-free 4K UHD gaming at over 60 fps!
Fast Memory & Storage
The 2017 ROG GT51 comes with the fast DDR4 memory, the latest NVMe PCI Express SSD, and the new USB 3.1 ports.
Advanced Cooling System
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The 2017 ROG GT51 boasts a multi-zone thermal solution that decreases system temperature by up to 31%, even under the heaviest of loads. The CPU is liquid-cooled, while the GPU has a dedicated air channel. The power supply unit, found in the bottom corner of the chassis, features its own isolated airflow design.
Customisable 8-Million Colour LED Lighting
Dynamic light effects illuminate the case, including the iconic ROG logo and twin side-light strips. You can even customize the RGB LEDs on the air intake with any of the 8 million colors! And when you overclock ROG GT51, the dramatic OC lighting mode is activated.
ROG Band
The wearable ROG BAND lets you access Shadow Drive — a hidden storage space for keeping your personal and confidential data safe. You can also use ROG BAND to activate the overclocking mode.
Price & Availability
The 2017 ASUS ROG GT51 (GT51CH) gaming desktop is now available with the following specifications for a launch price of RM 11,999 / ~US$ 2,859, inclusive of the 6% GST.
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When we first saw the ASUS ROG Zephyrus (GX501) gaming laptop at Computex 2017, we were very impressed. Unlike the usual gaming laptops that traded weight and bulk for performance, what we saw was a very sleek and powerful laptop.
ASUS calls the ROG Zephyrus the world’s slimmest gaming laptop with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080. And now, it’s available in Malaysia! Let’s take a closer look at the ROG Zephyrus!
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus (GX501) Gaming Laptop Revealed!
Let’s start with a short presentation on the ASUS ROG Zephyrus (GX501) gaming laptop by Megan Wang (ASUS Consumer Product Notebook Manager).
And the big reveal!
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The ASUS ROG Zephyrus (GX501) Gaming Laptop Up Close!
Now, let’s take a closer look at the ROG Zephyrus and find out what’s great about it!
Slim And Sleek
The ROG Zephyrus has a slim profile just 16.9-17.9 mm thin and weighs only 2.2 kg, but that doesn’t stop it from packing the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 with Max-Q Design inside! An innovative hinge and fan module help keep the GPU cool, resulting in a gaming laptop that’s portable enough to carry with you anywhere, yet potent enough to compete with powerful gaming desktops.
Play It Cool
The ASUS Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) allows the ROG Zephyrus to run cooler and quieter without sacrificing performance. When the laptop is opened, part of the bottom plate opens up to create 20% more open space for air circulation. Along with their AeroAccelerator technology, this gap improves airflow by 32% and reduces temperatures by 20% compared to conventional cooling.
Breathe Deeply
The ROG-exclusive Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) includes several enhancements to make the cooler more effective, improving internal airflow and allowing the fan to spin slower and quieter while maintaining low temperatures. ASUS also adjusted the shape of the intake to reduce noise levels further and make the acoustic profile less obtrusive.
Aura RGB Keyboard
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The ROG Zephyrus’ keyboard is positioned at the front of the chassis to allow better cooling for the internal components and a more comfortable, familiar position for gamers accustomed to desktop keyboards. Aura RGB lighting lets you customize colors and dynamic effects for the entire keyboard, and you can adjust the QWER and WASD clusters separately to adapt to MOBA, FPS, and other games.
Anti-ghosting tech ensures your commands are interpreted instantly and correctly — even if you hit up to 30 keys simultaneously. The ergonomically designed keys have 1.4mm of travel for greater comfort and accuracy when gaming and typing. With an expected lifetime of 20 million presses, the keys offer exceptional durability and reliability for heavy use.
Ultimate Gaming Performance
ROG Zephyrus is powered by the 7th Generation Intel Core i7 processor and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080, which allows it to go toe-to-toe with the most hardcore gaming laptops — and even high-end desktops.
Price & Availability
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus (GX501) gaming laptop is now available with the following specifications for a launch price of RM 15,999 / ~US$ 3,799, inclusive of the 6% GST.
Intel Core i7-7700HQ
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 with 8GB GDDR5X memory and Max-Q Design
24 GB DDR4-2400 memory
1 TB M.2 PCIe SSD
15.6″ Full HD 120 Hz G-SYNC display with anti-glare, wide-angle panel
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We were recently invited to the launch of the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) gaming router. This is the improved, gaming-optimised version of the ASUS RT-AC5300 (Lowest Price), which is affectionately known as the “alien spider” router. They both look identical, but the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 gaming router boasts a number of improvements. Let’s take a look!
The ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 Gaming Router Revealed!
The ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) is a tri-band gaming router that is based on the famous ASUS RT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) “alien spider” router. Let’s hear from ASUS what are the improvements in this Republic of Gamers (ROG) router!
