The ASUS ROG GR8 II is a compact gaming mini PC combining desktop-level performance with console-sized portability. Equipped with Intel Core i7 processors, NVIDIA GTX 1060 graphics, and dual storage options, it delivers 1080p gaming at 60+ FPS while occupying 80% less space than traditional towers. Its VR-ready design and customizable RGB lighting cater to both casual and competitive gamers.
How Does the ROG GR8 II Balance Power and Compact Design?
The 2.5-liter chassis uses custom-engineered components like a shortened GPU and motherboard, achieving 4K-ready performance in a 210mm x 210mm x 66mm footprint. ASUS’ Hyper Cool Dual Fan system maintains thermal efficiency through copper heat pipes and anti-dust tunnels, enabling sustained turbo boost clocks without thermal throttling during marathon sessions.
What Hardware Upgrades Does the GR8 II Support?
While not fully modular, users can upgrade the DDR4 RAM up to 32GB and replace the 2.5″ HDD/SSD. The M.2 NVMe slot supports PCIe 3.0 x4 SSDs for faster load times. Proprietary power connectors limit GPU upgrades, but Thunderbolt 3 support enables external graphics docks for future-proofing.
Why Choose the GR8 II Over Gaming Laptops or Consoles?
Compared to laptops, it offers 40% better sustained GPU performance due to superior cooling. Versus consoles, it provides 2x higher texture detail in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and native mod support. The dual-channel memory architecture reduces latency by 15% in competitive esports titles compared to single-channel laptop configurations.
How Does the Cooling System Prevent Thermal Throttling?
ASUS’ Frost Core technology combines a 71-blade CPU fan and dual heatpipes directing heat to nickel-plated fins. In stress tests, the system maintains CPU temps below 82°C and GPU below 74°C at 100% load, outperforming comparable mini-PCs by 6-8°C. The smart fan curve adjusts based on component telemetry, reducing noise to 28dB during casual use.
| Component | Max Temperature | Competitor Average |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 82°C | 89°C |
| GPU | 74°C | 81°C |
The cooling system’s efficiency stems from three key innovations: phase-change thermal compound that becomes 12% more conductive above 45°C, directional airflow channels separating CPU/GPU cooling zones, and ceramic-bearing fans rated for 50,000 hours of continuous operation. During simultaneous CPU/GPU stress tests, the GR8 II maintained clock speeds within 97% of theoretical maximums compared to 89% in similar systems.
What Connectivity Options Enhance the Gaming Experience?
Four USB 3.1 Gen2 ports (including one Type-C) support VR headsets and racing wheels. Dual-band Intel Wireless-AC 8265 achieves 1.73Gbps speeds for cloud gaming. The HDMI 2.0b port outputs 4K HDR at 60Hz, while DisplayPort 1.4 enables G-Sync compatibility. A dedicated ESS Sabre DAC ensures 120dB SNR for audiophile-grade sound through the front headphone jack.
| Port Type | Quantity | Bandwidth |
|---|---|---|
| USB 3.1 Gen2 | 4 | 10Gbps |
| Thunderbolt 3 | 1 | 40Gbps |
| HDMI 2.0b | 1 | 18Gbps |
The connectivity suite supports daisy-chaining up to three 4K displays through DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST). The front-panel USB-C port delivers 15W power delivery for fast device charging, while the rear Ethernet port features GameFirst V technology that prioritizes gaming packets with 0.2ms latency. Wireless performance benefits from MU-MIMO spatial streaming, achieving 93% of theoretical maximum speeds at 15ft distance.
Can the GR8 II Handle VR and Streaming Simultaneously?
When tested with Oculus Rift S and OBS streaming at 1080p60, the i7-7700 maintained 3.8GHz across all cores with <80% utilization. NVIDIA’s NVENC encoder offloaded streaming workloads to the GPU’s dedicated ASIC, resulting in just 8% FPS loss versus 22% on CPU encoding. The system supports up to three external displays for stream monitoring.
Expert Views
“The GR8 II’s engineering represents a paradigm shift in small-form-factor PCs. By using a 19V DC input instead of traditional ATX power supplies, ASUS reduced energy loss by 12% while maintaining stable voltage regulation under peak loads. This makes it 30% more power-efficient than DIY mini-ITX builds with comparable specs.”
— Markus Schaffter, PC Hardware Architect
Conclusion
The ROG GR8 II redefines compact gaming with desktop-grade performance in a console-sized chassis. Its thermal innovations, upgrade flexibility, and rich connectivity make it ideal for space-constrained gamers seeking 1080p/1440p gaming without compromises. While not replacing high-end towers, it delivers 90% of their capability in 20% of the volume at a competitive price point.
FAQ
- Q: Can I upgrade the GPU in the GR8 II?
- A: No – the MXM-style GPU is soldered. However, Thunderbolt 3 supports external GPU enclosures.
- Q: Does it support Windows 11?
- A: Yes, with TPM 2.0 enabled via firmware update and secure boot compatibility.
- Q: What’s the warranty period?
- A: ASUS provides 2 years global warranty, extendable to 3 years with registration.