Organizer
Gadget news
I’ve fallen in love with the Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX 65% keyboard because of its brilliant touch bar and Hall effect keys
2:47 am | March 3, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX: one-minute review

Asus has introduced another fantastic keyboard with the ROG Falchion Ace HFX. This 65% board, which compresses only the most essential keys onto a short panel, offers immense functionality across several areas.

The drawcard of the Falchion Ace HFX is its incredible switches. While the standard Falchion Ace is available with three switch choices, the HFX only offers one tactile feel option – comfortable to the touch magnetic keys, making this Asus’ first hall effect keyboard. It’s one of the most satisfying keyboards to use that I’ve ever laid my hands on.

Despite not offering a wireless connection, it does include a dual USB-C arrangement so that it can quickly switch between two computers with a press of a button on the side, similar to how a monitor might switch between devices. A USB dongle or Bluetooth solution might have been more practical to pull this trick off, but it’s still a welcome ability.

The Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX keyboard up close

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

More interesting to me is the return of Asus’ proprietary touch bar, a unique design element of the Falchion series that compresses media controls, volume, keyboard RGB brightness and other handy features into a touch panel, letting you adjust settings with taps and swipes of your finger. This feature rocked and is much more intuitive than a FN + key macro solution, though the depth of macroing with this keyboard is immense, allowing you to arrange quick commands, website hotkeys and quick Windows commands with a bindable keystroke.

With so much positive to say about the ROG Falchion Ace HFX, there aren’t many drawbacks, although the ones that are there might keep you from a purchase. This board doesn’t come cheap and is one of the most expensive options that Asus offers. The lack of a wireless variant will also leave buyers cutting down on cable clutter unimpressed, and those seeking wrist support will need to make a separate purchase.

More diehard keyboard shoppers will also be left unimpressed by the lack of hot-swapping functionality, and that there's only one switch type available (though the standard ROG Falchion offers three different options).

It’s a tremendous piece of kit. The ROG Falchion Ace HFX is one of the keyboards to beat in 2025, and it may be my favourite keyboard since the Logitech G PRO X TKL.

Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX: price and availability

The Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX keyboard

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)
  • How much does it cost? $199/£239.99/$AU$359
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, Australia and other regions

The ROG Falchion Ace HFX is the fourth most expensive keyboard that Asus offers, below the base model Azoth, customizable Claymore II, and the extremely expensive Azoth Extreme. The price marked for the Ace HFX is reflective of the epic magnetic switches underlying its awesome-feeling keys, but given its 65% size profile, it lacks a lot of the typically essential buttons present in the higher-priced models, including a dedicated function row and numpad.

Not that you should feel you need to move up the range for said features, because the Falchion Ace HFX is more than competent and exclusive on its own terms. Compared to the competition, it’s one of the only options to offer magnetic switches on a 65% board. You may want to consider the Logitech G Pro X 60 if you want an even smaller board, or the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro 65 if you want greater customization, but there aren't many major brands offering magnetic switches right now.

  • Value: 4/5

Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX: specs

Asus ROG Falchion HFX: design and features

The Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX keyboard with a keycap removed

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)
  • More reserved ROG design
  • Brilliant build quality
  • Useful multifunction panel and dual computer support

Asus’ ROG gaming accessories are at their best when they don’t look too gamery, and the Falchion HFX looks fairly neutral compared to many other high-end boards offered by the manufacturer.

Available only in black, the one thing about this board that I would consider a tad excessive from a design perspective is the spelling out of ‘Republic of Gamers’ across the top. RGB lights behind each key are programmable with several lighting animations available.

At the top left, you’ll see an illuminated symbol, indicating which setting you’ve got your multi-function touch panel set to, cycleable with the press of a multifunction button in the top left. The panel across the back can be swiped with a fingertip, and can be used to adjust brightness and volume, change key actuation points, play and pause media, or even pull off any dedicated macros you have in mind. In the Armory Crate app, you can limit which functions the cycling button switches between, allowing for a more streamlined experience (I simply have it set to volume and media controls). This touch bar isn’t a new feature, as it’s been available on other Falchion models since 2022, but it works especially well on a small board like this.

