ASUS ROG on the spotlight
The ROG Masters 2017 PH Finals comes to a stop this August 20th at the SM North EDSA, with exciting match-ups from the finalists of CS:GO and Dota 2. It is an excellent gaming event overall, with minimal delays, good sideshows and a healthy number of happy audiences. Kinda incomparable to the last year’s ROG Masters PH Qualifiers in a good way.
While everyone’s busy watching the games and promotions of the 2 day gaming event, we are busy admiring the ROG products lined-up at the demo area. ASUS ROG is no stranger to us, especially on our labs. We’ve tested quite a number of ROG products in the past and we are going to continue to do so like it’s a ritual. ASUS has been on the forefront of gaming gears since the inception of the republic; and that’s even way before eSports became the norm.
While there are tons and tons of ROG products at the show floor, we’ve narrowed down our favorites to a few. Some were old and some stuffs were definitely new.
THE ASUS ROG STRIX XG27VQ:
The XG27VQ is one of ASUS’ latest entry into gaming panel category. It is a 27″ Full HD display with a 1800R curvature and a 144Hz refresh rate to boot. This allows ASUS to tick the requirements of the hardcore gamers while at the same time, providing an experience that could only be felt with curved displays.
Design wise, we are looking at a panel with design approach similar to the ASUS PG258Q. This one though takes it beyond awesome by including an ASUS AURA compatible RGB display at the back. While the lighting effects are adjustable, we are not sure if the brightness could be set further. If that’s so, it will definitely make for a good ambient lighting.
THE ASUS ROG SWIFT PG348Q:
Another display worth mentioning is the curved ultra-wide SWIFT PG348Q. It’s a 34″ monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 3440 x 1440 resolution. It’s no refresh monster, but it can be overclocked at 100Hz. Not bad for a high resolution ultra-wide eh?
This particular model is excellent for racing games, allowing you to get a wide angle of your surroundings which is immersive enough on its own.
THE GAMING NOTEBOOKS:
One of the main attractions of the ROG Masters 2017 are their latest gaming notebooks. This year, ASUS decided to go with a gaming notebook 101; where gamers are introduced to the gaming series and their sub models.
The ROG STRIX is perhaps the best of both worlds when it comes to pricing and performance. With a price not that far from the entry level gaming, couple up with features found on higher end ROG series models. The display panels are one of the series’ main highlights with refresh rates at 120Hz. An important feature for a competitive gaming oriented notebook.
The ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS GX501 also made a cameo at the event, although it is encased on a shell with lotsa spectators looking at it so we can’t get a good picture. This one below was taken at COMPUTEX 2017. Read more about it here.
IS THAT ALL?
While I’d like to pick other components and gears, the stuffs I’m looking for are not on display with the exception of the ASUS ROG Strix X299-E for the Intel X299 chipset. If you’re looking to build an HEDT platform, then the Strix is your best bet for a well rounded high-end setup. Um yeah, when we mean well-rounded, the price is taken into consideration.
There are few gears that has been demoed but they weren’t really my favorite part of the show. You’d actually see better ones displayed at the ROG Concept store just across the hall. So, if you have the time to visit the Annex Level 4 of SM North EDSA, you’d better check ASUS out.
The ASUS ROG Masters 2017 is a worldwide eSports event, featuring country and regional qualifiers for CS:GO and Dota 2. Total prize pool for the event is 500K USD and competition is rather fierce for both titles. The Asia Pacific regional qualifiers are expected to be held in the Philippines.
