ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced the new Zephyrus G14 and Zephyrus G15 gaming notebooks, bringing unprecedented power to an ultra-slim form factor for portable gaming and content creation.
Ultra-slim gaming laptops usually come with a premium price due to how difficult it is to get good performance and cooling in a sub-20mm chassis. ROG has worked hard to make the category more accessible, especially to students, freelancers, and creators who need powerful laptops they can carry everywhere. The latest examples debut at CES 2020 in the new Zephyrus G14 and G15, which wrap powerful processors in a compact chassis portable enough to go anywhere at a price that brings gaming and creation capabilities to an even wider audience.
Despite a chassis only 17.9mm thin, the Zephyrus G14 has carefully customized cooling that brings out the best of its new AMD Ryzen™ 4000 Series Mobile Processors built on the groundbreaking “Zen 2” core architecture combined with industry leading 7nm process technology and up to an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2060 GPU with more than 10 hours of battery life charged by compatible Type-C power packs. Users can optimize for gaming or creative pursuits with a choice between high refresh and high resolution displays, both with Pantone® Validated colors and adaptive sync technology. Subtle styling in Moonlight White or Eclipse Gray is clean and professional, while the all-new, optional AniMe Matrix™ LED display deepens personalization, enabling users to show custom graphics, animations, and other effects across over a thousand mini LEDs embedded in the lid.
The powerfully versatile new Zephyrus G15 introduced at CES 2020 refreshes the best features of the previous generation Zephyrus GA502 and make them even better, putting premium features like an ultra-slim form factor at 19.9mm thin and weighing just 2.1kg, a 240Hz IPS-level gaming panel with Pantone Validation and compatibility with adaptive sync technology, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and the latest powerful processors in a package more affordable to a wide variety of gamers.
Small size with big impact in the Zephyrus G14 and G15
Packed into a much smaller footprint than other gaming laptop alternatives, the Zephyrus G14 is only 17.9mm thin and 1.6kg in models without the custom LED AniMe Matrix. The magnesium-aluminum alloy deck is precisely machined and finished for a professional polish that’s fingerprint-resistant, and its high durability and low weight make aluminum an ideal material for the lid, with a distinctive dot matrix design.
The ROG splash across the lid comes to life with the AniMe Matrix display available on select models. This display uses 1,215 mini LEDs that emit a white glow with 256 levels of brightness control to give gamers a new medium to express their individuality. Users can import animated GIFs and other graphics, build custom animations frame by frame, and type text messages with different fonts. Visualizations react to music and other audio, creating a unique platform for DJs and other artists. ROG engineers were also careful to balance the number of mini LEDs to minimize heat, controller hardware, and power requirements.
With the G14’s support for USB Power Delivery, it can handle lighter work powered by up to a 65W Type-C adapter that’s much smaller than the 180W unit required to unleash the discrete GPU. If the battery runs low, Type-C charging allows users to extend their life to keep users gaming. USB power flows in the reverse direction as well, with fast-charging support capable of supplying up to 3A to compatible smartphones and other devices.
The Zephyrus G15 also maintains its portability at only 19.9mm thin and 2.1kg, and its super-narrow bezels frame the 15-inch display on three sides, squeezing it into a 14-inch footprint. To keep it looking professional, the G15 forgoes RGB lighting for tasteful white backlighting.
Type-C charging extends the G15’s working time on the go. Support for USB Power Delivery and USB power packs like the ASUS ZenPower Pro PD give users more time to finish up work anywhere. For lighter tasks that don’t engage the discrete GPU, the laptop can also be run off smaller Type-C adapters up to 65W.
Both the G14 and G15 have superfast Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) connectivity. When paired with a compatible router, Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) boosts peak interface bandwidth up to 2.4Gbps and improves efficiency for busy networks. Lower latency leads to less lag for sensitive activities like online gaming, and expanded upstream capacity provides more bandwidth for live-streaming.