There are also lights at the top right, indicating if win lock has been activated, if caps lock is currently on, and if ‘Rapid Trigger’ has been enabled, allowing for much quicker keystroke response times than whatever your preset mode is set to.

Your keyboard’s RGB lighting and per key actuation points can also be adjusted in the ROG Armory Crate app, where you'll find Speed Tap mode. This changes the function of the keyboard to allow for quicker directional changes by prioritising the last pressed in key – so instead of coming to a full stop when strafing in a game, you’ll move left to right or vice versa without lifting your fingers off the keys.

  • Design and features: 5/5

Asus ROG Falchion HFX: Performance

The back of the Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)
  • 8,000Hz polling rate
  • Magnetic hall effect switches with five layer dampening
  • Useful competitive gaming features

The Asus ROG Falchion HFX is a gaming keyboard aimed at competitive play, through and through. It offers an exceptional 8,000Hz polling rate – an enormous amount of reports the keyboard provides your computer in a second, theoretically improving response time. As a result of this, click latency is as low as 1.1ms on average with the Falchion HFX.

The keys feel coarse in a comfortable way, allowing for satisfying tactile contact between your fingertips and your inputs. A raised dot on the W key allows you to position your hands for gaming without looking down, brilliant for low-light battle stations.

The actuation point of your keys can be adjusted readily on the fly using the multi-function touch panel, allowing for much more shallow keypresses if you so wish. Backing all of this up is the fact that the keys are magnetic, and well damped to allow for a satisfying press while also being quick and not too loud. On the less technical side, the keyboard has three adjustment angles with two sets of feet underneath.

Many of these features may go above and beyond the needs of a casual gamer and indeed are well past the desires of somebody just after a useful typing tool. But for a dedicated gamer, the ROG Falchion HFX might be the exact device for your hobby.

Mechanical keyboard enthusiasts will likely be disappointed by the lack of hot-swappable keys, and that there's only one switch to choose from. Thankfully, the base model ROG Falchion offers more switch variety – the Falchion HFX is more of a performance model with its magnetic keys.

  • Performance: 5/5

Should I buy the Asus ROG Falchion HFX?

Buy it if...

You crave good performance and feeling

The ROG Falchion HFX offers a brilliant intersection of form and function, contained in a 65% board and offering some of the first magnetic switches on a mainstream model.

You want to ROG out

With its lighting and key programming reliant on Asus’ Armory Crate, you’ll likely want this to compliment other Asus peripherals in your arsenal.

Don't buy it if...

The price isn’t right

The ROG Falchion HFX isn’t designed to be a budget winner, and it’ll be a poor fit if you want to save cash.

You want greater customization

Mechanical keyboard fans will likely crave hot-swappable keys, which the ROG Falchion Ace HFX does not offer.

Asus ROG Falchion HFX: also consider

Keychron C3 Pro

Compatible across Mac and Windows PCs, the C3 Pro offers a solid design and a nice price, though it won’t be a winner among serious gamers.

Read our full Keychron C3 Pro review

Corsair K65 Plus

Slightly larger at 75%, the K65 Plus is comfortable and wireless, though it is on the pricey side.

Read our full Corsair K65 Plus review

Logitech G Pro X 60

Logitech’s smallest gaming keyboard might be a welcome option if you’re after switches from a premium brand but in a tinier unit.

How I tested the Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX

I tested the Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX over four weeks, paired with other Asus products including an OLED monitor, mouse and headset. I used it exclusively on my Windows 11 gaming PC and played games including Marvel Rivals, Avowed, The Headliners and Forza Horizon 5. I also used it for some productivity tasks, such as for typing out documents.

Over that time I used it across several lighting settings, enabled different macros and put it in different positions, while constantly adjusting actuation points and diving into toggles in the Armory Crate app.

  • First Reviewed February 2025
I love the 27-inch Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM 4K monitor, but I find its design flaws baffling
8:02 am | February 14, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Monitors Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM: ONE-MINUTE REVIEW

OLED monitors are becoming widespread, and Asus is among the first manufacturers to release a gaming monitor with the panel technology on a 27-inch 4K display. The result is essentially a smaller, slightly less powerful screen than the company’s larger ROG screens, shedding the ultrawide and curved properties that many gamers (myself included) consider unnecessary – but it’s ROG, so it can’t be that simple, can it?