We also had the opportunity to take a quick look at the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price), and compare it to the ASUS RT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) which looks almost identical. The key differentiating features externally – the ROG and ASUS logos, and the number of LAN ports – the ROG router has 8 LAN ports, while the ASUS router only has 4 LAN ports.
Here are the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) gaming router’s key features :
Optimised Gaming Ports
The ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) provides two gaming LAN ports that are optimized for gaming devices. All traffic on these ports is given top priority, so your gaming devices — or any other devices you want to connect to these ports — are always at the head of the internet queue!
Game Boost
ASUS Game Boost analyzes network traffic and prioritizes gaming packets, giving games a second level of acceleration for the best possible performance. Game Boost can be activated instantly with a single click on the Gaming Center dashboard, and it supports many consoles, including PS3, PS4, PS4 Pro, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Xbox One.
Gamers Private Network
The ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) has built-in support for the Gamers Private Network, powered by WTFast, which provides private, optimised internet connections to game servers, minimizing ping and latency to ensure smooth, lag-free gaming.
Fortified Network Security
To defend your network, the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) features Game IPS (Intrusion Prevention System), powered by Trend Micro. It protects your gaming network from external attacks and threats, neutralizing them before they can reach your network or devices. Even if your PC’s security software isn’t turned on — to get around blocked games, for example — Game IPS still protects your network from attacks and intrusions, giving you added peace of mind.
VPN Fusion
The VPN Fusion feature lets you run a VPN and an ordinary internet connection simultaneously! So even if other network users need to use a VPN, you can still enjoy maximum gaming speeds.
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Dedicated WiFi Gaming Band
With the ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price), you can easily allocate one of the two 5 GHz bands to gaming devices, while other devices use the second 5 GHz band or the 2.4 GHz band.
RangeBoost
The RangeBoost feature is a powerful range-enhancing combination of hardware and software that increases coverage while also significantly improving long-range throughput!
Quad-Core Processor
The ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (Lowest Price) is powered by a 1.8GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU that is more than powerful enough to handle anything you can throw at it, without skipping a beat.
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May 30, 2017 — Intel just took the wraps off its long-awaited Core X-Series processors and accompanying X299 chipset, which bring enough horsepower and bandwidth for everything from professional content creation to hardcore gaming. The new LGA2066 processors require new motherboards, and ASUS has a diverse lineup split between the Prime, TUF, and ROG families.
The New ASUS X299 Motherboards
ROG has three models expertly tailored for different priorities: the Rampage VI Extreme lives up to its name for drool-worthy dream machines with custom liquid cooling and ultra-fast networking, the Rampage VI Apex unabashedly targets peak game performance and record-breaking overclocking, and the Strix X299-E provides gamers the powerful tuning, cooling, and personalization options they need to get the most from their rigs.
The Prime and TUF models are designed for differing audiences. The new Prime X299-Deluxe is for high-end builders who want it all. The Prime X299-A eschews certain extras in favor of a straightforward approach that gets back to basics.
Meanwhile, the TUF X299 Mark 1 stands out from its competitors with protective armor and advanced cooling options, while the TUF X299 Mark 2 strips down to the essentials for X299 builders who want to deviate from the conventional formula.
Shared innovations define the ROG X299 family
All three boards share the same DNA—essential features that enthusiasts in the Republic of Gamers demand. That starts with critically acclaimed overclocking and cooling controls for liquid and air. There are dedicated pump headers for powering custom loops and all-in-one coolers, plus intelligent fan controls for optimal efficiency and quiet acoustics.
Sensor grouping lets your cooling react to a mix of workloads, including GPU-heavy gaming via direct temperature monitoring for select graphics cards. Tuning your gaming PC is easy whether you want to perfect your setup with manual tweaking or automatically configure and overclock the whole thing with a single click using the ASUS 5-Way Optimization utility.
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Gaming PCs provide unprecedented options to express your style, including through personalized lighting. The RGB LEDs embedded on the ASUS boards are augmented by headers for multiple RGB LED strips to illuminate your entire chassis. All of the lighting is part of the Aura Sync ecosystem, which synchronizes harmoniously across compatible ROG graphics cards, peripherals, and monitors, along with other components from ASUS partners.
Equipped with the latest generation of SupremeFX integrated audio, ROG’s new X299 motherboards boast enhanced recording quality for streamers who want their voice to come through clearly. Graphics cards plug into reinforced SafeSlots that protect against damage from heavy GPU coolers and rough handling.
Intel’s VROC technology combines with the optional add-in card to enable M.2 RAID arrays made up of a stack of parallel drives with a direct line to the CPU. You can hit ludicrous speeds with enough capacity for overflowing game libraries. You get all the latest I/O, including USB 3.1 Gen2 with Type-C ports and internal headers pushing speeds up to 10Gbps. Onboard Wi-Fi and Intel Gigabit networking are standard equipment, and you can add Intel’s new Optane Memory as a high-speed cache.
