[Computex 2018] ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) plays dare! – Introduces Gaming Smartphone, CPU Liquid Coolers, Power Supply, Desktop Chassis among others.
Computex 2018 is on, and ASUS is stealing all the limelight, it seems like it. Taking the “For Those Who Dare” tagline rather seriously, ASUS is bringing in not just new products, but rather opening up totally new categories altogether. This is probably ASUS’ most ambitious Computex exhibition ever and we are equally thrilled by what they have to offer.
The cherry of the cake has to be the ROG Phone, the gaming brand’s first ever gaming smartphone bearing the ROG moniker proudly. It brings in 3D vapor-chamber cooling system to soothe down intense gaming heat seamlessly. ROG also announced the ROG Rapture GT-AX11000, the world’s first ever tri-band 802.11ax router with Wi-Fi speeds of over 10Gbps. ASUS is also diving into the CPU liquid cooling business with the introduction of the ROG Ryujin and ROG Ryuo CPU coolers. Finally, ASUS is opening up the PSU shop by showcasing the ROG Thor 1200W Platinum power supply. To complete the cycle, ASUS showed the ROG Delta gaming headset and announced the ROG Strix SCAR II and ROG Strix Hero II gaming laptops.
ROG Phone
ROG Phone is a ROG’s first ever attempt into the smartphone arena. The 6-inch device is designed specifically for high-performance mobile gaming. It uses the world’s fastest speed-binned Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 clocked at 2.96GHz and coupled with Adreno 630 GPU. It uses ground-breaking GameCool vapor-chamber cooling system with detachable AeroActive Cooler for an extra cooling boost and is capable of delivering high frame rates on its AMOLED 90Hz 1ms response time HDR capable display.
The ROG Phone has an ultra-comfortable design that includes side-mounted ports, and the enhanced ultra-responsive game controls including two programmable ultrasonic AirTriggers and advanced force-feedback haptics let gamers focus all their skills on the game.
A unique range of powerful expansion accessories elevates the ROG Phone gaming experience. The optional TwinView Dock will provide dual-screen handheld mode. The Mobile Desktop Dock brings in the desktop-style gaming. The Gamevice controller with WiGig Dock using 60GHz Wi-Fi provides large screen gaming. Other ROG Phone innovations include ASUS Aura RGB lighting and Aura Sync support, along with ASUS HyperCharge direct-charge technology for faster, safer and cooler battery charges.
ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 will be the successor of the previous ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 that was announced last year. It will be the world’s first 10 Gigabit Wi-Fi router that adds support for 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard delivering 250% higher data rates than any 802.11ac 4×4 router in the market. There will be OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access) support in the 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard will enable multiple devices to be bundled together in each channel, improving efficiency by 4 times while also reducing latency.
In the gaming realm, the ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 will be able to provide triple-level game acceleration to boost game traffic from devices to server. One 2.5-Gigabit gaming port will prioritize the specific device connected to it with 2.5 times faster transmit speeds making it a perfect combination for 5-Gigabit LAN motherboards. Game Boost also takes things to hardware level by adding a physical button on the router for prioritizing gaming traffic on the network for even better gaming performance with one click, without having to access the web interface or mobile app. It also activates the DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) band. GPN (Gamers Private Network) support in the ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 also will ensure the shortest connection route for lowest ping and latency.
ROG Ryujin 360/240 AiO Liquid Cooler
This is the first time ROG is introducing their AiO liquid cooling hardware and don’t treat them like the new kids on the block, because what they have up their sleeves is really cool! ROG Ryujin is the world’s first liquid cooler with an OLED display. See? I told you! The 1.77-inch LiveDash color OLED is capable of showing real-time stats and personalized images and GIFs. It also has an embedded micro fan that provides additional cooling to the VRM and M.2 type SSDs that are located near the CPU socket, hence reducing their temperatures by up to 20°C utilizing Noctua industrial PPC radiator fans for better airflow and lower noise levels. It comes with reinforced sleeved tubing for increased durability too. Dayum!
ROG Ryuo 240/120 AiO Liquid Cooler
Surely the name would confuse you, but ROG Ryuo is basically similar to Ryujin, except it’s designed for compact and mid-sized gaming builds and made available in 120mm and 240mm radiators. It features ROG designed radiator fans for optimized air flow and static pressure and also has a 1.77-inch LiveDash Color OLED like the one on Ryujin to display real-time stats and Aura Sync RGB support for maximum customizability.