What we’ve got here is an exceptional piece of technology with a bunch of old gimmicks bolted to the sides.

On the tech side, the panel is gorgeous, pulling off 4K resolution paired with a 240Hz refresh rate and offering a max brightness of 450 nits (1,000 HDR). Its selection of ports on the back is quite generous, including several USB-A ports to keep your cabling situation a bit tidier. The integrated monitor interface is also quite easy to use and provides an amazing level of depth to tailor screen performance to your needs.

On the extras side, like many of Asus’ top-end Swift monitors, you’ll find a downward-facing projector that shoots the Republic of Gamers logo onto your desk in red. This resides in the monitor stand with the lens protruding between the screen’s three feet. The feet extend out quite far from the monitor and are both huge and very over the top. It’s a signature of the ROG Swift range of monitors and it exists to be distinct.

Complementing the projector is a programmable RGB logo on the front of the screen and a larger one on the rear left of the monitor, along with some lighting around the projector housing. These lighting details I’m fine with, I have no axe to grind with RGB provided it’s not over the top, but the accumulation of all of these aesthetic extras has left me with a feeling of ‘why are we doing this?’

And this criticism manifests best when we get to pricing. Despite offering a combination of features that are new and in-demand on the market, slightly older monitors with more impressive specs (like larger screen size) can be picked up for less.

With these things in mind, while I’ll applaud Asus for offering a display with a technology arrangement previously unseen, and likely in demand from at least a subset of PC users, I’m content with the opinion that a 4K, OLED, high refresh rate monitor better appeals to a graphics and visual quality lover – and that such a user likely wouldn’t mind going a size up to 32 inches and pocketing the potential savings.

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM: PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The ROG Swift 4K OLED 27-INCH monitor on display on a glass desk.

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)
  • How much does it cost? $1,099 / £1,098 / AU$2,099
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Technology retailers in the US, UK and Australia

The ROG Swift 27-inch OLED breaks new ground by offering the gorgeous, darkness-enhancing panel technology at a high refresh rate at a 4K resolution on a screen of this size. This explains the high cost, but the price is driven higher by a combination of things.

Asus’ inclusion of RGB lighting, a unique stand and its iconic (if unnecessary) downward-facing projector add to its appeal, but its great user interface and array of ports are more deserving of praise.

Similar monitors are available from LG, Gigabyte and Alienware, often sporting larger displays at the same price, or the same size at a lower cost. This monitor’s closest competitor is the MSI MPG 272URX, starting at $799.99 / £999.99 / AU$1,799.

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM: DESIGN

The ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM on a desk, with a keyboard and mouse in front of it

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

Asus is awesome, not just because it always does top-quality stuff, but also because it’s always doing something interesting. In the display category, the brand has been strapping downward-facing projectors to its premium ‘Swift’ range for a long time, while incorporating a tripod-style stand with three feet extending out from the base of the stand.

This is iconically ROG and… well, getting old. The company has strapped this projector to its top-end screens for some time, all while other gaming peripheral aesthetics have matured. Competitors like Alienware and MSI now look more grown up across their entire product line-ups. Even much of the ROG range looks more charming and less gamer-y.

Even if the projector didn’t leave a poor taste in my mouth, I’d still be disappointed in the stand. It spans a far greater space across my desk than it has any right to, and its footprint limits my ability to push the display further from me without it falling off the back of the desk. Though this wouldn’t be a problem for users mounting the display elsewhere, as it’s VESA wall-mount compatible. On the default stand, it also allows a 90º pivot (allowing for a uniform portrait orientation) and 110mm height adjustment, along with 30º of swivel.

A programmable RGB light on the rear left side gives a nice illumination against the wall, and lights on the monitor stand itself look quite good when viewing the screen from the back, but many users likely won’t engage with these. The ROG logo on the front, the stand lights and the projector light can’t be changed from red, which might be disappointing to folks fond of a particular color.