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Prime time for X299
Built for power users and prosumers, the Prime series represents the culmination of decades of experience refining all aspects of motherboard technology. These boards mate state-of-the-art connectivity with accessible tuning options to provide a premium experience everyone can enjoy.
All of the ASUS X299 motherboards have extensive overclocking and cooling options available in both the UEFI and software. The Primes go one step further with 5-Way Optimization, which intelligently overclocks your system and tunes the cooling based on the individual characteristics of your components. Beginners can effortlessly optimize their entire PC with a single click, while experienced users can adjust tuning parameters to meet their needs.
Refinement extends to the styling, whose predominantly black-and-white theme lays the perfect foundation for understated builds—or much flashier ones with RGB lighting. The ASUS Prime X299 boards feature multiple headers for LED strips that can light up your entire chassis. They’re part of a rich ecosystem of Aura Sync products that can synchronize colors and effects across a complete system, from the motherboard and graphics card to peripherals and other components.
Intel’s new Core X-Series processors demand serious cooling, which is why all of the new ASUS X299 motherboards have dedicated headers for all-in-one liquid coolers and stand-alone pumps. The ASUS Prime X299 series also support up to three-way graphics configurations, and their x16 slots incorporate structural reinforcements with the SafeSlot technology to prevent damage and protect your investment.
PCIe lanes left unused by graphics can be devoted to storage with VROC, which combines multiple M.2 SSDs in a bootable RAID array connected directly to the CPU. An insane number of drives can run in parallel across multiple VROC cards to deliver staggering throughput and warp fast access for system drives. Intel’s Optane™ Memory technology is supported, which provides a solid-state cache to accelerate other storage devices.
This new Prime series receives the latest on-board audio enhancements, including a Realtek S1220A codec paired with an amplifier and premium components that produce immersive and crystal clear sound which rivals some dedicated sound cards.
TUF enough to endure
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The ASUS Prime X299 motherboards are balanced by entries from the TUF family. These models march to a different beat that prioritizes reliability and durability for PCs built to go the distance. They use tougher components than conventional counterparts, and they’re subjected to more stringent testing.
Shifting focus requires a new outlook, and TUF answers with distinctive designs that meld industrial sensibilities with a touch of space marine. Stealthy by nature, the new boards minimize RGB lighting to concentrate on different priorities.
ASUS X299 Motherboard Availability
The Strix X229-E will be available first, followed by the Rampage VI Apex and Extreme.
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Team ARP is on the ground at Taipei to cover Computex Taipei 2017 LIVE on theTech ARP Facebook page and this article. Computex Taipei 2017 begins today, May 30, 2017 and will run for five full days. So join us for our live coverage every day, until June 2!
This article will be updated live with pictures and details as and when they come in. Videos will be inserted at the end of every night, as they take time to process and upload.
Day 1 Schedule
The first day of Computex 2017 is the busiest day of the event. We are scheduled for back-to-back major events from morning until evening!
11:30 AM – 1 PM : NVIDIA AI Keynote by NVIDIA CEO, Jensen Huang
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM : Intel Keynote by Gregory Bryant, VP & GM of the Intel Client Computing Group
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NVIDIA AI Keynote by NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang
Catch our full coverage and the complete video of this keynotehere!
First stop of the day – the NVIDIA AI Forum keynote. Jensen Huang is upstairs polishing his keynote while the crowd grows downstairs.
With the Japanese contingent waiting to storm up the escalator to the 3rd floor hall.
Everyone’s green as an ogre…
NVIDIA Jensen Huang arrives for his eagerly awaited keynote on AI and related NVIDIA technologies.
Jensen Huang announces Project Holodeck!
Jensen Huang shows off a notebook using the new GeForce GTX with Max Q design.
Jensen Huang introduces Volta – the new Tesla V100 accelerator. That’s 120 TFLOPS of compute performance courtesy of 5,120 CUDA cores.
And this is the NVIDIA HGX server with EIGHT NVIDIA Tesla V100 accelerators producing 960 TFLOPS!
Jensen Huang showing off the new Tesla V100 accelerator module. It is the largest GPU ever built!
The NVIDIA GPU Cloud is revealed!
NVIDIA also introduced their robotics platform – the Isaac Initiative, named after Isaac Asimov.
The Isaac Initiative will be built around NVIDIA Jetson 2 and the Isaac Robot Simulator, which allows the robots to train themselves in a virtual world.
Catch our full coverage and the complete video of this keynotehere!
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Intel Keynote by Gregory Bryant
Catch our full coverage and the complete video of this keynotehere!
Gregory Bryant from Intel announces the Intel Xeon Platinum family of scalable server processors.
Intel also announced the Low Power Series of their 2nd Gen 3D NAND SSD drives.
