Asus ROG GR8: A light and powerful console-PC

Asus’ gaming division, Republic of Gamers has come up with a game changing high-end console-PC: the Asus Republic of Gamers GR8 or ROG GR8 for short. Announced back in June, this sophisticated gaming toy is now waiting for a chance to show what it’s made of, as Asus launched it earlier this month. With a light 2.5 liter chassis, housing an Intel Core i7 Haswell CPU and Nvidia GeForce GTX 750Ti graphics for Full HD gaming, along with 16GB DDR3L memory and high speed SSD to further increase the speed factor, the Asus ROG GR8 brings an awful lot of performance in a tiny body. This console-PC also comes with built-in dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and preinstalled Windows 8.1. Its Miracast receiver will allow streaming of HD content wirelessly from supported Android smart devices or Windows 8.1 PCs directly to a HDTV.

Asus ROG GR8 features custom slide-off covers to enable easy access to the additional 2.5 inch drive bay and SO-DIMM memory slots for quick upgrades. The powerful Intel Core i7 processing unit will work in lucrative tandem with the Nvidia GTX 750Ti to offer a unique gaming experience and enable 4K/UHD support through HDMI or DisplayPort connections. Online gaming will be as smooth as silk on this console-PC, thanks to a high performance Intel Ethernet adapter featuring enhanced TCP and UDP output to provide twice the speed of similar technologies. ROG GR8 employs GameFirst III which optimizes networks to give players a flawless graphics performance. GameFirst III introduces four preset packet-priority modes, and manual settings for those users who need to have total control over a network. The built-in Network Monitor tool will allow users to manage network traffic and test connection speeds. The Asus ROG GR8 comes pre-loaded with a Steam utility which will easily enable game downloads. PC titles can now be played directly on your Full HD TV thanks to Steam Big Picture.

In terms of audio performance and quality, the GR8 knows how to handle its business; the rig features SupremeFX audio for an immersive sound that will match its crystal clear graphics. With an internal design built out of premium materials combined with premium audio utilities, players will be able to enjoy an unparalleled in-game audio experience. Premium ELNA Japanese audio capacitors will provide a clear and rich sound, allowing an optimal sound rendition while playing. Asus ROG GR8 features high-end audio solutions such as Sonic SenseAmp, Sonic SoundStage, Sonic Studio, and Sonic Radar II which will help users to make use of this machine’s powerful hardware. The GR8 will offer peak performance in a silent fashion, at cool temperatures. Drawing less than 15W while idle, and running quietly at 20dB idle, and 28dB at full capacity, the GR8 console-PC is ideal for any gaming environment. Its small chassis houses a dedicated large-scale fan and copper heat sinks that deflect heat away from the CPU and GPU for maximum cooling. 

Asus ROG GR8 brings along two gaming-grade reinforcements: the ROG Gladius optical mouse and M801 mechanical keyboard, for ultimate control in all gaming endeavors. ROG Gladius is a wired optical gaming mouse which will give players a welcomed edge in FPS games. It features ultra-durable Omron switches and exclusive easy-swap switch socket design for customizable click resistance, a two-level DPI switch, slide-to-press side switches, and a 6400DPI optical sensor that tracks up to 200 inches per second and 50g acceleration. The M801 mechanical keyboard has an appealing geometric design, and a series of high tech features such as anti-ghosting, N-key rollover, and game/PC modes. It utilizes six backlighting modes for low-light gaming environments, and durable MX-grade red mechanical switches for responsive keystrokes. Asus ROG GR8 is a state of the art machine that could very well be a worthy gaming adversary for the existing high-end platforms. What do you make of the Republic of Gamers GR8 console-PC?