Asus’ ROG Stream X13, Z13, and X16 are highly effective laptops with a few of the high {hardware} in the marketplace. However they depend on ROG XG Cell GPUs for high-end gaming efficiency, making them an attractive choice for individuals who need a slim laptop computer on the go, however a robust gaming rig if you plug into the eGPU at residence.
Nevertheless, the most recent 2023 installment of the ROG XG Cell will not come low-cost, because it options Nvidia’s flagship GeForce RTX 4090 (in its cell type), one of many greatest graphics playing cards for avid gamers.
The ROG XG Cell is an exterior graphics dock that Asus launched again in 2021 for the corporate’s premium ROG Stream X13 (GV301/GV302), ROG Stream Z13 (GZ301), and ROG Stream X16 (GV601) laptops. IT connects to the host machine through a proprietary PCIe connector, so the ROG XG Cell is not appropriate with notebooks outdoors of the aforementioned ROG Stream models. Nevertheless, essentially the most important good thing about the connector is that it supplies a PCIe 3.0 x8 freeway for communication between the ROG XG Cell and the host. The theoretical bandwidth for a PCIe 3.0 x8 connection is 63 Gb/s, round 57% larger than Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s).
Auesthetically, the ROG XG Cell hasn’t modified a lot since its conception. The dock nonetheless measures 21.7 x 16.5 x 3.26 cm, roughly the dimensions of a hardcover guide. It is the identical footprint because the 2022 mannequin, however is barely larger than the unique one. Nvidia’s GPUs have turn into extra thermally demanding, in any case. Due to that, the ROG XG Cell has gained some weight over time as effectively. The 2023 and 2022 fashions weigh 300 grams and 200 grams extra, respectively, than the 2021 mannequin.
ROG XG Cell (2023) Specs
| Mannequin Identify | Graphics Card | Graphics Card TGP | Ethernet Connection | Show Ports | USB Ports | SD Card Reader | Energy Provide | Dimensions | Weight | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GC33Y (2023) | GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop computer GPU | 150W | 2.5 Gigabit | 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 | 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C | Sure | 330W | 21.7 x 16.5 x 3.26 cm | 1.3 kg | $1,999.99 |
| GC32L (2022) | Radeon RX 6850M XT | 165W | 2.5 Gigabit | 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 | 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Sort-A | Sure | 330W | 21.7 x 16.5 x 3.26 cm | 1.2 kg | $999.99 |
| GC31S (2021) | GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop computer GPU | 150W | Gigabit | 1 x HDMI 2.0b, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 | 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Sort-A | Sure | 280W | 20.8 x 15.5 x 2.96 cm | 1.0 kg | $1,099.99 |
| GC31R (2021) | GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop computer GPU | 140W | Gigabit | 1 x HDMI 2.0b, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 | 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Sort-A | Sure | 280W | 20.8 x 15.5 x 2.96 cm | 1.0 kg | ? |
Essentially the most outstanding improve for the ROG XG Cell 2023 resides underneath the hood. This 12 months’s mannequin faucets into Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop computer GPU (150W). It is a important enchancment over the earlier mannequin powered by the Radeon RX 6850M XT (165W) when it comes to efficiency and energy effectivity. Cooling comes within the form of a vapor chamber on the GPU die, assisted by a normal heatsink and a small cooling fan with purple illumination seen from the entrance of the dock. The GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop computer GPU has a configurable TGP between 80W and 150W, so customers get the very best configuration right here. Logically, it could actually’t compete with some overclocked GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop computer GPUs with a 175W envelope, however that is a narrative for one more day.
The ROG XG Cell clearly cannot acquire all the ability it requires from the laptop computer. Regardless of utilizing cell graphics playing cards across the 150W vary, the dock has at all times included an enormous energy adapter. The primary ROG XG Cell got here with a 280W unit. Since then, Asus has upgraded it to 330W for much more energy headroom for different units.
The ROG XG Cell additionally doubles as an I/O hub, however that function would require a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gb/s) connection to the laptop computer as effectively. Whereas the primary dock solely had a Gigabit Ethernet connection, fashions from 2022 and ahead rock a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port. Asus additionally revamped the USB ports, making them sooner. The ROG XG Cell 2023 provides a mixture of three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A ports and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C port, versus the 4 traditional USB 3.2 Gen 1 Sort-A that had been round for the final two generations. The show ports and SD card reader are the 2 objects that have not modified.
Asus sells the ROG XG Cell 2023 for a whopping $1,999.99 (opens in new tab). That is costly given you may get a desktop GeForce RTX 4090 or one of many greatest gaming PCs for that sort of cash and nonetheless have spare change. Nevertheless, the 2022 mannequin ($999.99 (opens in new tab)) was considerably cheaper as a result of Asus had chosen AMD’s Radeon RX 6850M XT for the job. For comparability, the 2021 mannequin with the GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop computer GPU bought for $1,099.99 (opens in new tab).
In different phrases, Asus is charging $900 or 82% extra for the brand new model of its proprietary exterior GPU. On the intense aspect, there ought to be ample availability for the ROG XG Cell 2023 given the worth. We’re certain that not less than just a few house owners of earlier Stream laptops will take the chance to improve their graphics capabilities with out having to ditch their present PC.