In terms of interaction, hidden behind the ROG logo on the front of the monitor is a handy set of buttons: two on the left and right, and a joystick nub in the middle that's perfect for adjusting display settings.

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM: FEATURES

The rear of the ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM, showing its RGB backlighting

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

The ROG Swift 27-inch monitor is one of the few screens of such a size operating a 4K resolution on an OLED panel – a feature in itself worthy of praise and certainly appealing to some users. It offers this combination of features with a tiny 0.03ms response time and a whopping 240Hz refresh rate, combined with a maximum brightness of 450 nits (1,000 nits HDR).

Dolby Vision HDR is also available, but I elected to disable this and switched to standard HDR, as it kept turning my display off and on again when entering different programs.

ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM Key Specs

Screen size: 27-inch
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
Brightness: 250 nits full screen, 1,000 nits max HDR
Color coverage: 99%
Response time: 0.03ms
Refresh rate: 240Hz
HDR: DisplayHDR True Black400, HDR10, DolbyVision
Features: FreeSync Premium Pro, NVIDIA G-Sync, KVM Switch, 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x Headphone out, 1 x USB-B upstream, 3 x USB-A downstream, 1 x USB-C (90W Power Delivery)

The screen itself is slightly glossy and the in-built monitor software gives the user quite a lot of control over its performance. A single nub behind the ROG logo on the front of the screen allows you to adjust quick settings, including superfluous things like enabling an FPS counter, a persistent crosshair or even a stopwatch or timer. This software is generally more useful for selecting your preferred HDR calibration, adjusting brightness, and tailoring the screen’s performance to your needs.

Obviously because it’s an OLED panel, there is worry of burn-in occurring, and Asus’ solution is quaint. Simply by pressing the button on the left (beside the nub) you can activate the company’s OLED Care program, which refreshes the pixels to avoid damage. The program runs for about six minutes and it’s recommended that you perform this action often to increase the longevity of your device. The monitor will remind you every eight hours or so by default to run the program, but you can disable this pop-up in the on-device settings.

The ports on offer with this display are also very accommodating. A USB-B port running to and from the monitor and your computer allows the three integrated USB-A 3.2 ports to communicate with your PC, cutting down on cable clutter. There’s also a USB-C port with 90W power delivery (great for charging a phone or even a laptop), a DisplayPort 2.1 and two HDMI 2.1 ports.

Finally, bringing the panel's main range of features back into range (4K, 240Hz), it’s worth considering this as a monitor for an already particularly dedicated enthusiast. Operating a 4K monitor at a high frame rate in most new games is going to require a fairly competent (and expensive) gaming rig, though most competitive games (think League of Legends and Valorant) that run smoothly on a broad range of computers will typically complement this monitor well – so perhaps it’s more a screen for gamers looking to compete online.

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM: PERFORMANCE

The ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM displaying a colourful background

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / TechRadar)

The ROG Swift OLED 27-inch is perfect for making gorgeous games look amazing. An upgrade to an OLED screen continues to be the best way to upgrade your gaming visual experience in a single purchase – you can upgrade your computer’s internal components, sure, but the output monitor’s better handling of darkness and contrast will always be more noticeable than slightly higher graphics fidelity.

A 27-inch sized screen is fairly common among gaming PC setups, though a 4K resolution can be difficult to cater for as games become more demanding as quality scales up – though this will certainly appeal to gamers craving beautiful visuals. The panel performed exceptionally well in every game that I played, and the deep blacks were particularly welcome in games like The Headliners, Helldivers 2 and Ghost of Tsushima, where darkness is a big part of the gameplay.

TV shows look awesome too. Invincible, Severance and For All Mankind in particular looked great, with the color clarity up to scratch, but the experience would have been made better by integrated speakers. Built-in sound isn’t a top feature request for monitor shoppers but it’s nice to have when it’s there, for convenience at least.

And it’s not all about gaming – the monitor is also a more-than-capable productivity monitor, and I didn’t notice any text fringing when using Google Docs or Google Keep. Its dealing with apps in dark mode is splendid, and I liked the inclusion of a KVM switch, allowing you to quickly switch between your connected computers. The USB-A ports aren’t difficult to access in the back of the monitor, so you won’t be spending much time pulling cables and dongles out of your actual PC if you don’t want to.