Immersive gaming visuals with top-notch GeForce RTX graphics
The Zephyrus G14 and G15 comes with up to a GeForce RTX 2060 augmented by ROG Boost up to 1298MHz at 65W. The discrete GPU is based on the latest NVIDIA Turing architecture, which melds dedicated cores for programmable shading, real-time ray tracing, and artificial intelligence. This combination enables improved lighting, shadows, and other in-game effects, and it also offers a diverse array of compute resources for accelerating demanding workloads like content creation, 3D modeling, and deep learning.
Turing’s dedicated video encoder is largely responsible for the G14’s ability to game and stream simultaneously. The specialized hardware allows higher stream quality with minimal performance impact, and it’s compatible with Open Broadcaster Software (OBS), a popular capture tool among burgeoning creators and aspiring Twitch streamers.
Nonstop speed with the latest AMD processors
For the Zephyrus G14, ROG and AMD teamed up again to create an exclusive series tuned specifically for the smaller chassis. The Zephyrus G14 uses a special CPU that generates less heat, enabling an unprecedented level of performance for such a compact chassis. The chips retain up to 8 cores and 16 threads to blast through demanding workloads, but are tuned to make thermals more manageable. There’s still ample power for demanding applications like video editing and 3D rendering, and for heavy multitasking like mixing gaming with streaming, recording and chats.
On the Zephyrus G15, an all-new AMD® Ryzen™ 7 4800HS mobile APU doubles the core count of the previous generation. With 8 cores and 16 threads based on the latest Zen 2 architecture alongside 7nm fabrication technology, it muscles through heavy multitasking, content creation, and other demanding work.
Both the G14 and G15 CPUs pair with up to 32GB of fast DDR4-3200 RAM divided between dual channels, enabling gamers to easily switch between tasks with enough headroom for bigger projects. Up to 1TB of superfast NVMe SSD storage offers ample space for a game library, personal portfolio, and media collection.
Stunning displays for high refresh, high resolution
The Zephyrus G14 offers a choice between two premium panels tailored for different needs. Users can select a faster Full HD display that goes up to 120Hz (doubling the speed of typical laptop displays for smoother, high-intensity action) or opt for a higher WQHD resolution.
Adaptive sync technology adds another level of smoothness by coordinating frame delivery between the GPU and display to eliminate visual tearing that can ruin immersion, and also minimize stuttering and input lag. Although adaptive sync technology has existed for years, it gains greater functionality with new AMD Ryzen™ 4000 Series Mobile Processors. Their integrated Radeon™ graphics allow adaptive sync variable refresh-rate technology to work with adaptive sync technology-enabled monitors and adaptive sync enabled devices.
Adaptive sync technology support extends to the WQHD display, and it can be even more effective at the lower FPS associated with the higher resolution. Thanks to smaller dimensions, the WQHD panel has a higher pixel density than typical 4K desktop monitors. Even the Full HD panel matches the PPI of a 28-inch Ultra HD display.
The Zephyrus G15 is available with refresh rates up to 240Hz—four times the output of standard screens. The panel’s 3ms gray-to-gray response time makes the picture especially sharp at speed, for lining up targets in a fast-paced shooter or scrolling through web pages, and adaptive sync technology makes the experience even smoother
The displays on the Zephyrus G14 and G15 are both factory calibrated and Pantone Validated for superb color accuracy. The IPS-level panels have wide viewing angles and cover 100% of the sRGB range and are framed by super-narrow bezels that create an expansive 85% screen-to-body ratio on the G14 and 81% screen-to-body ratio on the G15 respectively.
One-of-a-kind cooling design
The Zephyrus G14 is the first ROG laptop to feature an ErgoLift hinge that tilts the keyboard at a more comfortable angle – the bottom of the display lifts the back of the machine when the lid is opened, giving the vents in the base more room to breathe.