ROG Thor 1200W Platinum PSU
Like I said, ASUS is taking the “For Those Who Dare” tagline very seriously. Jumping into the PSU bandwagon, the ROG Thor 1200W Platinum features IP5X certified win-blade fan, an OLED Power Display and uses 100% Japanese capacitors. The 1200-watt power supply also has 80 PLUS Platinum certification for energy efficiency, comes with 10-years warranty and has Aura Sync RGB for synchronization. Try to just digest that for now.
ROG Strix SCAR II and Hero II
Remember the ROG Strix SCAR GL503 that we reviewed just recently? Small package meeting beastly performance, it is now back with its second generation, the ROG Strix SCAR II focusing on FPS gaming along with its MOBA focused sibling, the ROG Strix Hero II. The ROG Strix SCAR II will have a refreshed design including two contrasting brushed finishes across the lid, a new keyboard layout with Kevlar-inspired markings, and a front light bar with customizable Aura Sync lighting.
The ROG Hero II on the other hand includes similar dual contrasting brushed finishing along with a new keyboard layout with cyberpunk-inspired markings and also a front light bar with customizable Aura Sync lighting.
Both machines will feature the world’s first 144Hz super-narrow-bezel display with an ultrafast 3ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time, a HyperStrike Pro gaming keyboard and HyperCool Pro technology for its CPU and GPU. Both of them are also the world’s first laptop to feature multi-antenna Wi-Fi for improved connectivity.
ROG Delta
ROG Delta is ROG’s latest headset featuring Hi-Fi grade ESS’ quad-DAC for crystal clear, true-to-life audio, giving gamers a better ability to pinpoint in-game opponents. ROG Delta features an airtight chamber and exclusive ASUS Essence drivers with audio signal diversion technology that improves sound quality. It’s the world’s first headset with circular rainbow RGB lighting effects for the style-loving gamers. Comes with lightweight D-shaped ear cushions, it provides better fit than traditional ear cushions for improved comfort and reduces ear fatigue on prolonged usages.
To perfect it, USB Type-C has been adopted so you can couple it with your ROG Phone. Now that I mentioned ROG Phone, you will read the whole paragraph all over again, no? ;)
ROG Balteus Qi
As complicated as its name sounds, as simple as the product is. ROG Balteus Qi is an RGB gaming mouse pad that brings Qi-wireless charging to the desktop. It has 15 individually customizable Aura Sync RGB lighting zones and is equipped with an on-pad lighting mode button for on the fly adjustments and a USB 2.0 passthrough port for connecting of peripherals. Laying flat at 370mm x 320mm portrait-oriented surface, it offers ample space for simultaneous charging and gaming, and the micro-textured hard surface enables pixel-precise tracking. There will be an ROG Balteus without the Qi-charging capabilities too.
ROG Gladius II Wireless
My daily work mouse, the ROG Gladius II just made a comeback with wireless connectivity for cordless freedom. It offers dual wireless connectivity so you can pick your preferred connection between 2.4GHz vs Bluetooth although it beats me why you would want to use the latter. Having a 16000dpi sensor under the shell, it translates on-screen action via ultra-fast 1ms wireless connectivity. The ROG-exclusive socket design enables easy switch-replacements to customize click force for personalized play too and yes, you guessed it right, Aura Sync RGB is definitely here!
ROG Strix Gaming Chassis
Last but not least, ROG is taking a hit against gaming chassis too, this time around. Designed in aluminium and smoked glass, and featuring ARGB (Addressable RGB) with AURA Sync lighting technology, you can now take more control over every LED on the case for better light manipulation. It features an ergonomic woven-pattern handle for easier transportation. Ideal for EATX motherboards, combined with liquid cooling upgradeability, along with dual 360mm radiators on the top and front of the case capabilities, it will definitely be a fun chassis to mod on.
It comes preinstalled with magnetic bearing PWM 140mm fans. It also features a Quick Charge 3.0 port, a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port, a tool-free ROOG SSD caddy, a magnetic dust filter, and a vertical graphics card design for effortless clean builds.
This story is still developing… Stay tuned for updates!