Maximum brightness of 450 nits – or 1,000 nits with HDR enabled – was also notable as it’s easy to find similar monitors with slightly higher HDR brightness. Nevertheless, it’s serviceable and hardly an issue.

Should I buy the Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM?

ROG Swift 4K OLED 27-INCH: Report Card

Buy it if...

You want a high-end, 27-inch OLED monitor

A 4K resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate on an OLED panel isn’t particularly common – yet.

You like ROG aesthetics

It doesn’t get much more gamer-y than ROG, and the downward-facing projector is certainly a… choice.

DON’T BUY IT IF…

You’re looking to save money

This monitor is surrounded by alternatives that are either larger (for the same cost) or cheaper for the same size.

You can’t stand over-the-top aesthetics

The gamer projector is not for everyone, nor is all the lighting or the huge stand.

Also consider

LG 32GS95UE-B

Though it originally launched at a higher price, the LG 32GS95UE-B can be picked up for a much lower cost than the ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM – with 4K, a 240Hz refresh rate and a low response time to boot, along with a 32-inch panel.

Read our full LG 32GS95UE-B review

MSI MPG 271QRX

Cheaper, though only offering a 2K resolution rather than 4K, MSI's MPG 271QRX is a much more affordable OLED solution.

Read our full MSI MPG 271QRX review

MSI MPG 272URX

Offering similar specs at a significantly lower price, this MSI monitor is a much more accessible OLED gaming solution than Asus’ offering.

HOW I TESTED THE ROG Swift 4K OLED 27-INCH

From the moment I received the ROG Swift 4K OLED 27-inch for testing, I got to work setting it up and optimizing it for gameplay and productivity tasks. I quickly assembled it and replaced my monitor with it at home, using it over a three-week period. I used it every day that I was home over this time, whether it was for watching YouTube videos, Twitch streams, TV shows or playing videogames.

Most of my time with the monitor was spent playing videogames. Marvel Rivals, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, The Headliners, Helldivers 2, Ghost of Tsushima, Car Manufacture and FlyKnight were among the games I tested the monitor with. I used the monitor with a variety of settings enabled and disabled, and used a DisplayPort connection.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed February 2025]

Asus ROG Carnyx review: one hefty gaming mic
7:16 pm | July 24, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Asus ROG Carnyx: One-minute review

The most notable thing about the Asus ROG Carnyx is that this gaming microphone is absolutely huge. It measures about 10.2 inches / 26 cm tall when used in conjunction with its included stand. Its base is roughly 4.7 inches / 12 cm across at its widest point too, which means that this model is likely going to be a little too large for many setups. I even struggled to position it on my roomy desk, opting to place it off to the side rather than in front of me so as to not block part of my monitor with its tall height.

That said, it’s going to be a very compelling option if you have the space. Its build feels impressively high-quality, with plenty of durable metal elements, and its design is sleek and incorporates eye-catching RGB elements that would be perfect for content creators. The microphone also features a small number of on board controls that allow you to tweak overall volume, enable a high-pass filter, and mute it easily, all of which are responsive and very intuitive.

On top of all this it offers superb sound, on par with many of the best microphones for streaming, which will make it an ideal choice for those looking to upgrade their streaming setup or just after an easy-to-use plug-and-play option for more general online gaming.

A close up shot of the Asus ROG Carnyx.

(Image credit: Future)

Asus ROG Carnyx: Price and availability

  • $179.99 / £169.99 / around AU$299
  • Available at Amazon 

The Asus ROG Carnyx costs $179.99 / £169.99 / around AU$299 and is available from both Amazon and Asus in the US and UK. This price puts it right at the top of the scale when it comes to USB microphones, as it’s significantly more expensive than favorites like the Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X. 

The price is most comparable to the likes of the SteelSeries Alias and, much like that model, you’re undeniably paying a premium for the overall design and ROG name. Whether this is worth it for you will depend on your personal aesthetic preferences and any potential loyalty to the brand.