Self-cleaning cooling on the G14 helps to avoid accumulation of dust and other particles that can compromise performance and stability over time by using anti-dust tunnels to catch particles and direct them out the back of the chassis. Even the n-Blade fans are tweaked to optimize acoustics in the super small chassis.
On the Zephyrus G15, ROG’s Intelligent Cooling philosophy allows the G15 to get more from its silicon with a strategic blend of hardware and software that optimizes and maintains performance and acoustics with a self-cleaning thermal module and anti-dust tunnels. The G15 has the highest-density fan in our arsenal, and it improves airflow by up to 17% over previous generations.
Fan speeds on the Zephyrus G14 and G15 are controlled by an intelligent algorithm that responds automatically to temperature changes. Different tasks require varying levels of performance and cooling, so the G14 and G15 also use operating modes to adapt to those needs. Users can switch between modes on demand with a convenient keyboard shortcut, or let ROG Armoury Crate software change automatically with Scenario Profiles that can be customized to associate games and applications with specific modes and other system settings.
Flexible options on the go
For both the Zephyrus G14 and G15, a Type-C port with USB Power Delivery is also capable of driving an external monitor via DisplayPort 1.4. The HDMI 2.0b port makes it easy to game or watch movies on 4K monitors and TVs. There’s plenty of connectivity for external devices through a Type-C port focused on USB functionality, plus two Type-A ports for the G14 and three Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports for the G15 allow anyone to create the perfect gaming battlestation – no dongles needed.
Key switches with ROG Overstroke technology on the G14 and G15 actuate earlier in the stroke for quicker, more responsive input, while N-key rollover ensures that every press registers, even when entering multiple keys at once. Spaced keys mimic desktop layouts to let users fire off function commands more intuitively, and access essentials like volume and mic mute instantly with dedicated hotkeys.
The Zephyrus G14 is also the first ROG laptop to integrate fingerprint login into the power button.
Experience Dolby Atmos Immersive Audio
A leap forward from surround sound, Dolby Atmos brings moving audio that flows above and around you with crisper voice and greater depth to a wide range of audio experiences, and it can even provide a competitive advantage for gamers. In the Zephyrus G14, Dolby Atmos enhances spatial immersion by delivering a breakthrough audio experience with sound that moves all around you in three-dimensional space whether listening via headphones or built-in speakers.
Dolby Atmos also creates breathtaking realism with optimized sound for greater detail and maximized loudness without distortion from the G14’s integrated speakers. A quad-speaker setup delivers perfectly balanced audio across the spectrum. With these technologies, users can pump up the volume on movies, music, and games without losing clarity or detail.
The Zephyrus G15 pumps sound through two front-firing speakers powered by Smart Amp technology that keeps them within thermal and excursion limits, so users can turn the volume up higher without distorting the output or damaging the cones. Hi-Res Audio certification ensures a richer acoustic experience for audiences that appreciate higher fidelity. Headphone experiences are made more immersive with 7.1-channel virtual surround sound powered by Sonic Studio III software.
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
The Zephyrus G14 will be available starting from Q1/Q2 2020. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.
The Zephyrus G15 will be available from Q1/Q2 2020. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.
ASUS ROG Announces New Lineup of Esports-Ready Strix Gaming Desktops
Posted in Commentary with tags Asus on January 6, 2020 by itnerdASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced a new lineup of Strix gaming desktops, the GA35, GT35, GA15 and GT15, that offer tournament-ready performance for competitive esports and beyond. Debuting at CES 2020, the ROG Strix GA35 and GT35 as well as the GA15 and GT15 are gaming desktops engineered to sustain smooth gameplay under serious pressure, and offer the flexibility to do everything from producing top-quality streams to developing games.
The Strix GA35 and GT35: Boosted by RTX Graphics
Armed with up to a ROG STRIX GeForce RTX 2080 Ti graphics card, the GA35 and GT35 delivers reliably high frame rates for the latest games. The GPU in this top-of-the-line card is based on the NVIDIA Turing™ architecture, which mixes CUDA cores for traditional rasterization with RT cores for ray tracing, and Tensor cores for accelerated AI, including noise removal. When paired with compatible games, this combination enables faster antialiasing and higher-quality lighting, shadows, and reflections.
