CES 2022 saw lots of new hardware announced by ASUS ROG and TUF, with the welcome addition of MUX switches in all of their new laptops
First things first, what is a MUX (Multiplexer) switch?
Commonly in gaming laptops, you have two GPUs. In order to save power, the iGPU is used for most simple tasks, switching to the more powerful dGPU when needed. On many systems, though, the discrete GPU (dGPU) still has to first send its signal through the integrated GPU (iGPU) before it reaches your screen. In doing this, it creates a bottleneck that reduces the frame rate displayed, often by upwards of 10%.
A MUX switch physically changes the route the signal takes, bypassing the iGPU completely and allowing the dGPU to operate at full speed. It does this without you needing to do anything, it just works, which is why this is so significant. More frames, less hassle.
Now we’ve got that out of the way, let’s have a look at the new range:
ASUS ROG and TUF 2022 Lineup
Pretty much the entire lineup has been upgraded for 2022, with the all-new RTX 3080 Ti and 3070 Ti mobile GPUs making an appearance, along with the new 6000 series Ryzen and 12th Gen Intel Core CPUs. We will also see more of them featuring the super-fast DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen 5 storage and the latest Micro LED display tech. Combining all of these new innovations represents a significant step up in performance.
ROG Flow Z13 (and upgraded X13)
ASUS’s premium gaming convertible is getting an update to RTX 3050Ti GPUs in the Flow X13, whilst the Z13 is a fully revamped addition, with fantastic new design elements and an integrated kickstand. Once again, the Flow Z13 is compatible with the XG Mobile eGPU for a major boost in gaming performance when docked. Even without the XG Mobile, An i9-12900H, RTX 3050 Ti, DDR5-5200 memory and the unique tablet-cum-laptop hybrid form factor make this one to watch in 2022.
ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
The new dual-screen behemoth now has up to a Ryzen™ 9 6980HX CPU and GeForce RTX™ 3080 Ti Laptop GPU at 165W TGP, and comes with either an HDR Mini LED screen, or a unique dual spec panel that can switch from 4k120Hz to 1080p240Hz. The Zephyrus Duo SE was one of the best laptops of 2021, so we can’t wait for the new update.
ROG Strix Scar 15/17
Designed with pro-level gamers in mind, the Scar series has impressive specs. Up to an Intel® Core™ i9-12900H CPU and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 Ti Laptop GPU powers these notebooks. Bringing all of this performance to your eyes is either a 1440p240Hz or 1080p360Hz display, and ROG’s excellent mechanical keyboard.
ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) GA402
The brand new 2022 Zephyrus G14 is powered by AMD and Windows 11 Pro out of the box. Featuring new Ryzen™ 9 processors and Radeon™ RX 6800S mobile graphics, this all-AMD powerhouse is ready for any gaming or multitasking you can throw at it. The G14 also leverages AMD technologies like Smartshift and Smart Access Memory for an extra edge. AMD Smartshift allows the CPU and GPU to dynamically allocate power when and where it is needed the most, and AMD Smart Access Memory gives the CPU full access to the GPU’s full VRAM, improving performance in games.
ROG Zephyrus M16
Speed, power, and portability achieve a perfect balance in the all-new 2022 Zephyrus M16. Its ultra-slim frame houses a powerful 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-12900H CPU with NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 Ti Laptop GPU. With up to 48GB of DDR5 4800MHz RAM and up to 2TB of ultrafast PCIe® 4.0 storage, everyday work and multitasking is faster. Lightning-fast load times for demanding apps makes gaming and content creation speedier than ever.
ROG Strix G15
The latest AMD Ryzen™ 9 6900HX CPU paired with up to an NVIDIA® 3080 Ti Laptop GPU with 150W max TGP and MUX Switch form the backbone of the brand new 2022 Strix G. Cutting-edge DDR5 memory keeps your CPU fed with information at all times, ensuring a responsive experience. PCIe® 4.0 SSD support means that you’ll never need to wait for file transfers or game loading screens again.
ROG Zephyrus G15
Blaze through games, content creation, and more with up to an AMD Ryzen™ 9 6900HS CPU and GeForce RTX™ 3080 Ti Laptop GPU. Spend less time waiting and more time gaming with up to 4800MHz DDR5 RAM. Dual M.2 slots connect directly to the CPU for maximum performance, and they’re loaded with up to 1TB of storage for your growing games library and creative portfolio.
TUF Gaming F15
The TUF Gaming chassis has been redesigned for 2022, and is 4.5% smaller than last year’s models. The TUF logo has been reimagined as well, with both embossed and laser-sculpted versions. Despite this size reduction, the brand new 2022 TUF Gaming F15 still houses a large touchpad with anime-inspired accents and four-way indicators.
Stream and multitask with ease thanks to an Intel® Core™ i7-12700H and up to 16GB of blisteringly fast 4800MHz DDR5 RAM on Windows 11. Leverage the full gaming performance of the GeForce RTX™ 3070 Laptop GPU with a dedicated MUX Switch. When your game library gets full, an empty M.2 NVMe SSD slot makes upgrading storage capacity a breeze.
TUF Gaming A15
Jump right into the action with the TUF Gaming A15. Running Windows 11 out of the box with an AMD Ryzen™ 7 6800H Processor and up to 16GB of blisteringly fast 4800MHz DDR5 RAM, your streaming and multitasking are handled with ease. Leverage the full gaming performance of the GeForce RTX™ 3070 Laptop GPU with a dedicated MUX Switch. When your game library gets full, an empty M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4×4 SSD slot makes upgrading storage capacity a breeze.