Asus ROG Carnyx: Specs

Asus ROG Carnyx: Design and features

Every aspect of the Asus ROG Carnyx’s design is large and heavy but feels impressively durable as a result. Its base is constructed from a robust metal which is fashioned into wide angular shapes that lend it a very modern appearance. The bottom of the base, which has a rubberized grippy underside, is etched with some subtle ‘Republic of Gamers’ branding in addition to a grill-like pattern that gives it a great texture. The grill displays a shiny ROG logo too, which is a classy touch.

The base connects the capsule using a traditional shock mount, suspending it with elasticated fabric to reduce low-frequency noise caused by any movement of your surface. A large adjustment knob allows you to change the angle of the mount by roughly 60 degrees, though I found this to be incredibly difficult to loosen out of the box.

A close up shot of the top of the Asus ROG Carnyx.

(Image credit: Future)

The capsule itself is predominantly constructed from a smooth plastic and is a cylindrical shape. There’s a small ROG logo embossed on it, right below a volume adjustment knob and three white LED indicators. These denote whether the high-pass filter (which helps to block out other low-frequency sounds) is active and whether the adjustment knob will affect your current recording audio level or the volume from the 3.5mm audio jack present on the capsule’s rear. The audio knob can be pressed down with a satisfying click to alternate between modes or disable the high-pass filter.

Above this is a wire mesh that glows with an impressive RGB effect. Your choice of color and some more general settings can be adjusted in the accompanying Armory Crate software. This software is mostly functional, but offers very few features that cannot be controlled directly on the microphone itself and has a disappointingly limited and dated design for a such recently released and pricey product.

On the top of the capsule you’ll find a touch-sensitive button that can be used to quickly mute the microphone - an intuitive, easy to reach location. Muting the microphone causes the RGB lighting to turn a bright red, which provides a helpful way to check whether your microphone is currently muted (though this can be disabled via the software if you prefer).

The software of the Asus ROG Carnyx.

(Image credit: Asus ROG)

Asus ROG Carnyx: Performance

The Asus ROG Carnyx connects to your PC with a braided 3m USB-C cable and can be used in a plug-and-play capacity without any software. This makes it incredibly easy to set up and it performs fantastically in this out-of-the-box configuration. It provides clear sound and does a remarkably good job of removing any background noise. After slightly tweaking the gain level using the adjustment knob and enabling the high-pass filter, it successfully managed to drown out the low hum of fans on a hot day, in addition to any passing cars and trains.

You can still squeeze comparable sound out of cheaper alternatives, like the Blue Yeti, though this will require some software and considerably more effort. As a simple, all-in-one solution, the Asus ROG Carnyx certainly delivers. 

The recording quality is comfortably high enough for content creation when the microphone is positioned a couple of inches in front of you, though the cardioid pickup pattern will make this model unsuitable for recording something with multiple speakers, for example a podcast. When you’re shopping in this price range you can easily find other models, like the JBL Quantum Stream Studio, which offer a wide selection of possible patterns that would be much better suited to this purpose.

On some particularly warm summer days I did notice that the top of the capsule inexplicably became quite hot to the touch. This is presumably due to a combination of the toasty weather and excess heat from the LED lighting and, while a little disconcerting, did not seem to affect performance in any tangible way.

A photo showing the size of the Asus ROG Carnyx relative to a wine bottle.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Asus ROG Carnyx?

Buy it if...

You value simplicity
The Asus ROG Carnyx is expensive, but it’s a capable all-in-one solution that’s easy to set up and use right out of the box.

You love the ROG brand
If you already have a PC gaming setup filled with Asus ROG accessories, the modern design and RGB lighting of the Asus ROG Carnyx will fit right in.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t have the space
The only real problem with the Asus ROG Carnyx is that it’s absolutely massive. Given that there are loads of much smaller models on the market, this is one to avoid if you don’t have a lot of desk space going spare.

Also consider...

Still not fully sold on the Asus ROG Carnyx? Here are two other strong gaming microphones to consider. 