ROG Strix elevates the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti’s graphics prowess with a huge 2.7-slot heatsink capped by three Axial-tech fans that help the card maintain high clocks in the heat of battle. In internal tests, the Strix GA35 pushed Overwatch up to 188 FPS at 4K with Epic details, while Shadow of the Tomb Raider rendered at a smooth 73 FPS in rich 4K Ultra detail.
Serious 16-core power with the Strix GA35
The Strix GA35 offers powerful 3rd Generation AMD Ryzen processors up to the Ryzen 9 3950X CPU, with its cutting-edge 7nm technology doubling the number of cores of the previous generation. With 16 cores and 32 threads, the additional cores make the system more responsive under strenuous loads, and accelerate heavily multithreaded work like video encoding and 3D rendering. The Strix GT35 will feature the latest 10th generation of Intel Core processors for users looking for multitasking mastery when it comes to gaming and streaming.
The CPU sits in a ROG Strix X570-F Gaming motherboard with a fine-tuned VRM that delivers clean and reliable current. Substantial heatsinks keep the VRM cool, while closed-loop liquid cooling channels heat from the CPU to a dual-fan radiator that exhausts out the top of the chassis. The processor is unlocked for overclocking, so gamers can push for even higher performance.
With up to 64GB of high-performance DDR4-3200 memory, the GA35 can simultaneously handle smooth gameplay while live-streaming, recording, and multitasking. A NVMe SSD with up to 1TB of capacity offers plenty of space, and the Strix GA35 further accelerate throughput using the latest PCI Express® 4.0 interface.
For additional upgrades, GA35’s two PCIe x16 slots are connected directly to the CPU and support multi-GPU configurations. External hot-swap bays simplifies storage upgrades and allows for easy SSD removal in tournament settings, while one of the motherboard’s dual M.2 slots is available for a second SSD for more space. The chassis also has room for two 3.5-inch HDDs that can increase total storage capacity.
Superb gaming and streaming on the Strix GA15 and GT15
To run the latest titles at high resolutions or faster refresh rates, the Strix GA15 and GT15 are available with powerful graphics cards up to the NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 2070 SUPER. In internal tests at ROG, these machines pushed 240 FPS with Full HD Epic details in Overwatch, and hit triple-digit frame rates with Ultra details at Full HD resolution in the richly detailed sandbox of Far Cry 5.
This performance is due in part to the NVIDIA Turing™ architecture behind the GeForce RTX series. Its new video encoder also improves the GA15 and GT15’s ability to stream and game simultaneously, delivering higher quality video with minimal performance impact.
The GA15 and GT15 use the latest 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen CPUs and upcoming 10th Gen Intel Core processors. The Strix GA15 is available with up to an AMD® Ryzen™ 7 3800X CPU that has 8 cores and 16 threads to easily handle demanding and varied workloads. Top configurations add up to 32GB of high-performance DDR4-3200MHz RAM, ensuring responsiveness even under heavy loads.
Storage options include a superfast M.2-based NVMe SSD up to 1TB, offering ample room for apps. For larger game libraries, the system is available with 2TB of mechanical storage. Users can download AMD StoreMI Technology to accelerate dual-drive configurations. StoreMI caches the frequently accessed data on the SSD, melding the responsiveness of solid-state storage with the massive capacity of mechanical drives to speed up load times.
Next-level cooling carries performance
The newest lineup of ROG Strix gaming desktops combine robust component cooling with a chassis optimized for superior airflow. The Wind Shear design on the GA35 and GT35 features widened air vents that help draw more air through the internal cooling system. Three internal chambers divide the CPU, graphics card, and power supply into separate zones to minimize thermal interference.
