Asus ROG launches its first Strix desktop PC, the GD30

by Mark Tyson on 24 March 2017, 10:01

Tags: ASUSTeK (TPE:2357)

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Asus ROG has launched the first ever Strix desktop PC. The Asus SOG Strix GD30 gaming desktop has the "power for any games you throw at it," with the optionon of high-end components from Intel and Nvidia plus lashings of memory and storage. However, Asus ROG looks to differentiate the GD30 on style, with its "Sci-Fi- and cyberpunk-inspired design," said to look just the part in a Star Wars themed gaming room.

Appearance and visual customisation is important to the appeal of the GD30, and Asus ROG concentrates on the design for the first few paragraphs of its press release. A particular attraction of the GD30 is said to be the two fitted white front panels which can snap on and off the chassis for "a total of six different styles". In other design choices there is a triple section side window and Asus uses an iron honeycomb screen for its looks and EMI shielding benefits. The Asus SOG Strix GD30 also packs in Aura RGB lighting over the central motherboard section.

Asus SOG Strix GD30 desktop key tech specs:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-7400 or Intel Core i7-7700 CPU
  • Memory: up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM (4 slots)
  • GPU: from Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 2GB up to GTX 1080 8GB
  • Storage: various SATA HDD, SSD and M.2 options plus an ODD
  • Connectivity: wired and wireless LAN plus Bluetooth 4.1
  • Ports: four USB 2.0 ports, and seven USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports (one is a reversible Type-C connector with 15W fast-charging (3A/5V))
  • Front panel access: two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.1 ports, a memory card reader, and both microphone and headphone jacks. Plus power and reset buttons.
  • Size and weight: 230 x 550 x 540mm, 17Kg

Cooling considerations are discussed by Asus ROG in its press release. The chassis design is said to feature large air vents at the front and underside plus an isolated power supply chamber. There is room inside for up to five fans, and a water-cooling system but the GD30 comes equipped with just one rear 120-mm system fan with red LED lighting.

Users can monitor system performance, and temperatures plus control fans and lighting via the Aegis III software from Asus. This software tool also provides XSpilt Gamecaster recording access and Sonic Studio III audio tweaking.

Asus ROG hasn't released any pricing and availability details.



HEXUS Forums :: 9 Comments

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Disappointed in the case design to be honest, it looks like one of those budget gaming pc cases you see for around £40 but with an asus logo stamped onto it…..
Yes - less would be more.
Who was it who had the signature about ‘gamer’ cases looking like epileptic frogs ?
Wouldn't the SOG Strix GD30 be a water-cooled version…? ;)

(over-enthusiastic auto-correct, maybe?)
Ugly and laughable that they only offer Nvidia, especially at 1050 level where the 460 offers better value IMO and up to 1060 where again, the 480 seems to be pulling ahead as drivers mature.
I like the white-on-black aesthetic with both white panels attached (kinda-sorta Portal-ish), but with them detached it looks just like what it is: the ugly plastic backing that's meant to be hidden behind cosmetic panels. Also, do you have to remove the white panel to use the ODD? That's a … weird concession. Is the Venn diagram overlap of ODD users and people who dislike cheap-looking black plastic really that small?

Also, the fact that the styling _only_ affects the front, leaving the side panels to look like standard cheapo gaming case fare is disappointing to say the least. How hard would it be to follow this up along the sides? Say they made magnetically attached plastic panels to go on the sides? How much would that cost them? Also, that would probably mesh better with the side window, which just looks tacked on as is.