JBL Quantum Stream Studio
The JBL Quantum Stream Studio comes in cheaper than the Asus ROG Carnyx but offers a far greater range of pickup patterns to choose from. The bidirectional and omnidirectional options make it much better suited for creating content with multiple speakers. 

For more information, check out our full JBL Quantum Stream Studio review

 SteelSeries Alias
The SteelSeries Alias comes in smaller than the Asus ROG Carnyx and boasts an even more attractive design and a very similar set of features for practically the same price.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Alias review

A photo showing the adjustment knob of the Asus ROG Carnyx.

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Asus ROG Carnyx

  • Used for over a month 
  • Tested with a gaming PC
  • Compared to other microphones

I used the Asus ROG Carnyx as the primary microphone for my gaming PC for over one month. During that time I engaged in plenty of multiplayer gaming, chatting with friends and teammates on platforms such as Discord. I also used the microphone for daily calls with colleagues during my working day. In order to assess the sound quality, I collected feedback from call participants and recorded myself in a wide variety of settings with different levels of background noise using Audacity.

During my time with the microphone, I made sure to fully test the Armory Crate software and endeavored to try every available feature. I also frequently compared the experience of using this model to my experience testing a wide range of other gaming microphones from across the price spectrum.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024.

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX review: a keyboard for the sophisticated gamer
7:17 pm | April 23, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Keyboards Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX: One-minute review

Asus’ ROG Strix Scope II RX is nothing short of impressive. It’s the perfect culmination of clever design decisions and the latest precision switches, and is arguably one of the best-looking keyboards on the market right now. All the bells and whistles are there that you’d expect, and it doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to performance either, with impeccably accurate and rapid linear optical switches.

It’s not flawless, however. It lacks the 8,000 Hz hyperpolling that we’ve seen across a number of competing keyboards, even at this price point, and the fact that the majority of its configuration options are still tied to Asus’ Armory software is a detriment.

Don’t get us wrong, it works - you can tweak things there, but it’s very much a one-and-done experience. Armory still lacks the finer software polish of some of its rivals from the likes of Razer, Steelseries, Corsair, and Logitech. Despite this, it's still a truly stellar piece of hardware that is difficult not to recommend.

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX: Price & Availability

  • How much does it cost? $140 / £150 (around $210 AUD)
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK and Australia

Asus’s ROG Strix Scope II RX comes in at just shy of $140 / £150 (around $210 AUD) at retail, although you can find it for less than that, particularly around Prime Day and Black Friday. The cheapest we’ve seen so far is around $110 in the US. In the UK it typically hovers around the £150 mark or so. 

That’s a pretty sweet investment for what you’re getting. There are very few keyboards that match it on price, spec-for-spec, with NZXT’s Function 2 and Razer’s Huntsman V2 and V2 Analog being the only boards that come to mind.

Corsair has its K70 RGB Pro as well, priced similarly, which does feature some more advanced hyperpolling features, but it lacks optical switches, giving the ASUS Rog Strix Scope II RX a significant edge in that arena.

  • Value: 4.5
Image 1 of 5

The Asus ROG Strix II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)
Image 2 of 5

The Asus ROG Strix II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)
Image 3 of 5

The Asus ROG Strix II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)
Image 4 of 5

The Asus ROG Strix II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)
Image 5 of 5

The Asus ROG Strix II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX: Design

  • Incredible aesthetic style
  • Full-sized keyboard
  • Sound-dampened optical switches

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX is something else. This is one clean-looking board. Composed of a mix of sandblasted aluminum and plastics, the overall design is stunning. Each key switch is an optical RX linear variant of Asus’ own design, complete with a square-mount design, central RGB LEDs, and an incredible amount of sound dampening thrown in the mix.

It’s those RX switches that are the real stars of the show though. With a 1ms response, and a 100 million key switch life cycle, the top-line stats are impressive enough, but the stability provided is second to none. These are clean, quiet, and incredibly reactive to your touch. In use, it’s unlike anything we’ve tested to date. That’s no doubt thanks to Asus pre-lubing each and every switch on the board. Combine that with the in-built sound-dampening foam as well, and you’re very quickly on to a winning combo here.