The internal storage also has dedicated cooling to facilitate reliable performance. The motherboard’s dual M.2 SSD slots feature heatsinks that can improve sustained throughput and long-term reliability. For even more strenuous storage loads, the Strix X570-F Gaming motherboard has a header for an M.2 fan that enables direct airflow through active cooling.
The GA15 and GT15 chassis is a more compact variation with a dual-chamber design of the airflow-enhancing Wind Shear design featured in the high-end Strix GA35 and GT35. The cooling is efficient enough that the Strix GA35 and Strix GA15 generated noise levels under 35 dB in an internal gaming test with Metro Exodus.
The full lineup of ROG Strix gaming desktops elegantly integrates a carrying handle into the top of the chassis that’s strong enough to bear sustained force of up to 30kgf, making them easier to carry. The slick hidden headphone hook helps keep tournament setups and battlestations clean; it’s tested to hold headsets up to 3kg, and can survive momentary force up to 10kgf.
Personalize to perfection
The Strix GA35 is the first ROG system to feature new Keystone II technology. Introduced with the ROG Strix III and Hero III gaming laptops introduced in Spring 2019, the Keystone is an NFC-enabled key can be docked in compatible devices to quickly access customized settings linked to a user’s ROG ID. Keystone II can also be configured to switch the system to a specific operating mode, launch an individual game or application, or unlock a hidden Shadow Drive for private files.
In terms of personalized lighting, the full lineup of new Strix gaming desktops feature customizable RGB lighting inside and out. Aura Sync lets users coordinate colors and effects across all compatible components, including ROG peripherals and components. The internal lighting showcases the components through the transparent EMI-shielded glass side panel.
ROG Armoury Crate software offers tons of tuning options for lighting, Keystones and other system settings. Users can create Scenario Profiles that automatically load personal preferences when they launch specific games and applications. Scenario Profiles detect the active application and adjust system performance, cooling, lighting, and other settings to ensure an ideal configuration for the task at hand. And for a more personalized audio experience, Sonic Studio III supports manual customization and offers five specially tuned modes for different kinds of games in addition to more immersive audio.
Gear up and go
While most peripherals connect around the back, front-panel ports provide convenient access for select devices. The GA35 and GT35’s dual USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports provide fast access to speedy external storage, while dual USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports are ready for more conventional devices. Around back, there are 6 additional ports, including one more USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C.
Dual HDMI 2.0b ports on the graphics card allows gamers to run a VR headset alongside a 4K monitor or TV for immersive virtual experiences. On GA35 and GT35 configurations with GeForce graphics cards, DisplayPort 1.4 outputs offer connectivity for NVIDIA G-SYNC™ gaming monitors that make gameplay even smoother. Intel® I211-AT Gigabit Ethernet offers a lower latency connections for multiplayer gaming, while Wi-Fi 5 provides fast wireless access for everyday streaming and web browsing. The Wi-Fi card also integrates Bluetooth 5 for compatible devices.
The GA15 and GT15 also offer fast charging and data transfer via one reversible Type-C™ (USB-C™) port with peak interface bandwidth of 10Gbps via USB 3.2 Gen 2. Five Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports make space for preferred peripherals and any other devices that benefit from fast data transfers. There’s an HDMI 2.0b port for gaming or streaming 4K video on the big screen at up to 60Hz. DisplayPort 1.4 outputs are also available to drive high-refresh gaming monitors, including those compatible with NVIDIA G-SYNC™ technology.
Gigabit-class networking manifests in two ways on the GA15 and GT15. Gigabit Ethernet offers a lower latency connection for multiplayer gaming, while Wi-Fi 5 provides fast wireless access for everyday streaming and web browsing. The Wi-Fi card also integrates Bluetooth 5 to cut the cord for compatible devices.
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
The ROG Strix GA35 and GA15will be available starting from Q1 2020. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.
The ROG Strix GT35 and GT15 launch timing will be announced later in 2020. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.
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