ASUS has unveiled an impressive lineup of next-generation GPUs for NVIDIA’s RTX 50 series at CES, featuring revamped versions of its ROG Astral, Strix, TUF Gaming, and PRIME graphics cards. The new offerings cater to a wide range of users, from hardcore enthusiasts to compact PC builders, delivering innovative cooling solutions, robust power delivery, and refined designs.
ROG Astral: High-End GPUs with Advanced Cooling
Leading the pack is the ROG Astral, a premium addition to ASUS’s renowned ROG series. Designed specifically for NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, the Astral lineup is packed with performance-enhancing features.
These GPUs sport a unique quad-fan configuration, with three fans on the front and one on the back, offering 20% more airflow and air pressure compared to the previous ROG Strix models. Beneath the fans lies a custom vapor chamber connected by eight heat pipes and a densely packed heatsink for superior heat dissipation. ASUS has replaced traditional thermal paste with Phase-Changer Thermal Pads, ensuring better heat transfer and longer-lasting performance.
The ROG Astral also boasts a custom PCB with 80A MOSFETs, delivering 35% more power than standard designs, making it ideal for overclockers. Additionally, the GPUs include per-pin analytics for the 16-pin connectors, helping users monitor power spikes effectively.
For those seeking even better cooling, ASUS is offering a liquid-cooled variant, the ROG Astral LC. Equipped with a 360mm radiator and hybrid cooling, this version delivers 30% better cooling performance than the air-cooled model, making it perfect for extreme gaming rigs.
ROG Strix: Sleeker Design with RGB Flair
The revamped ROG Strix series targets high-performance GPUs, including the RTX 5070 and above. This updated lineup features a triple-fan, triple-slot design with a full-coverage backplate that includes cutouts for improved airflow.
ASUS has added vibrant RGB lighting to the Strix GPUs, including a large LED accent plate on the side for a bold aesthetic. The cards come with features like a Dual BIOS switch for performance (P-Mode) and quiet (Q-Mode) operations, a phase-change thermal pad, protective PCB coatings, and Aura Sync RGB integration. Despite its robust design, the Strix lineup retains a single 16-pin power connector for simplicity.
TUF Gaming: Rugged and Reliable
ASUS’s TUF Gaming series brings industrial-grade toughness to the RTX 50 GPUs, featuring military-grade components and a durable design. The RTX 5090 TUF Gaming variant uses a vapor chamber cooling system, ensuring optimal thermal management.
With a silver and grey color scheme, the TUF cards sport a rugged aesthetic, large cutouts for airflow, and a triple axial fan design. The dual BIOS feature allows users to switch between performance and quiet modes, making the TUF series a versatile option for gamers and professionals alike.
PRIME Series: Compact and Efficient
For compact PC builders, ASUS introduces the PRIME series, tailored for small-form-factor (SFF) systems. Available in RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070 models, the PRIME lineup adopts a 2.5-slot design, ensuring compatibility with smaller cases.
These GPUs feature a sleek matte black finish, a triple-fan cooling system, and the same phase-change thermal compound as their high-end counterparts. The PRIME series is an excellent choice for those who want powerful performance in a compact package without sacrificing aesthetics or thermal efficiency.
Launch and Availability
ASUS has yet to announce pricing for its next-gen GPUs, but the NVIDIA RTX 50 series is expected to start rolling out later this month. The lineup’s innovations in cooling, power delivery, and design position ASUS as a frontrunner in the high-performance GPU market.
Stay tuned for more updates as ASUS continues to set the bar for cutting-edge gaming hardware.