Each switch itself has a transparent housing, with a small red accented scissor mechanism inside. The RGB LED sits in the middle, giving it a very unique look. When in use, and set to white, there’s a fleck of red that sparks out at you, providing a very unique look to the overall feel of the board.

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Outside of the switches, there’s an integrated media scroll wheel, along with a dedicated “multi-function” button as well, that swaps the scroll wheel’s control between the different modes. You can control volume, media playback, keyboard brightness, and a third option configurable in Asus’ Armoury software. All of which are clearly highlighted in the small LED illumination above the arrow keys. There’s a number of function keys built into the board as well. Although they’re not exactly out of the ordinary.

All the keycaps are PBT double-shot by design, and Asus also includes an additional ROG-style spacebar for you to swap out instead (if you don’t like the stock standard one). Connectivity is handled by a single USB C to USB A cable, and there’s multi-point adjustable feet in the back of the board, to help elevate the unit as well, if you need to.

  • Design: 4.5

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX: Performance

  • USB connection only
  • Incredibly smooth RX switches
  • Hamstrung by software

We’ve already waxed lyrical about just how good these switches are to use. The RX switches come pre-lubed, and feature an impressive 1ms response time as well. Asus is keeping fairly tight-lipped on all the details here, but they feel about as easy to actuate as a Cherry MX Red, but far quicker on the press. Travel distance seems to be somewhat shallower too, similar to a low-profile switch, but with far less tactile response.

Stability is impressive, and the sound-dampening removes practically every errant ping or mechanical sound you’d otherwise expect to hear. We’re using the RX Linear variant here, so there’s far less audible feedback than with the Tactile version, but there’s still that tell-tale feedback you’d expect to hear if you bottom the key switch out, however, it’s a far softer, far more muted affair than what you’d see from some other competing boards on the market.

For the price, this board is stunning - and it easily keeps up with and often surpasses the likes of Corsair’s K70 and K100 boards, even giving Razer’s excellent Huntsman V2 a run for its money. Just bear in mind that it's not wireless, so you'll need a free USB port to connect it.

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

The one area that does let it down somewhat however is software configuration. Armory Crate is just incredibly clunky to use. Even a basic install or update takes far too long to get on your machine, never mind navigating to the keyboard options in the app itself. It’s incredibly tedious, and a bit of a shame, particularly given how smooth Asus's own AI Suite is by comparison.

Combine that with the constant barrage of Asus Wallpaper, and login requests to access all the features, and it’s considerably off-putting as an end user. That said, although less sophisticated than its rivals, it’s still plenty usable. With lighting, multi-wheel control, and macros all easily configurable once you’re in the right place, and once you’re done with your initial setup, you can close down the program and head on out of there. There are no hardcore device settings or game-by-game auto-switching profiles to think about (although Asus does include up to 6 profile configurations if you include the default one).

  • Performance: 4

The Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX gaming keyboard photographed on a wooden desk.

(Image credit: Future)

Should You Buy the Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX?

Buy it if...

You want an incredible typing and gaming experience
The RX linear switches are phenomenal. Combine them with an impressive sound-dampening design and you’re on to a winning combo.

You love that ROG design language
The ROG Strix Scope II’s aesthetic is nothing short of awesome. The mix of metals, plastic, and impeccable RGB lighting really makes it stand out from the crowd.

Don't buy it if...

You need wireless connectivity
The ROG Strix Scope II RX features USB wired connectivity only. If you need Bluetooth or Wireless you’re better off looking elsewhere.

You want a TKL-style board
The Scope II RX is a full-size board only, although Asus does have a similar Scope II 96 wireless that’s a touch smaller - though without those RX switches.

You need 8,000 Hz Hyperpolling
Unfortunately, the Strix Scope II is limited to the standard 1,000 Hz hyperpolling. So if you’re a serious competitive gamer, this might not be the board for you.

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX: Also consider

If our Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX review has you looking for other options, here are two more keyboards to consider...

How I tested the Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX

I used the Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX for several days, replacing my usual at-home desktop keyboards (and now I'm a bit reluctant to let it go). I used it for everything I would normally do: typing documents and responding to emails, with some gaming sprinkled in there to get the full experience.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2024