The ROG GR70 represents Asus’ first AMD version of its 3-liter ROG NUC, previously dominated by Intel Core processors. The flagship model features the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU. This review explores the system’s performance and explains why it might be advantageous not to push hardware to its limits.
ROG GR70 vs. ROG NUC
After inheriting the NUC line from Intel, Asus has introduced the “ROG NUC” series—powerful systems with dedicated mobile GPUs. Unlike the NUC series, which relies solely on Intel CPUs, the new ROG GR70 serves as AMD’s counterpart.
In this review, we examine the fully equipped ROG GR70 featuring the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D alongside Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, a substantial 64GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, and a 2TB SSD.
ROG GR70 Features in Detail
The ROG GR70 variant is available in several configurations, differing primarily by CPU and GPU. Here’s a quick overview:
Surprise: No X3D Model for Germany
The entry model in Germany starts at €2,644, featuring the Ryzen 9 8940HX and RTX 5060 Laptop GPU. Interestingly, Asus confirmed that the X3D variant would not be available in Germany or the broader DACH region. Factory enhancements for DDR5 RAM and SSD storage appear to be too costly.
Unofficial Availability of X3D Models
While officially unavailable, some local retailers mix models with the 9955HX and 9955HX3D CPUs. It’s crucial to check model numbers, as they differentiate performance capabilities:
- GR70-N90043AN: 8940HX + RTX 5060 Laptop GPU from €2,702
- GR70-N90039AN: 9955HX + RTX 5070 Laptop GPU from €3,336
- GR70-N90023AN: 9955HX3D + RTX 5070 Laptop GPU from €2,669
Price Evaluation
In summary, the ROG GR70’s pricing in the DACH region seems excessive, especially considering it only utilizes an RTX 5070 GPU, which has 8GB of VRAM. The competitive ROG NUC systems featuring Intel chips include higher-end options, raising questions about the market positioning of the GR70.
Initial Setup and Daily Use
The ROG GR70 is not your typical mini-PC; it functions more like a compact desktop, arriving well-packaged with a pre-assembled stand, designed to stand upright.
Windows Installation and Updates
The GR70 typically comes as a complete package, with Windows 11 pre-installed. The system booted up correctly and updated to Windows 11 25H2 during the final setup process, taking about an hour.
Preinstalled Software
The system includes McAfee and Asus’ Armoury Crate. While Armoury Crate enhances performance tweaks, it often raises security concerns and demands frequent updates, which can be cumbersome.
Performance Profiles
As a desktop PC utilizing notebook hardware, performance profiles are essential. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D mimics desktop CPUs closely, offering 16 cores and 32 threads with a maximum boost clock of 5.45 GHz.
Power Consumption, Temperature, and Noise
Under real-world conditions, the system’s power consumption during idle sits at 15 watts, which is relatively low. However, under maximum load, it can hit over 250 watts, necessitating a 330-watt power supply.
Noise Levels
In various performance profiles, the noise from the system varies significantly. For instance, playing games like Cyberpunk 2077 can generate noise levels around 45 dB(A), indicating a need for effective thermal management.
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